Atlanta Intown - June 2025

Atlanta Intown A Publication

Why Local Knowledge Matters In Luxury Real Estate

Sherri Daye Scott, Dave Williams

EDITOR'S NOTE

Staycation summer ahead

I spent the last two summers in Ann Arbor, MI with lovely side trips to Toronto, Chicago, and regular excursions into Detroit. This year, however, I’m staying in Atlanta due to finances, economic uncertainty, and a general disinterest in getting on an airplane until at least 2028.

Instead, I’m planning on doing the staycation thing (that is still a thing, right?)

First off is a day (or two) of crate diving. For the uninitiated, that’s searching through the bins at used record stores for a bargain. The newly opened Crates ATL in South Downtown is on my must-visit list, plus I always stop at Wax ‘n’ Facts in Little Five Points and Ella Guru in Oak Grove.

If the crate diving is happening over the weekend, then I’ll stop in at Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland for brunch. The country fried steak and eggs plate –perfection!

and maybe one or two day trips or an overnighter to Savannah at some point. My idea of a staycation might not jive with your interpretation, but I’ll offer up a few of my local destinations to see if they inspire you.

When it’s not blistering hot, I’m planning to check out the new Woodall Rail Trail segment that just opened in Northwest Atlanta (see the story on page 12 for more) and I am a sucker for an afternoon/evening at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown despite having been there a hundred times. My day trip itineraries include Greenville, SC. If you haven’t been lately, the transformation of the Downtown area and Reedy Falls Park is outstanding. Lots of shops, good restaurants, and the falls are definitely Insta-worthy. Also, Pine Mountain is scenic and historic thanks to its connection to President Roosevelt and the nearby Little White House. I highly recommend a drive over the mountain on GA 190, which has some great lookout points. And Savannah is Savannah. A day at Tybee Beach, dinner at The Crab Shack, a stroll along River Street, and the squares.

Enjoy your summer!

Grab your pup, kitty, rabbit, guinea pig, parrot, or other critters and pucker up for the camera.

Send your high-resolution images (1MB or higher) by June 13 to pets@roughdraftatlanta.com.

Be sure to include your name and your pet’s name.

atlanta

Collin Kelley

Tybee Beach (Photo by Collin Kelley)

Beltline seeks funding for driverless shuttle pilot program during FIFA World Cup

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta Beltline Inc. (ABI) detailed plans for an autonomous shuttle pilot program connecting Atlanta University Center (AUC) to the West End MARTA station and the Southwest Trail.

The pilot program would run from January to December 2026, which means the driverless shuttles operated by Beep would be available during the FIFA World Cup matches happening next summer.

Beltline and Beep officials made the presentation during a special-called meeting of the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority on May 12. Since the authority has $2.2 million remaining in its trust fund for the fiscal year, the Beltline asked for $1.75 million for the shuttle pilot.

Beltline Senior Transportation Engineer Shaun Green said the entire pilot program is expected to cost $3 million, with the remainder being shouldered by ABI.

The two-mile route for the Beep shuttles would take visitors from the AUC campuses to a dedicated bay at West End MARTA station and then on to the Lee + White entertainment complex on the Beltline. The specially outfitted Ford shuttles would run every 10 to 15 minutes. Officials said the shuttle service might

be free for riders during the pilot program, but is considering options for fare collection.

ABI President and CEO Clyde Higgs said the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the World Cup was the perfect time to experiment with the shuttle service.

“This kind of partnership and innovative thinking is exactly what will fill in the gaps in our existing transit system and help us begin to

build inclusive and robust transportation options that include multiple transit modes providing direct connections to the Beltline and benefit all Atlantans,” Higgs said.

The authority is expected to vote on funding the pilot program at its June 5 meeting.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has called for more connectivity to the 22mile Beltline Trail, including building four new infill MARTA Stations. Putting actual transit – and whether it should be a streetcar or autonomous vehicles – on the Beltline remains a contentious topic between the city, advocates, and proponents.

Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium to get big revamp

By Dave Williams | Capitol Beat

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved a $70 million plan May 15 to renovate Bobby Dodd Stadium on the Midtown Atlanta campus of Georgia Tech.

The project, to be funded by the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, will create a new premium level of seating on the stadium’s west sideline, replacing the existing president’s lounge and entry lobby with a 7,700-square-foot Founder’s Club featuring 124 seats.

The west sideline renovations also will include eight new Founder’s Suites and eight new elevated suites, plus renovations to 16 existing suites, press operations, and food service.

Fifteen suites on the east sideline will be renovated, as will the Field Club lounge

measuring 20,000 square feet. The plan also calls for creating a new Speakeasy Club.

Ten existing suites in the north endzone are also slated for upgrades. Work in the south endzone will involve renovations to three suites, a relocated press area, and booths for security, radio, statistics, and flexible use.

Upgrades to general seating will include new chairback seating throughout the bowl, except in the student areas. New video boards will be added at the south end and northwest corner of the stadium.

The project will cost an estimated $39.7 million to build, while $18 million will go toward equipment. The work will be done between the end of the 2026 football season and the start of the 2027 season.

Courtesy Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Courtesy Georgia Tech

Charter Communications has announced a merger agreement with Sandy Springs-based Cox Communications valued at $34.5 billion. The major transaction will need approval from Charter shareholders as well as federal regulators.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced her candidacy for Georgia governor on May 20, joining previously declared Democratic candidates

State Sen. Jason Esteves and pastor Olujimi Brown. Attorney General Chris Carr is the only Republican to have officially declared a candidacy.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is adding 14 new Plane Train cars over the next year as it continues its tunnel extension. The fleet expansion will increase transport capacity from 10,000 to 12,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

The Dome/GWCC/ Philips Arena/CNN Center MARTA station in Downtown will be renamed SEC – Sports Entertainment and Convention District station ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

Paul Bianchi, Paideia’s founding head of school, dies at 79

By Cathy Cobbs

The Paideia School announced on May 10 the death of Paul Bianchi, “founding head of school, beloved educator, and guiding light to generations of students, families, and colleagues.”

A statement released by the school said Bianchi, 79, passed away at his home, “leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, care, and commitment to progressive education.”

Bianchi, who led The Paideia School from its founding in 1971 until

his retirement in 2023, shaped the school’s identity that “valued curiosity, compassion, and community,” the statement said. Even after his retirement, Bianchi continued to teach at the school.

“What began as a dream shared by a small group of parents and a young educator became one of the nation’s most respected independent schools, due in large part to Paul’s vision, tenacity, and humanity,” the Paideia release said.

“Paul was a model of what it means to lead with heart,” The Paideia Head of School Tom Taylor said. “His presence was felt in every hallway, in every

conversation, in every act of care that built this community.”

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who, along with his wife Alisha, graduated from Paideia in 2005, issued a statement after Bianchi’s death.

“We celebrate and honor Paul’s life and his legacy as one of the most impactful, visionary, and beloved educational leaders in Georgia history,” Ossoff said. “Alisha and I know firsthand the brilliance, wit, wisdom, and compassion that made Paul so special, and are grateful for all he did to support us and so many others.”

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the school unveiled a new sculpture memorializing the eraser toss, a tradition started by Bianchi that occurs on the first day of each school year.

An eraser is thrown into the crowd of high school students, with the student who catches the eraser deemed as destined to become a teacher.

“Paideia is not just an accumulation of curriculum and facilities, programs and achievements. The magic sauce is a school culture that regards children optimistically and joyously, as well as celebrates the teachers who create the school every day,” said a quote by Paul

Bianchi inscribed on the sculpture’s plaque.

In 1971, a group of parents decided to start Paideia and offered to make 25-year-old Bianchi, who was a teacher at The Galloway School, the job of head of the school, according to Bianchi’s obituary.

“It seemed like an impressive offer, but as he said, ‘Let the record reflect that I was selected from a list on which there were no other candidates to head up a school that had no buildings, no faculty, no students and no money.’”

The school, which started with 145 students, now has more than 1,000 in its K-12 program.

Melba Hughes, retired board member and chair of Paideia’s Succession Planning Committee and parent of 2003 graduate Ashley Hughes Austin, called Bianchi “a brilliant man, a loving husband and father and a community builder. Paul built a school that quickly became a community for many of us. I was honored to be his friend and I will miss him.”

Bianchi is survived by Barbara Dunbar, his wife of 57 years, his three daughters, and eight grandchildren.

Paul Bianchi (Courtesy The Paideia School)

Rewind & Relax: A Nostalgic Summer Vacation at Lake Oconee

There’s something magical about summer, especially through the eyes of a child—think cannonballs into the lake, windows-down road trips, and chasing fireflies after dark.

In Georgia’s Greene County, just 75 miles from Atlanta, those timeless summer moments are still alive. From berry-picking to dock jumping, Lake Oconee is the perfect place to relive the good old days—and share them with the next generation.

Get Out On The Water

No classic summer is complete without a little time on the lake.

Rent a boat for the day and go wakeboarding, or explore peaceful coves on a stand-up paddleboard. For a touch of old-school charm, turn up a nostalgic playlist, and set out for a sunset pontoon cruise with your crew.

For a truly timeless experience, book a ride on the lake’s only vintage wooden HackerCraft boat—a beauty that looks like it cruised straight out of a 1950s summer postcard. With its polished woodwork, buttery leather seating, and the gentle hum of its classic engine, this boat isn’t just a ride—it’s a step back in time.

Jump Into Summer

For many, the thrill of a summer day isn’t complete without a leap into cool water from a favorite rock. Jumping Rock at Lake Oconee is just that place—a timeless spot where kids (and adults) can channel their inner daredevil and jump from the iconic rock ledge into the lake below. It’s an exhilarating throwback to simpler days when fun was measured by how high you could leap and how much laughter echoed across the lake.

Soak In Live Music By The Lake

Resort guests at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee are invited to unwind lakeside in The Backyard for the return of the beloved Summer Concert Series. From May through Labor Day, enjoy an exciting lineup of live musical performances spanning a variety of genres, all set against the serene backdrop of Lake Oconee.

Select holiday weekends will shine even brighter with dazzling firework displays lighting up the night sky—an unforgettable way to end a perfect evening.

Camp Under The Stars

If your idea of the perfect summer includes grilled hot dogs and nights under the stars, Greene County’s campgrounds deliver all the throwback charm. They offer peaceful lakeside settings where you can swim, cast a fishing line off the dock, and spread out a blanket for a picnic beneath the pines.

These spots are ideal for unplugged, oldfashioned fun—think skipping rocks, spotting turtles, and ending the day with sticky fingers and s’mores around the fire. As dusk settles in, kids can chase fireflies with mason jars while the grownups lean back in camp chairs, enjoying the sound of crickets and the lapping of water on the shore.

Go Berry Pickin’

Few summer memories are sweeter than picking sun-ripened berries straight from the bush—

September 13. This open-air market is packed with seasonal produce, farm-fresh eggs, homemade jams, baked goods, and people that make the whole scene buzz with energy.

Cast a Line

Fishing at Lake Oconee is more than just a pastime—it’s a timeless tradition.

Accessible fishing areas include the Highway 44 Fishing Pier and the Wallace Dam Pier. For those looking to enhance their fishing experience, Reel Time Guide Service, led by Captain Smith, offers expert-guided trips on Lake Oconee. With over 30 years of experience, Captain Smith specializes in targeting species like striped bass, hybrid bass, and crappie. He provides tailored trips that cater to all skill levels.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources requires licenses to fish in all public lakes in

and at Hemi Blueberry Farm, that tradition is alive and thriving. Nestled just outside Greensboro, this charming, family-owned farm invites visitors to wander the rows, bucket in hand, and gather plump, juicy blueberries.

Whether you’re stocking up for homemade pies, freezing some for later, or just savoring the moment, a morning at Hemi is the kind of experience that feels like summer in its purest form.

Shop Local Markets

Open year-round, Scratchers Creek City Market is a cozy indoor market featuring lunch, handmade goods, and fresh vegetables. It’s a great stop for everyday staples and discovering something new.

Come May, the Lake Oconee Farmers Market brings the heart of summer to life each Saturday morning through

Georgia so, make sure you have your license before you get on the water.

Slow Down And Soak It In

Sometimes the best summer moments are the quiet ones—rock on a porch swing, listening to the water lap against the dock, or feeling the warmth of the sun on your face with nowhere to be. At Lake Oconee, relaxation isn’t just encouraged—it’s part of the lifestyle.

Find your reason to linger longer this summer

Class of ‘25: Valedictorians and salutatorians

Congratulations, graduates! Metro Atlanta families recently gathered to celebrate the graduating class of 2025. Here are the top students honored as valedictorians and salutatorians for local public and private schools in Rough Draft’s coverage area.

Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Classical Academy

Robert Boyd Balsley (V)

Ryan Parker Panessa (S)

Drew Charter School

Thihini Rachel Nagendran (V)

Kaelyn Denise Myers (S)

Benjamin E. Mays High School

Roni Villegas-Hernandez (V)

Ronan Villegas-Hernandez (S)

BEST Academy

Isaiah Brown (V)

Marcus Daniels (S)

Booker T. Washington High School

Elyssa Antonette Simmons (V)

Vivian Makayla Fuller (S)

Carver Early College

John Bullen Yile (V)

Zachariah Isaiah Ardister (S)

Carver STEAM

Brya La’Chaey Pitts (V)

Xente Lamont Harris (S)

Coretta Scott King YWLA

Amya Payne (V)

Summer Clark (S)

D.M. Therrell High School

Madison Herrington (V)

Adepeju Arogundade (S)

Frederick Douglass High School

Adonis Christian McCrary (V)

Rihana Deloris Williams (S)

KIPP Atlanta Collegiate

Warren Attucks Trawick (V)

Issata Abena Nkromo (S)

Maynard Jackson High School

Elijah Bernard Berkowitz-Douglas (V)

Ezra Michael Zyskowski (S)

Midtown High School

Benjamin Malcolm Pollet (V)

Lila Elise Duke (S)

North Atlanta High School

Christian Satcher (V)

Ana Beatriz Pinho (S)

South Atlanta High School

Diego Fernando Motino Fajardo (V) Aniya Letrice Bent (S)

Fulton County Schools

North Springs High School

Sarah Meiselman (V)

Kingsley Amponsah (S)

Riverwood International

Charter School

W. Bennett Oyler (V)

Ellie Ryan (S)

DeKalb County Schools

Druid Hills High School

Ellis W. Schroeder (V)

Amanda G. Philpot (S)

Decatur High School

Renato Dell’Osso IV (V)

Emma Fang (S)

Chamblee High School (Magnet)

Yonatan A. Nemenman (V)

Anish R. Konduri (S)

Chamblee High School (Resident)

Jannath Jamal (V)

Garrett C. Moore (S)

Cross Keys High School

Hemani Purkayastha (V)

Adriana Berduo-Roblero (S)

Dunwoody High School

Anna M. Siegel (V)

Wendell D. Rogers (S)

Private Schools

Atlanta Jewish Academy

Oliver Mason (V)

Shira Oami and Eliana Flusberg (S)

Greater Atlanta Christian School

Ethan Braswell (V)

Jayden Lee (S)

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School

Eliza Ambler (V)

Alexis Wolgast (S)

Holy Spirit Preparatory School

Pierce Hughey (V)

Alexander Jozefowicz (S)

Marist School

Marshall Lisenby (V)

Jonathan Lee (S)

Mount Vernon School

Herris Fentress (V)

Ryley Fuller (S)

Pace Academy

Stephen Yang (V)

Olivia Resnick (S)

The Lovett School

Charles Leone (V)

Gisella Brok (S)

The Weber School

Daniella Zalik (V)

Molly Marcus (S)

The Westminster School

Augie Bunting (V)

Ashley Miller (S)

Woodward Academy

Ritesh Sachdeva (V)

Sophie Thomas (S)

TO Our Newest Alumni!

Atlanta celebrates opening of Woodall Rail Trail segment

By Collin Kelley

A ribbon cutting was held May 9 for the opening of Woodall Rail Trail, the first completed segment of the Silver Comet Connector in the City of Atlanta.

Mayor Andre Dickens joined the Upper Westside Community Improvement District (CID), project partners, and community members to celebrate the opening of the 0.7-mile trail segment, which also restores access to a 10-acre

The $2.4 million trail was funded by state and federal grants, as well as matching funds from the CID and the

PATH Foundation.

The trail follows Woodall Creek — a tributary of Peachtree Creek — through a forested corridor teeming with native plants and wildlife. It begins at the future Northwest Beltline connection at Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard and Elaine Avenue and stretches north to Chattahoochee Avenue at The Works.

Additional segments will eventually connect to the Silver Comet Trail and create a 94-mile contiguous path to Anniston, AL, eventually becoming the longest paved trail in the United States.

Photos courtesy Upper Westside CID

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Paint Love pushes forward despite NEA cuts

By Sherri Daye Scott

In a year marked by federal funding cuts and political reshuffling, many of Atlanta’s arts nonprofits are preparing for the ripple effects on staffing, programming, and community access. But amid the uncertainty, one local organization, Paint Love, is sustaining its mission thanks to timely philanthropic intervention.

Paint Love has been active in Atlanta’s

creative ecosystem since 2014, delivering trauma-informed arts programming to more than 40,000 young people across the metro area. Its work centers on youth facing poverty, displacement, or grief, kids who often have the least access to creative outlets but the most to gain from them.

“Art is our vehicle,” says Robin Deutsch Edwards, Paint Love’s Director of Philanthropy and Communication. “But the soul of our work is showing children that their voice matters, their ideas are

important, and their actions can make a difference in shaping the future.”

The NEA pulls back

This spring, Paint Love was among 80 organizations nationwide impacted by the suspension of the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) Challenge America grants. These $10,000 awards are typically earmarked for small and midsized organizations serving underserved communities. For Paint Love, the grant

was set to fund one-third of the budget for its Emerging Artist Cohort. This professional development program trains Atlanta-based artists to lead traumainformed arts programming for youth.

The NEA’s decision to cancel previously awarded grants follows two other major blows to public arts funding: Fulton County slashing its arts budget in half and the loss of COVID-19 relief funds, which have provided roughly 60 percent of Georgia’s available public funds for arts organizations for the past three years.

As Paint Love continues to navigate the challenges of fluctuating funding, the organization remains committed to its mission. “We rely on our community –from financial support to volunteer time – to expand our reach and sustain our mission,” said Shaw. “In uncertain times, art connects us, fostering healing and hope. Together, we can continue making the arts accessible across Metro Atlanta.”

Philanthropy steps up

Just as the Emerging Artist Cohort program faced an uncertain future, the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation stepped in with emergency funding.

Together, they committed $800,000 to

Duluth Mayor Greg Whitlock and Paint Love’s Leah Kellaway cut the ribbon on a student-led public art project linking creativity and conservation. (Photos courtesy Paint Love)

For Paint Love, this lifeline arrived just in time. “Without this support, emerging artists in our cohort might struggle to develop and implement their projects, and our nonprofit partners could lose access to the creative programming that helps young people process emotions, build confidence, and envision new possibilities,” Edwards explains.

Building a pipeline of creative leaders

Launched in 2022, the Emerging Artist Cohort is more than a training program. It’s a field-building effort equipping artists with the skills to lead in traumainformed spaces. Over 18 months, cohort members receive training in Paint Love’s trauma-informed model, learn new skills, and receive expert guidance from Atlanta professionals on effectively engaging and creating deeper, more meaningful experiences for young people.

In 2024, cohort members served nearly 1,000 kids through partnerships with organizations like Camp PEACE, Catholic Charities at Indian Creek Elementary, Los Niños Primero, New American Pathways, Global Village Project, Kate’s Club, Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance, Wellspring Living, and Wilderness Works.

The 2025 cohort, which began in January, includes six new artists leading programs and mentoring high school students at Duluth High School on a

STEAM project to design and paint murals on six stormwater drains.

A call for sustained support

While emergency grants have provided a temporary reprieve, Paint Love’s leadership emphasizes the need for more sustainable funding models.

“Many grants are project-based, and most funding is short-term,” said Paint Love Executive Director Laura Shaw. “Some local foundations have recognized the need for multi-year funding and give multi-year grants, which is so helpful for organizations like us who have extremely limited staff capacity.”

Shaw also highlighted the importance of general operating support, which allows organizations to invest in internal capacity and staff well-being. “Funding support in large amounts or multi-year funding have been the most impactful,” she says. “These larger gifts supported general operating rather than restricted funding, which allowed us to invest in our team and internal capacity.”

The road ahead

Paint Love is expanding its reach this summer by providing arts programming for Atlanta-area nonprofit organizations, including Los Niños Primero and the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.

For more information, visit gopaintlove.org.

Live Nation concert venue coming to Centennial Yards

By Sammie Purcell

A concert venue will join the mixed-use Centennial Yards development rising in Downtown Atlanta.

Developer Centennial Yards Company announced in a press release that it has set a long-term lease with Live Nation for a live music and entertainment venue that will anchor the development.

Centennial Yards is the $5 billion, 50-acre mixed-use development that is underway across from MercedesBenz Stadium and State Farm Arena in the area formerly known as The Gulch. The development includes Cosm, a 70,000-square-foot immersive entertainment venue; Hotel Phoenix; and

The Mitchell, a 304-unit apartment tower, all anticipated to open later this year, according to a press release.

Hotel Phoenix topped out at the development in December of last year. The Mitchell apartments topped out in August of last year.

The Live Nation venue is expected to open in 2027 with a capacity of 5,300, according to a spokesperson.

“Atlanta has long been a cornerstone of American music and live entertainment, and we’re thrilled to help write its next chapter downtown with this new venue at Centennial Yards,” said Jordan Zachary, President of Global Venues at Live Nation, in the release.

Courtesy Centennial Yards Co.

Art Papers marks 50 years with a bold farewell and future vision

By Sherri Daye Scott

Art Papers always believed in the long game.

Founded in 1976 as a scrappy newsletter for the Atlanta Art Workers Coalition, it grew into one of the longestrunning nonprofit art publications in the U.S., a voice for experimental criticism, Southern perspectives and the radical potential of artist-centered dialogue. Now, Art Papers is preparing for its final bow, not with a whimper but with a celebration: “50 YEARS of ART PAPERS,” a retrospective anthology set for release in early 2026. The pre-order window is open now through June 30.

“It felt like each issue included at least one thing that ‘really should be in the book,’” said Sarah Higgins, Art Papers’ executive and artistic director and editor of the volume. “The hardest decisions have been those moments of necessary elimination — of knowing readers would love to see certain pieces, but having to let them go because of space.”

The 260-page book pulls from a half-century of issues, spotlighting everything from critical essays and experimental writing to interviews with icons like Jacob Lawrence, a conversation Higgins rediscovered unexpectedly while digging through the 1987 archive.

The retrospective also tracks Art Papers‘ editorial and graphic shifts through the decades. Readers can trace the evolution of art publishing just by flipping through its changing layouts, typography and artist interventions.

A regional voice with global reach

Striking the balance between regional identity and international relevance has been a through-line for Art Papers since the beginning and was a critical lens for curating the anthology.

“My hope is that one of Art Papers’ legacies is proving that those two concepts are not mutually exclusive,” Higgins said. “The local and the global have always been entangled within Art Papers’ perspective.”

An ending by design, not default

The decision to end operations in 2026 was a choice rooted in integrity. Facing a difficult financial landscape and the rapid destabilization of arts publishing, Higgins and her team decided against letting Art Papers slowly erode into irrelevance.

Instead, they embraced a model they call “Fire Ecology,”an intentional conclusion that preserves and honors the organization’s full history.

By choosing to close on its own terms, Art Papers not only offers closure to its

readers and contributors but ensures its archives, now in partnership with Emory University and MOCA GA, will remain accessible for future generations.

A roadmap for the next wave

Higgins hopes “50 YEARS of ART PAPERS” will offer both inspiration and invitation to the next generation of art writers, editors and publishers.

And while the anthology honors the past, it’s also a tactile record of an idea: that criticism, dialogue and artist-centered thinking are living traditions that matter— even in the face of change.

Pre-order the ART PAPERS 50th anniversary book now through June 30 at artpapers.org and receive $10 off the final cover price.

‘Star Wars,’ ‘Sound of Music’ part of annual Fox film festival

By Rough Draft Staff

DEFINING SKYLINES

John Portman and the Architectural Evolution of Downtown Atlanta

Experience the Georgia Tech Library’s special exhibition highlighting the extraordinary life and work of John Portman, the visionary architect behind some of Atlanta’s most iconic buildings.

Visit the exhibit now through December in the Price Gilbert first floor Exhibit Gallery.

Library

The Fox Theatre has announced the first titles in the 2025 Coca-Cola Film Series – “Star Wars: A New Hope” on Friday, July 25, and “The Sound of Music” Sing-Along on Sunday, July 27.

Later in the fall, there will be a silent screening of “Phantom of the Opera” with live organ accompaniment by Ken Double on the Fox Theatre’s “Mighty Mo” organ. Additional programming will be announced in the coming months.

For all Coca-Cola Film Series screenings, the Marquee Club, presented by Lexus, will be open and feature special activations. Tickets are available now for both films at foxtheatre.org.

Friday, July 25 – “Star Wars: A New Hope” – 7:30 p.m.

Coca-Cola will provide exclusive collector’s packaging featuring original “Star Wars” characters to add to the overall film experience. In addition to several other family friendly activations, there will be “Star Wars” themed trivia in the Marquee Club.

Sunday, July 27 – “The Sound of Music” Sing-Along – 4 p.m.

Guests are invited to don their lederhosen, practice their best Maria von

Trapp impressions and get ready to enjoy Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” Sing-Along! Before the Oscar-winning, family favorite film begins, audience members will receive a complimentary tote bag filled with interactive surprises to be used throughout the screening.

Before the film, Variety of Georgia – a nonprofit dedicated to enriching, improving and fulfilling the lives of children living with disabilities and disadvantages – will host an onsite donation as part of its Bikes for Kids program. The program provides adaptive bikes for children with special needs, enhancing their therapeutic support and freedom.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit foxtheatre.org or call 855-285-8499.

MILLION-DOLLAR MARKETING AT

PRICE RANGES – Jared

Stories That Nourish

SCAD Students serve up personal and community food narratives

By Collin Kelley

For our third collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design, we once again worked with the students in Paige Gray’s spring semester writing class. Last year’s partnership produced a special section with stories responding to the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. This year, food was on everyone’s mind, so under the direction of Rough Draft’s dining editor, Beth McKibben, the stories produced by the students range from the personal to issues like food insecurity.

You’ll also find out what students eat on a budget, how students balance classes while maintaining a part-time job, and what comfort foods help ease the stress of

homework and exams.

Along with Beth, associate editor Sammie Purcell, and I met weekly with the students for more than a month to help guide them in the creation of their features. The students in the class are working toward careers in screen and fiction writing, but Professor Gray fully believes in giving her students a well-rounded education in various forms of writing, including journalism.

From our first meeting, the students were engaged and came prepared with stories they wanted to share with the community. So, not only will you read a sample of their efforts here, but you can visit RoughDraft.news or simply scan the QR code below to read even more.

Read More Online

The stories presented here are just a sampling of a larger body of work created by the writing students during this collaboration. Scan the QR code or visit RoughDraft. news, and you’ll find additional reporting and features related to the food and dining theme. The stories include features on how inflation is affecting food prices, five taco joint suggestions, favorite exam cram snacks, and much more.

Atlanta turns to the soil to tackle food insecurity

By Ronesha Strickland

In April, residents of Southeast Atlanta gathered to celebrate the rebirth of a historic green space: Red’s Farm at Ormewood Park. Once an off-the-radar community farm stewarded by a local grower, the site has been officially designated a city park, a move local advocates hope will become a model to combat rising food insecurity and persistent food deserts.

The city's official recognition of Red’s Farm represents more than a name change—it’s a shift in how green spaces are valued and preserved, according to John O. Baiyewu, urban agriculture and food systems director for the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience.

“Red’s Farm has long been a place where the community came together,” said Baiyewu. “Now that it’s a city park, it’s about finding ways to maintain the original culture while also expanding the vision.” The transition of Red’s Farm into a city park marks a new chapter for the beloved community space, blending its deep-rooted legacy with fresh possibilities. Longtime residents recall neighborhood cookouts, youth programs and impromptu music nights that gave the space its heart. As city officials and local leaders collaborate on the park’s future, efforts are focused on preserving its identity while introducing new amenities that serve a wider audience — from community gardens to cultural events.

As it transitions into a city park, efforts are being made to honor Red’s Farm’s past while introducing new programs and features that serve a broader population. The goal is to strike a balance between cultural preservation and inclusive growth.

That shift became official after a series of land transfers that ultimately placed the property in public hands.

According to Rachel Ezzo, board chair of Urban Farm in Ormewood, Inc., the land, previously owned by a local family, was sold to the Conservation Fund and then transferred to the city, solidifying its role as a public resource. While the Atlanta Parks Department oversees basic operations, the site is still largely maintained by the same community members who nurtured it from the beginning. And

while the farm’s transformation is significant, advocates say it’s part of a broader effort by the city to invest in local food systems.

Baiyewu’s office has supported other agricultural initiatives through mini-grants totaling over $300,000 funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. These initiatives support food-growing organizations, resident gardens, and small farms. The mini-grants reflect a broader effort by Baiyewu’s office to address food insecurity and economic recovery at the neighborhood level. By directing federal funds toward grassroots agricultural initiatives, the office is helping build long-term capacity for local food production while supporting community-led solutions.

“It’s not just about creating farms for business,” Baiyewu said. “We want to support people growing food in their backyards." Baiyewu’s remarks highlight a shift toward more inclusive urban agriculture, emphasizing that food production isn't limited to commercial ventures. By encouraging backyard gardening and small-scale growing, the initiative aims to foster self-sufficiency, strengthen community ties, and make fresh food more accessible to residents across the city.

Those investments have helped position Atlanta as a national leader in food access innovation. With more than 70 neighborhoods classified as food deserts, the city recently launched programs to expand grocery retail access through investments from Invest Atlanta and the Office of Policy, as reported by Supermarket News. One of the city’s most ambitious efforts includes supporting local food entrepreneurs and mobile markets that bring fresh produce directly into underserved communities.

These initiatives not only aim to close the geographic gap in food access but also empower residents to play an active role in reshaping their local food systems. By partnering with grassroots organizations and leveraging public-private funding, Atlanta is working to ensure that healthy, affordable food is within reach for all its residents. New stores, such as Savvy Market on Campbellton Road, are among the solutions, but many advocates argue that deeper

Continued on page 22

Red’s Farm in Ormewood Park (Photo by Ronesah Strickland)

Illustration by Amanda Pan

change must come from the ground up. Still, structural challenges remain, particularly in neighborhoods historically excluded from access to fresh food.

That’s where places like Five Points Urban Farm come in. Elias Capello, an anthropology professor at Savannah Art and Design College, leads student volunteer efforts at the garden’s Garnett MARTA station location. At the grassroots level, community farms are working to fill that gap with education and hands-on engagement.

“Many of my students don’t initially realize they’re food insecure,” Capello said. “We talk about how systems of racism influence where food is accessible, and students begin to understand that growing their own food is both a life skill and a form of empowerment.” Capello’s approach is part of a growing movement in Atlanta schools to integrate food justice into the curriculum, connecting students to the broader social and historical context of food access. Through hands-on gardening projects and classroom discussions, educators are equipping young people with

the tools to critically examine inequities in their communities and advocate for change. These programs not only teach practical skills but also foster a deeper understanding of how food intersects with identity, health, and systemic inequality.

Capello’s insight speaks to a deeper truth: food insecurity isn’t always obvious, especially for young people. By connecting systemic racism to food access, her students start to see the bigger picture—how growing their own food isn’t just practical, it’s a powerful act of reclaiming agency and creating change within their communities.

Capello emphasized that even gardens with limited access, such as those near public housing projects or pollinator plots downtown, can become powerful tools for education and healing when properly maintained and labeled.

For Ormewood residents like Jessica Turner, the transformation has been personal. “Before this, my thumb wasn’t green,” she said. “Now I’m learning how to grow my own food, and it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself.”

College students try to balance classes and jobs

By Mackenzie Mercer

Working a food service job on top of a class schedule that already commandeers a large portion of time is a lot for a college student to juggle all at once.

With the unpredictability and physically demanding nature of the food industry, SCAD student Tania Anderson has to pick her battles. Rising tuition costs, coupled with current instability in the U.S. Department of Education, make it an even more difficult tightrope to walk. When deadlines come up, Anderson and many other college students like her must decide if the paycheck is more important than the classroom.

According to recent data from the National Restaurant Association, 47.5% of employees in the restaurant and foodservice industries are young adults ages 18 to 24. Out of those workers ages 19 to 24 who are enrolled in school, there are around 18.2% collectively. For Atlanta college students, life is a balancing act between managing work and school.

Students have to combat procrastination’s pull and make sacrifices to ensure everything gets done and nothing slips through the cracks.

“I often find myself not wanting to work on homework after,” Anderson, a server at Oz Pizza, said. She said that long shifts make it hard to pick up the textbook after work.

For SCAD student Jessica Goddard, her ability to complete her schoolwork to her standards has been the most difficult thing to manage with the demands of her job.

“It keeps me from putting more time into things that I want to… I'm not able to put as much time and effort into [schoolwork] as I'd like. I feel a bit more rushed,” Goddard, a server at a popular Buckhead restaurant, said. “I feel like I'm working two full-time jobs, because you kinda are.”

Some Atlanta college students use certain strategies to manage their time effectively. Finding what works best is different for each student. Goddard keeps

Tania Anderson (Provided)

Courtesy SCAD

rigorous schedules and prefers consistency, while Anderson prefers to space things out and do work in small portions. Georgia State student Ella Rollins tries to get things done as quickly as possible.

“I just try to get stuff done after class when I can,” Rollins, who works at the same Buckhead restaurant as Goddard, said.

With more tightly packed schedules, completing school work directly after class can ensure the work gets done. Methods of study aside, sometimes the assignments

build up to an unmanageable point. In which case, temporary adjustments need to be made. “Don't feel bad about taking a day off,” Rollins said.

“Even if you don't want to do a full two hours of studying or like homework, try to do at least 15 minutes,” Anderson suggested.

Anderson has found that making herself do small increments of homework after getting off from work and seeing if they are still exhausted from their job helps. She describes that she does something to refresh herself, ranging from watching some TV, eating food, or doing something hygiene or self-care related before jumping back into assignments.

According to a 2024 7shifts report on Restaurant Employee Engagement, flexibility is incredibly important in keeping workers, alongside camaraderie and benefits. Food service jobs that don’t meet these needs can drive away otherwise willing workers out of necessity more than anything.

“I had homework to do, and I didn't want my grades to suffer because my bosses weren't being accommodating for me,” SCAD student Jasmine Gilson, who used to work at an Atlanta location for McDonald’s, said.

A college student’s choice between a paycheck and what that paycheck goes towards is one centered around urgency.

“I called out [once] so that I could finish an assignment for one of my classes,” Anderson said. In that instance, the grade was more urgent.

Ella Rollins (Provided)

During these uncertain times, HammerSmith is here for you and your family. We provide safe, essential services, architectural designs and home renovations. Start planning today for how to live better in a changed world. HammerSmith is here for you and your family. We provide exceptional architectural designs and home renovations. Start planning today for how to live better in an ever-changing world.

DaVinci’s Pizzeria was a home away from home

By Marcus Callaway

It was my first day of college in a new city. Moving from Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, to Atlanta was like landing on an alien planet. After introducing myself to some other SCAD students, I realized everyone felt as awkward as I did. They were also just as hungry. Lucky for us, DaVinci’s Pizzeria was around the corner from campus. Inside the local pizza chain, the atmosphere was electric—sports were on, laughter provided a soundtrack, and the fresh smell of dough wafted through the air. That’s when I knew I’d be all right.

It was where we spent our Saturday nights, went on dates, watched the Super Bowl, and felt at home across the country. I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. So when the Midtown location closed on Oct. 29, 2023, it meant more than losing good food.

“You can’t just hear about it; you had to be there,” said SCAD student Ian Rawa, “Man, I loved that place, but now seeing it empty—it’s like losing a family member.” Rawa’s favorite dish was the calzone. “The cheese would do that thing you see in commercials [the cheese pull], where it extends, and it would melt in your mouth.”

DaVinci’s felt integral to Atlanta’s college culture, with $20 for a day’s worth of food and a Midtown location between Georgia Tech and SCAD on West Peachtree Street, it was always full of students. In 2018, there were four DaVinci’s pizzerias around the city. As of 2025, only the Smyrna location remains.

“Whenever we’re discussing what to have for dinner, one of us always begins to suggest DaVinci’s before remembering it’s closed,” said Georgia Tech student Sofia Hampton. “All the other places sound worse after that.” Hampton raved about the supreme pizza. “They put so many toppings on it you couldn’t even see the

crust, and that crunch? Oh my god.” I would order the supreme pizza too. The toppings were so fresh, I was convinced they grew them in the back.

Affordable food is hard to find in Midtown these days, so many students are forced to choose between fast food and meals they cannot afford when they dine out.

While we may never know why DaVinci closed, it was not as simple as a lack of sales but rather a combination of factors.

“On top of what is likely a very steep monthly rent for a store in Midtown, there are maintenance fees, insurance fees, utilities, taxes, and so on,” explained Atlanta financial advisor Hailey Illes.

Illes noted that restaurants have specific costs associated with menu ingredients. “Let’s say you had a mediocre sales week,” Illes said, imagining a scenario where “you bought your usual $1,000 worth of food but only used $500.That’s $500 of your budget straight in the trash.” In addition, eating out is one of the first luxuries people give up when the economy is down.

DaVinci’s closing is not an isolated occurrence. In West Midtown, over a dozen restaurants closed in the last two years, including Humble Pie, West Egg Cafe, and Postino. A factor commonly cited for these closures: high rents. When I contacted the leasing agent listed for DaVinci’s Midtown property to ask about their relationship with the restaurant, they declined to comment.

Reminders of the pizzeria remain on West Peachtree—the sign still hangs over the door. DaVinci’s atmosphere made anyone feel welcome. The closure of DaVinci’s feels like losing a tradition, but they aren’t gone yet. The Smyrna location is popular with college students. Many devoted customers, including myself, brave the rush hour traffic for a taste, because nothing’s better than DaVinci’s.

DaVinci’s Pizza (File)

Sugar Rush: A week-long dessert spree around Atlanta

By Yasmin Cowan

Average college students like myself often don’t have the funds needed to indulge in our favorite comfort foods, especially the kind we turn to when stress gets the better of us: desserts.

So, I challenged myself to go on a cheap, week-long, post-midterms sugar spree to unwind—without destroying my bank account.

Monday

To begin, my friend Taylor Inram, a fellow Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) student, recommended I check out A Piece of Cake.

“[I] never knew caramel cake existed until my cousin took me to A Piece of Cake,” Inram said. “It’s so good at just $10.”

While Roswell Road’s location doesn’t have seating, the sweet smell of pastries makes up for it. It’s like on the last day of

school when you get home to discover your mother’s baking your favorite cake.

I ordered a slice of pound cake to start my week off easy, and when you’re on a budget, spending only $5.75 is a break from financial worry.

Tuesday

I wanted to reward myself after pulling multiple all-nighters on a project I’ve already forgotten about. I wanted to feel important and fancy—or as Café Intermezzo’s founder Brian Olson put it, have all of my five senses appeased.

The café offered a warm welcome for a cheap price. My classic Intermezzo hot chocolate with rich vanilla ice cream only came out to $14.50.

Olson said that with inflation, he’s aware that money is on people’s minds.

“Some restaurants got really crazy with their pricing,” he said. “We try to keep it fair with costs going up.”

After hours of sketching and planning, spending an afternoon here made my worries melt away along with my cocoa’s whipped cream. The soothing classical music was the cherry on top.

Wednesday

Thanks to Reddit user OneImpression833, I found my next spot. In response to my inquiry about the best Midtown dessert spots, they pointed me to Tea Leaf and Creamery.

“That stuff turns me into a bona fide toddler,” One-Impression833 said, “trying to hold one in each hand and spilling half of it on my shirt but too greedy and crazed to just order one.”

My ice cream strawberry tea was just under $10—glorious AND inexpensive.

After my strawberry heaven, I had a craving for cookies, so Insomnia Cookies was my next target.

Thursday

According to Insomnia’s website, founder Seth Berkowitz “imagined a business that catered to people just like him: Insomniacs.”

Continued on page 26

Courtesy A Piece of Cake

Based

Continued from page 25

I am not an insomniac, even for delicious cookies. But you don’t have to be to enjoy the tasty treats Insomnia has to offer.

I took a 30-minute afternoon walk to Insomnia’s Spring Street location. I decided against a classic late-night delivery, since delivery fees bring tears to my eyes.

Not only did I get good exercise, but also a delectable reward: a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie for just under $10.

I took them back to class with me. My cookie-brownie-combo was long gone once class started.

Friday

My journey ended with Sugar Shane’s.

SCAD doesn’t have classes on Fridays, so I didn’t have to worry about the 30-minute walk to its Midtown location. When I walked in, I was shocked: I wasn’t expecting cookies the size of my fist! They had everything I could ever want, from jumbo cookies with buttercream frosting to cheesecake brownies. I wanted to try them all, but prices stack up quickly, so I settled for a jumbo chocolate chip cookie with blue frosting and a chocolate cake pop for $11.

As expected, they were amazing. It was the perfect sugar high I needed to end my school week.

A vegetarian SCAD student tackles veganism

By Kameron Lewis

Here I am, sitting in front of this royal house salad and blu-lavender lemonade from Royal Health World Retail & Vegan Café. As this tasty and unique salad sits before me, a question slips into my consciousness: Could I, a vegetarian of 10 years, become a vegan if I tried?

I’ve always thought it would be too hard to go vegan, because I love cheese. But maybe I just need to see what vegan options are out there. Surely, there are vegans in the world who also once loved cheese! And maybe the health benefits would outweigh the costs.

I spoke to the restaurant’s owners, Nika and N’ser Tillman, about the restaurant’s menu.

I decided to see what the experts had to say.

“The studies from both sides sort of overlap one another,” Kip Hardy, manager of Food Service Projects and Food Nutrition Services at Emory Healthcare, said regarding the health benefits of vegetarianism and veganism.

The 2024 Datassential PlantForward Opportunity Report – made in collaboration with The Culinary Institute of America, Food for Climate League, and the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative – considers how digital media shapes consumer expectations and perceptions around plant-forward offerings. Hardy said that this knowledge can help plant-based restaurant owners plan their menus.

Hardy added that reducing your intake of processed foods provides more benefits than being a vegan or vegetarian. Processed foods are foods genetically modified by human hands, or in other words, any food that’s changed from its natural state.

I visited Royal Health World because they serve a variety of healthy sandwiches and salads, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to try one of their special lemonades.

“We use whole foods [chickpeas] instead of processed foods. All natural,” Nika said about the process for making some plantbased meat substitutes.

Nika also mentioned using jackfruit, a green, spiky fruit native to India and Southeast Asia, which is commonly used as a meat alternative. It became a popular choice due to its neutral flavor, its ease of use, and its health benefits.

It is great to know that even if I have to go off campus, there are more than enough restaurants to cater to vegetarians and vegans alike. In addition to Royal Health World, Atlanta’s vegan and vegetarian restaurants include Cafe Sunflower Buckhead, Plant Based Pizzeria, and, perhaps the most well-known option, Slutty Vegan. And that’s just a small sample size.

“We have a large community of vegan restaurants here in Atlanta,” N’ser said.

Knowing all that I know now, could I make the switch? As I take a bite and sip of my food and drink, I still think it would be very difficult for me. But maybe I could make the switch … at least partially. At the very least, the number of plant-based restaurants in Atlanta would make it significantly easier to do.

Kameron Lewis and N’ser Tillman (Provided)

Affordable eating in Midtown?

By Cashmere Chillious

On the weekends when the projects are piling up and the words on the assignment sheets start blurring together, sometimes the only savior is a good meal to distract from all the stress. A hot slice of pizza? A spicy chimichurri? A burger? The thought of inflation causing my $10 meal to become more like $30 prevents me from venturing out.

But recently, I took matters into my own hands to scour Midtown for the most college-friendly affordable eats. To make this list, a restaurant needs to be budget-friendly (no more than $20 for a full meal), walkable or accessible via MARTA or with available parking in Midtown, and most importantly, satisfy my taste for something new.

When I started looking for restaurants, I realized that college students as a whole are losing affordable dining options near campus due to rampant restaurant closures and inflated prices. I wanted to create this guide to shed light on different restaurants that I feel open the gates for more options, not just for students, but for everyone living in, working in, or visiting Midtown.

Mukja: Korean Fried Chicken ($10 - $20)

933 Peachtree St.

• Lime Scooter: 13 minutes from SCAD

• Train from Georgia State: 4 minutes walk to Five Points station to Midtown, 5 minutes walk

An Atlanta subreddit post from four years ago listed Mukja Korean Fried Chicken as one of Midtown’s most popular restaurants. The post mentioned an adult happy meal for $15. While no longer available, Mukja does have a very flavorful gochujang pork bowl meal that includes rice, fries, and a drink for $20. The dining room is bustling but still perfect for study time.

Ray’s New York Pizza ($5 -$15) 26 5th St.

• On campus at Georgia Tech

• Bus from Georgia State: Central Ave. at Wall St. to West Peachtree at 5th St.

• Lime Scooter: 15 minutes from SCAD

“I'd love good pizza, affordable pizza, where I can just get a slice. That's my thing. Give me two slices and I'm good,” said SCAD student Shelby Clark. “And coming from New Jersey, where you have bakeries that are owned by grandmothers who immigrated here, and they have their greatgrandchildren working at the front, I want a mom-and-pop or a small business kind of place.”

I tried four different pizza places, and none reminded me of a good New York slice like Ray’s Pizza. When talking to the current owner, Joseph Karam, he told me more about Ray’s history.

“My dad bought it from the original owner in 1990 and was a partner in it,” Karam said. “That ran for about 13 years, and about the time I was getting out of college, I saw the opportunity to jump in and run it for the last 20 years.” Ray’s has been in the same location for the last 33 years, and caters to all demographics. A whole 14-inch cheese pie

costs $15.50, and a slice costs a nice $4. Karam recently opened another restaurant next door called Boho Tacos, which is also a la carte and nicely priced.

The Sparrow ($10 - $20)

950 West Peachtree St.

• Walking: 32 minutes from SCAD

• Driving: 4 minutes from Georgia Tech

Sometimes I crave really specific things, like the steamed soup buns from this Midtown Asian tavern. The Sparrow satisfies that craving, along with a nice ambiance and meals costing between $10 and $20. There are multiple deals like $13 weekday lunch specials and a weekday happy hour, from 2-5 p.m., that includes appetizers for around $5.

Late Night: Sweet & Fresh ($2 - $20)

708 Spring St.

• Walking: 4 minutes from Georgia Tech

• Lime Scooter: 16 minutes from SCAD and Georgia State University

This is for the night owls who hate having to warm up food in the dirty dorm microwave. Sweet & Fresh is equidistant from all three college campuses in Atlanta, has a 10-piece wing combo for $20, a Philly cheesesteak combo for $13.50, and many a la carte items that range from $2 egg rolls to $6 pork dumplings. The best part is, on Monday, Sweet & Fresh is open until midnight. But from Wednesday through Saturday, it’s open until 3 a.m.

UberEats deals: Rreal Tacos ($5-$20)

100 6th St.

• Walking: 9 minutes from Georgia Tech

• Lime Scooter: 13 minutes from SCAD and Georgia State University

“I feel like I'm an offer or deal kind of person. If it has a deal, then I’m more likely to order from there,” said SCAD student Jonathan Grant. “I feel like some affordable food restaurants should not be a time commitment.” I agree. On a hard week, delivery with surge pricing fees and long waits makes my nights worse. Rreal Tacos includes deals like BOGO (buy one, get one free) on all tacos, including birria and pizzasized quesadillas for $20. With multiple locations, the delivery time is typically less than that of other restaurants in the city.

Forrest Eatery: Seoul Wings ($10-$20)

800 Forrest St., Berkeley Park

• Car: 11 minutes from SCAD

• Lime Scooter: 23 minutes from Georgia

• State University

Last but not least, Forrest Eatery is a ghost kitchen that serves as a delivery and pick-up location for over 60 restaurants. Like Rreal Tacos, Seoul Wings also offers BOGO deals. The six-wing plate with rice includes a deal for getting a second plate free.

Courtesy Rreal Tacos

Original Taco Mac in Virginia-Highland closes after 46 years

By Beth McKibben

The original location of Taco Mac closed in May after 46 years in Virginia-Highland.

The sports bar and restaurant chain, known for its Buffalo wings and vast beer selection, first opened at the corner of Virginia and North Highland in 1979.

“After 46 years, we’re saying goodbye to our original Taco Mac in VirginiaHighlands — the spot where it all began,” the restaurant said in a social media post.

“We are incredibly proud of what began in Virginia-Highlands.”

All staff members were offered positions at other Taco Mac locations around metro Atlanta.

While the restaurant chain now includes 28 locations, the Virginia-Highland Taco Mac was more of a local hangout spot, considered by many residents as their neighborhood bar.

“The closure reflects a thoughtful evolution of Taco Mac’s long-term strategy. As the company expands, it continues to invest in new markets, elevate guest experiences, and deliver on its promise of legendary hospitality and game day energy,” the statement continued.

One commenter on the Facebook post lamented that the property would probably become a new set of condos. However, a Taco Mac representative told Rough Draft that the Virginia-Highland restaurant would become a location of Virginia-based Jack Brown’s Beer & Burgers.

The representative declined to speak further on the closure, including what specifically led to the decision, other than it is part of “Taco Mac’s strategic evolution and regional growth plan.”

Buffalo natives Greg Wakeham and Lou

Chambers founded Taco Mac in VirginiaHighland in 1979.

Forming Tappan Street Restaurant Group in 2000, Wakeham and Chambers, along with their business partners, expanded the local restaurant chain to 25 franchise locations across three states. Dallas-based CIC Partners acquired Tappan Street in 2014.

The Taco Mac franchise changed hands again in 2018, acquired by Atlanta-based Fresh Hospitality, owned by Michael Bodnar, John Michael Bodnar, Mike Tidwell, and Morehouse alum and longtime Taco Mac diner Harold Martin, Jr. Martin now serves as the CEO of Taco Mac.

In 2021, the group closed the Lindbergh Taco Mac location after 15 years, citing safety concerns in the area as the reason for the closure. Two years later, Fresh Hospitality closed the downtown Decatur location after 22 years as part of the restaurant group’s regional growth strategy.

Martin and the Bodnars acquired Mary Mac’s Tea Room in 2020 and The Vortex in 2024. Martin is also a longtime patron of Mary Mac’s Tea Room.

Atlanta’s newest wine bar readies for its debut in Boulevard Heights

By Beth McKibben

Owned by Kayla Bellman, the coffee shop and natural wine bar take over two repurposed buildings at the Penman apartment complex, sharing a patio along the Southeast corridor of the Beltline.

But after announcing the openings for May 3, a last-minute permitting snafu caused Bellman to walk back the date. The postponement means Finca to Filter is only open for to-go orders, and service at Side Saddle remains on hold while Bellman works to resolve the permitting issue.

The 411

Located on Hamilton Avenue, Finca to Filter opens early in the morning for coffee, espresso, and baked goods made in-house by Emily Davis. As Finca to Filter sunsets later in the afternoon, Side Saddle opens for wine, cocktails, and food from veteran Atlanta chef Carla Fears.

Fears, whose resume includes working alongside chefs like Taria Camerino, Zeb Stevenson, and Todd Richards, was operating pop-up Gourmet Street Food when Bellman asked her to develop the menu for Side Saddle. Fears isn’t afraid to

push boundaries, and Bellman likes that she brings fresh flavors and perspectives to the dishes at Side Saddle. The menu features everything from antipasti of olives and pickled vegetables, charcuterie, and salads to confit chicken wings, a cheeseburger, and a Monte Cristo PB&J.

Expect events at Side Saddle and Finca to Filter, including winemaker talks and tastings, pop-up markets, drag shows, outdoor jazz, and weekly trivia. Bellman plans to allow seating in both spaces during the evening, using Finca to Filter as a spillover area for more lively events like trivia.

But that’s not all Bellman has planned at the Boulevard Heights complex. This summer, Bellman will also open a frozen dessert stand selling frozen bananas, chocolate bars, and other sweet treats.

“We want this all to be a welcoming environment for everyone to hang out throughout the day,” said Bellman, who proudly celebrates her businesses as queerand woman-owned.

Side Saddle wine saloon

Bellman first opened Finca to Filter five years ago inside the taproom of Wild Heaven Beer in West End, followed by a location at Create ATL in neighboring Adair Park. Both locations closed in 2024, but not before Bellman could open another location in the Old Fourth Ward, where business is booming.

Like Finca to Filter, Side Saddle continues Bellman’s mission to support

women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community in every aspect of the business, from the staff, beverages, and food to events and other services.

Bellman named Side Saddle for the antiquated seated position women were made to endure when riding horses in heavy skirts. The saddle forced the rider to sit sideways rather than astride, deemed an appropriate position to protect a woman’s modesty.

The name, Bellman said, represents the societal challenges and constraints women and other marginalized people face and work to overcome. It’s important to Bellman that supporting marginalized communities isn’t just lip service at Finca to Filter, and now at Side Saddle Wine Saloon.

Bellman and her staff will provide Plan B and Narcan upon request at the Boulevard Heights businesses. Across Atlanta, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops like Finca to Filter regularly carry Narcan, a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of an overdose.

The wine and cocktails

As with the coffee at Finca to Filter, the beverage list at Side Saddle heavily features wine and spirits produced by women, people of color, and small estates and distilleries, focusing on sustainable and lowintervention production.

“Our house wines are made by a B Corp-certified producer that uses recycled glass for bottles and paper for labels.

Finca to Filter and Side Saddle Wine Saloon will open soon in Boulevard Heights.

Courtesy Taco Mac

The staff at Side Saddle and Finca to Filter in Boulevard Heights. (Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen)

We have boxed wine that is sustainably produced, helping to educate people on reducing the glass bottle carbon footprint,” said Side Saddle wine director Jett Kolarik.

“I’m happy to offer wines by producers who incorporate fair labor practices, sustainable

winemaking, and taking care of the environment into their business models.”

A wine consultant and educator, Kolarik worked for Sarah Pierre at 3 Parks Wine Shop and under sommelier Steven Grubbs at Commune in Avondale Estates. Bellman brought Kolarik on last summer to run the Thursday wine nights at Finca to Filter, which became a proving ground for Side Saddle.

Most wines by the glass average around $16, with nothing over $18 per glass.

People can order flights of three half pours for $15. Look for half-off wines and weekly specials, including women winemakers highlighted on Wednesdays and funkier, more esoteric wines offered on Fridays.

“The buzz outside of Atlanta is big. One importer I spoke to recently said Atlanta is quickly becoming one of his favorite wine cities because it’s so diverse and people are bringing new ideas and events to the table,” said Kolarik of Atlanta’s wine scene.

“Women and people of color are leading this industry here. It’s exciting to be a part

of this right now.”

As with Kolarik’s wine list, affordability factors into the cocktails from general manager and bar manager Flemming Love. Side Saddle features four regular house cocktails for $12 (Ranch Water, Margarita, Kentucky Mule, and Dirty Shirley), with $10 drink specials on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Bellman gave Love runway to get weird with the cocktails at Side Saddle like a cold brew riff on Long Island Iced Tea and the Horse Girl made with mezcal, amaro, sour cherry liqueur, and egg white. One drink even includes lettuce-infused olive oil with a Negroni-infused olive. With access to Finca to Filter’s coffee and syrups, Love is also able to whip up plenty of non-alcoholic mixed drinks.

“I see Side Saddle and Finca as community hubs, and we must keep these spaces welcoming and our menus, service, and events inclusive,” Bellman said. “We’re super proud of the people we’re partnering with, and we want people to know it.”

680 Hamilton Ave., Boulevard Heights. Finca to Filter (@finca.coffee)open daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Side Saddle Wine Saloon (IG @sidesaddlewine) open Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

CR

CR

Chef Carla Fears. (Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen)

Side Saddle and Finca to Filter owner Kayla Bellman. (Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen)

Indian restaurant coming to Spring Quarter development

By Beth McKibben

Indian restaurant Pataaka will open later this year at Spring Quarter on Spring Street in Midtown, according to a press release. The tapas-style Indian restaurant comes from Atlanta chef Anish Nair, who also owns Jai Ho Indian Kitchen at Krog Street Market.

Anish previously owned a full-service location of Jai Ho on Dutch Valley Road in Morningside. He closed that location during the height of the pandemic. The space is now home to Verdure Kitchen & Cocktails.

Located on the ground floor

of the Sora residential tower at Spring Quarter, Pataaka will serve a variety of tapas-style Indian and South Asian dishes, including tandoori duck, red snapper pollichathu, tamarind barbecue lamb ribs, and jackfruit bruschetta. Expect seating for up to 113 people, along with patio seating and a private dining space on the mezzanine.

Spring Quarter is backed by Atlanta real estate company Portman Holdings. Plans call for the redevelopment of an entire city block to include the Sora residential tower, an office tower, and the preservation and renovation of the historic H.M. Patterson Home and Gardens. The residential and office towers at Spring Quarter topped off in 2024, with both now leasing.

Pataaka joins Louisiana-based Mexican restaurant Habaneros at Sora. Japanese restaurant Sozou, backed by Chef Fuyuhiko Ito, will occupy a ground-floor space at the neighboring Ten Twenty Spring office tower. It will feature robata grill dishes and a sushi counter. Ito’s 14-

seat restaurant Omakase at ISHIN will open on the eighth floor of the building in a rooftop space overlooking the Midtown skyline.

All three Spring Quarter restaurants should open this fall.

In 2023, Portman Holdings announced that restaurateur Steve Palmer of Indigo Road Hospitality would bring a “morning-to-night [food and beverage] destination” to the nearly century-old H.M. Patterson building. While Portman still plans to preserve the historic funeral home and mortuary, providing additional entertainment amenities for Spring Quarter, Palmer and Indigo Road are no longer listed on the website and were not mentioned in the press release.

Rough Draft reached out to representatives for Spring Quarter to confirm the status of Palmer’s restaurants at the development. Check back for updates.

Spring Quarter, 1020 Spring St., Midtown

Courtesy Portman Holdings

The former H.M. Patterson funeral home will be transformed into Pataaka. (Courtesy Portman Holdings)

A rendering of Pataaka at Spring Quarter (Courtesy The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry)

Westside restaurant Bastone closes after three years

By Beth McKibben

Bastone, the Italian restaurant and mozzarella bar owned by Chef Pat Pascarella, closed after three years at the corner of 8th Street and Howell Mill Road, according to an announcement on social media.

The restaurant took over the space previously occupied by Bocado in 2022, with Pascarella saying at the time that Bastone would be his most ambitious restaurant to date. Pascarella also owns three locations of Grana in Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Roswell, Alici Oyster Bar in Midtown, and The White Bull in Decatur.

Rumors also began circulating on social media that the restaurant would close after service on Mother’s Day.

A Rough Draft reporter witnessed the removal of the Bastone sign beside the entrance on May 14. When questioned about the sign’s removal and closure, people working inside Bastone declined to comment. Later that afternoon, an announcement posted to social media by Pascarella publicly confirmed Bastone’s

closure.

“When I named this restaurant, it was my thank you to one of the men that helped shape me into the person I am today–my grandfather,” Pascarella said in the statement.

“This is what hurts the most: to know that I couldn’t keep honoring him through food.”

Rather than blame the economy, COVID-19, the Westside’s other restaurant closures, and high operating costs, Pascarella blamed himself.

“We could have done many things differently, but didn’t,” he added. “You learn from your mistakes, and as much as I would like to tell you that this is my last mistake, I doubt that’s possible.”

Bastone becomes the latest restaurant to call it quits along Howell Mill Road and the surrounding streets.

Bartaco, just down the block from Bastone, closed on May 5 after 11 years on Marietta Street. West Egg Cafe, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, Humble Pie, L.O.A. Social Club, Superica, Wagamama, Slim + Husky, Culinary Dropout, Le Fat, and Postino Wine Bar all closed over the last several months.

Speculation as to why there have been so many restaurant closures in the area ranges from high parking fees and high rents to restaurant saturation along this stretch of Howell Mill Road. However, traffic, lack of reliable public transit, and lack of proper infrastructure may also factor into the rash of closures.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1 st • 11AM-2PM

Photo courtesy Bastone

Chef Pat Pascarella (via Instagram)

REAL ESTATE

A stable market in uncertain times

Intown’s real estate market chugs along despite economic shockwaves

By Collin Kelley

Uncertainty about the economy, increased tariffs, and weakened consumer confidence have been in the headlines for months since President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. That uncertainty has also trickled down to homebuyers and sellers, but agents said the Intown market is holding steady despite the economic shockwaves.

We talked to four seasoned real estate agents to get their take on the Intown market, what’s selling, and what buyers are looking for as they navigate shifting political winds and higher interest rates.

Realtor Maggie Jones with Ansley Real Estate Christie’s International said experienced agents have become very familiar with navigating uncertainty in the market.

“We’ve been through plenty of economic shifts, and yet the Intown market continues to hold steady,” she said. “Homes generally move quickly, many closing

“The developers of Atlanta Tech Village, along with others, are realizing the potential in the area. It will be awesome to see how transforming this part of town to something out-of-towners and locals can appreciate.”

Meanwhile, Jones said Atlanta continues its love affair with single-family homes, but said condos and townhomes are getting more attention.

“They’re often a more affordable way to live Intown and offer the low-maintenance lifestyle a lot of buyers are looking for,” she said. “So really, it depends on your budget and your vibe – there really is something for everyone.”

in under 30 days, and we’re still seeing multiple offers on well-priced listings."

Jones said buyers interested in Intown areas understand the value of the neighborhoods, and that keeps things moving “even when the national news feels a little rocky.”

While January started off slow, which isn’t unusual, Jones said her first and second quarters have been the busiest of her career.

“Buyer activity is strong, listings that are priced correctly are moving, and there’s a real energy in the market right now that will hopefully continue for the balance of the year,” Jones said.

Low inventory contributes to a steady market even if the state of the economy and interest rates are in flux, Jones noted. “But for the record, I will speak for everyone that we would welcome lower interest rates ASAP!”

Jones said she expects the rest of 2025 to remain steady, and she’s watching new developments that are sure to entice buyers.

“An exciting development to watch is the Gulch [Centennial Yards] and the South Downtown District's resurgence,” she said.

Buyers specifically looking for condos in the 30308 and 30309 zip codes are definitely in luck, since the supply of units currently exceeds demand. Jones said there’s a 10-month supply of inventory in Midtown, which is “great news for buyers as they have more negotiating power when it comes time to make an offer on condos.”

Arvie Magnuson

Realtor Arvie Magnuson with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty said, although his transaction volume was down compared to this time last year, he hasn’t had any clients preparing to buy or sell change course due to the economic news.

“There were already reasons to be on the fence about a move before the election, mainly high interest rates relative to what most sellers currently have on their existing mortgage, Magnuson said.” With the new administration, I can only assume many folks decided to take a wait-and-see approach. It did not help that interest rates became more volatile and have still not come down much.”

And Magnuson said just because his transaction volume is down, he would not call the market weak. “Good properties are still receiving multiple offers,” he said. “I expect that to continue.”

Among those competitive properties are those with access to the Atlanta Beltline and

great neighborhood schools, but noted that buyer appetite for major renovation projects is low in the market.

While condo and townhome buyers have more choice in the Intown market, Magnuson said the shortage of inventory remains “acute” for single-family homes.

Adam Ballenger

An associate broker with Engle & Volkers Atlanta, Adam Ballenger said while he’s seen uncertainty among clients due to the economic woes, some see it as an opportunity especially with the uptick he’s seeing in inventory.

“I have more listings now and ones coming soon than I ever have before,” Ballenger said. “You want to have your home move-in ready because that is what today’s buyer is looking for.”

Ballenger said inventory has increased over the last year, but pricing has not changed, mostly in hot markets. He said any neighborhood in a good school district, Inman Park, Midtown, and Buckhead are all stable.

Some of the hot developments Ballenger has his eye on are 40 West 12th, which is

Continued on page 34

Maggie Jones

Downing Park in Druid Hills (Courtesy E&V)

Maggie Jones

Arvie Magnuson

Townhomes in Kirkwood (Courtesy Ansley Real Estate)

25 Years of Excellence

m. 404.625.4134 o. 404.874.0300 carmenpope@atlantafinehomes.com carmenpope.atlantafinehomes.com

already 90% sold, and Downing Park in Druid Hills, which has all of its townhomes under contract and only four single-family homes left at the time of publication.

Ballenger noted that most of his clients are cash buyers, “so interest rates aren't as important, but the feeling of security is important to those buyers. With a volatile market, consumer confidence is important.”

Condo owners looking to sell their units might have more of a challenge right now, Ballenger said.

“Rising costs of HOAs and certain insurance deductibles are making condos more difficult to sell,” he said. “We are noticing an uptick in the appreciation rate for single-family homes, thus single-family is always the wisest investment.”

Harvin Greene

Realtor Harvin Greene with Dorsey Alston Realtors made her own headlines in 2024 for two record-breaking real estate transactions in Buckhead ($19 million) and Druid Hills ($9 million), but like the other agents we spoke with, she’s optimistic despite the shifting economy.

“We have seen some hesitancy around buyers making offers as they have been unsure of how things will play out in the world,” Greene said. “However, this seems to have stabilized as the news cycles have changed and the stock market has recovered.”

Greene said interest rates are still a hot topic, but buyers are getting used to the higher rates and there are more creative lending options, including temporary rate buy downs.

“We are also seeing more bridge loans that allow buyers to find a home before selling theirs, which is helpful,” she said.

Greene explained that Atlanta’s normal “Spring Market” historically begins in late January/early February.

“People tend to emerge from the winter slump once the weather gets pretty and all the yards begin to green up,” she said. “This year, we had a lot of bad weather on top of the news cycles that seemed to delay things. Most of that is perception, as prices are up 3.6% year-to-date and sales are up 3.1% year-to-date, but homes are taking longer to sell – on average 42 days vs 35 days. All this leads to the indication that we are trending towards a more balanced market for buyers and sellers.”

As for the summer ahead, Greene said she expects a strong market. “We are already starting to see that now,” she said. “I think

we will see less travel this year than we have seen in the last three years. Actually, 60 percent of sales occur in our market between June and December.”

Greene also echoed some of the same sentiments as other Realtors about the Intown condo market.

“There are issues with the warrantability of older buildings, which makes getting a mortgage challenging for new buyers,” she said. ‘The insurance companies don’t want to warrant the buildings until they make improvements, which can then affect the HOA dues and/or assessments. Condos are still selling, but we are seeing them on the market an average of 64 percent longer.”

Adam Bellenger

Harvin Greene

A bungalow in Grant Park. (Courtesy Ansley Real Estate)

Castleberry Hill property destined for new mixed-use development

By Collin Kelley

A 10-acre piece of industrial property in Castleberry Hill may have yet another new lease on life.

Once destined to become the Artisan Yards mixed-use development, the property at Ted Turner Drive and Whitehall Street was acquired by Urbantec Development Partners in 2022 for a project called The Forge – a mixed-use development with a focus on life sciencerelated businesses.

For more than two years, the property sat empty, but now a new owner is in play.

On May 1, Webstar Technology Group announced it had signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire and redevelop The Forge property into a 3 million+ square foot mixed-use development.

According to a press release, the property is “fully entitled and shovelready” and will feature residential units, boutique and condo hotel rooms, flex space, sports entertainment complex, restaurant and retail, a cultural center, and direct access to Garnett MARTA Station and I-20, I-75, and I-85.

The release noted that The Forge property sits within the SPI-1 SA1 zoning corridor, offering the highest allowable density in the city.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Webstar’s strategic expansion

into high-density urban development,” said Ricardo Haynes, CEO of Webstar Technology Group, in the release. “With this LOI, we are poised to bring new life to Atlanta’s urban core while creating long-term value for our investors and stakeholders.”

In February, Webstar Technology

Group selected Nelson Worldwide— renowned for projects like The Battery and the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta—as the lead architect for its $650 million Bear Village Resort in Commerce, GA, and has now expanded that role to include The Forge. Webstar has also committed to “tokenizing” The Forge projet using

blockchain technology. Through digital securities offerings, investors will be able to purchase fractional ownership in the project via dividend-paying digital tokens.

Further details on the acquisition and financing structure will be disclosed in the coming weeks, according to the release.

Beltline seeking developer for housing project on Westside Trail

By Rough Draft Staff

Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of an affordable, single-family housing development in the Bankhead/Historic Westin Heights neighborhood, adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail.

According to a news release, ABI is seeking qualified housing developer services to assist in the first phase of the development of the site, which will kickstart the development of the entire 425 Chappell Road site.

Development of the full property is expected to occur in phases, across 10 blocks, the release said. The vision

for the first phase will take place across the first five blocks, with road access from Chappell Road and North Avenue, and will prioritize single-family and lowerdensity, smaller-scale multifamily designed to seamlessly integrate into the surrounding single-family neighborhood. The development will include pedestrian-oriented commercial space that will serve the existing and future community, according to the proposal request.

The conceptual site plan for the property envisions the first phase of development with as many as 150 new homes offered for sale and nearly 5,000 square feet of neighborhoodscale commercial space targeted toward local small businesses. The plan also includes a Beltline spur trail that will extend from the Beltline Westside Trail – Segment 4, through the adjacent City of Atlanta property, and across North Avenue to the first phase of the development.

“The development of 425 Chappell Road helps realize the Beltline’s long-term strategy of strategic site acquisition as a means to deliver affordable and attainable

housing options and affordable commercial spaces for our local small businesses,” Dennis Richards, Vice President of Housing Policy and Development of the Beltline, said in the news release. “This development will offer current and future residents’ equitable access to affordable homes, greenspaces, transit, and economic opportunity. This will be an inclusive development and a shining example of the Beltline being a place where all Atlantans have an opportunity to live, work, and thrive.”

Purchased in 2021, the full Chappell Road site spans 31 acres across 13 contiguous parcels, making it the largest land acquisition in Beltline history. The site sits adjacent to 30 acres of City of Atlanta-owned property.

The site is located in Bankhead/ Historic Westin Heights and is also adjacent to the Grove Park neighborhood and approximately half a mile from the Bankhead MARTA station. Near the Westside Trail – Segment 4, the segment is currently under construction and targeted to open in summer 2025.

Visit beltline.org to find more information on 425 Chappell Road. The deadline for proposals is July 9.

Courtesy Atlanta Beltline Inc.

A 2022 rendering of The Forge. (File)