New Home for Mud Creek Market
ARTS + CULTURE
HISTORY OF THE HIRAM BUTLER HOUSE
ORGANIZE WITH CLOSETS BY DESIGN
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Hello Early Spring
Home. So much contained in that little four-letter word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.
Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” As we thought about home, we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers. That, of course, includes the food and drinks, the aesthetic and design, but most importantly, the people.
We feel like the lucky ones, as we got to learn more about the businesses and individuals that comprise this area and hope the small lens into their lives and work brings people in this community together.
As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel encouraged and connected to the people around you — such as Jen Johnston, owner of Mud Creek Market, at her new location at The Avenue West Cobb — in your city, your neighborhood and, most of all, your home.
Every month, we hear from readers who keep this magazine for longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it for months as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect. Thanks for letting us be a part of your home.
Happy March!
MARCUS DICKMAN, PUBLISHER
@WESTCOBBCITYLIFESTYLE
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Marcus Dickman | marcus.dickman@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Donna Harris | donna.harris@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Andrew J. Bramlett | ajbramlett@outlook.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Come enjoy a hand crafted Italian meal!
Locally sourced, all made in house, breads, pasta, sauces, sausage, pastries and even GLUTEN FREE items! Explore our award winning yet affordable Wine List, craft Cocktails, Local Beers and even our extensive Zero ABV program which includes Nonalcoholic cocktails, craft Nonalcoholic Beer and even WINES! Treat youself to a Chef’s Table, a curated meal for up to 14! Have your Holiday, Business or Celebratory Party in our Private Dining Room! It holds up to 45 people!
Mama Betty, Chef Greg and all of the Staff at Piastra want to welcome you and hope to see you soon!
A person can be eating the right foods and exercising regularly, but if they are hormonally unbalanced, most likely they will not achieve their desired results.
How we feel is affected by hormonal imbalances, issues with our gut & digestion, liver function problems, our cortisol levels and insulin resistance, all effect how we feel and function. These are culprits of old age.
The solution is to be hormonally balanced taking out of the equation “for your age”.
We want you to have hormonal levels of a healthy young adult. If we get you feeling younger, you will start moving younger. When you start moving younger you will start looking younger. That coupled with guidance on nutrition and exercise will lead to a longer happier healthier life.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: ABA members start their day at the first Jolt event of the year. 2: KBA's Member of the Year Stormi Kenney and Business of the Year 22One Realty 3: Lori Tanner receives the ABA Person of the Year for her dedication to the community. 4: The city of Kennesaw celebrated the threeyear anniversary of its Recreation Center in January. 5: Henry and Claudia Chandler receive the ABA Legacy Award for their impact on the community. 6: Wake Up KBA gives members a chance to do early-morning socializing and networking. 7: Southern Museum's Trains, Trains, Trains! event provided interactive layouts and unforgettable memories for participants.
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CITY
business monthly
ROUNDUP OF
City Barbeque Open for Business in Acworth
Mayor Tommy Allegood, Alderman Tim Houston and the city team welcomed City Barbeque to Acworth at a grand-opening ribbon cutting in January. Operated by General Manager Todd Perry and his team, the new restaurant offers competition-quality barbecue and is located at 3574 Cobb Parkway, next to Peachtree Immediate Care. www.citybbq.com
Kennesaw Welcomes The Recovery Center
Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling celebrated the opening of The Recovery Center with a ribbon cutting in January. The center offers cryotherapy, infrared sauna, IV therapy and Normatec compression to its customers. The business is located at 1635 Old Highway 41, Suite 401. https:// therecoverycenterkennesaw.com/
Shamrock Shuffle Slated for March 15
The ninth annual Marietta Shamrock Shuffle 5K Walk/Run is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier for runners and walkers of all levels. This fun St. Patrick’s Daythemed race will take place March 15 at 8 a.m. (welcome and warmup at 7:30 a.m.) at the Marietta Square. Proceeds will support the Marietta Police Athletic League’s youth sports, academic and recreation programs. Register at www. MariettaShamrockShuffle.com.
Photography by City of Acworth
Photography by City of Kennesaw
Have you had friends over for dinner or have you gone out lately?
Are you part of a group of friends that travels, paints, gardens, plays cards, etc.?
Do you have an exercise group that helps you maintain your indepedence?
Are you living in a maintenance free home?
As a couple, are you having the same needs as you age?
At Bridger Law Group, we understand that life in Cobb County is built on hard work, family values, and community. When an accident threatens your well-being, you need an experienced team that fights with integrity and dedication. Our personal injury firm combines former judges, former insurance lawyers, and former government lawyers with a personal commitment to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
The Reading Attic Prepares to Celebrate 2nd Anniversary
The Reading Attic, an independent bookstore on the Marietta Square, is preparing to celebrate its second anniversary this summer. The store, owned by mother-daughter duo Elizabeth Kunetz and Caroline Tillman, is located on West Park Square in the upstairs space above Tiny Bubbles and features book signings by local authors, events for kids, a variety of books for sale and a cozy place to read them. www. thereadingattic.com Want
Walk-On’s Location Under New Ownership
The West Cobb location of WalkOn’s Sports Bistreaux is now under new ownership. Jef Wallace, CEO of Walk-On’s franchisee Port Royal Brands, took over the restaurant in The Avenue West Cobb on Jan. 1 and also will own the new location opening in The Battery Atlanta this summer. The eatery features fromscratch dishes with a Louisiana flair, wall-to-wall TVs, and craft beer and cocktails. 3625 Dallas Highway, Suite 785, Marietta, 678-202-4150
Bruno Mars Tribute Band Coming to Marietta
Earth to Mars: The Bruno Mars Experience will bring the funky sounds of its inspiration to Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square March 27 at 7:30 p.m. The group of five young professional musicians from Los Angeles will perform a musical lineup of Bruno Mars’ greatest hits. https:// earlsmithstrand.org
Bulldog Estates RV Park offers a unique blend of comfort and security for the avid fan. Nestled in a serene setting, our park provides spacious RV sites with full hookups. Owners and guests can enjoy a variety of amenities to include well-maintained landscaping, high level security featuring real time cameras, and high speed WIFI streaming service. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, tailgate experience, or a base for your family adventures, Bulldog Estates RV Park is designed to make your experience both enjoyable and memorable.
TIDY IS TRENDY
NEAT ORGANIZATION SOLUTIONS BEYOND THE BEDROOM CLOSET.
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
Organizing is necessary and unavoidable and for some, impossible.
I spend hours tidying and reorganizing my bedroom closet each spring and the laundry room gets a makeover once a year before the kids come home from college (and again when they leave). I long for shelving in the garage dedicated to my outdoor gear, for cubbies in my office to hide my knitting and crafts, and a guest room that isn’t all bed and pillows.
Turning to the experts in custom organization and innovative designs for the home, Closets By Design, I found the options enticing and the one-on-one design services essential. The company, family owned and operated, provides help every step of the way with solutions for every room of the house, not just closets.
“At Closets by Design, we understand that every home is unique, which is why our design process is tailored specifically to your individual needs and preferences. From the moment you schedule your no-obligation consultation, our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way,” says owner and operator, Stephanie Parmer.
Set an appointment online or by phone and a professional designer will come directly to your home bringing the showroom experience to your doorstep. “Together, you’ll collaborate to create a personalized design that maximizes your space and fits your budget. Once the perfect layout is established, your designer will coordinate the installation date, ensuring a seamless transition from vision to reality,” Stephanie explains.
On installation day, a highly trained installer will arrive with all the necessary materials to complete your project—typically in just one day. Dreamy!
Since its inception in 1982, Closets By Design has carved a niche as a trailblazer in home organization, and today one of their latest focuses has been on transforming garages into efficient spaces that reflect the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. Think sleek cabinetry, versatile shelving systems, tools neatly organized on wall-mounted racks, sports gear tucked away in custom cabinets, and dedicated spaces for hobby supplies. The company offers garage flooring options too, durable and easy to maintain, giving your space a polished look.
Indoors, a standout trend is in home office design with the rise of custom furniture. These versatile pieces can be configured to fit any space, allowing you to create a customized workstation that adapts to your needs. Think vertical storage options like shelves and pegboards that utilize wall space effectively, as well as drawers that help you find what you need quickly along
with storage cubes and baskets for keeping supplies neatly tucked away while adding a decorative touch.
When we think of home design, laundry rooms often take a backseat. Yet, this hardworking area deserves just as much attention with custom cabinets in on-trend colors or finishes with ample workspace for sorting, folding, and ironing clothes. Countertops— made from durable materials like quartz or granite— that are both functional and appealing are paired with stylish backsplashes for a cohesive look that transforms your laundry area into a mini oasis of organization. Include pull-out hampers, dedicated areas for sorting clothes by color or fabric type, and a foldable ironing board that tucks away neatly when not in use,
My guest room is also my office and I am pining for a Murphy bed from Closets By Design. Their wallbeds are designed to fold up against the wall when not in use, with a user-friendly mechanism, engineered to be lightweight yet sturdy; while they support a standard mattress.
“We’re passionate about transforming overlooked spaces into beautiful, functional areas that you’ll enjoy using,” says Stephanie. “We offer a wide spectrum of finishing options, whether you prefer the warm, natural look of wood or the sleek, contemporary feel of laminate finishes. Each material is crafted for durability while providing an elegant aesthetic that can elevate any room.”
Her team understands every home has unique needs and styles, and they are passionate about providing tailored solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics, transforming your spaces into beautifully organized havens.
3165 Corners N Ct, Peachtree Corners 770.418.2112 https://atlanta.closetsbydesign.com/
New Home for Mud Creek Market
DECOR STORE MOVES INTO SPACE AT THE AVENUE WEST COBB
ARTICLE BY DONNA HARRIS
In 2019, Jen Johnston opened Mud Creek Market on Barrett Parkway, but six years later, it was time for a new home. She leased a space in The Avenue West Cobb between Loft and Jos. A. Bank and created a Christmas pop-up there in November. Jen and her three part-time employees operated both locations during the holidays to reach current and future customers at the same time. She also didn’t want longtime customers who hadn’t heard about the move showing up to an empty shop at Christmas. The Barrett store closed Dec. 30. www.mudcreekmarket.com
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MOVE?
We enjoyed our time at our first location and are very grateful for the opportunity they gave us as a startup shop; however, it came with some compromises: lack of visibility, lack of traffic flow and lack of parking spaces. We were rather isolated at our Barrett location amongst several service-oriented businesses. We didn’t have much room to grow there, so moving to a more visible location was needed to continue doing business. Having our store among other retailers has already proven to be the right move for us. When we tell our new customers that we were located just 2 miles down the road for the past six years, they are so surprised but admit they never really drive into that complex for anything.
HOW HAS BUSINESS BEEN THERE?
We had an incredible Christmas and met so many new friends. The Avenue West Cobb has been a great place for us to land. Sales are up, we absolutely love the suite we're in, and we couldn’t ask for a better location within the complex. The staff, fellow tenants and customers are top-notch.
HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT LEAVING YOUR OLD LOCATION?
It is bittersweet, of course. The management team at our Barrett location gave me a chance that other property managers wouldn’t. I was a new shop, didn’t have much cash for startup and had no idea how commercial leasing worked. After presenting them with a PowerPoint presentation outlining my five-year business plan and assuring them they would be doing business with someone who is incredibly resourceful and resilient, even against the odds, I am grateful they gave me the chance. As for moving to the new location, I smile a lot! Being in The Avenue was beyond a dream of mine. I still find it hard to believe that this store in the middle of this beautiful complex is mine.
WHY DID YOU WANT YOUR OWN SHOP?
When I was a small child, I loved to play store. When it was time to find a job as a teenager, I chose retail and loved it. During college, I took courses that were needed to help me in small-business management because I knew I wanted to have a small business one day. I found out rather early in my post-degree working years that working in the corporate world was not for me. It took me many years to get to the point of being able to leave that world, but with the help of my husband, Eric, I was able to fulfill my dream of opening my own shop. For years, I had hobbied in selling antiques and decorating, so I knew where my niche was. After leasing space in several antique and gift shops, I decided it was time to have my own.
“Being in The Avenue was beyond a dream of mine. I still find it hard to believe that this store in the middle of this beautiful complex is mine.”
“The Avenue West Cobb has been a great place for us to land. Sales are up, we absolutely love the suite we're in, and we couldn’t ask for a better location within the complex. The staff, fellow tenants and customers are top-notch.”
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST-SELLING ITEMS?
Candles are very high on the list. From a locally made brand to some well-recognized national brands, we have a variety of scents. Home decor is the largest category. From wall art, small furniture, and florals and greenery to unique home accessories and throw pillows, we house limited inventory that changes often and keeps you coming back. Our motto is: If you can’t stop thinking about it, buy it. It won’t be here when you come back.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR MERCHANDISE?
I carefully curate every item that comes into our store. More than 60% of our inventory comes from small businesses, fair-trade organizations or individual artisans around the country. Small business is at the heart of our shop, so we provide support to as many as we can.
Marukan
THE HIRAM butler house
ARTICLE BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT
HISTORIC HOME IS CENTERPIECE OF KENNESAW'S SMITH-GILBERT GARDENS
A recent shot of the house. Courtesy of Andrew J. Bramlett
Twenty years ago, the city of Kennesaw purchased one of Kennesaw’s oldest homes and the gardens that surround it. Now known as Smith-Gilbert Gardens, visitors go there to see the plant life, but the house at its center is just as important in understanding the gardens’ history.
Hiram Anderson Butler was born in 1833 in Gwinnett County, and at age 16, he began working on construction of the Western & Atlantic Railroad through north Georgia. The railroad connected Atlanta and Chattanooga and spurred development in the Kennesaw area. Butler worked for the railroad in Cobb County for more than 50 years.
During the Civil War, the railroad was a strategically important transportation corridor. When The General locomotive was stolen by Union soldiers in the Great Locomotive Chase, Butler was part of the group that pursued the soldiers through the woods near Ringgold.
After the war, Butler — who became known as Maj. Butler, but it's unclear if that was an actual military rank or an honorary title — settled in Acworth, but tragedy struck in 1876 when his home was lost in a fire. Though it took a few years, he eventually found new land to settle. He purchased property in Kennesaw in 1880 and began building a house with thick brick walls to deter fire. In fact, the walls are a full foot thick. According to some accounts, the bricks were made from clay on the property.
The enclosed porch originally was the entrance. Courtesy of Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Aerial shot of historic Hiram Butler House.
The house Butler built stands at the center of Smith-Gilbert Gardens. Visitors are likely familiar with its entrance. On the short end of the house, there are two curving staircases leading up to a small portico and front door. This door originally was for a much larger side porch, with the home’s entrance being an open space on the longer side of the house. This space was later enclosed with glass.
In 1904, Butler retired from the railroad, and in honor of his decades of service, he was presented a chest of silver. He was, at the time, the oldest employee of the railroad and one of the last workers who remembered the railroad’s first engine. He spent his last years in Kennesaw and died in 1913. He was laid to rest in Acworth’s Liberty Hill Cemetery.
A series of owners lived in the home during the next few decades. After Butler’s death, it was sold to Robert B. Moon, who sold it to C.J. Beach in 1919. Clyde P. Dameron from Lynchburg, Virginia, moved into the house in 1926. The Dameron family made many significant changes to the house, including adding electric lights, toilets and indoor plumbing. When the Damerons sold the property in 1952, it was purchased by Bill and Helen Thornton. It was the
Thorntons who turned the front entrance into an enclosed porch and shifted the front door to where it is today.
After being owned briefly by Steve Frey, the house was purchased by dentist Dr. Robert Gilbert in 1970. It was Gilbert and his longtime partner, Richard Smith, who realized the gardening and historic potential of the home. For the next few decades, they worked to preserve the Hiram Butler House and turn its grounds into an impressive garden that included plants and artistic works. They also were able to list the house on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
(Gilbert and Smith) worked to preserve the Hiram Butler House and turn its grounds into an impressive garden.
After Smith died in 2002, Gilbert decided to sell the home, and in 2005, it was purchased by the city of Kennesaw. Initially known as the SmithGilbert Arboretum when it opened, it became known
as Smith-Gilbert Gardens in 2009.
Later this year, the gardens will reopen after undergoing a major enhancement project. Soon, everything from new restrooms to accessible trails to improved exhibits will be ready for visitors.
The Hiram Butler House will continue to watch over the gardens, ensuring that the property’s long history is spotlighted for future generations.
One year ago, we opened our doors with a dream to create a warm and welcoming space where our community could gather, share laughter, and enjoy delicious treats. This month, we celebrate not just our anniversary, but YOU our amazing customers, neighbors, and friends who have made this journey so special.
From daily cobbler runs to family dessert nights, your support has meant everything to us. Thank you for choosing us, for spreading the word, and for making our café a place filled with kindness and joy.
Join us in-store, this month as we celebrate with special discounts, and heartfelt gratitude.
Here’s to many more years of serving you! Mention code CL032324 for 10% OFF your first order!
PEACHCOBBLERFACTORY.COM | 678.310.0508 B GetpeachyMarietta | V keepingitpeachymarietta 3625 Dallas Hwy. Suite 850 Marietta, GA. 30064
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL
KEY SECRETS FOR A SPARKLING HOME
A SPRING KIND OF CLEAN
TIP #1 Freshen up the Kitchen
A fresh, clean kitchen impacts the entire home. To freshen up the sink, Kim says, “Run hot water while pouring in equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar through the disposal. Follow with a few drops of blue Dawn Dishwashing soap to cut away any grease buildup. Sharpen the disposal blades by running cooler water and ice through it. For a fresh smell, grind a few slices of lemon, lime or orange, removing any seeds first.”
To clean everything else in the kitchen, including counters and stainless-steel appliances, use a microfiber cloth and a solution of 2-3 drops of Dawn mixed with water.
TIP #2 Spruce up the Living Room
The living room also deserves special attention. Kim says, “Start by pulling furniture away from the walls, vacuuming and dusting behind it. Make sure you dust air vents as well. Then, pull all of the furniture cushions off to vacuum underneath and in crevices. It’s always good to rotate and fluff cushions too.”
To banish dust from your furniture, Kim suggests using a good microfiber cloth that is slightly damp instead of furniture polish, which can leave a build-up on furniture that actually attracts dust.
TIP #3 Brighten up Windows
Brighten up your whole home by intentionally focusing on the windows. “Homeowners often forget about the inside of the window,” says Kim. “They dust the blinds or the shutters, but when the blinds are pulled up, the windows often have dust or a film on them.” Kim suggests cleaning the inside of the windows on a cloudy day to reduce streaks. “A good glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth works really well. If you still have streaks, try using a little bit of rubbing alcohol.”
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HOUSEPLANTSThe Perfect Roommate
AN INDOOR GARDEN SANCTUARY
There are many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment.
The ubiquitous houseplant has long been a cautious curiosity for many. Comments such as “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I can’t keep anything alive,” have echoed through the rooms and hallways of almost every home in America. Well, it’s time to dispel all the mistruths about whether houseplants are beneficial and to lay the foundation for a little oasis of green happiness in the corner of every home!
By the way, you don’t really need a green thumb as there are plenty of hard-to-kill houseplants that can survive any level of neglect! And remember not only do houseplants look pretty, they also decrease stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and bring a sense of joy and relaxation to every room.
Houseplants make us feel better about ourselves in many ways because they allow us to care for them and we reap the rewards of that love. No one is alone when you have a houseplant, as they are our forever listeners. Yes, some people actually do talk with their houseplants all day long! There are
ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE
many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment. Aside from reducing indoor air pollutants and increasing humidity in the home, house plants have been shown to reduce mental fatigue, accelerate the healing process, as well as improve productivity and focus.
Pothos, spider plants, lady palms, yucca, and succulents are so pretty and easy to grow. It is no wonder that we have seen a revival of indoor gardening trends. Instagram is teeming with photos of incredible indoor “living green” vignettes that show us all how clever we can be when decorating with house plants! All you really need is to a pick a place in the home that has the best light and pick your plants.
Think outside of the box when it comes to decorating with houseplants. Look for underused spaces. Use mixed and matched pots of different sizes and shapes. Turn a shelf into a plant display. Go vertical with some hanging plants or an antique ladder. You can even group some of your favorite plants together into a single large decorative pot.
Signature large plant displays anchor the most well-designed rooms in America and it’s all there for us to look at, learn from, and bring into our own home. Whether combined into a single large decorative pot or clustered together in a corner, always remember the key to any house plant décor is to have a thriller, a tall plant usually with a strong color and form; filler plants that literally will fill the pot covering all the soil; and a spiller plant that trails over the edge of the pot. Try any combination of your favorite plants or a tried and true combination of a fiddle-leaf fig, a prayer plant, and a string of pearls.
No matter how you look at it, houseplants improve our lives in many ways. Indoor gardens provide us an alternative way to commune with nature and to reconnect with the living world. We all benefit from the additional life that houseplants bring into our homes. In this crazy world of ours, wouldn’t be it nice to return home to your own personal indoor greenspace?
Happy gardening!
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING
LOCAL EVENTS
MARCH 1ST
Kennesaw Hosts TouchA-Truck
Adams Park | 10:00 AM
Touch-A-Truck, an annual community event hosted by the city of Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Police departments, gives kids a chance to see, touch and climb on larger-thanlife trucks, heavy-construction and public safety equipment, cool cars and specialty vehicles. Attendees also can meet vehicle owners and operators. The event lasts until 2 p.m. www.kennesaw-ga.gov/ kennesaw-event/touch-a-truck-4
MARCH 1ST
Celebrate All Things Geek at Marietta the Gathering
Historic Marietta Square | 10:00 AM
This festival, held each March, celebrates the geek community, pop culture and the arts. The family-friendly event, which runs until 8 p.m., will include the Guild Show, a collection of art makers, merchandisers, crafters and smiths; Tourney Alley, a street full of board games, video gaming and open-play card gaming tables; and several panels, performances and contests. www.mariettaga.gov/1480/ Marietta-the-Gathering
MARCH 29TH
Gear Up for Spring Downtown Classic Car Cruise
Logan Farm Park, downtown Acworth | 2:00 PM
The city of Acworth, Lake City Cruisers and downtown merchants partner together to host the classic car show, which features more than 200 automobiles on display, everything from Chevy Chevelles to Model-T Fords. Free admission; $5 entry fee. All proceeds go to the Horizon Field, an all-inclusive special-needs sports facility in Acworth. https:// acworth-ga.gov/event/fall-downtownclassic-car-cruise-2
PHOTO BY TIM WALKER
