FEBRUARY 2021 Vol. 27 No. 2 ■ www.AtlantaIntownPaper.com
Sweets for the Sweet Local Bakeries P28 Heart of the Arts P32 Valentine’s Date Night P34
Outstanding Intown Residences BY KEN COVERS WITH ENGEL & VÖLKERS ATLANTA FEATURED LISTINGS
1026 Robin Lane N.E.
1316 N. Highland N.E.
OFFERED FOR $1,895,000 5 B E D | 5 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
OFFERED FOR $1,095,000 3 B E D | 3 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
This beautiful home is in pristine move-right-in-condition on 1.9 acres. Features oversized rooms, high ceilings, spacious walk-in closets, three finished levels, oversized master suite plus a main level guest suite. Lush landscaping surrounds the entire residence. Terrace level, home gym, media room.
Fully modernized bungalow in vibrant Morningside. Features large rooms and high ceilings, second-floor has loft-like feel, expansive motor court that leads to elevated front porch, living room with fireplace, eatin kitchen, rear covered porch, basement makes ideal workshop.
943 Wildwood Road N.E.
1775 Noble Drive N.E.
OFFERED FOR $2,499,000 7 B E D | 7 B AT H
NEW TO MARKET | OFFERED FOR $1,095,000 4 B E D | 3 B AT H
Available for rent at $12,990/month. Custom-built modern home in Morningside. Three levels, large light-filled rooms, high ceilings, main floor has large open expansive floor plan, overlooking beautiful level private yard (0.5 acres), ideal pool site, backs up to private woods and nature, house generator, heated floors, elevator, and much more.
Outstanding Morningside/Johnson Estates home on quiet, low traffic street just a block down from coveted Noble Park. Rare master on the main. Gourmet top-of-the-line kitchen with breakfast bar that opens directly to the cozy den and living room with fireplace and dining room. Walk-out fenced backyard, 1-car garage, basement ideal for craft or workshop
1748 Wildwood Road N.E.
1289 N. Highland Avenue N.E.
1658 Noble Drive N.E.
1332 Briarwood Drive N.E.
1807 Lenox Road N.E.
NEW TO MARKET OFFERED FOR $1,295,000 6 B E D | 6 B AT H
NEW TO MARKET OFFERED FOR $$799,000 3 B E D | 2 B AT H
NEW TO MARKET OFFERED FOR $859,000 3 B E D | 3 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
PRICE IMPROVEMENT OFFERED FOR $1,295,000 5 B E D | 5 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
PRICE IMPROVEMENT OFFERED FOR $565,000 LOT
Excellent Morningside home almost 5,000 sqft. Three finished levels with 6 bedrooms and 2 separate home offices- one with separate exterior entrance. Oversized 2-car garage and abundant storage.
Super charming home in ideal location. Living room with fireplace, recently renovated eat-in kitchen with oversized island. Fenced backyard and motor court.
Classic Morningside/Johnson Estate Tudor. Features living room with fireplace and separate dining room. Located on quiet street just steps to Noble Park.
Move-in ready, large rooms, open floor plan, 4 car garage. Two master suites, oversized terrace level with kitchenette, bedroom, and gym.
Large Estate Lot in coveted Morningside school district, almost 1.2 acres. Private nature setting. Perfect to build your dream home in Intown!
1850 Lenox Road N.E.
1235 Pasadena Avenue N.E.
2011 Lenox Road N.E.
1035 Rosedale Road N.E.
1905 Wellbourne Drive N.E.
1740 W. Sussex Road N.E.
SOLD FOR $1,400,000 4 B E D | 3 B AT H | 2 H A L F B AT H
SOLD FOR $1,395,000 6 B E D | 3 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
SOLD FOR $779,000 4 B E D | 3 B AT H
SOLD FOR $989,000 4 B E D | 4 B AT H
SOLD FOR $825,000 3 B E D | 2 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
SOLD FOR $1,505,000 5 B E D | 5 B AT H | 1 H A L F B AT H
Outstanding results take planning. Call me so we can put a winning plan in place for your home sale. Together, we will decide how best to position your home for maximum results, all while adhering to strict and safe COVID-19 practices.
Ken Covers
Private Office Advisor Direct: 404.664.8280 Office: 404.845.7724 ken.covers@evatlanta.com kencovers.evatlanta.com
Your Life. Your Home. Your Realtor®.
On February 20, 2021, I will jump into icy waters in the middle of winter to support the Special Olympics Georgia athletes! Support me by going to GIVE.CLASSY.ORG/KEN_ COVERS
©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent license partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
2 February 2021 |
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Contents February 2021
The Neighborhood Teen Parent Connection
6
COVID-19 Vaccine
8
Education Briefs
TimmyDaddy
10
12
Business Center for Civic Innovation
14
Business Briefs
17
One Park Tower Sold
17
Home & Real Estate
14
Hot Properties
18
Perspectives in Architecture
24
Real Estate Briefs
25
26
Sustainability Above the Waterline Eco Briefs
27
News You Can Eat
32
18
Editorial Collin Kelley Editor collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com
Steve Levene Publisher Emeritus
Submissions Article queries and calendar submissions should be emailed to collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com.
Amy Arno Director of Sales Development amy@springspublishing.com (404) 917-2200, ext. 1002
Published By Springs Publishing Atlanta INtown • Reporter Newspapers Atlanta Senior Life Phone: (404) 917-2200
Rico Figliolini Creative Director Deborah Davis Office Manager deborah@springspublishing.com (404) 917-2200, ext. 1003
Sales Executives Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter, Rob Lee Circulation Each month, 27,000 copies of Atlanta INtown are mailed to homes and distributed to businesses in and around ZIP codes 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, 30324 and 30329. For delivery information, delivery@springspublishing.com
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Facebook.com/ AtlantaIntown
New Restaurant Radar
28 30
30
The Studio Heart of the Arts
32
Valentine’s Date Night
34
State of Vinyl Shops
36
In the Mix: DJ Headmaster
38
Summer Camps
30
On the Cover © 2021 All rights reserved. Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Atlanta Intown or Springs Publishing
Visit AtlantaIntownPaper.com Instagram.com/ AtlantaIntown
28
Quick Bites Advertising For information call (404) 917-2200 ext 1002
Keith Pepper Publisher keith@springspublishing.com
Maria Moore Riggs Q&A
38
Contributors Sally Bethea, Kathy Dean, Melody Harclerode, Isadora Pennington, Donna Williams Lewis, Clare S. Richie, Tim Sullivan, Mark Woolsey
Valentine Sweets
Twitter.com/ ATLINtownPaper
Caroline Carreau from Saint-Germain Bakery at Ponce City Market holds up a display of some of the sweet treats available for Valentine’s Day. For even more, turn to page 28. (Photo by Isadora Pennington)
Spotify AtlantaIntown town 3
February 2021 | IN
House hunting is nothing like ‘House Hunters’ I’ve graduated from spending hours scrolling Zillow and Redfin to actually going with a real estate agent to see condo properties in person. Let me tell you, it’s nothing like “House Hunters.” I’d be thrilled if I could find my dream home in 30 minutes and fast forward through the actual hunt. After trying to mentally arrange my furniture by looking at photos of condos for four months, my New Year’s resolution was to get pre-qualified for a mortgage, mask up, and get out there. The only thing that’s similar to the Collin HGTV show is that I’m one of those picky Kelley buyers. My Realtor isn’t sick of me yet, but has been editor of I have a feeling that by the time we’re done Atlanta INtown for with this process he’ll be glad to see me at the almost two decades. closing. He’s also an We started the search in Decatur with award-winning poet what appeared to be a move-in ready condo. and novelist. Kudos to the photographer who was able to deftly hide the old appliances, worn carpet, collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com badly painted walls and cabinetry, and the view of the junky backyard from the balcony. Then there was the Midtown condo allegedly built in the 1990s but the previous owners had somehow time-warped to the 1960s. I’m not afraid of some cosmetic repairs, but this place would need a TARDIS to bring it into the 21st century. On to Brookhaven, and a double shot on a cold and blustery Saturday afternoon. I saw two condos that were cute on the inside but had red flags snapping in the wind outside. With such a high HOA fee, it made me wonder why there was so many tarps and peeling paint. In the farthest west reaches of Buckhead, I saw a nice studio that I already knew was too small, but I liked the property. I’m hoping a one-bedroom will become available soon, but in the meantime the search goes on. Honestly, I never pictured myself house hunting. The burden of property wasn’t something that interested me but increasing rent and the pandemic and the fact that I ain’t getting any younger made me rethink. I’ve been happily ensconced in my apartment in Old Fourth Ward for more than 15 years. Moving from here with all my junk is going to be tough, so I’ve been looking for a place with a similar feel and atmosphere. Yes, I know that’s a tall order. But I’m waiting for the condo to “click,” for the feeling of warmth and comfort to wash over me when I walk in the door. If you’re looking for your own Intown condo or townhome, be sure to check out our story on “Hot Properties” on page 18.
Editor’s Letter
Just Listed in Druid Hills 1064 Oakdale Road 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
Offered for $1,099,000 Located in one of the most desired sections of Druid Hills, improvements comprise a private master suite, a renovated kitchen and bathrooms and professional landscaping. Original architectural details include hardwood floors, high ceilings, windows, woodwork and hardware. Enjoy light-filled, gracious living and dining rooms, two private offices, a spacious backyard, a separate carriage house and a two-car garage, all meticulously maintained. Surrounded by area parks including historic Olmstead Linear Park, the home is near Emory Village, the CDC, Druid Hills Golf Club as well as award-winning public and private schools.
4 February 2021 |
PEGGY HIBBERT #1 Agent in Druid Hills cell 404.444.0192 office 404.874.0300 peggy@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
1731 Wildwood Road NE Just Sold | Offered for $2,495,000
1209 Zimmer Drive NE Under Contract | Offered for $799,000
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Virginia Highland
Ansley Park
Morningside 941 Virginia Ave NE Active | Offered for $1,895,000
Ansley Park
Ansley Park
Morningside
Ansley Park
Morningside
Virginia Highland
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
#1
INTOWN AGENT
$83M+
SOLD IN 2020
80+
CLOSED IN 2020
Jim Getzinger
Selling Intown for 22+ years
34 Peachtree Circle NE Coming Soon
404.307.4020 | 404.668.6621 jim.getzinger@compass.com
731 Wildwood Road NE Active | Offered for $1,895,000 76 Inman Circle NE Just Sold | Offered for $3,695,000
60 The Prado NE Under Contract | Offered for $1,699,000 946 N Highland Avenue NE Under Contract | Offered for $939,000
31 The Prado NE Coming Soon
February 2021 | INTOWN
5
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
News � Features
‘Support Is Everything’ Teen Parent Connection program is North Star for foster care teens
Left: CS staff members Tanya Leonardo (left) and Lauren Taylor with the new mural they created for the organization’s youth lounge. Middle: TPC director Rochelle Grice plays with children at the program’s annual picnic, which was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Right: Teen Parent Connection mentor Sapphire Broadnax with her son Jamir.
By Donna Williams Lewis
A
fter 16 years of moving from place to place, living with assorted relatives and family friends, Sapphire Broadnax took matters into her own hands. She found her school’s social worker, broke down and cried. “Basically, my soul was crushed at that time. I said I just wanted to go into foster care,” she said. After talking with her about her situation, the social worker called authorities. By nightfall, Broadnax was in a group foster home. At first, she was thrilled with her fresh start, but happiness fizzled as the constrictions and challenges of being in foster care set in. And then, still missing the mother who’d constantly drifted in and out of her life, Sapphire, at 17, became a mother herself. She was a foster child with a child of her own. Dealing with school, jobs when she could get them, motherhood, financial survival, a revolving door of foster care placements and the heavy cloud of societal judgment quickly became overwhelming. But her near breaking point became her turning point when a caseworker referred her to Teen Parent Connection (TPC). The program provides one-on-one support
6 February 2021 |
from highly trained life coaches including developmental screenings for children, parenting and life skills education, and assistance with resources for services and achieving educational goals through home visits and group classes. “I was in foster care, literally at the mercy of God, trying to figure out how am I going to be able to provide for my child,” said Sapphire, who joined TPC when her son, Jamir, was six months old. Today, at 22, she has earned her GED, lives independently with Jamir in her own apartment and is in school for the culinary arts. She’s also a mentor for the foster teen parent program, which currently serves 28 male and female parents ages 14 to 21 and has more youth on a waiting list, according to Rochelle Grice, the program’s director. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the help of TPC because support is everything,” Sapphire said. “Having TPC here to help girls like me, it really changes us.”
Pushing through the pandemic TPC is a program of Creative Community Services (CCS), a therapeutic foster care agency serving children who typically have lived through 15 to 30 unsuccessful placements before coming into its care. Founded in 1982, the nonprofit aims
to save “aging out” foster youth from homelessness and sex trafficking, to prevent child abuse and end the cycle of foster care. CCS also has programs that focus on improving the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. The organization had been struggling with two years’ worth of state budget cuts when the coronavirus pandemic hit, cancelling one planned fundraiser after another. Its fundraising is now virtual, with social media campaigns such as #TLCforTPC (givingtuesday.mightycause.com/story/ Tlcfortpc). According to national statistics quoted by CCS, half of teen girls in foster care report having been pregnant by the age of 19. And a study quoted by the organization found that more than half of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care experienced being homeless because they felt safer on the street than in their group or foster home. A new CCS initiative – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – is headed up by Lindsie Jones, a Ph.D. student whose thesis topic is the victimization of LGBTQ+ youth. Jones said the organization plans to develop in-house staff training, start LGBTQ+ support groups for foster parents and foster youth, and will try to reach youth beyond the nonprofit through collaboration with other agencies and eventually with schools. “I think a lot of youth in foster care, typically they’re scared to come out because they’re scared of the repercussions,” Jones said. “It’s hard enough to come out to your own family, let alone someone who’s not
even your blood family because you don’t know if you’ll be accepted. And there’s not a lot of law and legislation that protects these youth right now in Georgia.”
Moving on, but giving back Sapphire still keeps in touch with the TPC life coach who quickly became her anchor, encouraging her, offering her “true advice,” and giving her a nonjudgmental shoulder to lean on. The life coach monitored her baby’s development and made sure his mom got the clothes she needed to feel better about going to school, along with a laptop and supplies. “Basically, anything I needed I got, by the grace of God,” Sapphire said. “You could tell that they genuinely cared.” Looking ahead, her goals are to be financially stable enough to put her bills on autopay and to own a restaurant, be the best mom she can be and to always “be a better me than I was yesterday.”
Creative Community Solutions Volunteer: Be a mentor or a community partner. Share a skill or a hobby with youth. Donate: On the organization’s website or make an in-kind donation such as a stroller, new car seat or diapers for the Teen Parent Connection program. Contact: ccsgeorgia.org or (770) 469-6226. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
A Record-Shattering Year
$105,730,684 SOLD IN 2020 cell 770.289.2780 • office 404.874.0300 • chasemizell@atlantafinehomes.com • chasemizell.com • sir.com Sotheby’s International Realty® is licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. 1555 Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. Stats based on processed contracts from January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
February 2021 | INTOWN
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News RoundUp Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed legislation authorizing $50 million in new bond funding. This brings the city closer to $100 million in housing opportunity bonds to advance the goals of the mayor’s Housing Affordability Action Plan.
The One Atlanta: One APD Immediate Action Plan to address the uptick in violent crime in the city will target gangs and gun violence, disrupt street racing and auto crimes, and expand the camera network.
The new Buckhead Exploratory Committee has formed to discuss the district potentially becoming its own city or joining another one other than Atlanta.
The City of Atlanta will designate the Kodak building with its distinctive roof sign at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Argonne avenues as a historic landmark.
Demand for COVID-19 vaccine inundates healthcare providers By Collin Kelley Public demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has inundated local health departments and healthcare providers leading to unanswered phones and crashing websites. However, most Georgia residents won’t get the vaccine until later this year, according to state officials. During a Jan. 12 briefing, Gov. Brian Kemp and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey addressed the controversy surrounding the availability of the vaccine, which must be administered in two doses 21 days apart. Kemp said the state’s top priority was getting nursing home residents and staff inoculated by the end of January. Both CVS and Walgreens pharmacies have been administering those doses. The governor said at the briefing that 1.3 million seniors and 536,000 healthcare workers in the state needed the vaccine. The state is being allocated 120,000 doses
GCADP is a medical practice providing comprehensive evaluations for and management of a wide range of child, teen and young adult developmental and behavioral difficulties.
Our Services:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Language Delays • Attention Deecit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) • Anxiety, adjustment disorders and depression • Learning disorders, including dyslexia and other school-related challenges • Regulatory disorders, such as feeding problems or sleep disorders • Challenging and disruptive behaviors in preschool and school-aged children and teens We are now providing medical care for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADD/ADHD Dr. Mark Moncino, MD FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician who understands developmental issues that impact the entire family, not just the individual child. We help the child and family grow together...and thrive!
6065 Roswell Rd, Suite 470, Sandy Springs (Northside Tower) For further information or an appointment www.gcadp.com
8 February 2021 |
A Fulton County resident gets the COVID-19 vaccine at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Courtesy Fulton County)
per week, 40,000 of which were being withheld and sent to CVS and Walgreens for nursing homes. Some of those doses should be freed up starting this month. “I would prefer an ample supply and vaccinate everyone immediately, but that is not possible,” Kemp said. Kemp also said he’d received reports of some medical facilities holding on to doses and said the state would seize them. “I’ll fire up my pickup truck and do it myself,” Kemp said. He asked the public to be patient and warned there would be waiting, obstacles and frustration as the vaccine rollout continues. “We are working around the clock to get vaccines in arms as quickly as safely as we can,” he said. Toomey said four mass vaccination efforts held last month for metro healthcare workers saw 10,000 individuals get inoculated “These large scale events will be important to reach the general public,” Toomey said. “There will be regional mass vaccination sites with a centralized system for setting appointments to take strain off local health departments.” She also noted that regional and retail pharmacies will eventually be added to the centralized system to get the vaccine. Publix, Kroger, and Ingles, have all started providing limited vaccine appointments at select locations at supermarkets in the state. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has partnered with Fulton County Board of Health to be a distribution center for the vaccine. Inoculations began in January for the Phase 1 rollout to include medical practitioners, front line workers and first responders with more than 4,000 served in the first week. In mid-January, the vaccine rollout was expanded to 65+ per Fulton County and state guidelines. The partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium will currently run through March with the option of extending the partnership as needed. Even as vaccinations ramp up, Georgia reported its first confirmed case of a new COVID-19 variant that is “significantly more contagious” than the virus that caused the pandemic, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The variant was first discovered in the United Kingdom in November and has spread quickly with England returning to full lockdown mode last month. “The emergence of this variant in our state should be a wake-up call for all Georgians,” Toomey said. “Even as we begin roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine, we must not let down our guard and ignore basic prevention measures — wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands frequently.” At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
T H A N K YO U F O R YO U R S U P P O RT I N 2 0 2 0 ! $38M IN SALES
48 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS
A BIG THANK YOU for your continued support!
#2 SMALL TEAM, COMPANY-WIDE 2020
HARVIN GREENE | M 404.992.6869 O 404.352.2010 harvingreene@dorseyalston.com STEPHANIE MARINAC | M 404.863.4213 O 404.352.2010 stephaniemarinac@dorseyalston.com
SOLD
SOLD
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2046 N. Ponce de Leon Avenue
610 Greystone Park
675 Greystone Park
845 Clifton Road
850 Oakdale Road
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
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1170 Oakdale Road
1856 Grist Stone Court
2138 Virginia Place
269 Southerland Terrace
794 Flat Shoals Avenue
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
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1355 Harvard Road
1576 New Street
1320 Belmore Way
1371 North Decatur Road
1668 Grace Street
SOLD
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SOLD
SOLD
5051 Avalon Drive
1449 Athens Avenue
1717 North Decatur Road, #T19
1994 Villa Drive
1 0 0 W E S T PA C E S F E R R Y R O A D | AT L A N TA , G A 3 0 3 0 5 | I N F O R M AT I O N B E L I E V E D A CC U R AT E B U T N OT WA R R A N T E D. E Q UA L H O U S I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
February 2021 | INTOWN
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At press time, Atlanta Public Schools were planning to resume in-person learning in a staggered schedule from Jan. 25 to Feb. 4. Around 13,000 of the district’s 52,000 students were expected to return to schoolhouses, according to APS officials. It will be the first time students have been in classrooms since last March. Pre-K, grades 1 and 2, and special education students across all grade levels were to be back at their desks on Jan. 25. Grades 3 through 12 will have a staggered return to the classroom from Feb. 1 to 4.
EDUCATION BRIEFS
Morehouse College plans to partially reopen its campus to accommodate up to 1,200 freshmen and upperclassmen and a limited number of faculty and staff members for the Spring 2021 Semester, which begins Feb. 1. The mostly online academic program will also feature select classes offered in person so that students wanting to return to the Morehouse campus. The Society for Science & the Public recently gave $100,000 in STEM research kits to 100 science research teachers from underserved communities across the country, including five in Atlanta: Marlon Alfaro, B.E.S.T. Academy; Miriama Boone, Mays High School; Stephanie Jones, Jackson High School; Tonia Schofield, Grady High School; and Van Truong, South Gwinnett High School. AT&T has contributed $150,000 to the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) to support the “Construction Ready” program. The contribution will allow the program to expand its presence in metro Atlanta, to provide additional training and create career paths and economic empowerment opportunities for Atlantans in construction and the skilled trades. Construction Rady takes students through a 20-day program that ends with training, credentialing and job placement. Since 2014, CEFGA – through the Construction Ready program – has trained more than 1,000 workers of all ages for a successful career in construction. The Junior League of Atlanta (JLA) and PNC Foundation recently made donations for pre-Kindergarten students across the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) district. JLA donated $8,500 in learning tools and supplies, while PNC donated $175,000f for
pre-K students and their families for computer devices and connectivity. The donations were made as part of Georgia Pre-K Week, ◄Amoy Walker of the Atlanta Girls’s School (AGS) has been recognized as teacher of the year by the Georgia Independent School Association. Walker joined AGS in 2019 and teaches sixth grade English and seventh grade humanities and serves as middle school curriculum coordinator. Accepting the award, Walker said “As a firstgeneration college attendee education was my path to achieve socio-economic stability. This is why I firmly believe in the philosophy ‘every child, every day.’ This means that regardless of a student’s socio-economic status, language, learning ability, or race, when they arrive at AGS they receive the skills and supports needed to live a dignified and satisfied life. AGS is truly special in that each student and community member is encouraged to lead a life of purpose.” Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School received a $50,000 grant from the SunTrust Trusteed Foundations - Nell Warren Elkin and William Simpson Elkin Foundation to underwrite the cost of the purchase and installation of Ultravation ultraviolet (UV) lights for the school’s HVAC system. The UV light filtration process is an added layer of sanitization that Cristo Rey has implemented to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff during the pandemic.
THE INTOWN LEADER MEET WITH ONE OF OUR AWARD-WINNING INTOWN AGENTS TODAY
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404.213.2035
DARRELL CARD HARPER REALTOR® (404) 31 0-8 76 4 DARRE L LCARD@G M AIL .CO M
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404.876.4901 | 905 JUNIPER ST. NE STE. 110 At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Work continues on Pace Academy’s Kam Memar Lower School, a 36,500-square-foot addition to the school’s existing Lower School classroom building at the corner of West Paces Ferry and Rilman roads. The project reached a major milestone in December as crews placed the building’s final major beam, marking its official “topping out.” Members of Pace Academy’s Board of Trustees, teams from New South Construction and UDS Development Services, and students, faculty and staff watched as the beam—signed by all Lower School students and teachers—was hoisted high into the sky and secured atop the building. The three-story Kam Memar Lower School will include classrooms for STEAM and design; an expanded Academic Resource Center; soundproof spaces for music and strings programs; administrative offices and large meeting rooms; and an indoor gymnasium. The lead gift for the building was given by Diana and Bijon Memar in memory of Bijon’s late brother, Kam Memar, founder of Medac.
Right, Pace Academy second-grader Noah Agami signs his name on the steel beam later installed atop the new Kam Memar Lower School. (Photo by Omar López Thismón)
LAKE BLUE RIDGE LIVING 1 7 8
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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Fighting the quarantine 15 with a bourgeois spin bike My New Year’s resolution actually began about six months ago. I couldn’t go to the gym due to the pandemic and feared I was headed towards the dreaded “quarantine 15” weight gain. So, I panicked and bought one of those Peloton bikes that everyone made fun of a couple years ago. You probably remember the commercial: A model/actress type is gifted a Peloton by her boyfriend and she furrowed her brow in a “what’re ya trying Tim Sullivan to say, bucko?” kind of way. Dutifully she Tim Sullivan grew up in a large family in the rose at 6 a.m. each day to endure this bikeNortheast and now to-nowhere reminder of how inadequate lives with his small she was while her jerk of a boyfriend slept family in Oakhurst. in. But desperate times call for desperate He can be reached at tim@sullivanfinerugs. measures even if it meant purchasing the com. most derided, bourgeois-yuppie product of the year. Am I ever glad I did! This thing has been a lifesaver. I’m fairly convinced that without it I’d never again have the gumption to wear anything but sweatpants. Now it’s embarrassing, really. I’m so engulfed in a virtual spin class program with virtual high fives and hyper-detailed output statistics that I’ve become a Peloton evangelical seeking fellow enthusiasts to talk to about it (@timmydaddy, #PelotonATL if you want to hit the follow…) Kristen and I are settling in on our favorite instructors. Cody Rigsby is a former professional dancer and the unofficial #1 Britney Spears fan of all time. A 30-minute ride with him is like a visit to a theme park of random thoughts. I’m paraphrasing here but this week he professed, “Yeah that’s right – I’m playing Kelly Clarkson for a second time. 98% of you moms out there love you some Kelly Clarkson – it’s a fact! You’re driving around the cul-de-sac, that minivan is boppin’…” Then there’s Jess King who is some sort of Supernatural Shaman of an instructor. Riding with her is like going to the gym, the movies and the therapist all at once. She’s irreverent and unapologetic, motivational and powerful. When she tells me that Dua Lipa is awesome I believe her and when she instructs me to breathe through my gills, I do it. I just freakin’ do it! If I’m in need of a motivational speech I might dial up an Ally Love ride where she’ll ask me “can I get you to turn up your resistance by 10 points – yes or yes?” Or if I want to take a stab at a PR (personal record) I go to the London studio for a ride with Ben Alldis. He always lays out a program I flow well with even if I have to endure dorky lines like “this next track is such a bang-ahh.” I gasp for air and sweat buckets while he remains the pressed and proper Brit but it’s all about the P in PR, right? Christine D’Ercole will serve up a New Wave ride song selection that tells me we must be about the same age. She reminisces and often cries towards the end of the ride. It’s emotional stuff people. I’ve even convinced my kids to start riding. We didn’t have a basketball season this year so I’m itching to coach them in something although they usually kick me out of the room at the first whisper of advice. Peloton could probably make a killing if they hired a handful of younger, Tik-Tok-esque personalities as trainers. Split screen the instructor with a reel of curated internet clips and it’s a whole new market. Maybe Cody Rigsby has a precocious sibling or Jess King could bring along a charismatic teenager from her home planet. Just brainstorming here Peloton…but if you use my idea, I want the title of Ambassador and a few free headbands, okay?
Timmy Daddy
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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BUSINESS
Retail � Projects � Profiles
A New Guard of Good Troublemakers Center for Civic Innovation Fellows addresses inequality in metro Atlanta
By Clare S. Richie
A
six-month journey has begun for the 2021 Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) Fellowship class – 15 leaders and entrepreneurs who work in education, healthcare, justice, agriculture and more – to address inequality in metro Atlanta. “These Fellows are going to change outcomes for people in this city,” said Rohit Malhotra, executive director of CCI. “When the entire world is falling apart these are the people that show up.” CCI, a self-described community of “good troublemakers,” fights inequality by building civic knowledge and action, amplifying and investing in work led by local leaders and conducting research for better local public policy. Entering its sixth year, the Fellowship provides each leader with resources and support to help grow their efforts and develop solutions with measurable impacts. It culminates with a showcase, scheduled for late June, where Fellows share their vision with potential investors, partners, customers, friends and family. To date, CCI has raised more than $2 million for more than 80 local civic organizations. “The beauty about our Fellows is we don’t tell them what to do – they are the
14 February 2021 |
experts –we’re their GPS to guide them to the destination they want to get to. And we are very respectful of that. We are also very conscious that their identities play a huge role in what their journey has been and will be,” Malhotra said. Four Fellows embarking on the sixmonth course shared what they seek to gain from the experience. “I’m hoping to translate my passion into language that other people understand,” said KaCey Venning, Helping Empower Youth (HEY!) cofounder. “That people see smaller grassroots organizations that are steadily chipping away at things that keep folks stuck and realize we all have our role. That’s the goal; do this work, polish what we do and during the showcase present that to folks who want to support the work or make connections”. HEY! is a youth leadership development nonprofit focused on STEM, literacy, mental health training for adults serving youth and entrepreneurship primarily on the Westside and Southside. Based on their efforts with young Black men who sell water at intersections, HEY! was asked to provide guidance to the city of Atlanta’s youth entrepreneurship program. “I trust CCI, their knowledge,
relationships, network and process so much so that I’ve applied three times,” said Erica “Umi” Clahar, Umi Feeds founder and executive director. “I think they can help take me to the next level.” Umi Feeds rescues food from grocery stores, private events, farms and more to distribute to seniors, the homeless and anyone who is food insecure. Clahar recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to purchase a mobile food truck. The SAVE Institute (Service, Agriculture, Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship) is looking to purchase a larger urban farm and replicate their program beyond South Atlanta. The nonprofit works to save young people ages 14 to 24 from poverty, crime, incarceration and lack of purpose. On their existing farm, young people learn to grow food, raise animals and make herbal healing products. Vocational training also includes construction, culinary arts and natural healing. “We plan to take our work to other cities and countries but before we can even think of that, we have to perfect our model and expand our network to get more access to support and funding,” said Atiba Jones, SAVE Institute director. After attending CCI events, Restore More co-founder Claudine Miles was eager
Left: SAVE students after harvesting collard greens on the farm. (Photo by Khalil Muhsin) Top: The Restore More Team, from left, Naraffy Regis, Claudine Miles, and Kimberlie Milton. (Photo by Chanden Marzette) Bottom: Erica “Umi” Clahar delivers rescued produce (Photo by Jason John)
to participate in a Fellowship with so many impressive alums like Tiffany LaTrice, who founded TILA Studios to empower Black women artists to create and showcase their art and has changed the way local and national exhibitions think about the inclusion of black female artists. “I wanted to put myself in proximity to them – to learn from them and figure out how we can support one another,” Miles said. Restore More is an educational consulting firm that builds capacity among educators, parents and organizations for Continued on page 16 At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
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restorative practices, anti-racism and social emotional learning. They recently advocated for the Atlanta Board of Education to introduce policies that address the over suspension of students of color. At CCI, “you can show up as your authentic self and be affirmed in that” Miles said. “To be given the grace to say, ‘we want your mom side, rough edges, business polished side – we want all of you’. That is just a beautiful feeling. That is something that sets CCI apart.” Fellows are ready to explore innovation that responds quickly to community input and need. “We can’t keep doing programming the same way. Top down. Adults, in a room trying to figure out what the trends are, creating programs versus asking young people and their families ‘what do you need’ and then designing programs around that,” Venning said. “The challenge with that is, those needs change. So how do organizations provide structure, because that’s what funders want to support, but be flexible enough to pivot when necessary?
I’m looking forward to hopefully being a thought leader for what that looks like and having HEY! be an example.” Because of COVID-19, a recession and a racial awakening – these Fellows understand what it means to pivot. HEY! used text messaging and Instagram to give youth their next activity or module. SAVE delayed the launch of their high school until Fall 2021. Umi Feeds faces increasing need for food amidst a changing landscape for food rescue, as private events and conventions are cancelled. Restore More quickly shifted to virtual services and products – including an anti-racist kit with scripts for conversations on policy brutality, discrimination, allyship and more – and saw a jump in partners and revenue. These Fellows were doing the work long before these challenging times and are committed to forging ahead. “This cohort represents the best of everything. They are so clear and so focused on the fact that this is for their community. We should fight for them unapologetically,” Malhotra said. Learn more about the 2021 CCI Fellows at bit.ly/2021fellows
c: 404.431.1384 o: 404.480.HOME JASONCOOK@ANSLEYATLANTA.COM 952 PEACHTREE STREET, SUITE 100, ATLANTA, GA 30309 | 404.480.HOME | ANSLEYATLANTA.COM Christopher Burell, Principal Broker. Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you have an existing relationship with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
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Above: Young men from the HEY! Henry Business Incubator attended the Black Men and Women of Valor “Black Men in Suits” event this past summer. (Photo by Kola Adetola) Below: Claudine Miles, Founder of Restore More, offers teacher training with their partners at Kindezi West in Atlanta. (Photo by Jen Owen)
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◄The tallest of three towers rising concurrently at 1105 West Peachtree topped out in January, according to Selig Development, the firm behind the $530 million mixeduse project in Midtown. The 64-unit luxury condominium building, 40 West 12th, topped out in October following the Epicurean Atlanta hotel in August. The Class A office tower is slated for a Fall 2021 completion. Located on the corner of West Peachtree and 12th Street, the 31-story office building encompasses 675,000 square feet and a 410-foot geometric steel exoskeleton that will be aglow in multicolor LED lights at night. The office tower has inked multi-floor, long-term lease deals with law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell and Google. For more information, visit seligenterprises.com.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Dine-in movie theater IPIC has opened at Colony Square offering a mixture of new and “flashback” films. Some of the movies coming up in February include “The Breakfast Club,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Remember the Titans.” For showtimes, tickets, and pandemic safety protocols, visit ipic.com. Jackson Spalding has been named by Forbes as one of America’s best PR agencies. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to create its inaugural ranking of top PR firms, surveying more than 12,700 experts and 20,500 customers. “To be recognized as one of America’s best PR agencies makes us incredibly proud, but also humbled and energized to continue serving our clients with the first-class services they expect as our dynamic industry continues to evolve,” said Jackson Spalding co-founder Glen Jackson. One Medical, the membership-based primary care organization, has opened a third Atlanta location on the first floor of the Terminus building, 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 115 in Buckhead. Consumer memberships are $199 per year and provide virtual care services through the provider’s mobile app, which features on-demand video visits, secure provider messaging, “Treat Me Now” digital assessments for common health concerns, medical record access, prescription renewals and proactive reminders for follow-up care. For more information, visit onemedical.com. ►The Print Shop by FreeMarket is now open on the second floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall. From the team behind Atlanta’s FreeMarket Gallery, the 400-squarefoot shop will offer shoppers limited edition, exclusively licensed art prints FreeMarket Gallery’s Founder Parsa Behnamiri, left, from contemporaryand Creative Director Jake Llaurado. style artists, including Diego Peñuela, Jonny Warren, Phil Harris, Aesek, Sanithna and more. For more information, visit theprintshopatl.com. Resource Branding, the Atlanta brand development and graphic design studio, has been named the 2020 Associate Firm of Year by the Georgia chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). The annual award honors the firm that has most significantly elevated the commercial real estate industry in Georgia. To earn the recognition, Resource Branding worked alongside NAIOP Georgia to launch two new philanthropic initiatives in 2020, tied together by the unifying theme of “Forward Together.” Starbucks plans to invest $100 million to create the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund – a new initiative that supports small business growth and community development projects in BIPOC communities across the U.S., including Atlanta. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
New Underground Atlanta owner buys One Park Tower By Collin Kelley The new owner of Underground Atlanta has acquired nearby One Park Tower, the 300,000-square-foot office building located at 34 Peachtree Street in Downtown. Shaneel Lalani purchased the building for $12.75 million without any outside financing, according to a press release. Lalani said he will continue to explore other “value-add opportunities in the Atlanta area” and the latest acquisition shows his commitment to investing in South Downtown. Located just two blocks from Underground, One Park Tower is currently 33% occupied, and Lalani said he will hire an in-house broker to oversee leasing at the property. Lalani purchased Underground for an undisclosed amount in November. Similar to Underground Atlanta, Lalani said he will take a local, hands-on approach to ownership and has already met with some of the building’s tenants, including HOPE Atlanta, a nonprofit focused on fighting homelessness, and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the public-private partnership and nonprofit with works to better with the city core with Central Atlanta Progress. “We are excited to expand our footprint and investment in Downtown,” said Lalani. “We are in the exploratory phase now, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the potential of One Park Tower and building on the energy we will soon create at Underground Atlanta. We are out here multiple times a week, walking the streets, talking to people and meeting with businesses to learn more about what they want to see happen in Downtown. We are passionate about making this corridor a vibrant, walkable place to be.” Lalani is the CEO of Billionaires Funding Group, an Atlanta-based company with a real estate portfolio that spans over two million square feet of commercial space. He has completed more than 100 real estate transactions that are valued at approximately $250 million, according to the press release
Tax increase floated for businesses to fund completion of BeltLine By Collin Kelley A small tax increase for businesses and apartment complexes along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor has been proposed to help fund the completion of the entire 22-mile loop. Legislation to create a Special Service District (SSD) within the Atlanta BeltLine Planning Area was introduced at the Atlanta City Council meeting on Jan. 19. Without additional funding, BeltLine officials contend the trail corridor would not be completed before the Tax Allocation District (TAD) expires in 2030. The TAD will generate at least $1 billion less than originally projected. The estimated cost to design and construct the remaining trail corridor is $350 million. The finished BeltLine is expected to yield a $10 billion economic impact and 50,000 permanent jobs for the city. “This additional funding moves us one step closer to our vision for creating One Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a press release. “I am encouraged by this latest commitment to move our plans for affordable housing and community revitalization forward.” An SSD is a geographic district created through legislation that levies additional property taxes to provide local government services. In the case of the BeltLine, commercial and multi-family property owners within the Atlanta BeltLine Planning Area (which includes the half-mile on either side of the corridor) would see an estimated 2-mill increase or two-tenths of a penny per dollar in the assessed value of each property. Funds go towards trail acquisition, design, and construction. Residents living in single-family homes would not be subject to the increase. Almost half of the commercial and multi-family parcels contained within the proposed SSD would pay less than an additional $250 annually, or about $20 a month. Additionally, new dedicated funding for trail completion through the SSD – combined with philanthropic support and the growth in TAD revenue – would generate an additional $50 million in funding to create deeper and longer-term housing affordability around the BeltLine and $7 million in small business support. February 2021 | INTOWN
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HOME & REAL ESTATE
Trends � Development � City Living
Hot Properties Intown buyers look for outdoor space, amenities in condos and townhomes The Atlantic
28th at Brookwood
By Kathy Dean
R
eal estate keeps gaining steam throughout the Atlanta area. At the start of the pandemic, things halted for a few weeks. Since then, however, sales have climbed steadily. It’s not surprising that Intown condos and townhomes are hotter than ever. Developers are delivering new properties with access to the Atlanta BeltLine, upscale eateries and other amenities in the area – and buyers are flocking to them.
The Atlantic and 40 West 12th Two condominium communities set in Midtown – The Atlantic and 40 West 12th – are drawing a lot of interest. “Both of these properties offer homebuyers a mix of luxury and escape for their surrounding neighborhoods,” said Christa Huffstickler, Founder & CEO, Engel & Völkers Atlanta. The Atlantic has a great Intown location for first-time buyers and those looking to downsize, she added. “Each condo features panoramic views of the city stretching from Buckhead to Downtown.” Even while under construction, 40 West 12th has been a draw with features that include floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Midtown cityscape. Condo residents also have access to a central gathering point, one acre of green space called the Sky Plaza.
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Outdoor space is highly desirable right now, and Huffstickler said it’s something that’s available at both properties. “The Atlantic and 40 West 12th each offer large balconies within every floorplan,” she said. “Shared amenity decks, only accessible to residents, give them a safe refuge outside of their homes.” Huffstickler predicted that the area will continue to be popular. “Though we saw a migration of buyers moving to the suburbs as the pandemic played out, we will see increasing interest in these macro amenitized Intown markets, making West Midtown and Midtown hotspots for buyers this year,” she said.
final phase is now being released for sale. 764 Memorial is set in the historic district of Cabbagetown, just steps away from the BeltLine Eastside Trail. “This location is one of the hottest Intown neighborhoods, with access to shopping, dining, Grant Park, Oakland Cemetry and Zoo Atlanta,” Schwall said. She reported that the community is in the final phase of sellout, with condos starting in the $200s and townhomes in the $500s. The Intown location is the biggest draw, according to Schwall. “Both 28th at Brookwood and 764 Memorial check the location box for buyers who want
the convenience of Intown living with a maintenance free lifestyle,” she said. Both communities also provide the outdoor access today’s buyers want. 28th at Brookwood homes have rooftop terraces with outdoor gas fireplaces and open kitchens, Schwall noted, as well as flex space that offers a home office for those working from home due to COVID. Continued on page 20 764 Memorial
28th at Brookwood and 764 Memorial A community of 23 townhomes and single-family homes, 28th at Brookwood is located in the Brookwood neighborhood where Buckhead meets Midtown. “This offers the best of both worlds, with walkability to the shops and restaurants of Brookwood and access to the Northside BeltLine Trail,” said Anne Schwall, Vice President, Atlanta Fine Homes Developer Services. She noted that the community is selling fast. The At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Lush living in the historic heart of Midtown. New Team. New Design. New Homes. J5 offers one and two bedroom condominiums with outstanding amenities including a large sunset terrace, a pool and a city garden, J5 offers everything you need at home. Image is conceptual
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Call 470 589 5055 February 2021 | INTOWN
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The Roycraft
I N TOW N ' S H OT T EST COMMUNITIES ARE S E L L I N G FA S T
WHERE BUCKHEAD AND MIDTOWN COLLIDE N E W T OW N H O M E S S TA R T I N G I N T H E $ 6 0 0 S
Continued from page 18
1801 HUNTINGTON HILLS LANE ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
28THatBROOKWOOD.COM
764MEMORIAL.COM 764 Memorial Drive | Atlanta, Georgia 30316
The townhomes at 764 Memorial also feature a private rooftop terraces. “The community has spacious outdoor common areas that provide a COVID-friendly space for spending time and entertaining,” she said.
J5 The six-story J5, located in Midtown’s Garden District, boasts 150 residences priced from the $500s to $900s. The building’s construction was finished in June 2020, and last month, a $1 million upgrade plan went into effect. According to project owner Deluxeton, a DEZHU Company, the upgrade includes interior renovations to meet the needs of pandemic buyers. “DEZHU is proactively making this investment just months after J5’s construction completion to ensure its viability in a post-pandemic world,” said Eric Xue, CEO of DEZHU US. Michael Habachy of Habachy Designs will lead the condo’s renovations. Enhancements include WiFi-enabled shared spaces that allow for complete digital connectivity throughout the building.
Karen Rodriguez and her GROUP KORA team were enlisted to take over the property’s sales and marketing. “J5 has this incredible location, competitive pricing and is the largest finished new construction condo project to deliver in Atlanta since the housing crisis,” said Rodriguez, Founder, GROUP KORA. She explained that her team brought a fresh approach to satisfy the needs of the next generation of buyers. “We provided alternative uses for amenities with the inclusion of more outdoor areas by the building’s city garden,” Rodriguez said, “and utilized natural design elements within the interior that invoke a sense of calm during an unsettling time.”
Graydon Buckhead and The Roycraft According to David Tufts, CDO and Managing Partner, @Ansley Developer Services, Graydon Buckhead and The Roycraft are two newer condominium residences that he and his team are excited about. “First and foremost, both communities are new construction, meaning our buyers are the first to live in the homes,” he said.
Interior of a unit at J5 in Midtown.
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC CABBAGETOWN ONLY TWO TOWNHOMES REMAIN, STARTING IN THE $500S
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Tufts offered some advice for buyers on the fence. “Atlanta will continue to have a housing shortage for the foreseeable future and land and construction costs will continue to rise,” he said. “Buying new now may be one of the best moves one could financially make.”
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“This has been a major COVID-era selling point.” Tufts explained that both Graydon Buckhead and The Roycraft provide spacious plans that allow for privacy and flexibility, as well as balconies and terraces
for private outdoor space. “The Graydon is an ultraluxury boutique condominium residence that offers resort-style amenities usually found in large high-rise buildings,” he said. Graydon Buckhead is located in the historic area of Buckhead, near some of Atlanta’s hottest boutiques and restaurants. The Roycraft is located in Virginia-Highland. “Our buyers love the walkable location with neighboring BeltLine, Ponce City Market, Whole Foods and other major retailers just steps away,” he added.
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COLLECTION OF 2020 SALES 730 E. NORTHWAY LANE
49 HUNTINGTON ROADD
1433 WESSYNGTON ROAD
1676 W. SUSSEX ROAD
161 RIDGELAND WAY
2959 ANDREWS DRIVE
405 9TH STREET*
260 COLEBROOK STREET*
262 DEVIN PLACE***
276 KIRKWOOD ROAD
280 MADO LANE*
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389 6TH STREET*
403 N HIGHLAND AVE
244 ROSEMONT COURT
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475 ANSLEY COURT*
519 MELLVIEW AVENUE*
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565 LOST RIVER BEND
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640 GLEN IRIS DRIVE, NO. 610*
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36 POLO DRIVE
750 PARK AVENUE, NO. 15SE** 825 HIGHLAND AVENUE, NO. 1213** 853 INMAN VILLAGE PARKWAY* 7501 ST. CHARLES SQUARE, NO. 10
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142 GIBSON STREET***
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2254 LAVISTA COURT
2864 ELLIOTT CIRCLE
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222 12TH STREET, NO. 1103*
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22 February 2021 |
952 PEACHTREE STREET, NO. 4 968 ST. CHARLES AVENUE, NO. 215
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At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
JARED SAPP R EA L ESTAT E G ROU P
1161 BRIARCLIFF PLACE
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5220 GREEN OAK COURT***
5380 HIGH POINT MANOR***
831 CRESTRIDGE DRIVE
868 ROSEDALE ROAD*
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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Renovation of Fountain Hall represents Morris Brown perseverance
Perspectives in Architecture
Morris Brown College is entering a new chapter in its distinguished history. President Kevin James has rallied alumni and supporters for a hard reset of policies and procedures to ensure the institution’s accreditation, financial stability, and governance. He expects Melody the college established in 1881 as the first Harclerode institution of higher learning in Georgia Melody Harclerode, for black people to become the first HBCU FAIA enjoys that regains full accreditation in April 2021. connecting the public Accreditation will enable students to receive to wondrous places federal aid for college tuition and further as an award-winning increase student enrollment. architect, author, and Fountain (Stone) Hall offers historically executive director of and civically significant space to meet Blue Heron Nature expansion needs. A prominent architect in Preserve. the Southeast and Founder of the Southern Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Atlanta architect Gottfried L Norrman (1848-1909) designed the landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This impressive three-story building completed in 1882 by emancipated blacks embodies the popular High Victorian architecture of its time with a hipped roof, elaborate brick detailing, and prominent clock tower. Morris Brown students passed a sweeping archway at the entry and an immense mural in the lobby to reach administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, a chapel, and library. One of those offices belonged to renowned civil rights activist, historian, and educator W. E. B. Du Bois from 1897 to 1910. Students affirmed their Christian faith, rejoiced with community programs, and married in the chapel animated with stained glass windows. Sounds rung throughout the campus from a huge bell in the tower inscribed with the words “Dedicated to the Education of Youth, Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color.” Working with Dr. Candy Tate from the Atlanta Branch of ASALH, Morris Brown College is committed to restore this historic landmark. School leaders are undeterred by acts of vandalism at the building, including removal of a clock face on the tower in late 2020. President James explains, “Fountain Hall represents the strength and perseverance of Morris Brown College.” In
24 February 2021 |
Clockwise from left: Vandals recently destroyed one of the clock faces at Fountain Hall. A mural with historic leaders in the lobby. The iconic bell in the clock tower. Stained glass windows in the chapel. Below: A drawing of Fountain Hall from 1887.
recent years, the college has been awarded over $1 million in national grants, critical funding to replace the slate roof and renovate the clock tower. More extensive renovations are required to conduct classes in the building. To support future renovations, the college has hired architectural firm Moody Nolan to create conceptual drawings and renderings of the building. Moody Nolan recently received the 2021 AIA Architecture Firm Award, the highest award that the Institute bestows to a firm, for brilliant designs and transformative impact in communities. Firm Senior Associate Linda Nunnelly expresses reverence for Fountain Hall noting “the great story and historical significance of this project.” During a pivotal time for the school as it collaborates with Moody Nolan, Morris Brown College pursues academic and architectural design excellence. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
◄The Hanover Company has submitted a development permit to the city for its 40-story apartment building at 1230 West Peachtree St. in Midtown. The new high-rise will have 8,600 square feet of ground-floor retail, 258,000 square feet of office space, and 328 apartment units. Construction is slated to begin early this year.
The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) in Peachtree Hills has welcomed four new showrooms and design studios, including BROWNWORKS, Elegant Earth, Palecek, and the reopened Wood-Mode in partnership with Dove Studio. Now home to a total of 60 showrooms, the latest additions to ADAC offer industry professionals a wider range of interior design services, luxurious furniture, kitchen appliances, custom cabinetry, outdoor living, lighting, and accessories. For more information, visit adacatlanta.com. ▼Jamestown, the developers behind Ponce City Market, have acquired Morningside apartment complex Gables Rock Springs. The company paid a reported $145 million for the 558-unit complex on Rock Springs Court. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, this is Jamestown’s first multifamily acquisition in Atlanta.
Midtown condo development J5 has launched a $1 million “repositioning” strategy including a new brand identity and interior renovations, according to owner Deluxeton. Open for only a year, the $105 million project is rebranding the property and making upgrades on the lobby and shared spaces to meet the needs of those buying during the pandemic. Group Kora is now managing sales and marketing for the condo building on Juniper Street. J5 features 150 homes with a mix of onebedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, a 24-hour security team, garden, conferencestyle meeting spaces, a fitness studio, and a private pool deck. Condos are priced from the $500s to $900s. Visit ownJ5.com for more details.
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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SUSTAINABILITY
Recycling � Resources � Lifestyle
A Winter Hike to Find the Source
I
love topographic maps. It’s easy to lose track of time, while poring over these drawings that show the Earth’s natural, and human-built, physical features. After studying the map of the eightyacre Cabin Creek watershed, which drains into the Chattahoochee River, a friend and I decided to walk the creek and its two tributaries as far as we could go upstream on each—hoping to find their sources. Following the contour lines on the map, we noticed that Cabin Creek rises from a place a few hundred yards above a small, man-made lake – not far outside the boundaries of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. One of the two streams flowing into the larger creek also appeared to be dammed in its headwaters, near or at its source. On a chilly, overcast morning in December, my friend and I walked down a well-beaten trail in the national park and turned into the silent woods, crunching piles of leaves that released the pungent smell of late fall. After crossing a small ridge, we descended the slope of the ravine, seeking the water that we knew was at its
Above the Water Line Sally Bethea
Sally Bethea is the retired executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and current board president of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy.
bottom: the creek that defined this little hardwood gorge over hundreds of years. The clouds began to part and the temperature warmed. Patches of blue sky allowed sunlight to shine down through bare branches, illuminating the flowing water in Cabin Creek, when we reached its banks. As we walked upstream, listening to the sound of water falling over rocks on its way to the river – a sound more beautiful to my ears than a symphony – our companions were tiny fish, varieties of moss, ferns, and birdsong. The water in the foot-deep pools below the small waterfalls was a stunning shade of blue-green. I adjusted my eyes and concentrated on tree reflections in the gin-clear water that offered a mirror to the beeches, hickories and other hardwood trees growing on
26 February 2021 |
the moist slopes of the ravine. Further upstream, we found a massive beech tree with a circumference of one-hundred and twelve inches, indicating that it is about two-hundred and ten years old. This tree could have been a seedling in 1809 – the year that Abraham Lincoln was born. On one side of the beech’s trunk, we found carvings in the thin-skinned bark, including a crude drawing of a hand, enlarged over the years as the tree grew. I laid my hand with fingers spread against the cool, smooth bark – within the much larger outline of the handprint – and wondered who made this carving and how long ago. I also wondered, not for the first time, why people find it acceptable to vandalize and harm American beech trees with their knives. Nearing the park’s boundary, we looked
upslope and saw the earthen dam that creates the lake we had seen on our map; the seep or spring that gives birth to Cabin Creek is somewhere on private land. Heading back downslope, we found several fallen trees covered with turkey tail mushrooms in amazing colors and sizes. Scrambling over and around the deadfall, we eventually reached the mouth of the first tributary: the place where its waters enter Cabin Creek. Our second upstream trek was a bit more strenuous, given the steeper slope of
the ravine. Our first discovery was a large tulip poplar tree with massive roots that extend into and across the small stream, creating the structure for a stair-step waterfall, when there is sufficient flow. Further along, we found several swampy areas with a surprising amount of sediment for the largely-protected stream. I stopped to admire rock outcrops, beech roots and ferns. It was almost more natural beauty than I could absorb—until we looked upslope and saw the second earthen dam At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
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Photos by Sally Bethea from her recent walk near Cabin Creek.
that we expected from our read of the map. The pond created by this dam at the stream’s headwaters – as an amenity for a private residence – had been partially drained. Pumps and flexible pipes used to dump the pond water downstream into the park were visible on both sides of the private fence. The sediment we noticed earlier was likely the result of scouring from a flood of water pumped from this pond, when it was drained. It was ugly and sad. No wonder we couldn’t find any fish in the stream. Our hike up the second tributary that flows into Cabin Creek was breathtaking – in every way. Its entire watershed is within park boundaries and, therefore, protected. This unnamed stream cuts through a surprisingly steep ravine that is obstructed with a significant amount of deadfall and brush. We were forced to climb higher on the hill, still tracking the stream, as it became smaller and smaller – until we reached a depression, really a damp spot, in the woods at an elevation nearly one-hundred and fifty feet above the river. We had found the stream’s source. Several deer ran across the ridge, away from us and our noisy walking, while a hawk cried repeatedly overhead. I wanted to lie down on the carpet of emerald-green moss at the top of the ridge and gaze into the treetops and the sky beyond, but it was past lunchtime and we were hungry. Our adventure was done, but for one last discovery: an old stone hearth covered with moss. It may have been used a few decades ago or a hundred years ago. We’ll never know.
ECO BRIEFS
▼The Fox Theatre Institute and Southface Institutes’s GoodUse nonprofit grant program will provide $30,000 matching grants to make historic theaters across the southeast more sustainable and energy-efficient. Applications are available at southface.org and are due Feb. 5. A
theatre must be at least 50 years old and be on the National Register of Historic Places to qualify.
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Trees Atlanta will host a Seedling Giveaway on Feb. 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Ave. to mark Georgia Arbor Day. Gardeners can select from the following seedlings: chinquapin, pawpaw, silver maple, shagbark hickory, and Washington hawthorn. Seedlings are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, visit treesatlanta.org. The Enchanted Woodland Trails Exhibit at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is open through Feb. 28 featuring more than 40 fairy houses and gnome homes lining the woodland trails. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 3-12. For more information, visit chattnaturecenter.org. Georgia Audubon announced four new members elected by members to the Board of Directors at its recent annual meeting. Joshua Andrews, Robert Cooper, Marc Goncher, and Susie Maclin were elected for three-year terms that began Jan. 1. In addition, Shannon Fair was elected to return for a second three-year term. For more information, visit GeorgiaAudubon.org. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
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Bike the Beltline: Atlanta Bicycle Barn 151 Sampson St., NE Atlanta, GA 30312 www.atlbikebarn.com February 2021 | INTOWN
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NEWS YOU CAN EAT
Restaurants � Wine � Events
Sweets for the Sweet Local bakeries have decadent offerings for Valentine’s Day By Isadora Pennington
V
alentine’s Day is looking a little different this year with mask mandates and social distancing, so lovebirds are having to think outside the box for their romantic celebrations. Bakeries around Atlanta have been working diligently to create culinary pleasures that aim to elevate your homebound holiday. Whether your plans include ordering takeout and watching romcoms on your couch, having a picnic in a local park, or taking a drive to a beautiful vista, you can certainly sweeten the mood with some curated treats from local shops.
Sweet Cheats owner Shirley Hughes with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries.
SaintGermain Bakery French patisserie serving up ornate cakes, fruit tarts, macarons, pastries, chocolates, plus grab-and-go sandwiches and coffees in a casual food hall setting. Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE., (470) 823-4141 or facebook.com/ saintgermainfrenchbakery.
Assorted chocolates at Saint-Germain.
Sweet Cheats Cozy Cabbagetown bakery known for imaginative cupcakes, cake pops, macarons, and other decadent treats. 692 B Kirkwood Ave. SE, Unit B1. (404) 590-6086 or sweetcheatsatlanta.com.
NEW RESTAURANT RADAR The owners of D.B.A. Barbecue have opened DBA Sandwich Company at Irwin Street Market in Old Fourth Ward. The menu features pulled pork and chopped brisket as well as a selection of sides and snacks. Info at dbabarbecue.com.
28 February 2021 |
The Queso Shop – from the team behind Yumbii and The Queso Truck – will open soon for online ordering, delivery and walk-up at 2127 Liddell Drive in Piedmont Heights serving up queso, tacos, quesadillas, churros, and sides. More at thequesoshop.com.
Chef Jonathan Waxman has opened Baffi – a casual, Italian-inspired restaurant offering locally-sourced, seasonal dishes alongside a creative beverage program – at 976 Brady Ave. in West Midtown. IG: baffi_atlanta.
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
The Little Tart Bakeshop A local favorite, this bakeshop offers handmade baked goods and treats including traditional French pastries, crème fraiche quiches, cookies, breads, and tarts. 437 Memorial Dr. SE. (404) 348-4797 or littletartatl.com. These French sable shortbread cookies are buttery with a touch of sweetness. Poured heart sugar cookies with fondant.
Linzer cookies at Alon’s.
CEG Bakery co-owner Katha Waters shows off a six-pack of spicy cherry macarons.
Alon’s Bakery & Market Henri’s Bakery & Deli
Baked goods and sweet treats of all types and flavors, including cookies, cakes, scones, and housemade chocolate bars. 1394 N. Highland Ave. (404) 872-6000 or alons.com.
CEG Bakery French-inspired bakery specializing in gourmet baked goods, cakes, cookies, and pastries. 2591 Piedmont Rd. NE, #1115. (404) 832-5757 or gourmetbakeryatlantaga.com.
Open since 1929, Henri’s is an Atlanta institution. Serving up classic pastries, a wide array of cookies and baked goods, coffee, pre-made and made-to-order sandwiches. 2310 Coronet Way NW. (404) 968-9412 or henrisbakery.com.
es with ancak sting P t e elv e Fro d V Chees e R am e Cr
Prevail Coffee is now open at Star Metal Residences, 1050 Howell Mill Road in West Midtown, offering hand brews, cold brews, traditional, and loose-leaf teas. Find out more at prevailroasters.com.
Incoming Farm Burger: Taking over old Yeah! Burger spot in VirginiaHighland (Spring). Snooze, An A.M. Eatery: A breakfast spot in West Midtown (Summer). Saints + Council: “Dutch Baby” pancakes, small plates at Colony Square Midtown (Summer).
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MastiEats is offering its Indian street food through a new meal delivery service. Owners Ricky Wahlia and Robby Gulri have repackaged fan favorites to be easily reheated and enjoyed throughout the week. “We understand that our customers lead busy lives and don’t want to devote time that could be spent with family preparing every meal. They’re also eager to enjoy unique dishes that they wouldn’t necessarily prepare for themselves,” noted Wahlia. For more information, visit MastiEats.com.
QUICK BITES
◄Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall in Old Fourth Ward has opened “Greenhouses in the Grove” for outdoor group dining throughout the winter season. The greenhouses – equipped with electric fireplaces, twinkling lights, greenery and communal tables – can be reserved
Now We’re Cooking A Q&A With Maria Moore Riggs
By Collin Kelley Maria Moore Riggs’ education is in psychotherapy, but she found her love for baking to be more emotionally fulfilling. After moving to Atlanta from California with her family in 2008, Riggs opened a coffee shop in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, but it failed after only a year. Undaunted, she decided to make her love of baking front and center when she opened the first location of Revolution Doughnuts in Decatur in 2012. The nearly instant success of her handmade doughnuts led to a second outpost opening in Inman Park in 2017. The pandemic might have slowed things down, but a re-embrace of comfort foods meant Riggs’ sweet treats were still in demand. Q. ■ Comfort food, like doughnuts, has played a large part in getting folks through the past year. What are some of the comfort foods that you prepared or purchased that soothed you and your family? A. ■ Doughnuts are definitely a great comfort food. I am also a huge fan of takeout sushi and bun noodle bowls – really anything rice based is my comfort food jam. And ice cream – ice cream is my “never-fail” comfort food. Q. ■ Besides doughnuts and pastries, what are some of your other favorite foods to prepare for yourself or family? Have you toyed with the idea of any other restaurant/cafe concepts? A. ■ I love dusting off old recipes and making cookies and other traditional family treats around the holidays. I don’t bake at home as much as I used to before the shop opened. I do love to cook though and make at least one or two meals every day with my family – mostly quick stir fry – lots of veggies and rice. Yes, of course, every entrepreneur toys with other concepts. Pre-doughnuts it was going to be either chocolate, ice cream or cupcakes. Postdoughnuts it will probably be a salad or
30 February 2021 |
stir fry bar concept – just to balance the sweets. Q. ■ What are some of your favorite places to eat in Atlanta – full meal or to get a sweet treat? A. ■ I think we are really lucky to have several great local farmers markets in the Atlanta Metro area - the Grant Park and Decatur markets are two of my favorites. Your Dekalb Farmers Market is our main weekly grocery stop - their hot deli is always good for a quick family meal. We order take out once a week. Some of our favorite local go-to places are the Krog Market (because you can get everything there from bun noodles to amazing ice cream), Sushi Avenue, and Farm Burger. Q. ■ Revolution Doughnuts’ social media accounts – especially Instagram – have large followings. How integral has social media been to Revolution’s success? A. ■ I’d say social media was a huge part of our initial success. Scoutmob ran a little article on our opening back in 2012 and we opened that first day to a long line of customers. We have used Facebook and Twitter to post our daily menus – we still do but haven’t really gotten into paying for boosted posts or using social media management companies so we probably have a long way to go leaning about using those tools to better advantage. We started posting on Instagram the summer of 2013. They say people “eat with their eyes” and Instagram has been the perfect way to showcase our sweet little treats and keep in touch with the community. Q. ■ What advice do you have for other restaurateurs who are struggling during the pandemic? What’s the best advice someone gave you during this challenging time? A. ■ Always look for ways to help people when you can – that is the only way to get through difficulty. “This too shall pass.”
for two hours for groups of up to 10 at $40 per hour. Visit ladybirdatl. com for information. ►Upscale, casual eatery Grand Lux Cafe has reopened at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead serving up comfort food like fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy with eggs, fried pickles, Nashville “hot chicken” and more. The cafe offers weekend brunch, lunch specials, baked toorder desserts, and hand-crafted cocktails. For more information, visit grandluxcafe.com. Restaurant RIP: Ah-Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen and Frogs Cantina in Midtown, Bocado in West Midtown, Gallery Café in Buckhead
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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THE STUDIO
Arts � Culture
Heart of the Arts
Storefront murals and exhibitions bring diverse artistry to Midtown
By Collin Kelley
O
n a cold Saturday afternoon in mid-January, artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya was putting the finishing touches on her mural, “Let Me Share the Sky With You,” in a display window at 10 10th Street in Midtown. The long, narrow corridor behind the windows wasn’t an ideal space to work, but Phingbodhipakkiya managed to transform the empty wall behind the windows into a powerful – and
32 February 2021 |
colorful – statement. “Let Me Share the Sky With You,” is the latest piece of artwork installed as part of the Midtown Alliance’s Heart of the Arts program. The multi-pronged initiative kicked off in January with a series of storefront exhibitions that showcase talents new to the district, support the local arts economy, activate currently vacant retail spaces and energize the street level experience for pedestrians. For the initial phase of the program, Midtown Alliance staff engaged curator
Neda Abghari to deliver the first round of temporary storefront exhibitions. Abghari, founder and executive director of The Creatives Project, selected artists Shanequa Gay, Chiomma Hall, Melissa Huang, Kaye Lee Patton, Fabian Williams, Kristan Woolford, and Phingbodhipakkiya. “I am so deeply thrilled with Midtown Alliance’s commitment and investment to amplify the voices of our city’s creative talents,” Abghari said. “Although Midtown Alliance has installed public art before, Heart of the Arts seeks to be intentional in
Top: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya works on her mural “Let Me Share the Sky With You” at 10 10th Street. Left: “Secoriea’s Spirit Lives Here” by Shanequa Gay at 805 Peachtree Street. Right: Kaye Lee Patton works on her installation “Re:Re” at 990 Peachtree Street.
At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
the way it supports Atlanta’s arts economy while also enriching the public sphere.” The artists’ installations are visible along Peachtree Street between 5th and 10th Streets, Peachtree Place, as well as on 10th Street, and will be on display through March. Temporary installations are the springboard for the next phase of Heart of the Arts, which will focus on residencies at creative spaces in Midtown. Workspaces will be provided from six to 18 months and include a component of community engagement in the form of special programming and events featuring their work. This effort relies on strategic partnerships with commercial properties, businesses, and founding partners, including Atlanta History Center Midtown Campus, Coro Realty Advisors, Madison Marquette and Cafe Agora, among others. “We are lucky to work in a district where supporting creativity is a core value,” said Ginny Kennedy, Midtown Alliance director of urban design. “Now more than ever, art is essential to elevate our mood and open our minds to new ideas.” Phingbodhipakkiya, an Atlanta native, echoed Kennedy’s sentiments about art being essential in these difficult times. “’Let Me Share the Sky With You’ is a meditation on the moment we’re in,” she said. “I wanted to show women from all
walks of life imagining their dreams and imbue the mural with hope, comfort, and a sense of belonging.” Phingbodhipakkiya’s father put Thai food on the map in Atlanta with his restaurant The King and I, so she grew up in a “rich world of flavor, color and culture,” which also informed her design for the mural. She’s now based in New York City where she’s in residence with the NYC Commission on Human Rights where she recently created a series of colorful “defiant ladies” on 76 bus shelters that seek to counteract anti-Asian bias. Although she’s uncertain how long “Let Me Share the Sky With You” will be on display along 10th Street, Phingbodhipakkiya said she hopes other artists will respond to it. “I’d love to see dancers from the Atlanta Ballet or the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company perform a piece in front of the mural.” She praised Midtown Alliance for putting Heart of the Arts together and its selection of artists. “It’s an incredibly thoughtful and diverse group of voices coming together to express how artists are meeting this moment.” For more about Heart of the Arts, visit midtownatl.com. Top: Fabian Williams works on “Imagination is More Important Than Knowledge” at 990 Peachtree Street. Bottom: a pedestrian stops to look Kaye Lee Patton’s “Re:Re” at 990 Peachtree.
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Valentine’s Date Night
A few suggestions on where to safely celebrate with your sweetheart By Collin Kelley You guessed it – Valentine’s Day is going to be different this year due to the ongoing pandemic. However, if you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your sweetie that doesn’t involve takeout or Netflix, then check out these socially distanced ideas for Valentine’s weekend.
Orchid Daze Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Orchid Daze returns at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown. Beginning Feb. 13, thousands of fragrant orchids will be on display in the Fuqua Orchid Center highlighting winter’s favorite plant. For timed-tickets and details, visit atlantabg.org.
Sips Under the Sea The Georgia Aquarium will host a special Valentine’s edition of Sips on Feb. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. for ages 21+ featuring cocktails, dining options, and a live DJ, but with limited capacity to allow for safe social distancing. Face coverings are required in the galleries but may be taken off to actively sip on cocktails or while eating food in designated areas. For tickets and details, visit georgiaaquarium.org.
◄Fernbank After Dark Head to the Fernbank Museum of National History in Druid Hills on Feb. 12 from 7 to 11 p.m. for a physically distanced after-hours experiences for grownups (21+), including outdoor explorations in WildWoods, museum exhibits, live music, full bars, tapas menus, and science demonstrations. Tickets and information can be found at fernbankmuseum.org.
▲Dinner Date If you’re comfortable dining out, a number of restaurants will be offering socially-distanced Valentine’s Day meals, including 5Church, Nan Thai Fine Dining, Beetlecat, The Optimist, Tuk Tuk, JCT. Kitchen and Bar, Marcel, Pricci, Bistro Nikko, St. Cecilia, and Chai Yo. Visit OpenTable.com for more restaurants and to make reservations.
The Rink at Park Tavern Want to ice skate in Piedmont Park? Head to The Rink at Park Tavern, which is open through Feb. 15. The rink is open for all ages until 8:30 p.m., when it becomes 16+. Be sure to book now because skate times are likely to sell out due to social distancing. For more information, visit parktavern.com/ice-rink.
Worlds of Puppetry Museum The museum located inside the Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown will be open on Valentine’s Day starting at noon. The museum includes the Jim Henson Collection featuring the Muppets from “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” and “Fraggle Rock.” For tickets and information, visit puppet.org.
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February 2021 | INTOWN
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Wuxtry Records in Decatur
By Mark Woolsey The dark-haired young lady knew exactly what she wanted. “What do you have by Minnie Riperton?” she asked Mark Methe, coowner of Decatur’s Wuxtry Records. “Come with me and I’ll show you,” said the genial, somewhat garrulous senior, leading his prospective customer through a small store that’s a riot of organized clutter, a process that rinses-and-repeats regularly. You could say that Methe, pushing 70, has gown old in the service of vinyl, with his store having opened in 1978. Wuxtry is one of a half-dozen or so Intown independent spots specializing in vinyl, most of which have been around since the heyday of arena rock and disco. The mainly modest enterprises have been subject to two centers of gravity pulling them in different directions. One is the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to multimonth closures (except for online and curbside service in some cases) last spring. The other is increasing interest in vinyl, with healthy pressings of new product as well as re-issues from the days when CDs ruled the musical roost and pressings were an afterthought. Think albums like Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” It’s made for a roller coaster ride akin to watching the gyrations of a longneglected and warped album. There’s Methe, who at one point used the term “scraping by” and points out “I never went to business school” while allowing that between his store and another location in Athens, they did about a million dollars’ worth of sales in 2020. He adds that they were closed for a couple of months during the first wave of the pandemic but that Christmas brought them a burst of sales. There are some numbers that pump up the volume on that last assertion. Billboard magazine, quoting Nielsen Music/MRC Data, says a record 1,842,000 records were sold in the week ending Dec. 24, buoyed by Christmas sales and easily eclipsing compact discs. That’s the highest
36 February 2021 |
Groove On Intown record shops weather the pandemic as vinyl popularity flourishes
number since Nielsen began tracking vinyl sales in 1991. The website Statista quotes Nielsen as saying vinyl sales grew for the 14th consecutive year in 2020. On the less rosy side, Wax’ n’ Facts, a longtimer in Little Five Points, closed for almost three months and resorted to a GoFundMe campaign which raised some $12,000 to stay afloat and cover employees lost wages. The store is also only open half
its former hours and had to let a parttimer go. But not all of the previously pandemicdarkened stores are on an equal footing. Open since 1976, Buckhead mainstay Fantasyland Records has seen vinyl sales rise considerably, especially that of new product, despite their spring in the wilderness. “I would say for us it probably goes
Wax ‘n Facts in Little Five Points
up 10 percent each year,” said longtime manager (since 1981) Mark Gunter, including 2020 in that skein. “We’ve been busier than ever since we reopened in midMay. And we probably had our best in December in the past five years.” Not only were vinyl purchases robust he added-their sale of turntables scored a five-year high. Gunter said a good percentage of sellers are those who stored their records away for a good long while, with many of them now downsizing. Rock is their biggest category. At Criminal Records in Little Five, you’ll find folks like Sean Zearfoss. No greybeard, he’s in his mid-30s but loves vinyl and is firmly in the camp of those regarding it as a warmer and richersounding medium than digital. “It’s kind of an experience,” he said. “Give me your best 40 minutes on a vinyl record and let’s see what you’ve got.” Zearfoss explained that “We’ve sold a lot of hip-hop and R&B in part, I think, because Atlanta really is a hip-hop town.” Childish Gambino’s “Awaken, my Love!” is the top seller in that space, he noted. Other stores said they’re sending customers out the door with plenty of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar albums and that with their status as local icons, it’s hard to keep anything by Outkast in stock. But rock and classic rock is still a mainstay of theirs, said Zearfoss. “We still sell plenty of Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.” Jazz, soul, world music and country are also well-represented in the spacious, wellorganized store. Fans of those classics – both young and old – are among those re-upping on vinyl, said Methe at Wuxtry. “Every week I hear a sob story from someone saying they sold their record collection in 1987 and now that stuff is hard to find.” Re-issues of albums from the tail end of the 80s to the mid aughts – the vinyl dead zone – seem to be helping to fill that gap. And then there are others of a certain age who simply never stopped opening their wallets for vinyl. Another significant buyer demo: much younger folks who have embraced vinyl and snap up product from current performers as well as those alreadymentioned re-issues and even classic rock. Nobody’s blinking when someone totes both Imagine Dragons and David Bowie to the checkout counter. And there are the hardcore collectors methodically perusing the bins, their narrowed eyes missing nothing. Co-owner Harry DeMille at Wax ‘n’ Facts has seen a plethora of them over the years. “I can’t stress the avid nature of the collector enough. Some of them told me Continued on Page 39 At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
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REALTOR®
R E C E N T AC T I V I T Y
In the Mix DJ Headmaster has been on the decks at Mary’s for two decades By Collin Kelley
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Stuart Myerburg – better known as DJ Headmaster to those who flock to LGBTQ+ bar Mary’s in East Atlanta Village – has been spinning music and videos for two decades. His Baddest Bitch series, which pays homage to gay icons in music, has become a signature event at Mary’s. During the pandemic, his Queer Bait sets have been streaming live on Twitch so patrons can have a dance party in their living rooms. We caught up with Myerburg for this special Q&A as part of our new Spotify channel. You can listen to the DJ’s curated playlist by simply searching for AtlantaIntown. Q. Tell us a bit about you? A. I’ve lived in Atlanta since 1987. During the day, I’m a health scientist at CDC, so DJ’ing is a nice counterbalance to that. My DJ name is a reference to The Smiths’ song “The Headmaster Ritual.” Q. How did you become the DJ at Mary’s? A. Back in the beginning days of Mary’s, there was a resident DJ who covered all DJ nights. When he moved, that left a gap. Ben and Bill, the current owners, started DJ’ing on Fridays, but no one was doing Thursday nights. So, I started playing music just for the fun of it on Thursdays and that eventually led to my resident Friday night spot when Ben and Bill purchased Mary’s. Q. And you’ve been there for 20 years? A. I think I started DJ’ing in 2001. At least that’s the earliest date I have on DVDs I was using! Q. What makes Mary’s so special? A. The people, first and foremost. There is a true sense of community and inclusivity. You also really have the opportunity to stretch the boundaries of the music you play and everyone is willing to go along for the ride. Q. What’s a memorable moment on the decks? A. Our birthday celebrations are always fun, but our 17th couple of years ago was particularly memorable. The tributes and love we got from that one were really special: And of course Baddest Bitch: Kate Bush as well, where I got to play Kate and only Kate all night long. Q. How do you pick your music set/theme every week? A. We have some theme nights that have become Mary’s standards, like Boys of Summer, Madonnarama, or Disco Hangover, that get scheduled throughout the year. We also started doing our Baddest Bitch series a couple of years ago to highlight queer music icons, and we try to make those happen every couple of months. But for a normal night at Mary’s, I combine new music that I want people to hear with staples that are resonating with me that week and then allow a LOT of room for improvisation based on what the crowd is reacting to that night. I often come to Mary’s with a fully formed plan in my head and end up playing only 15% of that because the vibe called for something totally different.
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Continued on Page 36
some credit. Music purveyors think that
they all but died when we closed down for a few months,” he said. He said some of them are not just serious “vinylphiles” but also canny collectors who mimic some coin and stamp enthusiasts. “If they see something that’s desirable and even if they have five copies of it already they’ll go ahead and get another to use as ‘trade bait’, DeMille explained. At Decatur’s Ella Guru record shop owner Don Radcliffe weighed in with “We all have our favorites we try to force on our customers. That’s my favorite part of the job. Everyone who works in a record store wants to do that.” Despite COVID, Radcliffe said he saw heightened demand and overall “decent “sales this year at his cubbyhole spot. There are other hopeful signs, with, believe it or not, the pandemic getting
with many restaurants limited to curb service and takeout and movie theaters shut down, a visit to a music store has become an attractive and relatively safeseeming-outing. “I never have enough of the most popular stuff,” is how Radcliffe put it. But Wax ‘n’ Facts’ Demille puts his finger on the groove of a couple of countervailing factors. “Customers that I have had for many years – and we’ve been here 44 – some of those longtime collectors have literally died. And I’m not sure that they’ve been replaced. Plus, the new stuff is phenomenally expensive. It’s a lot easier to sell five $5 records than one $25
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Local organizations plan full slate of summer camps for kids By Collin Kelley
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Plans to hold summer camps for kids are, as one organizer put it, moving “full steam ahead” but with COVID-19 safety precautions still in place. While camps were cancelled or curtailed last year due to the pandemic, the vaccine and a better understanding of the safety precautions needed Alliance Theatre Drama Camp to hold camp sessions mean organizations can plan ahead. Registration is now open for most camp programs. Pace Academy in Buckhead will have a full slate of camps, according to Zach Slaney, the school’s director of auxiliary programs. “We are moving ahead at full steam with our programs for this summer,” Slaney said. “Pace will be offering athletic, academic, STEM, and specialty camp offerings for campers in grades K-8 for eight weeks between June 1 and July 30.” Registration opened in January at Pace and Slaney expects the slots to fill up quickly. Visit paceacademy.org. Similarly, Westminster in Buckhead will hold its summer camps with the “same COVID safety protocols in place that allowed us to safely host several of our day camps last summer,” according to the school’s communications assistant director Justin Abraham. “Some of those protocols include mask wearing for campers and counselors, temperature screening, scheduled handwashing times, social distancing, and extra cleaning and disinfecting of spaces and equipment throughout the day,” Abraham said. Along with day and sports camps featuring outdoor activities, there are a number of specialty camps being offered by Westminster including filmmaking, chess, coding, and even one for Dungeons & Dragons. Visit Westminster.net for a complete schedule and to register. In the City Camps will host summer sessions at two locations this year – Chabad Intown on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail and at the Weber School in Sandy Springs – for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. Spokesperson Tali Benjamin said In the City Camps is working with medical experts to be sure about COVID-19 precautions for the In the City Camps summer. “We ran a modified version of our camps safely for four weeks last summer, so we do have a lot of experience with that this year,” Benjamin said. Benjamin said as much outdoor programming as possible was being scheduled so that kids won’t be cooped up inside a closed space. She said partnering with Chabad Intown would give campers plenty of opportunities to be outside on the BeltLine. Some of the camp offerings include basketball, magic, art, soccer, archery, cooking and more. Visit inthecitycamps.org for more details. Budding actors can check out the Alliance Theatre’s series of in-person and virtual camps for all grade levels scheduled for spring and summer. Camps will be held not only at the Alliance’s home base of Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown, but in partnership with schools around the city. From performing on stage as part of a musical to working behind the scenes, there’s a camp for all interests and ages. Visit alliancetheatre.org for details. February 2021 | INTOWN
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PARTING SHOTS
Clockwise from top left: Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was on hand as the City of Atlanta unveiled a new sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by renowned artist Basil Watson at the intersection of Northside Drive and MLK Jr. Drive; “Microsculpture,” a new exhibition at the Fernbank Museum. features high-magnification portraits of insects by Levon Biss; Sloth Nutella has taken up residence in Zoo Atlanta’s KIDZone for the winter; Shout out to Georgia Tech fraternity Phi Kappa Theta volunteering to spread mulch from recycled Christmas trees at Piedmont Park.
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At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
February 2021 | INTOWN
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