Decatur, GA June 2025 by City Lifestyle

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.

Tree Care Tips

• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.

• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.

• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.

• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.

• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!

Superheroes

In the spirit of Father’s Day, this June, we recognize the fathers, father figures, and mentors who lead with grit, generosity, and heart.

Meet Xavier “Bad Pads” Biggs, who trains champions at Decatur Boxing Club not just for the ring but for life. His no-frills gym is where strength is measured by discipline, consistency, and heart. As he puts it: “Boxing changed my life.” His story reminds us that real growth takes courage — and that the greatest victories are often the quietest.

At Ean Camperlengo’s Mothers Best Fried Chicken, nostalgia is served crispy and golden. Rooted in childhood memories and fueled by fine-dining chops, Mother’s Best Fried Chicken focuses on what matters most: sharing food that brings people together. Because that’s what the best meals do — they carry us back in time and forward into community.

We also step into Origin Story Comics, where stories leap from page to heart across generations. Owner Adam Beauchamp created a space where dads and kids can journey side by side, relive their own childhoods, and pass on the torch to the next chapter of readers.

We lift the curtain on the inspiring work of Jeremy and Jennifer Rhett, whose REAP literacy nonprofit is powered by local rock bands, painters, and creativity. We revisit Herb Chereck of Decatur Package Store, whose bottle shop legacy has been poured over two decades into the spirit of Decatur’s cocktail culture. And we celebrate Adam Crawford’s Cat Eye Creative, where bold, street-rooted art invites us to connect, create, and carry the spark forward.

This issue is for the gentlemen in our lives, but more broadly, it’s for the people who leave things better than they found them. It’s for the folks who turn everyday moments into origin stories and remind us that greatness is often found in the ordinary.

Here’s to the fighters, the fathers, the flavor-makers, and the fearless.

June 2025

PUBLISHER

Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Natalie Fox | natalie.fox@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION MANAGER

Brooke Felder | brooke.felder@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Grace Boudreau | grace.boudreau@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Josh Cornwall, Brandon Malcolm, Natalie Fox, Brooke Felder

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Wachs, Jonathan Wade

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

Decatur

Mothers

Origin

FSA SUMMER CAMP 2025

JUNE 10–JULY 19, 2025 | LOCATED IN DECATUR,

Where Curiosity, Creativity & Community Thrive

Looking for a summer camp that sparks imagination, builds friendships, and feels like family? The Friends School of Atlanta’s Summer Camp offers a warm, welcoming environment with enriching weekly themes for children ages 5–14. Open to all!

Led by caring educators and guided by Quaker values, each week blends learning and play in a screen-free, inclusive setting.

Spots fill fast—scan the QR code to explore sessions and register today.

business monthly

New Counseling Services for Children

Amy Robbins Counseling is now available to see children ages 5-12 at their Grant Park Office. Wendy Thomas' work with children includes navigating divorce, anxiety/depression, bullying, friendships, grief, and anger management while utilizing play, creative arts, and talk therapy. Email Wendy at Wendy@amyrobbinscounseling.com or call 404-670-2855 to schedule a parent consult.

Origin Story Comics Reading Challenge

Grab your free Reading Journal (in-store or online), read 8 comics, manga, or graphic novels, jot them down, and bring them back to Origin Story Comics for a prize! Challenge runs May 31–August 31, 2025. Repeat monthly for more rewards. Learn more at originstorycomics.com

Parker's on Ponce Father's Day Brunch

Parker's on Ponce hosts their annual Father's Day Brunch on June 15th! Enjoy a delicious spread with breakfast and lunch options, a carving station, and delightful Southern Sweets cakes and pies. They will also be open for regular dinner service. Reserve online parkersonponce.com or call (404)-924-2230

THE ART (AND HEART) OF BOXING

DECATUR BOXING CLUB BRINGS TOP-NOTCH TRAINING AND AUTHENTIC PHILLY BOXING CULTURE TO THE SOUTH.

Xavier “Bad Pads” Biggs believes boxing is symbolic of life - it reveals if you’re worthy by testing your strength of character and self-discipline. The closer you get to success, to the title, the harder you have to work. Growing up in Philadelphia, Biggs was raised amidst its deep boxing culture. Training cleaned up his life at a pivotal point, when he was “kind of going down the drain” on the streets in the hood.

ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WACHS

Because boxing granted him a better vision of life, he derives great happiness from the opportunity to share this sport with others, as he knows firsthand how beneficial it can be on every level. His gym isn’t connected with other businesses or companies; it’s wholly organic, which can make keeping it open challenging. It’s a challenge well worth it, for Biggs has found his calling and contribution, all while staying true to his passion.

Decatur Boxing Club is an old-school, genuine boxing gym. Authentic posters and flyers cover the concrete walls, slices of history splattered alongside piles of

weights, jumping rope, and other training tools. Many movies have been filmed here (notably, Resurrection of the Champ with Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett) because people love the look. The barebones, no-nonsense setup hones its focus on one thing: the art of boxing. With no air conditioning, it is a training gym sure to challenge you and push your abilities to their greatest extent. Open since 2004, there has never been a single incident or injury. That’s largely due to the expertise of Biggs and the other highly qualified trainers he has hired. He selects his trainers with careful consideration, ensuring

they have excellent mentors, understand the highs and lows of boxing, and have gone through the process of getting themselves into top-top shape. To succeed in boxing (and in life), you must be willing to do everything it takes. The trainers also need to demonstrate a deep love for the sport and their students. Honor, integrity, and heart are integral to the operation, which helps keep everyone safe. Decatur Boxing Club brings out the best in each of its boxers.

To get started at Decatur Boxing Club, one needs to assess their goals: are you interested in fights, or simply looking to get in shape? Then, a plan will be crafted.

“

BOXING CHANGED MY LIFE .”

Group classes are an excellent jumping off point, incorporating boxing drills, footwork, hitting the hand pads, and jump rope. The Sugar Ray Rope Slap, coined by Sugar Ray Robinson, is the warm-up that starts every class. Music is key, so one can tap into the high-energy rhythm while demonstrating speed, timing, and footwork, resulting in a killer cardio workout. Biggs has many parents bring their children to the gym for classes, and he is passionate about the positive impacts boxing training can have on youth. The rituals involved build good physical conditioning while developing character and confidence.

When asked what boxing offers that other sports don’t, Biggs immediately replies, “Everything.” A true full-body workout, boxing requires high-level capabilities across the gamut, which explains why professionals from all other disciplines turn to boxing in their training regimen. Biggs has trained professional football, basketball, and tennis players. The abilities that boxing sharpens bring incomparable benefits; it enhances your timing, coordination, balance, and speed. You’ll perform better in your chosen sport by integrating boxing’s impressive combination of grace and strength. Biggs’ boxing gym is raw, real, and performs at the highest level. Stepping into the space feels like turning back in time, where the love of the sport supersedes modern comforts, and a true community has been built. Push yourself to your physical limits and walk away with a greater outlook on life at Decatur Boxing Club.

CRISPY FRIED NOSTALGIA

Mothers Best Fried Chicken is Decatur’s Comfort Food Destination

ARTICLE BY BRANDON MALCOLM PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN WADE

Mothers Best wants their fried chicken to take you to a simpler time.

“Nostalgia for the fried chicken of my childhood is behind everything we do,” Chef and Owner Ean Camperlengo explains as the sounds of Hall & Oates’ 1981 hit “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” fill the cozy, eclectically designed

“I love engagement over food...fried chicken brings people around a table to eat with friends. That’s what we’re all about.”

restaurant space off Church Street on the Decatur Square. From the recipes to the decor and service, every piece of the restaurant is designed to give you a trip down memory lane.

Opening their doors at the end of 2024, Mothers Best DGFC (that’s “damn good fried chicken”, for the uninitiated) was a long-anticipated and welcomed addition to the Decatur restaurant scene. With years of successful pop-ups under his belt, Camperlengo had a steady set of fans clamoring for his food around town after trying his burgers (Smiley’s just down the street is also his concept), crawfish boils, and of course, crispy chicken.

“I love engagement over food,” Camperlengo explains. “We still do boils, but fried chicken has the same community spirit. They both bring people around a table together to eat with friends. That’s what we’re about.”

Camperlengo’s love for deep-fried fowl goes back to his roots in New Orleans, growing up on supermarket and fast-casual fried chicken. “My mom raised us on her own and fed us on her own, and I respect that so much. Chicken from places like Popeyes and Publix was a staple. And I loved it. I knew when I opened my own restaurant that it would be an homage to my childhood in that way.”

Creating an ideal fried chicken recipe comes as no accident. Camperlengo trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in New York, learned from some of Atlanta’s greats (Linton Hopkins, Joe Schafer, and Terry Koval, to name a few), and has run the gamut of cooking experience from fast-casual to fine dining. “I still have a love for fine dining,” Camperlengo explains as he dredges cut chicken in a signature blend of 14 herbs and spices. “The attention to detail, the sourcing of ingredients, the level of service–we focus on a lot of the same elements. We just do it with food you already know.”

The food truly speaks for itself. The simple, refined menu captures every element of picnic fried chicken you crave, elevated with classic technique and finely-tuned recipes.

The chicken, available in classic whole fried pieces, sandwiches, and tenders, manages to be perfectly crispy and packed with flavor without feeling greasy or too salty. Classic sides like Louisiana-style rice and beans and collard green coleslaw add to the nostalgic flavors, while the “whirled famous” velvet potatoes & gravy are a real contender for the best butter potato dish in the city. Everything is made in-house, and it shows. Simple menus can sometimes be the most difficult to execute, but Mothers Best confidently owns that simplicity and still manages to offer something for everybody. Any more would be too much.

After 6 months on the square, Mothers Best feels like it’s been part of the community for decades. “Decatur was a pretty obvious choice for us,” says Camperlengo. “This is where we all used to hang out after work. I met my wife here. I know how the restaurant owners around here support each other, and it’s special.”

“The culture of support you see around here is unlike any other. There’s so many amazing people packed into this Square.”

The tight-knit collection of chefs, restaurateurs, and community-oriented businesses around Decatur was a sort of “unicorn” situation for the Mothers Best team. “The culture of support you see around here is unlike any other,” says Camperlengo. “I see Terry and say hey every day as he’s going into Deer & The Dove. I see Mike Gallagher (Brick Store, Leon’s) crossing the street and want to throw him a tender. You can be a young business owner here because of that scene of support- there’s so many amazing people packed into this Square.”

As Mothers Best settles into their spot in the Decatur restaurant world, it aspires to make a mark that goes well beyond noteworthy fried chicken. “I want this place to really be a part of the community,” Camperlengo explains. “We’re building our relationships in the city and want Mothers Best to be a place people can come and do the same. Connect over good food. We want to help people out as much as we can and try to make decisions every day to honor that.”

New FRAMING A ADVENTURE

Origin Story Comics offers a new chapter for comic book fans in Decatur.

ARTICLE BY JOSH CORNWALL

BY CAROLINE FICKEN

At Origin Story Comics, storytelling goes beyond the pages of its books. It’s on the walls and immersed in the conversations between different generations of readers. For co-owner Adam Beauchamp, the shop represents both a childhood dream and a family-friendly space where stories truly come alive.

PHOTOGRAPHY

“I started reading in the early ‘90s,” Beauchamp said. “My mom used to take me every Wednesday to grab the latest issues. It was just something we shared, something that stuck.”

That nostalgic pull is what inspired Beauchamp to open a second location in Decatur, closer to home, after taking over a comic shop in McDonough eight years ago. While the McDonough store has been home to diehard Wednesday regulars, Decatur has attracted a new crowd of parents, children, and newcomers looking to explore comics, graphic novels, and vintage finds.

“It’s been cool to see more dads and their kids coming in together,” Beauchamp says. “For a lot of them, comics were part of their own childhoods, and now it’s something they’re passing down.”

Beauchamp and his business partner, Clint Hays, have built the store with accessibility in mind. The shop features lower displays for younger readers and plenty of family-friendly reads to get them interested, before gradually building to more mature content for comic book veterans. It’s a space designed to grow with a reader.

Comics, he says, have become a bridge—especially in an era where attention spans are short and screens are everywhere. “Some parents come in and say their kid just won’t read chapter books, but they’ll devour graphic novels,” he said. “Reading is reading, and this gets them excited about doing it.”

Origin Story is also teaming up with the local library this summer for a kids’ reading program that rewards young readers for checking out books. The initiative launched on May 3, Free Comic Book Day, one of the busiest—and most fun—days of the year for comic book shops across the country.

From the first glimpse of a new superhero story to the first moments of bonding between fathers and kids, Origin Story Comics wants to connect folks to a passion that can span across many generations.

And for Beauchamp, that’s the real superpower.

L E S S O N S & C L I N I C S

I m p r o v e y o u r g a m e w i t h

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W E E K L Y P R O M O T I O N S

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Cat Eye Creative Has Vision

Cat Eye Creative is more than an art gallery: it is a communal, educational hub inside an intimate, European-style space. Adam Crawford (Owner, Curator, and Consultant) wants his new Decatur location to be somewhere people can enjoy the work while learning the stories behind their creation. Art appreciation is at the center of his mission, alongside collaborating with the city while granting clients the opportunity to buy a piece of living history.

Local artists from Decatur and greater Atlanta (Miami, Chicago, LA, New York, and Texas, too) are spotlighted here. Their work is displayed in murals, hotels, and restaurants across our city, Google HQ, and even the Smithsonian. Offering a variety of prices and techniques, you can immerse yourself in the aesthetic possibilities while refining and expanding your artistic palette. Crawford hopes to inspire Decatur to embrace and invest in art as a cultural practice. We must honor its value and sacredness because, as he reminds me, “art can actually push boundaries and has influenced history throughout time.”

Adam Crawford brings his expansive expertise and high-value art to Decatur.

ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE FICKEN

Herb’s 22-Year Pour

HOW HERB CHERECK HELPED BUILD DECATUR’S FAVORITE BOTTLE SHOP.

If you’re looking for a bottle, Herb Chereck has one and probably a great story to go with it.

Since 2003, he’s been the man behind Decatur’s favorite neighborhood liquor store. Herb didn’t grow up dreaming of amaros and craft cocktails, but when he walked away from law school and into the liquor business, he found his true calling.

Open since the 1970s, Decatur Package Store has a rich history. “When I bought the store, it didn’t match the neighborhood. I thought: I can fix this,” he recalled. More than two decades later, he’s done far more than that. “This is where all the bartenders in Atlanta shop,” he said. Today, it’s still a staple in Decatur’s evolving cocktail scene, known for its curated selection of craft spirits, boutique wines, and unique barrel picks.

A few years ago, Herb decided he wanted to do more than pick barrels—he wanted to create one. He now distills his own liquor in partnership with Independent Distilling Company. Starting with malt whiskey and eventually moving into bourbon and rye, Herb’s small-batch creations reflect his deep respect for the craft.

At the heart of the longtime bottle shop is a passion for the community that created it. “Decatur supports you if you support Decatur,” he said. He’s a longtime sponsor of the Decatur Wine Festival and local charities, keeping the community at the core of every pour.

For Herb, it’s not just about selling bottles. It’s about building relationships, embracing curiosity, and keeping things interesting. After all, good taste isn’t just about what’s in the glass: it’s about who’s pouring it.

ARTICLE BY BROOKE FELDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE FICKEN

Passion, Purpose, Painting

HOW CERTAPRO PAINTERS’ COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS POWERING LITERACY REVOLUTION.

ARTICLE BY JOSH CORNWALL

Photo by Jonathan Wade

In Avondale Estates this August, a neighborhood theater will come alive with classic rock and a sense of community purpose. But behind the bright lights and electric guitars is something more powerful than nostalgia–a benefit concert built on a unique blend of business, music, and Mission.

The event, set for August 16 at the historic Avon Theater, will raise funds for REAP—Reading is Essential for All People—a nonprofit founded by Jeremy and Jennifer Rhett in 2013. The organization offers structured literacy training for public school teachers across metro Atlanta to improve reading outcomes for all students, particularly those who struggle.

The idea for REAP was born on a road trip from a CertaPro Painters franchise conference. Jeremy, who owns the Decatur-based CertaPro franchise, was inspired by a presentation on using entrepreneurial resources to give back. He and Jennifer, now REAP’s executive director, put their heads together and drafted a business plan before they even made it back home.

More than a decade later, REAP has trained over 1,975 teachers and built a reputation for improving reading outcomes. School districts across the region credit the program for significant gains in literacy. One district even produced its own promotional video celebrating REAP’s impact, without being asked.

While REAP operates independently, it thrives with support from CertaPro. The business donates office and meeting space, as well as rehearsal space—yes,

rehearsal space. That’s because Jeremy’s band, The Tiger Kings, practices at CertaPro HQ, which is outfitted with a stage, sound system, and lighting.

“It’s kind of the perfect mashup,” Jeremy says. “I love running a business. I love playing music. And I’m deeply passionate about literacy. This event brings it all together.” On August 16, The Tiger Kings and fellow local band Maxwell Street will take the stage. All proceeds will benefit REAP.

“We’re lucky to live and work in a place like Decatur,” Jeremy adds. “This community has supported our business, and it’s that loyalty that allows us to support REAP in return.” For those unable to attend, donations can be made at readingisessential.org. Businesses can also get involved through sponsorships or matching gift programs. And while REAP’s staff is lean with just two full-time employees and a team of dedicated trainers, every dollar goes directly toward empowering teachers and, ultimately, students.

“We always say, if REAP didn’t need to exist anymore, that would be the greatest success,” Jeremy says. “That would mean structured literacy has become standard in every classroom. Until then, we’re doing the work— one teacher, one student, one show at a time.”

Because in this story, the message is simple: every child deserves the chance to read. And every community has the power to help them turn to the next page.

To learn more about the event, visit www.freshtix.com/ events/tigerkings-08-16-2025

“We’re lucky to live and work in a place like Decatur. This community has supported our business, and it’s that loyalty that allows us to support REAP in return.”

events

JUNE 6TH, 20TH, & 27TH

Decatur FC Games

Decatur High School Football Stadium

Cheer on Decatur’s women’s semi-pro soccer team June 6, 20, & 27 in the WPSL Southeast Conference! Tailgate on Decatur Square starts at 5 PM with a team meet & greet. Join the community march to Decatur High Stadium at 6:15 PM.

JUNE 13TH

Decatur Beach Party

Downtown Decatur | 4:00 PM

The Decatur Beach Party is back with sand, live music, dancing, and tropical vibes. Bring your buckets and shovels to play in the street “beach” on Ponce, enjoy food trucks, frozen treats, and all the summer fun — Decatur style!

JUNE 21ST

Decatur Pollinator Festival

Downtown Decatur Square | 10:00 AM

Georgia’s first Bee City USA® "Beecatur" celebrates National Pollinator Week with a buzzing mini festival! Join us on the Square for bees, butterflies, native plants, kids’ face painting, King of Pops, and more. Learn how pollinators power our ecosystem through fun talks and activities.