Connect Savannah I January 2024

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INSIDE MEET KAREN WILLIAMS NEW POOLER MAYOR TO BRING SERVICE LEGACY TO CITY LEAVING A LEGACY: MAYOR VAN JOHNSON, BUOYED BY RE-ELECTION 'MANDATE,' EAGER TO TAKE ON BIG ISSUES IN FINAL TERM

A 'LASTING LEGACY': KIAH MUSEUM RESTORATION SET TO BEGIN THIS YEAR ROBIN CLARK: BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL SAVANNAH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

JASON RESTIVO JOINS SOBREMESA AND USHERS IN BROADER DINING CONCEPT CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Margarita Monday tree-fifty tuesday $4 teremana margs

All beer, jameson, titos, and RBV - $3.50

!

Y A D N U F Y A UND

d n a S N O O $3 HIGH Nimosa towers M e c i r p f Hal

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$3 ROSÉ ALL DAY EVERYDAY

OPEN DAILY 11AM TO 11 PM*

125 West River Street On top of the cotton sail hotel

www.topdeckbar.com

*CLOSING HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

Wine wednesday Half off Bottles!

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Still or sparkling.

EDITOR’S NOTE DEAR CONNECT SAVANNAH READERS:

ADMINISTRATIVE ERICA BASKIN PUBLISHER

erica@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4378 WENDY WICKHAM BUSINESS MANAGER

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BOBBY WALLS

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

bobbywalls@connectsavannah.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jesse Blanco, Beth Logan, Nathan Dominitz, Heidi Fedak, Neil Gabbey, Eric Curl, Brett Bigelow

A new year always excites me. It’s an opportunity to make changes, big and small, to reflect on the past, and to make plans for the future. In our January issue, we’re ushering in 2024 by looking at several new beginnings taking place in our community. Our cover story features a new partnership between Jason Restivo and Ryan Ribeiro who have turned Sobremesa, a local wine bar, into a neighborhood eatery. Neil Gabbey reports how their wine lounge now offers specialty cocktails, a curated wine program, elevated charcuterie and cheeses, as well as larger menu offerings. You will want to read about all the details!

We introduce you to Karen Williams, Pooler’s newly appointed mayor, who has big plans to serve a rapidly growing city. Eric Curl explores the restoration of the Kiah Museum, a 110-year-old house that Virginia Jackson Kiah transformed into a museum “for the masses” in 1959. It’s also a new beginning for Mayor Van Johnson who is looking forward to taking on big issues in his

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Art columnist Beth Logan speaks with Robin Clark, an artist giving a new start to overlooked, forgotten photographs.

Clark’s photo restoration work will have you seeing new possibilities for old family albums and photo collections.

Our music story focuses on the inaugural Savannah Bluegrass Festival coming to town in February. Reporter Brett Bigelow shares the details on a new event that will add to the city’s thriving music scene. We also look at Savannah’s food scene with Jesse Blanco shining a light on the city’s future through a food perspective.

It's not difficult to find new beginnings in Savannah, they are at every turn. We know this coming year will see more change and we’re excited to be a part of it. Thank you for your support as we move into 2024, we look forward to a new beginning.

Cheers!

ERICA LANG, EDITOR

OUR VALUES Connect Savannah is an arts, entertainment and news magazine, focused on Savannah and the Coastal Empire life and experience.

We strive to feature stories that impact our community and the people who live here— to educate, entertain, inform and foster conversation.

We appreciate and encourage readers to share news and information with us, and to share any criticism and questions.

INSIDE

We want to be your comprehensive source for what happens in our community and beyond. We are here to serve you.

MEET KAREN WILLIAMS NEW POOLER MAYOR TO BRING SERVICE LEGACY TO CITY LEAVING A LEGACY: MAYOR VAN JOHNSON, BUOYED BY RE-ELECTION 'MANDATE,' EAGER TO TAKE ON BIG ISSUES IN FINAL TERM

Find us on the following social media platforms or reach out to us at news@connectsavannah.com or 912-721-4378.

A 'LASTING LEGACY': N KIAH MUSEUM RESTORATIO SET TO BEGIN THIS YEAR ROBIN CLARK: BRINING THE TO LIFE

PAST

ESA AND JASON RESTIVO JOINS SOBREM CONCEPT USHERS IN BROADER DINING

INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL SAVANNAH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

ON THE COVER Ryan Ribeiro and Jason Restivo photographed at Sobremesa

by Anneliese Elder CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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final term. Nathan Dominitz reports on several items that are making the mayor’s agenda. Top of the list: building a legacy.

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@ConnectSavannah

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© 2023, Metro Connect, LLC 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041

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912.354.3671

February 26 - February 27, 2024 historic kehoe iron works at trustees' garden savannah, georgia CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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THURSDAY, MARCH 28 12:30 PM

NOON30: LENA JONSSON TRIO

5 & 8 PM

OUMOU SANGARÉ

5 & 8:30 PM

LENA JONSSON TRIO / KIERAN KANE & RAYNA GELLERT

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission)

GLOBAL ROOTS

SPOTLIGHT

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission) FRIDAY, MARCH 29 12:30 PM

NOON30: MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA FEAT. DUARTE

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission) 5 & 8:30 PM

GERMÁN LÓPEZ: ALMA / MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA FEAT. DUARTE

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission) SATURDAY, MARCH 30 12:30 PM

NOON30: GÉRMAN LÓPEZ: ALMA

5:30 & 8 PM

THE ART OF THE KORA: DEREK GRIPPER & BALLAKÉ SISSOKO

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission) Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

6 & 8:30 PM

DERVISH

7:30 PM

CHUCHO VALDÉS ROYAL QUARTET

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission) Lucas Theatre for the Arts $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 7 PM

TISRA: ZAKIR HUSSAIN TRIO

Trustees Theater $45 (General Admission)

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 5 & 8:30 PM

STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET / TATIANA EVA-MARIE & AVALON JAZZ BAND

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission) SATURDAY, APRIL 6 6 & 9 PM

LATIN DANCE PARTY: ORQUESTA AKOKÁN

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission) SATURDAY, APRIL 13 7:30 PM

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA: SEARCHING FOR GOYA

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

For an interactive guide of the lineup, scan the QR code to visit savannahmusicfestival.org and listen to audio and watch videos of all performers.

savannahmusicfestival.org | 912.525.5050

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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STOUT FEST TWO TIDES BR EWING

CO.

SPACE PROM I NORDISTA FREEZE I JANUARY 1 8 I VICTORY NORTH

2024 TYBEE ISLAND POLAR PLUNGE JAN. 1

The Tybee Polar Plunge returns to Tybee Island on Jan. 1, 2024! Join thousands of daring souls and take the plunge into the brisk Atlantic Ocean at 12 noon on New Year’s Day. It’s a great way for the ENTIRE FAMILY to start off the New Year! Registration comes with a souvenir long-sleeve 2023 Tybee Polar Plunge T-shirt!

Register online today, avoid the long lines and be guaranteed the T-shirt size you want!

The fun kicks off with the legendary Gang of Goofs costume contest and parade! So gather up your gang of goofy friends and family, dream up your wackiest costumes and compete for great cash prizes! visittybee.com

JANUARY'S TOTALLY AWESOME FIRST FRIDAY COMEDY JAN. 5

You asked for it so we made it happen, The Savannah Comedy Underground proudly presents Totally Awesome First Friday Comedy!

Every 1st Friday the place to be is Totally Awesome Bar! @totallyawesomebarsavannah

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET JAN. 6 - 27

Join us in Forsyth Park every Saturday yearround from 9AM-1PM for our weekly market, featuring a variety of farm goods and prepared foods. forsythfarmersmarket.com

FIRE & WINE SATURDAYS AT FOXY LOXY CAFE JAN. 6 CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Join us every Saturday for Fire & Wine! We offer half priced bottles of wine, fire pits in the courtyard, complimentary marshmallows and s'mores kits available for purchase.

TRIVIA IN THE BEER GARDEN! JAN. 7

Trivia in the Beer Garden at Moon River Brewing Company, hosted by PubStar Entertainment! Top three teams receive Moon River Brewing Company gift cards! Trivia will be held indoors if rain is in the forecast. info@ moonriverbrewing.com

2024 VISION BOARD & BUSINESS PLANNING JAN. 10 Calling all Savannah Girlies! We are a virbrant social club bringing young women together to support each other and build relationships. Join

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS MONTH To have your event considered for inclusion, please visit connectsavannah.com and enter your event in our online calendar. There, you can manage your entries, change and add dates, times, etc.

us for our first ever event of 2024! Start the year with fresh goals and friendship. @savannahgirlies

2024 SAVANNAH HOCKEY CLASSIC JAN. 12-13

Reserve your spot at the Enmarket Arena to watch your favorite college rivals battle it out on the ice. UF Club Field Hockey, University of Tennessee Ice Hockey, UGA Hockey, Georgia Tech Hockey enmarketarena.com

BLITZ BORDER BOWL VI: SAVANNAH'S BOWL GAME JAN. 13

This is Savannah’s Bowl Game – an all-star challenge pitting the best high school seniors from Georgia’s Coastal Empire against the best from The South Carolina Lowcountry.

Proceeds from this game benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.Now in its sixth year, this is your opportunity to see local gridiron stars before they head off to success in college and beyond. dflaxer@wsav.com.

TWO STEP TUESDAYS JAN. 16

Shindigs Savannah and Over Yonder have teamed up to create "Two Step Tuesdays".

Every Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00pm there will be line dancing lessons and drink specials! To get more details visit @shindigssavannah on Instagram.

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS W/ SPECIAL GUEST THE INTRACOASTAL PLAYBOYS JAN. 17

The Intracoastal Playboys are a Savannah, Georgia based classic country music cover band. The band focuses on music from the golden age of country music, paying tribute to artists such as Buck Owens, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Paycheck, Dolly Parton andmany more. victorynorthsavannah.com

SPACE PROM JAN. 18

Nordista Freeze established Space Prom in Nashville in 2018 with the mission to reclaim prom for everyone. To maintain his claim on the throne, the mad king Freeze must plot increasingly extravagant schemes for the annual concert. Hailed by critics as “the greatest event on earth” and “the most significant experience of my life,” the stylized 80s rock review layers a powerhouse band with ravishing guest vocal performances from near and far. And for a moment, it’s as though the decorations on the walls of the venue evaporate the walls themselves, as though the costumes of the crowd uniform it. info@victorynorthsavannah.com

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR SAVANNAH 2024 FILM FRSTIVAL JAN. 19 - 20

Join us for our fifteenth year of Mountainfilm on Tour Savannah! We have another exciting lineup of films for everyone to enjoy!

Take advantage of early bird ticket pricing until 12/31/2023. mountainfilmsav.org/ festival/films/

STOUT FEST - TWO TIDES BREWING CO. JAN. 20

We’ve got a new one for ya! We’re embracing winter the only way we know how by throwing our first-ever Stout Fest on Saturday, January 20th. We’ll be posting more updates soon, you’re not gonna want to miss this! twotidesbrewing.com

CLAY DAY THURSDAY SUPERBLOOM SAV JAN. 25

Every Thursday is Clay Day at Superbloom Sav. Grab some clay, get a beverage, make something, and take it home to dry! No experience needed. 5-8pm, FREE.

"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" AT THE HISTORIC SAVANNAH THEATRE JAN. 26 - FEB. 11

The Historic Savannah Theatre presents Fiddler On The Roof. This classic Broadway musical tells the heartwarming story of timeless traditions of faith and family. It’s a celebration to love, to joy and to life! The most fun you’ll have while in Savannah! Celebrating the 20th Anniversary as the #1 Entertainment in Savannah. SAVANNAH THEATRE at 222 Bull St., Historic Downtown. Get ticket information savannahtheatre.com.

KITTEN YOGA AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER SAVANNAH JAN. 27

Join us for a gentle morning practice with the sweet kittens that are up for adoption at the Humane Society. All the money goes to helping all of the animals find furrever homes! humanesocietysav.org

ROYAL PRINCESS WINTER CORONATION JAN. 27

Join us for a Royal Princess Winter Coronation on Saturday, January 27 at The Westin Savannah Harbor Grand Ballroom! Enjoy character performances, interactive princess time, and a royal dessert bar, as your little one learns how to be a princess and receives her very own tiara at the Coronation Ceremony! itsybitsyprincessparties.com

PASOS AT PROVISIONS JAN. 29

Shindigs will be at Provisions from 7:30 to 9:30pm for a Latin dance night! For more details follow @shindigssavannah on instagram.

PLAN YOUR JANUARY NOW: Visit ConnectSavannah.com to find our 24/7, comprehensive list of all the things to do in Savannah this month. From theater performances to live music shows, art exhibitions to food festivals, Connect Savannah has got you covered. So, check out the website now and start planning your perfect month in the Hostess City today!

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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INTRODUCTIONS:

MEET

KAREN WILLIAMS

By Heidi Fedak CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Much will change when Karen Williams is sworn in as the city of Pooler’s new mayor this month. But one thing won’t: her servant heart.

As Williams moves from her council seat to the mayor’s office, she’ll bring her lifelong commitment to service with her, using it to benefit the growing city and its nearly 30,000 residents.

“I knew I would always be serving,” she said. “That was my calling. That was my purpose. Volunteering just makes me feel good.”

Williams hopes residents feel the same. As she builds an ambitious four-year agenda, she will focus on furthering the pillars of her campaign platform. At the forefront of her plans are community service, citizen involvement, improved communication between city officials and residents, and resident-run committees.

“It gives residents the opportunity to serve, to be part of the community they love,” Williams said of the proposed committees.

Williams’ advocacy for volunteers should come as no surprise. After all, the absence of citysanctified volunteer opportunities ultimately led to her mayoral run.

After Williams and her husband, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. TC Williams, moved to Pooler from Richmond Hill in 2015, she searched for volunteer opportunities that would align with her interests. Intrigued by community growth, Williams spent four years attending the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission meetings as a private resident. When she tried to support the board through one of its posted volunteer openings, she never heard back. That’s all it took for this one-time Fort Bliss Volunteer of the Year to consider a City Council seat.

She developed a platform and collaborated with two other residents to run for City Council as a block. They all won.

Her platform then was a lot like the one she has now: communication, service, smart growth.

She accomplished quite a bit of it during her four-year council term, incorporating live streaming of the City Council meetings to help residents stay informed, revising the tree ordinance, revamping the Planning & Zoning Commission to include volunteer roles, and enhancing communication with residents through social media and in-person events.

As the end of her four-year council term neared, Williams realized she had even more she could give.

“I had so much pressure to run for mayor,” Williams said. “It’s unusual to run after just one term. But I’m just continuing what my heart is telling me to do—serve.”

Williams defeated two other candidates, 26year council veteran Stevie Wall and Pooler resident Tony Davis, to secure the mayoral seat, where she will continue and expand the work she started as part of the six-member City Council, revising her original platform to incorporate her council experience and campaign conversations.

“You want a list?” she said when asked about plans for her new role. “Better communication, opening meetings for public comment, getting the library finished, establishing a high school, forming those committees, term limits, rewriting and updating our charter.”

The list goes on and will grow as Williams, the city manager and the council tackle tasks large and small.

The city’s biggest challenge, she said, will be managing its growth, whether that’s funding the infrastructure improvements the city “desperately needs” or responding to urgent requests for housing and schools from growth nearby, like the Hyundai plant in Bryan County.

Her biggest personal challenge will be keeping residents informed of what, when and why different activities are happening, an effort she started as a councilwoman and will continue as mayor.

“It’s our job to listen to residents,” she said.

“They have a voice.”

That means bringing back the open comment session at the end of each City Council meeting, so residents can raise their concerns, share their ideas, or just provide feedback.

Williams knows completing her to-do list won’t be easy. Already apprehensive about the transition from City Council to City Hall, Williams faced another hurdle: the departure of veteran City Manager Robert Byrd, who submitted his resignation Dec. 4, 2023, and ended his run Dec. 31.

“Robbie has been an invaluable asset to the city CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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of Pooler and will be missed,” Williams said. “I wish him the best.”

As for finding Byrd’s replacement while also becoming familiar with her responsibilities as mayor, Williams doesn’t shrink from a challenge. As an Air Force “brat” and longtime Army wife, she’s experienced her share of obstacles, from moving every few years as a child to changing jobs every few years as an adult.

Those experiences only made her stronger.

“If you do it right, Army life can teach you a lot of characteristics that are useful in life,” she said.

Volunteering was just one of them. Throughout her 31-year stint as an Army wife, Williams, who earned an Associate of Science degree in paralegal studies from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, held a range of both paid and volunteer roles, including as a paralegal for the Judge Advocate Corps in Germany and Attorney James Gardner in Richmond Hill, a substitute teacher for the Department of Defense School System, and a member of the Spouses Club, various PTAs and multiple Family Support Groups. Today, she’s a member of the Georgia Municipal Association, the YMCA Board, and the National League of Cities Community Council.

In each of those roles, she learned key qualities, including communication, collaboration, advocacy and networking, that will help her accomplish the city’s ambitious agenda.

“If I can help find something that helps my residents, I’m going to do it,” she said.

That’s why Williams has also earned four leadership certificates from the Georgia Municipal Association and the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

“This is a continuation of a lifetime of service,” she said. “But I would call it a new beginning of Pooler. The changes we’re going to see are new.

The growth, the types of businesses, the open communication, the transparency, the involvement. These are all new things.”

When Savannah Mayor Van Johnson’s second and final term starts in January, he might be feeling less encumbered by political slog – a little lighter on his feet, as it were.

“Expect to see me really pushing on a couple things. First, making some extremely major decisions quickly,” Johnson said recently.

“We’ve got to decide what to do with the (Savannah) Civic Center. We’ve just got to decide it and whatever we’re going to do, do it,” he said of the downtown facility’s utility, or future existence, that’s been debated since green-lighting construction of 9,500seat Enmarket Arena, which opened in early 2022.

“We have to decide what to do with the Arena District, Canal District, whatever they’re going to call it, make a plan, do it. Let’s get it done,” the mayor said.

Then he listed more properties and projects such as Tide to Town, described as Savannah’s urban trail system connecting neighborhoods from every city district to marshes and waterways.

Eventually, long-distance walking and biking trails in the ambitious program could expand to more of Chatham

County all the way to Tybee Island and network in multiple directions.

“We have the money now to significantly expand it,” he said. “Let’s go ahead and get it done.”

The City of Savannah’s proposed 2024 budget of about $560 million in spending has to be balanced with incoming revenue—and won’t require a tax increase or dipping into reserve funds, the mayor said. One focus is increasing compensation for city employees, including first responders.

Complicated, difficult issues are addressed such as public safety, affordable housing and homelessness but cannot be solved as quickly as the mayor’s earlier checklist, of course.

They fall under categories of quality of life and what Johnson calls the issue of livability in a city so immensely popular with visitors and the businesses who depend on their economic impact.

“There is a very delicate balance between tourism and livability,” he said.

“As I’m famous for saying, ‘Everybody wants to visit Disney World. Nobody wants to live in Disney World.’

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“For me, it is about really creating and recalibrating that balance to make sure that people who live in this city don’t have to be unduly impacted by the tourism experience,” Johnson continued. “We love being a tourist city. We love having visitors here. But, again, our living room should be our living room.”

Everyone wants affordable housing, he said, but not necessarily in their neighborhoods. Not everyone is going to like it when tough decisions are made.

“For me, it’s about pushing the envelope,” the mayor said. “I think I did that during the first term. I really had the benefit of being on council long enough to know that you don’t fly around clouds, you fly into them. We’re going to continue to do that. Some folks are going to be mad, but we have to do what’s best for this city.”

Johnson, 55, was a four-term alderman from District 1 for a total of 16 years before he successfully ran for mayor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., he earned undergraduate and

COMMUNITY graduate degrees from Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University and stayed in the Hostess City.

He worked 25 years for Chatham County, retiring as assistant human resources director on Feb. 28, 2020, to better focus on his new position as mayor.

In his first term, he dealt with a worldwide pandemic, a protest in the streets following the murder of George Floyd and the diagnosis that he had prostate cancer.

That was just in the first eight months.

Canceling the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade for March 2020 – raising the ire of local businesses, the parade committee and so many others – was probably the toughest decision of his first term. He said people later apologized to him after seeing what COVID wrought, particularly in other cities that stayed open and hosted public events. Savannah and its visitors were safer for it.

Another emotionally charged but totally different situation was the March 31, 2020, demonstration against racism and the killing of Black people by police. Thousands came out and Savannah was peaceful on a hot day, avoiding the violence and chaos other cities experienced. Instead of bulking up a military presence, the city “coopted and owned the demonstration,” Johnson said, with participation by the mayor, chief of police, and other city and community leaders, including clergy.

“That was Savannahians taking care of Savannah,” he said, referencing history all the way back to Sherman’s March to the Sea. “I think we have shown the ability to really work through our challenges. I think we’re hard-wired for it.”

Johnson faced a personal challenge in prostate cancer, the diagnosis coming in August 2020 and surgery in November 2021. He happily reports he is a cancer survivor.

He also has survived these last four years navigating political theater in city council that has been described using words such as toxic, vitriol and squabbling. Johnson used the term “shenanigans.”

He was re-elected with 77 percent

of the vote on Nov. 7, including wins in every precinct. His chief challenger, Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, received just under 20 percent.

She also was his chief antagonist on the council and had given up her Post 1 At-Large seat to run against him.

The five incumbent alderpeople who generally work well with Johnson were re-elected, which he called a mandate from voters.

“I think our voters sent a very clear message that they don’t mind passionate disagreement, but they will not tolerate disrespectful disagreement, and the shenanigans of the past, the insults, the ethics complaints, the allegations,” Johnson said. “That we should be more like C-SPAN than ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’ We should make news and not be the news.”

Name-calling between council members, whether face-to-face or on social media posts, was in headlines, as were unsubstantiated allegations.

While not always the target, the mayor said he tried to keep the peace.

He calls the council “a team sport” and communication is a key. Professional disagreements go with the territory and positions can be aggressively defended, but they shouldn’t get personal. They’re colleagues, and they should be civil, whether they’ve clocked in or clocked out of the job that day, he said.

“For me, it’s never personal,” the mayor said. “In politics, you have no permanent friends or permanent enemies, just permanent interests. At the end of the day, I have to go to work with everybody. I have to be able to talk to everybody. But when you’ve created a line where I can’t talk to you, then I deal with the ones that I (can).”

The council was able to get business done, he said, sometimes with six votes for, and Gibson-Carter and two allies on the council voting against. Johnson said that bloc would vote against whatever side he was on, disregarding its merits.

“You were shooting yourself in your own foot,” he said of the contrarian tactic. “I think it was just selfdestructive behavior. For me, I’m a gentleman first. So you never saw me retaliate, although some days I really wanted to. It took a lot of prayer, an occasional drink, a lot of counseling from friends, people who told me to calm down. I’m not going to go

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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through that in this (second) term.”

He said those on the city council understand that it’s a hard and thankless job with plenty of criticism to go around, but it’s also rewarding because they can “really affect change on a ground level.”

For example, the council made history by removing the name of Calhoun Square – John C. Calhoun was a former U.S. vice president from South Carolina and supported slavery before the Civil War. The location will be dedicated in February as Taylor Square, the first of the 23 squares to be named for a person of color. Susie King Taylor was a Black woman from Savannah, born to enslaved parents, and she taught formerly enslaved people to read and write.

Johnson lauded her story and its place in Savannah’s legacy. He said the council has renamed streets, “lifting up the stories of people, of unsung heroes in our community.”

The mayor, in his concern for the welfare of Savannah’s citizens, will be keeping better tabs on one resident.

It’s reflective of his mindset going into his second term.

“I’ve been thinking about this.

This was my sixth election. I had hair when I started this,” said the cleanpated mayor. “For me, the first term is to earn a second term. The second term is really about legacy building and legacy projects and moving the needle significantly. For me, I need to take better care of myself. You’ll see me really focusing on bigger things and letting the council deal with those individual things.”

As a “district guy,” the former alderman understands the importance of districts and their needs and day-to-day tasks for a mayor. He puts in the hours, including weekly news conferences and weekend updates on social media for greater communication and transparency.

One relatable goal: a greater work-life balance.

“You’ll really see me moving on more global things, really positioning Savannah for the future,” Johnson said.

“I’ve been in the office almost every day of my administration. I’m not planning on doing that this term. I have to make sure that I’m around to deal with that.

I might get home to visit my mother more than I’ve done in the first four years.”

A ‘LASTING LEGACY’: KIAH MUSEUM RESTORATION SET TO BEGIN THIS YEAR

By Eric Curl savannahadgenda.com

THE KIAH HOUSE AT 505 W. 36TH ST. ERIC CURL/DEC. 5, 2023

There is a 1985 calendar honoring Black historical figures hanging on the back of a kitchen pantry door. Few other items remain in the 110-year-old house that Virginia Jackson Kiah transformed into a museum “for the masses” in 1959. More than two decades after the late Black artist and educator’s death in 2001, the vacant structure in historic Cuyler Brownville is devoid of the artwork and artifacts that Kiah and her husband, Calvin Kiah, a former Dean of Education at Savannah State College, once exhibited inside their home for the community to enjoy for about four decades. Cracks, chipped paint and shadows adorn the walls now.

art and museums,” she said.

After leading a successful effort to get a historical marker placed outside the home in 2022, Johnson-Simon’s ultimate goal for the abandoned structure is on its way to finally being accomplished.

Through a partnership with the city, the Galvan Foundation is preparing to restore the structure and reopen the museum. In July, the Savannah City Council approved an agreement with the nonprofit developer to provide $500,000 towards the acquisition and restoration effort. The partnership was

It was a clear winter morning during a site visit in early December. Deborah JohnsonSimon, founder of the African Diaspora Museology Institute, stood inside the dark house, lit solely by sunlight streaming in from an open doorway and holes in the rotting roof and walls. As the head of an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Black museums, Johnson-Simon has been trying to save the deteriorating Kiah house at 505 W. 36th St. for years through advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Being in the house took her back to the 1950s and 60s when she was a little girl, Johnson-Simon said.

Had she lived in Savannah at the time, she would have been like the children she has seen at the museum in old photographs, “finding any way I could to get there and to be around people like them and learning about DEBORAH JOHNSON-SIMON AT THE KIAH HOUSE DURING A RECENT SITE VISIT. ERIC CURL/DEC. 5, 2023 CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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selected among competing proposals by the previous owner, the Historic Savannah Foundation, which had hoped to find a preservation minded buyer for the property it acquired in 2022, after Kiah’s heirs signed off on the sale.

Galvan acquired the property in October and obtained approval from the Historic Preservation Commission a month later to move forward with their restoration plan.

The city council then approved a petition on Dec. 7 to rezone the house from residential to commercial so that it could be used as a museum - with the restriction that no other

DEBORAH JOHNSON-SIMON WALKS UP THE STAIRS TO THE KIAH HOUSE WEARING A JACKET WITH THE ARTIST'S PORTRAIT ON THE BACK. ERIC CURL/DEC. 5, 2023

uses would be permitted.

As of late November, Galvan was planning to start construction in March and open the museum about one year later, according to Vice President Dan Kent. The project is a perfect match for Galvan’s Public Forum initiative, which aims to explore the meaning, experience and future of American Democracy through the arts, letters, scientific inquiry, and open dialogue, Kent said.

“Kiah House is an opportunity to restore a historic building with significant social and cultural history and reintroduce it as an active arts and community service program,” he said.

“We aim to restore the building to the ‘Kiah Period’ and establish a new program that pays homage to Virginia Kiah’s original ‘museum for the masses,’ when the space served as part art museum, part natural history museum, and part community organizing space – specifically for civil rights activists and artists.”

While the main house will be saved, a structural engineer found that the lack of maintenance, termite infestations and environmental factors prevented the carriage house in the backyard from being restored. Instead, the building is expected to be carefully torn down via a process called deconstruction so the structure’s materials can be salvaged for reuse. A similar structure will be built in its place that Kent said will include art studio space and an affordable housing unit for a museum employee or a local community resident.

The pending restoration was recently praised by Lavina Jenkins, who has lived in the house across the street since 1950. Jenkins said she remembers sitting on her porch and watching the Kiahs renovate their home for use as a museum, which included the installation of a large two-story window on the front façade that is now covered by gray plywood.

"It was really, really beautiful," Jenkins said.

"You don't know how happy I am to see now

that it will be rehabbed and brought back to its glory."

Jenkins voiced her enthusiasm for the project at an event Johnson-Simon put on in November to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the opening of the museum. Support was also expressed by Cuyler Brownville Neighborhood Association President Gloria Williams and former Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, who said his hope was that the museum would introduce participants to the history of the Kiahs and the importance of African American art, while hosting national and international exhibits.

recognized portrait painter, Virginia Kiah was inspired to open the “museum for the masses” based upon her own experience of being excluded from visiting museums as a Black child during the era of Jim Crow in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum featured paintings, sculptures, furniture, china, fossils, architectural elements, and other diverse collections appealing to a broad range of interests. The Kiah Museum served the local community until Virginia’s death in 2001.

Source: African Diaspora Museology Institute

Johnson-Simon said she wishes the home could have been restored sooner, but that she is grateful that Galvan has taken on the responsibility before it was too late.

“My conversations with the new owner brings hope for something even brighter than even Calvin and Virginia Kiah could have envisioned for their lasting legacy,” she said. “As for me, I'm also grateful that the museum anthropology research of the Kiah Museum story has equipped me to open this field in anthropology to broader audiences in museum anthropology.”

Johnson-Simon will be continuing her advocacy for Black museums and history in conjunction with the Kiah project and Galvan’s acquisition of the homes of other local figures, including the late civil rights icon, W.W. Law. Plans for those projects are still being developed as the nonprofit focuses on the Kiah house, according to Galvan officials.

ABOUT THE KIAH MUSEUM HOUSE Opened in 1959, the Kiah House Museum in historic Cuyler Brownville offered local youth the opportunity to visit a public and admission-free museum within a familiar and comfortable context during a significant period of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. A skilled and nationally CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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DANIEL OSOFSKY AND DEBORAH JOHNSON-SIMON STAND OUTSIDE THE KIAH HOUSE NEXT TO THE FORMER MUSEUM'S HISTORICAL MARKER. ERIC CURL/DEC. 5, 2023

Cover Story by Neil Gabbey Photographed by Anneliese Elder CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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New Beginnings JASON RESTIVO JOINS SOBREMESA AND USHERS IN BROADER DINING CONCEPT A lot can change in a year. In August 2023 Sobremesa, a local wine bar turned neighborhood eatery, passed its one-year mark. For co-founder Ryan Ribeiro, the first year saw a major change—signing on a new partner, Jason Restivo.

Restivo, who owned Atlantic with his wife Jennifer from 2016 to 2020, bought out Ribeiro’s original partner, Guinn McMillion, who has moved on to pursue other career objectives. Restivo calls the partnership “a new marriage,” with the duo bringing new ideas and plans for Sobremesa in 2024.

On August 1, right before the Restivos joined, Ribeiro landed his liquor license and rolled out Sobremesa’s first specialty cocktail menu that same weekend at its one-year anniversary party.

“Packed from four to close,” he recalled.

“It was an awesome night.” With Restivo now at Sobremesa, Ribeiro is even more elated. “The whole story for us is ‘Previous owner of Atlantic takes co-ownership of Sobremesa. Elevates the food, elevates the wine list, and takes Sobremesa to new levels.’ That’s the projection,” Ribeiro said.

Not everything will change at Sobremesa; instead, the footprint is going to grow a few sizes, and since Restivo came on board, they have “been able to create a new atmosphere” without ever shutting down.

“It’s almost like a toddler learning how to walk,” said Restivo, the standout sommelier and restaurateur. “We know exactly where we want to go, and we are very close to hitting a stride that is very important for the business.”

“Sobremesa is now an eatery with an elevated wine list,” Ribeiro added. “It’s Sobremesa on steroids.”

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT “Guinn and I both saw opportunities that we could not pass up,” Restivo said of the ownership change. “Hers were elsewhere, and mine were at 2312 Abercorn.”

When he looked at Sobremesa’s year one numbers, he saw the opportunity to help Ribeiro develop what already is a popular wine lounge into a ‘neighborhood eatery’, fittingly the former Atlantic’s familiar epithet.

Restivo and Ribeiro closed the deal on August 31, and Restivo’s first day was less than a week later. On purpose, the new partners did not shout this news from the hilltops, even though many Sobremesa regulars might have seen Restivo onsite and wondered if he had a doppelganger.

“Sobremesa is an opportunity to continue doing what I love doing, which is serving the community that we actually reside in,” Restivo explained.

“What Atlantic was created for wasn’t done yet.”

“Jason is going to bring on the small bites of interest, kind of like Atlantic had,” Ribeiro echoed, while Sobremesa stays true to the “great cheese and wine program,” which the partners promise will only get better.

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An early menu featured roasted beet carpaccio, a play on its beef brother, with dijon garlic aioli, arugula, pistachio, and fried capers ($14) and pan con tomate, toast points topped with tomato pulp and buffalo mozzarella ($12).

Heartier fare has included shrimp toast served on milk bread ($18), a pork liver pâté banh mi ($16), and smoked salmon spread ($16).

“The things that I was looking to put into play were approachable, recognizable, affordable, but also make you realize you were thirsty,” Restivo said with a smile.

Executing the new dishes is Chef Zachary Joachim, who moved to Savannah from Providence, RI. He is “excited to learn about the local farms and make relationships with the farmers,” said Jenn Restivo.

Joachim’s hiring has allowed Restivo to step out of the kitchen and “be with the guests.”

“We knew the excitement of what Sobremesa is going to become is if I’m out on the floor engaging and doing everything I love doing,” he paused for self-deprecating effect and a smirk, “which is talking too much.”

Restivo and Ribeiro had no designs on making Sobremesa a meet-and-greet or a three-course traditional Americana restaurant. With liquor and more expanded plates, their goal is to offer something for everyone in “an eatery that can take care of and serve the neighborhood.”

“We were either the pregame or the postgame, we want to be the game.”

- JASON Restivo

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IF YOU REBUILD IT… On his first day at Sobremesa, Restivo was equal parts excited and nervous to be there. He had his French press, but was immediately confused: there was no way to boil water.

By design, the first iteration of this wine lounge housed only a cold kitchen. Early on, Restivo saw busyness early in the evening with guests who then left for the dinner reservations elsewhere or those who came back for dessert.

“We were either the pregame or the postgame,” he said. “We want to be the game.”

“That’s when I knew this was about creating something that will work, an atmosphere of production,” he added. Therein lay the biggest change Restivo’s involvement has already produced.

“If we’re going to see forty or eighty people a night, how do we set up an atmosphere that can generate that?” he posited in retrospect.

No major renovations were required, though windows were busted out, exhaust fans were installed, and more storage was added. All told, the kitchen has had five different layouts since Restivo walked in.

“We have lots of dreams. We have lots of ideas. We have a lot of things we would like to do, but for that to make sense, we just had to make sure that the engine underneath the hood was going to be able to take high rpms,” said Restivo.

“It took us seventy days to understand a flow,” he added.

The kitchen they have created is fashioned to put out as many small to mid plates as possible, meats and cheeses plus seven to nine “bites” with each menu.

ZACHARY JOACHIM

Part and parcel is an elevated cheese program, Restivo’s personal and professional research topic of late. Hearkening to European traditions, he envisions Sobremesa offering curated tableside cart service that features a cheese-of-the-week.

NEW CHEF JOINS THE SOBREMESA TEAM

“For me, it’s searching for the best wine that showcases the uniqueness and richness of putting two dynamic flavors on your palate.”

MEANWHILE, A FEW BLOCKS NORTH… Atlantic closed “when the nation closed in March of 2020,” Jason Restivo recalled, “but we made the announcement July 3 that we were not reopening.”

Savannah was still home, during which time Jason Restivo sold wine and “opened up a territory” for a Rive Gauche Wine Co., a small Georgia-focused distribution company, before a year’s stint as sommelier-assistant manager at Marshwood Clubhouse (The Landings).

He enjoyed both opportunities, though he admitted, “I missed seeing the people of Starland. I missed seeing the people of Ardsley Park. I missed seeing Baldwin Park. I missed seeing downtown. I just missed seeing the people we are friends with.”

While Restivo was at Marshwood, he and Ribeiro would often see each other after the latter finished a round of golf, and they shared their respective career challenges. Having “fulfilled” his commitment at The Landings, Restivo acknowledged that he “was still kind of mourning the shutting-down of Atlantic.”

He spent three years not knowing what he wanted to do next and not being where he should be in terms of “providing for his family.”

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Seven days after his last day at Marshwood, he and Ribeiro “decided to push this thing forward.”

A LITTLE R&R “The friendship started even before that,” Ribeiro said, who remembered meeting Restivo at Garibaldi years ago when the latter was its sommelier.

When Atlantic opened, the pair reconnected and often.

“He was our best customer,” Jenn Restivo teased, recalling Ribeiro’s patronage.

“At that time, I’d bring customers in to Atlantic,” Ribeiro said of his time working at Gulfstream, “and I’d come in personally three times a week. I loved the atmosphere.”

Having just returned from living in Europe, he fell in love with what the Restivos had created, saying, “It reminded me of Europe. It had that European social vibe. The energy was high.”

“He almost drank his way through our entire wine program,” Jason Restivo joked.

Consider it four years’ worth of R&D for Sobremesa, which Ribeiro and McMillion opened in 2022.

“Ever since I got back from Europe, the whole plan was to open something that doesn’t exist here,” he said of the plan to corner a market whose glass then filled with other wine bars almost concurrently.

Ribeiro knows that when word gets out, everyone will want to see Jason Restivo in his new place.

“We both understand the excitement of what got us here will get us to the next level,” Restivo added.

SOBREMESA SEQUEL Clearly, what the Restivos are bringing to Sobremesa goes back to the ethos they founded and fostered at Atlantic, transforming a chic wine lounge into a unique restaurant with a fully curated wine program, specialty cocktails, charcuterie and cheeses, and filling fare.

Jason Restivo pledged to “protect the integrity, the longevity of” Sobremesa and to make sure it is “a lot of fun at the same time.”

“They were already doing so well being drinks-focused,” he said. “Now Sobremesa is in that top five of the options that you think of for food.”

“I would have never thought I’d have another chance,” Restivo shared, reflecting on this new opportunity. “For me to be able to walk freely in Sobremesa gives me the confidence to dream so big. I do feel that I’m in the beginning of my resurgence.”

“Every day I wake up, I’m excited to be able to do what I was created to do.”

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“Every day I wake up, I’m excited to be able to do what I was created to do.”

SOBREMESA (22312 ABERCORN STREET) IS OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY (4 P.M. TO 10 P.M.) AND FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (4 P.M. TO 11 P.M.)

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CULTURE

Credit: Robin Clark A colorized image of women taken by South Dakota photographer John Johnson in the 1890's-1900's

ROBIN CLARK: BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE

By Beth Logan

CULTURE COLUMNIST

Robin Clark has a passion for breathing new life into overlooked and forgotten images from the past, and in an issue dedicated to new beginnings, it seemed appropriate to meet with her and find out more about her Savannah-based business, Memory Lane Restoration.

Clark grew up in Pennsylvania about an hour outside of Philadelphia and says that without much direction as a 17-year-old teenager, she took a leap of faith and followed in the

footsteps of her older brother by joining the U.S. Army. She was trained in photolithography at the Defense Mapping School (DMS) at Fort Belvoir, VA, and it was this skill that later provided entrée to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). “I saw an ad in The Washington Post, and they were looking for someone with film work and layout experience before copy went to press. I used these huge cameras and these enormous trays of developer and fixer (it was the dark ages!) and I worked in the cartography or mapmaking area.”

After a fulfilling 30-year career, Clark retired from “the agency” in 2015 and she and her husband moved to the

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Landings, having fallen in love with our warm weather, mature vegetation, and beautiful tree canopy.

We meet in her upstairs office and studio, set up with two computer screens, two scanners, and massive amounts of storage. She had already done some photo restoration before retiring, but upon moving here she decided to hone her skills and really “make a go of it as a business.”

“I love genealogy!” Clark declares, “I’m the youngest of seven, but I’m the family historian. I was learning Photoshop at the agency [CIA] and it seemed like a perfect fit between the two interests…The sad aspect of this journey was that while I was re-

storing the photographs in my mother’s photo album in 2006, my house burned down. That’s why I tell people that regardless of whether they use me, digitize your photographs! There are pictures and memories that are only in my head now, and there’s no way to get those back.”

Over the years, she has learned to restore photographs that are torn and damaged due to water, excessive sunlight, or mold, “and, of course, the technology has gotten a lot better."

Adobe Photoshop recently came out with Generative Fill, which is an AI software that can recreate and “repair” whole sections of images that are missing. (Obviously that has sinister implications for political images etc. She shows me some examples of “before” and “after” work using Generative Fill, inserting objects and people into photographs that were not originally there, and I all I can think is how little we should trust the authenticity of any image we see in print or online!)

Clark is particularly excited about digitally colorizing photographs, sometimes using tints and dyes, to make ancestors appear more real. In her studio space she has the first wallpaper she made from an 1800’s glass negative of a bearded patriarch, two women, and five children. Knowing nothing about the family, she cleaned up the image, and skillfully and intuitively colorized it according to the ethnic heritage of the area. She gives everyone blue eyes and says, “I could be wrong, but that little girl looks like a redhead! And I wanted the colors of the fabrics to complement each other and complement the background.

Credit: Robin Clark An image prior to restoration

Credit: Robin Clark Restored and colorized

The old man’s suit, the women’s dresses, every aspect is carefully selected. I can easily envision such huge wallpaper images installed in restaurants, bars, hotels, and museums; indeed, she is currently working with a museum in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Clark tells me, “some people are purists and don’t like the idea of colorizing,” but it is stunning to see the transformation in an historical image after she has thoughtfully chosen fabric, skin, and hair tones.

Speaking of historical images, her work has led her to have an enormous inventory of glass negatives, tintypes (photographic images on a thin sheet of metal or iron extensively used in the 1860’s and 1870’s), and cabinet cards (thin photographs mounted on a small card and widely used for portraiture after 1870).

The storage spaces I mentioned earlier are filled with plastic bucket after plastic bucket of negatives and images. Buying up auction lots has become her passion: “You think, this is the first time many of

Credit: Robin Clark Susie King Taylor, circa 1890, by photographer Samuel W. Brigham

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these people were ever photographed.

It may have been the one and only time.” Her first collection of over 700 negatives by Nathan C. White (18281913) of Gainesville, GA, contains many African American portraits.

simpler time.”

This is the second aspect of Clark’s business: in addition to her restoration work for families and clients, she prints unique and interesting vintage photographs. “I started collecting about four years ago because I wanted to be able to sell prints and didn’t want to have to worry about copyright infringement.

Now I have over 11,500 glass negatives!”

She puts the developed glass negatives on her scanner and, “it is a surprise every time” as she’s never exactly sure what the image will be, or how badly damaged it will be. “It’s like Christmas morning!”

Going down rabbit holes of historical research through such sites as Ancestry.com is fascinating to her. She tells me a story of an 1890's photograph of a North Carolina parade that her followers helped date, aiding her in determining that the carriage in the parade held President McKinley. She subsequently sold that image to a museum in North Carolina. “These pictures resonate with people. It’s nostalgia for a

Clark has built her business primarily through social media (she has over 90,000 Facebook followers) and works with clients from all over the world. All they need to do is email her an image – although, of course, it is preferable for her to work from the original image. “People get invested in the stories of these images, wondering what the subjects’ lives were like.

In the early 1900’s you had so many young men who went off to war and never returned, or so many who died in the Spanish flu epidemic. I just got in negatives from the 1920’s in Germany, and you wonder what happened to those families…It’s like a treasure hunt looking for clues and finding out more information.”

Clark becomes emotional as she tells me about a client who asked her to restore a picture that was in “absolutely horrible condition.” It was the only picture the client had of her son, and it was for his tombstone... “The biggest joy is when people tell me, ‘You brought tears to my eyes…you’ve brought my family member back to life.’ It’s a feeling that fills my heart.”

Credit: Beth Logan Clark sits in her studio Find out more about Robin Clark’s work at memorylanepr.com and follow her on Instagram @memory_lane_photo_restoration or on Facebook at memorylanepr.

February

15 - 18, 2024

FREE FESTIVAL SATURDAY Feb. 17, 2024 Features over 30 authors in Downtown Savannah | Open to the public

HEADLINER EVENTS Nationally-Acclaimed Authors

Ticketed events at Historic Trustees Theater

TICKETS ON SALE $30 January 11, 2024 savannahboxoffice.com

Ruth Ware

Jeannette Walls

David Grann

Opening Address Thursday, Feb. 15 6:30pm

Keynote Address Friday, Feb. 16 6:00pm

Closing Address Sunday, Feb. 18 2:00pm

To learn more, visit savannahbookfestival.com

Chairperson's Circle

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• The Philip E. & Nancy B. Beekman Foundation • Courtney Knight Gaines Foundation • Gerald D. & Helen M. Stephens Foundation • Dave & Nancy Cintron

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• Robert Faircloth • Betsy Lancaster • Kristin & Mickey Ott

Our GradS GeT Hired SavannahTech.edu/Hired

An equal opportunity institution.

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THE FUTURE OF SAVANNAH

FROM A FOOD PERSPECTIVE

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EAT IT AND LIKE IT

By Jesse Blanco eatitandlikeit.com The reminders that Savannah is going to look very different in three short years were coming rapid fire throughout the course of the last year. Restaurants close all the time, so that in and of itself isn’t enough to make headlines. However, when you pair a half dozen plus closings with a dozen or so restaurant openings, especially in a city this size, it is now fair to label downtown Savannah as ‘very much in transition.’

The biggest closing headline was made just about a month ago, when we learned that Tubby’s River Street—an icon on Savannah’s waterfront—would be closing after a 25-year run.

That immediately sent shockwaves through the city. How could such a popular restaurant go out of business? That’s just it. It didn’t ‘go out of business.’ It is going to be replaced with something newer and very likely more modern.

It doesn’t take a degree in urban planning to see that Savannah is red-hot as we enter 2024. Apartment buildings are seemingly going up as fast as new hotels. The population density in and around the historic district is ticking northward. Tourist numbers are what they are, they

continue to climb, but I’m talking about permanent residents.

Sections of town that have been largely ignored for years, if not longer, are drawing attention. In many cases they are doing more than drawing attention…or did you not notice that 17 story building SCAD just built up against the Talmadge Bridge?

Believe it or not, some people believe there is plenty of room for much, much more.

“There aren’t enough restaurants and hospitality to meet current demand,” is how Jeff Notrica puts it.

Notrica is the president of Inman Park Properties, Inc. He has lived in Savannah for nearly 20 years and has been doing business here for about 30 years. He’s seen businesses come and go. He’s seen people roll into town with great ideas and some not-so-great ideas. In a nutshell, he’s pretty much seen it all around here, but he’d be the first to tell you he’s never seen anything like this.

“We are getting better quality restauranteurs than we’ve ever seen,” he says.

All of those apartment buildings we see going up? Notrica believes there is room for much more including hotels.

“We have a ton of room for

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more hotels,” he says. “Any hotel downtown could run you $400 a night. Don’t tell me we are full. We need it down under $200 a night.”

It is fair to say that the demand for space in this city is higher than it has been at any time since General Ogelthorpe pulled up on the bluff near the Hyatt. When one business closes, it is not long before someone else is moving in believing they can be better than the guy or gal before them. In some cases, we’ve heard of new leases being signed on a space the same day the restaurant before them closed.

“For every 10 restaurants that close in Savannah, there are 50 people looking for space to open a restaurant.” Notrica says.

“I’ve been getting phone calls practically every single day for the last two years or so.”

Demand is so high that there are people signing leases and sitting on empty spaces for months before doing anything with them. Everyone wants to be here.

“Let’s start with the basics,” Notrica says. “It’s the charm and beauty of the city. The hospitality. It’s near the water. There’s Georgia Ports and the Hyundai Plant. Plus, there are a hundred other companies because

of the plant. It’s the battery supply company, the door panel makers, the wheel supplier.”

Those dynamics scare a lot of people in Savannah.

The biggest fear is that our precious section of Georgia is going to devolve into a city full of big box corporate stores, and eateries. It’s a complaint you hear across the country. A Chipotle on every corner?

No thanks.

Notrica is not convinced we will see that here.

“Downtown Savannah? No,” he says. “In the areas surrounding the city? There is a lot of room for growth.”

It’s happening. Have you been to Pooler lately?

Frederika Fekete and her husband Michael own Java Burrito Company on Broughton Street. They moved to Savannah from Hilton Head Island nearly two years ago and love everything about what downtown has to offer. They just got here, yes, but she has been very mindful and vocal about what she would like to see in and around downtown Savannah. Her vision for the next five to ten years includes downtown looking similar to what you would see in a city of similar size in Europe.

“I would like to see some streets closed off to traffic,” she says. “I love walking in this city. I think big, too.”

“What if we closed Bull Street to all traffic from Bay Street all the way to Forsyth Park?” she adds.

Notrica doesn’t disagree…“I’d like to see Congress Street from MLK to Whitaker closed at 5pm on Fridays and stay closed, maybe, until 5pm on Sundays.”

It should be stated that these ideas haven’t moved an inch beyond the ‘what if’ phase. But the point here is that not everyone who moves here and/or owns a business is looking to disrupt what Savannah is and has been for decades. There is such a thing as smart growth and there are more than a few restaurant owners downtown very interested in protecting it from becoming any town USA. “The future of Savannah is incredible. The national attention we are getting is great,” Notrica says.

“Hutchinson Island is nothing short of incredible. We might see residences there that rival The Landings.”

The beauty of it is, from a culinary standpoint at any rate, is that yes, some chain restaurants are headed this way and they very much will dot the landscape. We know of a couple already.

But the beauty is that there are far more independent owners and chefs looking to be a part of the growth in Savannah.

Examples of that are Brochu’s Family Tradition, Das Box and Late Air. Don’t know about them yet? Look them up. They are a nice snapshot of Savannah’s future.

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2024

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! JANUARY 1 - 31, 2024 CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Colby T Helms and The Virginia Creepers

INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL SAVANNAH BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

By Brett Bigelow COMMUNITY

New traditions are popping up around Savannah, and one of the most exciting is the first Savannah Bluegrass Festival coming Feb. 16, 2024.

Savannah, a city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and southern charm, is now preparing for its first-ever bluegrass festival, aptly named the Savannah Bluegrass Festival. This exciting event is set to showcase the finest talents in the bluegrass genre, with the renowned Yonder Mountain String Band headlining the festival.

Yonder Mountain String Band, who hail from Colorado, bring a non-conformist approach to bluegrass, combining jazz, country, folk, and even reggae influences with authentic roots music. By incorporating non-traditional instruments like drums, they add complexity and depth to their compositions. Their electrifying live performances, often featuring extended jam sessions, have captivated audiences worldwide, creating an unforgettable experience.

PUTTING SOME 'NEWGRASS' INTO YOUR BLUEGRASS Yonder Mountain String Band's progressive spirit has inspired numerous other bands to experiment with different styles while honoring the essence of bluegrass. This notion speaks to the power of their sense of community, the bond they have forged with listeners who crave innovation yet appreciate the traditional elements that make bluegrass unique.

It's important to understand the historical context of bluegrass to appreciate its recent rise in popularity. Bluegrass emerged in the early 20th century, combining Appalachian mountain music with the energy of the modern industrial age. Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, with the banjo stylings of Earl Scruggs, transformed the genre into something fast, virtuosic, and unforgettable. However, bluegrass's popularity declined with the rise of rock and electric instruments, leading many to consider it outdated.

Times, however, are changing. Acoustic music, with its unfiltered and authentic sound, is regaining its appeal. America's younger CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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generation, in their search for authenticity, has rediscovered the country's earliest string bands, finding their sound replicated in trendy bars across major cities. You cannot find further proof of Bluegrass's popularity than Billy Stings playing monster festivals like Bonnaroo. Even in traditional concert halls, bluegrass's influence is felt, with classical musicians like Yo-Yo Ma embracing instrumentalists whose virtuosity mirrors their own. But what has sparked the surge in bluegrass's popularity?

Connect Savannah asked Yonder Mountain String Band's bassist, Ben Kaufman, about the revival of bluegrass music across the United States and beyond. Kaufman quickly responded, "The simple answer to the question is because bluegrass music is awesome," he chuckled. "But it may also be because people from different backgrounds are finding bluegrass bands, with perhaps non-traditional styles, that provide access to this amazing music." Kaufman believed that without innovation, traditional musical forms run the risk of becoming museum pieces. Luckily, bluegrass had managed

MUSIC & CLUBS to break free from that fate, with countless banjo-driven melodies captivating audiences worldwide.

As Kaufman reflected on their journey, he marveled at how bluegrass had evolved over the two decades they have been together.

"From what I’ve seen, the evolution of bluegrass involves musicians with non-bluegrass backgrounds falling in love with the sounds, songs, and instruments of bluegrass and then combining their own influences and songwriting instincts with that more traditional form," Kaufman said. "I think of it as many limbs and branches growing from the trunk of a vital and thriving tree."

Yonder Mountain String Band had always been known for their incredibly dedicated fanbase, a community of passionate music lovers known as the "Kinfolk." When asked about their secret to cultivating such a deep connection with their listeners, Kaufman smiled and said, "So much of Yonder's fan base was self-motivated. We created an environment at our shows where people felt themselves part of a community and a family. It’s telling that our fans came to call themselves 'Kinfolk.' I certainly hope that can be felt by the people who come to see us and that when attending a Yonder show, they feel at home."

The inclusion of homegrown talents like Swamptooth and the Salt Flat Pickers in the Savannah Bluegrass Festival showcases the strength and vibrancy of the local music scene.

These bands not only contribute to the festival's diverse lineup but also demonstrate the wealth of talent that resides within Savannah.

Filling out the roster is Florida's own, Remedy Tree, and Colby T Helms and The Virginia Creepers.

Bluegrass music's power lies not only in its musicality but also in its cultural significance.

It sits on the fault line of America's political divide, being deeply rooted in the folk tradition of the South. Bluegrass is an art form learned from generations before, played communally in informal jam sessions, where solos are passed around, each instrument attempting to surpass what came before. It remains a fundamentally democratic and social music, inviting anyone who can hold their own to join in.

businesses, restaurants, and shops, as a contributing factor in choosing Savannah as the festival's location. "The Starland District has a unique vibe and offers the perfect setting for a festival of this nature. It adds to the overall experience for both performers and attendees."

When asked about why the Savannah Bluegrass Festival is such a good fit for the city, Henrich highlighted the growing demand for music festivals in Savannah. He said, "We have seen the success of events like the Savannah Music Festival and Savannah Jazz Festival. Bluegrass adds another dimension to the music scene, and we believe there is a demand for it."

Henrich acknowledged the tremendous support from Brian Goldman and Victory North in bringing this vision to life. He mentioned, "Victory North is a fantastic venue with a dedicated team, and they have been instrumental in making this festival possible. It's great to have their support."

Dr. Mohamed Eldibany, the owner of Victory North, expressed his delight in being chosen as the host venue for the Savannah Bluegrass Festival. He said, "I am thrilled to have the festival at Victory North. This is the beginning of another long-standing festival in our city, and we are already witnessing many wonderful things happening in the Starland area."

Eldibany mentioned that Victory North has had great success with bluegrass-themed concerts in the past, featuring acclaimed artists such as the Dead South, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country. He added, "We have a history of hosting exceptional bluegrass acts, and having the festival here is a testament to our commitment to promoting this genre of music."

With the enthusiastic support of Victory North and the vision of Rich Henrich, the Savannah Bluegrass Festival promises to be an

exciting addition to the city's vibrant music scene. Henrich said, "By bringing together renowned artists like the Yonder Mountain String Band and celebrating the thriving music and cultural fabric of Savannah, we aim to solidify the Savannah Bluegrass Festival as a must-see event for both locals and music enthusiasts from afar."

Finally, Henrich noted Savannah's popularity as a tourist destination as a contributing factor in creating an event that would appeal to locals and music enthusiasts from other areas.

"Savannah is a city that attracts tourists from all over the world. Bluegrass is a genre with wide popularity, reaching audiences across the country, Europe, and beyond. It's an ideal fit for Savannah's blend of roots music and culture," he said.

As Savannah prepares for its inaugural bluegrass festival, excitement fills the air. This event not only celebrates the city's rich musical heritage but also exemplifies the resurgence and evolution of bluegrass music. From the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe to the groundbreaking innovations of the Yonder Mountain String Band, bluegrass continues to captivate and inspire, making its mark on audiences worldwide.

As the Yonder Mountain String Band prepares to return to Savannah for the festival, Kaufman couldn't contain his excitement.

"We've enjoyed every moment we've gotten to spend in Savannah and can't wait to come back!" he exclaimed. The city holds a special place in their hearts, and they cherish the opportunity to share their music with the people of Savannah once again.

Ticket announcement coming soon.

Photo Credit: Lily Boslau Yonder Mountain String Band

The peculiar cultural exchange that occurred between the blue-collar performers and middle-class city kids at festival campgrounds widened bluegrass's appeal further. This fusion led to the exploration of boundaries, with artists incorporating jazz, rock, and psychedelic influences into bluegrass. While the definition of bluegrass has been fiercely contested, with strict rules regarding rhythm and instrumentation, the genre has proven to be adaptable, attracting artists who want to take it somewhere new while still honoring its roots.

Rich Henrich, Savannah Bluegrass Festival's executive director, explained why Savannah was chosen as the location. "Savannah's dynamic nature and rich musical history were the main factors that drew me to host the festival here.

The blend of regional and international culture, along with the thriving music scene, makes Savannah a perfect fit for a bluegrass festival," Henrich said.

Henrich also mentioned the charm of the Starland District, with its multitude of small

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PARTING SHOT

DINNING IN THE DARK JANUARY 11 ENMARKET ARENA • 620 STILES AVE. On Thursday, January 11th, 2024 at Enmarket Area in downtown Savannah, GA, take part in a unique gala dinner designed to raise awareness about vision loss. Experience a sumptuous three-course meal served in complete darkness by the Savannah Police Department’s SWAT team using night-vision equipment. savannahcblv.org

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