Dunwoody Reporter - May 2024

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SANDY SPRINGS

By Bob Pepalis

The Fulton County School Board approved a contract on April 26 for more than $14.1 million to perform site prep work for a new North Springs High School building.

Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof told the board during its work session on April 16 that the recommended contractor for the phase one site construction was Vertical Earth of Cumming.

Staff recommended that the board include a 10 percent contingency amount of $1.4 million, making the project total $15.6 million, he said.

Maloof said this phase of the project is expected to be completed in December.

The project will include demolition of sports facilities including the softball field, competition field, stadium, practice

field, and tennis courts. Also slated for demolition are the surrounding parking lots, driveways, and hardscape, Maloof said.

Other parts of the project include the installation of a new curb cut at Trowbridge Road and new access driveways; construction of new retaining walls; relocation of existing utilities, and installation of new utilities; installation of new storm drainage pipe systems, and; an underground detention pond, and two above-ground detention ponds/sediment basins.

A later phase will include clearing and grading activities to prepare a building pad for the proposed high school building. Maloof said that the proposed project costs are within budget.

By Bob Pepalis

The Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods invited guest speakers to discuss plans for parks, greenspace, trails, and paths in the city during its annual meeting on April 18.

The council was first updated on some news: Colonial Pipeline has begun removing the structures used for its pipeline project under the Chattahoochee River.

“They’re starting to disassemble the trestle bridge and pull out so you will see a lot of trucks in the near future, but then they’ll be finished,” Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Superintendent Ann Honious told the group at its annual meeting.

Honious was one of the speakers invited to speak about greenspace in the city.

The park has 48 miles of river from the first of its 15 land units at Buford Dam down to Peachtree Creek. Sandy Springs has 854 acres within its city limits of the 7,000 total acres of the park.

Ronda Smith, president of the Council of Neighborhoods, said that the group supported parks and greenspaces as they help protect neighborhoods and provide quality of life for residents. That led to the choice of speakers for the group’s annual meeting.

Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker and Parks Assistant Director Steve Ciaccio updated the group on the city’s projects.

Walker said the Abernathy Greenway South trail, Old Riverside Park, and phase III of the Morgan Falls Athletic Complex improvements are in design. The Morgan Falls Dog Park grading plan has been created to fix drainage problems. Dog

A rendering of the new North Springs campus. (Courtesy Fulton Board of Education)

park improvements are being planned and public input is being sought.

“Old Riverside is right up against the Chattahoochee River to south of Johnson Ferry Road, not far from the Old Riverside and Riverside Drive intersections. And we’d like to see limited parking. It’s going to be a passive park,” Ciaccio said.

He said they hope to have designs for Old Riverside Park done by the end of the year. Being next to the Chattahoochee River makes the permitting take longer.

Jack Misiura of the Sandy Springs Conservancy said the group’s mission is to “build partnerships that create, conserve and connect parks and green space in Sandy Springs.”

The conservancy championed the Sandy Springs Trail Master Plan and paid for half of the cost to develop it. After its adoption in 2019, they wanted to build a model mile of trail to draw support. The city chose the Morgan Falls Loop Trail which was 5.7 miles long instead. The first phase is under construction and on its way to completion.

Misiura said the conservancy pledged to provide matching funds for a $3 million Outdoor Stewardship Program grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the trail.

The Path 400 trail section that Sandy Springs will build should start construction this year. Allen Johnson, the city of Sandy Springs TSPLOST program manager, said the city doesn’t have the $37

million needed, so they will use the $20 million available to build a section from the city limits with Atlanta up to Windsor Parkway. Another section will start from the path that the Georgia Department of Transportation is constructing as part of the Transform GA 400/I-285 project. It will extend down to just behind Ridgeview Middle School, he said.

The GDOT section will connect to a Peachtree Dunwoody side path, which will connect to the Mount Vernon corridor side path and it ties into the Johnson Ferry-Mount Vernon Path.

“Hopefully, in the next two to three years, you can go from Ridgeview to City Hall,” Johnson said.

Brittany Jones is the executive director of the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, the official nonprofit friends group for the Chattahoochee National River Recreation Area.

“Our mission really is just to support them and address critical needs and something that we just like to bring awareness to is that this park is grossly underfunded,” she said.

May 21 primary election a prelude to November

By Collin Kelley

Voters will head to the polls on May 21 for the general primary to lock in Republican, Democrat, and nonpartisan candidates for the November contests.

State Senate and House of Representative races along with judicial races make up a large portion of the ballots in both Fulton and DeKalb.

Along with candidate selection, there are a multitude of non-binding questions being posed by the parties that play into election-year politics, including a question on the Democratic ballot about banning assault weapons and one on the Republican ballot about banning transgender women from women’s restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms.

Atlanta voters will also decide in the primary election if they want to renew a 1-cent sales tax to fund water and sewer projects.

Early voting locations and sample ballots for Fulton County voters are available at fultoncountyga.gov by navigating to the Voting and Elections tab. DeKalb voters can find sample ballots at dekalbcountyga.gov by navigating to the Government tab and then Voter Registration & Elections.

You can check your voter registration status, find polling locations and more information at the GA My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

The conservancy raises funds and builds community engagement in support of the park, she said. They get volunteers to work on trail upgrades and infrastructure repairs, such as bridges, overlooks and boardwalks. Just shy of 5,000 volunteer hours were performed on the trails. Scan the QR code for a voters guide

Early voting was slated to begin April 29 and run through May 17. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is May 10 and those ballots must be submitted on May 21 by 7 p.m.

BROOKHAVEN

Bistro & Pub closes after 14 years

By Logan C. Ritchie

After 14 years in business, Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub raised a final glass on April 29, “breaking the hearts of the lonely, the hungry, and the uninspired,” according to a proclamation by the Brookhaven City Council.

Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub, known to locals as KPub, was a Dresden Drive destination before the major commercial and residential development of Brookhaven’s city center.

Chef Joey Riley opened Kaleidoscope on Dec. 24, 2010. Riley has been working in kitchens since his adolescence. After Riley turned down a full college soccer scholarship to pursue his dream of becoming a chef, he attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. He worked in some well-known Atlanta restaurants, including Tom Tom and Buckhead Diner.

Kaleidoscope became known as

“Brookhaven’s version of Manuel’s Tavern; the place where Brookhaven movers and shakers could contemplate and commiserate all things cityhood,” whether they were for or against Brookhaven becoming a city.

On the campaign trail, city council candidates often stopped into Kaleidoscope, and held parties there on election night.

Brookhaven Mayor John Park called the closing a sad day. He said, “Riley made an indelible mark on the Brookhaven community and will live on in our collective hearts and minds forever.”

“People always ask me, ‘What is the heart of Brookhaven?’ That Dresden corner and Kaleidoscope was always, to me, the heart of Brookhaven,” said Park, who was at the restaurant’s closing.

Sources indicate a steakhouse will open at the location in May. Be sure to visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com for updates.

Comprehensive plan updates to guide city’s future growth

By Logan C. Ritchie

Brookhaven is currently reviewing and updating the comprehensive plan that will shape the city’s future growth. The city released updated documents on April 19 after polling residents for feedback.

The documents are available for review at brookhaven2044.com.

The heart of the plan details future land use for character areas, including Ashford Park-Drew Valley, Buford Highway, Gateway South, Historic Brookhaven, Lakes District, Lavista Park, Lynwood, and Osborn.

Initiatives under the Brookhaven 2044 Comprehensive Plan include the build-out of the City Centre, an arts and culture strategic plan, sustainability, and Buford Highway activity nodes plan.

The first comprehensive plan was adopted in 2014 and updated in 2019. The development of Town Brookhaven, the Peachtree Creek Greenway, and the medical facilities of Emory Healthcare and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta were guided by the prior plan.

Brookhaven City Council is collecting feedback on the plan through May 1. The plan will come before the council this summer for a vote.

Part of the comprehensive plan, the

multimodal study is also under review. The multimodal study was delayed in 2023 after residents pushed back on Alta Planning’s proposal which addressed bicycles, pedestrians, and trails.

David Feldoldi with the Brookhaven Bike Alliance said the group has been invited to meet with the city and consultants multiple times “to ensure they respond to the concerns stated in our prior statement.”

“The Brookhaven Bike Alliance is satisfied with the revised multimodal plan, which now addresses our concerns by presenting both shortterm and long-term time frames,” Felfoldi said. “We support quick, low-cost solutions such as leveraging existing roadways to connect our communities and parks, which safely alleviates traffic congestion and encourages a healthier community.”

The plan appears to triple the number of bike lanes, yet there is work to do. Felfoldi said the group wants to see more traffic calming measures along key areas, like the City Centre.

“We look forward to the city’s next steps of project budgeting and prioritization. We will continue to advocate for measurable progress towards the city’s mission ‘to improve transportation conditions, connectivity, and options,’” he said.

Kaleidoscope (Courtesy City of Brookhaven)

Mayor Dickens announces locations of new MARTA stations

By Dyana Bagby

Mayor Andre Dickens revealed April 11 the locations of the planned new MARTA rail stations he announced during his State of the City address in March.

But how to pay for them is still to be determined.

Dickens said at his State of the City where one MARTA rail station would be built — at the redevelopment of Murphy Crossing in southwest Atlanta. The new station would be the first to link MARTA heavy rail to the Atlanta BeltLine.

In an administrative order, Dickens unveiled where the three other planned infill stations — those built between existing stations — would be located.

The sites are at Krog Street/Hulsey Yard between King Memorial and

Inman Park/Reynoldstown, Joseph E. Boone between Ashby and Bankhead, and Armour Yards in Buckhead, between Arts Center and Lindbergh.

The order also includes plans for a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor to connect the redeveloped Bowen Homes community with Ponce City Market.

The mayor also wants the city, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and MARTA to work together to “develop a plan for mobility and transit options on the entirety of the BeltLine.”

Dickens also directs the city and ABI to collaborate with MARTA to develop the design and financing plan for the new stations and BRT corridor.

This includes finding funding sources such as local, state and private revenue “to support the planning process and to identify potential public/ private partnership opportunities for

A rendering of the Murphy Crossing development. (Courtesy MARTA)

A rendering of the Atlanta Streetcar outside Ponce City Market. (Courtesy MARTA)

Mayor Andre Dickens gives his State of the City address. (Courtesy City of Atlanta)

any and all MARTA stations,” the order says.

The importance of aligning public investment with transportation equity is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for all Atlantans as the city continues to grow, the mayor said. The order includes the directive for the city, ABI and MARTA work together to “deliver equitable transportation projects across Atlanta.”

“Both legacy and emerging communities have immediate transportation needs that deserve effective solutions,” Dickens said in a news release.

“It is imperative that our transportation investments are strategically and equitably deployed to increase ridership on MARTA’s heavy

rail network and bus system fostering a more connected and unified Atlanta,” he said.

Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos, who represents District 3 and is a chair of the transportation committee, praised Dickens’ announcement to enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure.

“Among these stations, I am particularly ecstatic that the residents of District 3 will be benefiting from one, the proposed Joseph E. Boone station,” Amos said in a news release.

“This investment improves connectivity and fosters economic growth and community development,” he said. “Together, let’s continue prioritizing progress and accessibility for all citizens.”

Dunwoody

By Cathy Cobbs

Ready to hear the clang-clang-clang of the trolley? The Re-Discover Dunwoody Trolley Tour is hitting the road.   Every second Thursday of the month, the trolley travels to some of Dunwoody’s well-known landmarks to help familiarize riders with all that the city has to offer.

There are three routes currently on the tour – Perimeter Center, Dunwoody Village, and Jett Ferry. Each guide

highlights notable features of that route, said Emily Ensor-Gibson, Discover Dunwoody’s marketing and sales coordinator. The two-hour ride has stops along the way for food, and cocktails with a little learning mixed in.

“The first focus of the tours was educating hospitality staff – people who work in the Perimeter area, but don’t necessarily spend time here after hours,” she said. “It has been such a success that we have now expanded it on a limited

basis to the public.”

Route One travels through Perimeter Center and includes landmarks like the Crowne Plaza, Perimeter Mall, High Street and MARTA station and then stops by Ashford Lane, the retail/ restaurant/entertainment space that holds holiday festivities, cultural experiences, and kid-friendly events. Riders will taste margarita samples and appetizers at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern.

The tour continues with a glimpse of the art scene at Spruill Gallery, guided by Gallery Director Shannon Morris, and then concludes at Eclipse di Luna at Park Place, where guests are welcome to enjoy tapas and libations.

The Village Route visits The Village in the heart of Dunwoody, a revitalized restaurant and shopping center, then travels by landmarks like the Spruill Gallery, Fogo de Chao, and NFA Burger. Its first stop is at the Dunwoody Nature Center, where festivals, classes, and other activities are held year-round.  The tour continues through Dunwoody Hall Plaza. After arriving at the Shops of Dunwoody, riders will try culinary samples from Nai Thai Cuisine and Taqueria Los Hermanos.

The third route, Jett Ferry, will trace the route of the Dunwoody Fourth of July parade, Georgia’s largest Independence Day event. It will feature Williamsburg Shopping Center, which contains one of Dunwoody’s most beloved restaurants, E. 48th Street Market. Owner Charlie Augello will talk all things Italian and offer tasting samples.

Other points of interest on the Jett Ferry route include the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Brook Run Park, and Georgetown Shopping Center, which is the home of Vino Venue. At Vino Venue, riders will enjoy wine and snacks and discover the backstory behind the distinctive blend of restaurant, market, and cooking classes.

The tour will conclude at the historic Donaldson-Bannister Farm, where Director of Private and Special Events Dolores Lauderdale will share insights into the property’s storied past and offer a glimpse into Dunwoody’s rich history.

The tours are free to the public, and reservations are being taken on a firstcome, first-served basis.

The May 9 trolley tour was sold out, and slots are filling quickly for the June 13 Jett Ferry tour. For more information and a seat on the next trolley, email emily@discoverdunwoody.com.

Photos courtesy Discover Dunwoody

Raising Cane’s seeks approval for new restaurant

By Cathy Cobbs

The Dunwoody Homeowners Association heard from restaurant representatives who want to build a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant on Ashford Dunwoody Road during its April 14 meeting.

The site, located near an existing McDonald’s restaurant, was formerly a Wells Fargo bank branch office and has a drive-through window.

Raising Cane’s representative Carl Jenkins showed several site plan illustrations for the proposed restaurant, which would seat 66 inside, 25 outside, and would have a double drive-through queue that would accommodate about 30 waiting cars.

Jenkins said the proposed site is

“one of the best locations we can find in Dunwoody” because of the ability to handle a long queue of cars that would minimize backup traffic on Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Several attendees at the meeting remarked that Raising Cane’s has a cult-like following among diners, similar to the In-N-Out Burger franchise, and expressed concerns that traffic on Ashford Dunwoody would be adversely affected by the drive-through line.

Jenkins said that the openings of Raising Canes’ locations typically see heightened traffic, but “over time, things calm down.”

Jenkins said about 65% of its sales traditionally come from drive-through customers, while 35% of people dine in. However, he said those numbers are

shifting a bit more towards the dine-in side since the easing of concerns regarding COVID.

The DHA board did not voice either support or opposition to the plan, but its president Bob Fiscella joked that many residents are happy “whenever we replace a bank with anything else.”

A zoning ordinance passed last October requires a Special Land Use Permit for any new establishment that has a drivethrough window. However, the property in question can be used for a restaurant without any change in rezoning, according to officials.

Jenkins said Raising Cane’s has not yet had formal discussions with Dunwoody officials but plans to in the future. He said Raising Cane’s “wants to operate where we are wanted.”

“If the community doesn’t want us here, we won’t move ahead with this,” he said. “We want to be part of the community. If you ask us to do $100,000 worth of landscaping, we will put in $150,000.”

Courtesy Raising Cane’s

Paltry fine imposed for national park closing

Fulton’s Big Creek facility. Testing revealed bacteria levels more than 300 times the EPA-recommended limit for recreation.

After three days of vigorously denying the pollution was caused by the county and claiming that CRK’s Jason Ulseth was providing misleading information, Fulton’s Director of Public Works David Clark finally admitted the obvious. His plant was the source of the pollution. A trip on board CRK’s patrol boat to view and smell the sewage seems to have finally convinced him. Later, Clark told the media that the problem was not a “spill.” He called the emergency a “plant bypass”—terminology that kept the incident off the state’s publicly available list of spills into state waters.

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

For nearly three weeks last summer, boat ramps in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area were closed and the public was urged to stay out of the water. It was the first time the National Park Service took such an action in the park’s 46-year history. High levels of E. coli bacteria threatened public health and safety in one of the most popular urban national parks in the country.

Citing unsafe conditions, the Park Service restricted all activities in the river downstream of Fulton County’s Big Creek sewage plant in Roswell. Daily, the aging facility was releasing tens of millions of gallons of partially treated sewage directly into the river system, specifically Morgan Falls Lake. Sixteen miles of the 48-mile river park—a third of its length—were ultimately declared off-limits to kayakers, fishermen, boaters, tubers, canoeists, paddle boarders, waders, and swimmers over the Fourth of July holiday and weeks following. Staff and visitors to the Chattahoochee Nature Center still remember the “scent” of sewage in the air for weeks last summer. Nantahala Outdoor Center was forced to close its operation in Sandy Springs during a highly profitable period when the outfitter usually puts 400-450 people on the river every day: a “serious revenue hit,” according to the company. More than one million people engage in some type of on-the-water recreation within the national park every year, which contributes over $175 million to the local economy annually.

One of the more troubling aspects of

this emergency was Fulton County’s initial, and quite aggressive, denial that its Big Creek plant was the culprit, despite clear evidence. The paltry fine that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) recently ordered the county to pay for violating clean water laws and causing the park closure further minimized the serious nature of this crisis.

An old sewage plant

Built fifty years ago, the Big Creek facility has the largest service area (Roswell, Alpharetta, portions of Milton, and areas of Cobb and Forsyth Counties) and the largest total flow of any such facility in north Fulton County. Over the years, the aging and increasingly problematic plant was expanded to its current treatment capacity of 24 million gallons per day— and permitted by the state to discharge its fully treated sewage into Morgan Falls Lake.

To meet growing demands, Fulton County embarked on a $300 million plant upgrade with new, advanced treatment

processes and an expansion to 32 million gallons per day; the project broke ground in 2020. Operating under a joint venture agreement with Veolia Water—the county’s long-time wastewater management partner—the new plant is expected to come online later this year.

Data tells the story

On June 28, 2023, water quality samples collected and analyzed by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) and two federal agencies confirmed releases of partially treated sewage into the national park from the Big Creek plant. The information was immediately reported to the county and the state. Fulton County officials said they didn’t know their plant was malfunctioning.

For weeks prior to that date, high levels of E. coli were found in river samples taken for the BacteriALERT Program: a longtime collaboration between CRK, National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey. Working to pinpoint the source, CRK and the Park Service tracked the problem to

Coordinating with all parties and sharing data, CRK and the Park Service collected and tested water samples daily throughout the area of concern until the Big Creek plant finally met clean water laws: a heroic task. The public was finally allowed back into the river on July 19, 2023. Ulseth called the spill “one of the most significant sewage incidents and public health threats along the Chattahoochee in the past 20 years.”

State poses meager fine

In March, the Georgia EPD finally released a draft enforcement order regarding the failures at the Big Creek facility: $90,524 for 25 permit violations and the unprecedented closing of the national park. Unconscionably, only $20,000 of that fine pertains to the shutting of the park. That’s $1,000 per day for each of the 20 days that the river was off-limits to recreation and the river ecosystem and public health were in jeopardy.

CRK and others have protested this pathetic fine, as well as the state’s failure to require additional water quality monitoring by the county at the plant and downstream. Ironically, or not, the Big Creek plant had another release of partially treated sewage lasting several hours earlier this year—while EPD was inspecting the plant.

This fall, the new and improved Big Creek treatment facility is expected to open. What infuriates me and many others is the failure of Fulton County and the Georgia EPD to fully administer their legal responsibilities to protect the public and hold polluters accountable. Fortunately, the National Park Service is taking the incident quite seriously. It is assessing damages for injuries to the park system resources that it holds in trust for the American people and will seek compensation.

Sally Bethea

River view (Photo courtesy Chattahoochee Riverkeeper)

Fishermen (Courtesy City of Sandy Springs)

Message from the NARI Atlanta president

Springtime is here, temperatures are warming up and this is the year you decided to take on your remodeling project. Maybe it’s a new deck for outdoor living, or time to update that kitchen or bathroom.

As a homeowner looking at a remodeling project, you must pay close attention to many details to ensure that you find the right contractor that will suit your needs and preferences. Before you start shopping, you should sit down with the members of your household to discuss your preferences and lay out a scope of work.

Within your list you should create a “wants” list and “needs” list, this will be helpful when it comes to your budget. There are many ways and many options available to you to help get started on your project whether you go to a local home show or find ideas online.

A reputable remodeling company will have access to designers to assist you with making the best choices for your project. Designers not only help with colors, but they are a great resource for flow and function, figuring out how to utilize your space that best fits you and your lifestyle.

When looking for a remodeling company, most people ask friends and family who have had similar work done, a referral is a great source. If you don’t have that resource, please consider members of the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI). We have developed the Accredited Remodeling Company program to help you easily identify remodeling companies who have met the industry standard for

remodeling business management and operations.

NARI Certified Professionals have demonstrated their commitment to excellence and to validating their knowledge annually. NARI offers eight certifications that recognize that knowledge. The experience that remodelers gain from working with materials, tools and solving problems on a day-to-day basis is invaluable. A professional can anticipate potential issues and have a backup plan just in case.

Here are a few more tips in finding the right contractor to work with.

1. Stay Local

Local remodelers are compelled to perform quality work that satisfies their customers in order for their business to survive. Local firms can be checked through references including past customers in your community or through your local NARI chapter.

2. Follow Local Building Codes

Another advantage to hiring a local professional is that they will know the local building code and permit requirements for your town or city. Building codes vary considerably from each jurisdiction and are known to change from year to year. Most structural work or footprint expansions require permits.

3. Check for License and Insurance

Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed, bonded and/or insured.

Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor meets all requirements. Most states require a contractor to carry worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability insurance. Ask for a copy of their license and insurance certificate to make sure that it is current.

4. Compare Apples with Apples

If you solicit estimates from more than one remodeling contractor, be sure they are working off the same scope and quality of work. Discuss variations in prices and beware of any estimate that is substantially lower than the others.

As you start your search be sure that you have your “scope of work” figured out, a good contractor will ask a lot of questions, and this could easily increase your scope of work. (An example of this could be, if yours is a kitchen project, the questions your contractor asks may extend the scope of work to a mud room and or laundry room. This is part of the flow and function I mentioned earlier.) Next understand how you’re going to pay for your project. Remodeling is not like what you see on TV. It will take significant time and money, depending of course on the size of your project. There are a lot of great contractors out there, and the reputable ones are here to help you take on your project and see your dreams for your home become reality. Consulting the Contractor Directory at www.nariatlanta.org is a great place to start your search for the right contractor. (Scan the QR code to get started!)

How homeowners can embrace energy efficiency to save money and the environment

As energy costs continue to climb and environmental concerns become more urgent, homeowners increasingly turn to energy-efficient upgrades to cut their utility bills and minimize their ecological impact. This guide will introduce some of the most effective energy-saving upgrades that are gaining popularity among homeowners.

Solar Panels: Harnessing the Power of the Sun

One of the top choices for an energyefficient upgrade is installing solar panels. By converting sunlight into electricity, solar panels allow you to generate your own power and depend less on external energy sources. This reduces your electricity bills and lowers your carbon emissions since solar power is a clean and renewable energy source. Additionally, you can earn extra income in some areas by selling excess energy back to the grid.

Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors: Keeping Your Comfort In

Installing energy-efficient windows and doors is another effective upgrade. These are designed to prevent unwanted heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. With special coatings, gas fills, and improved frame designs, these windows and doors help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature

year-round, reducing the need to crank up your heating or cooling and thereby lowering energy costs.

Sustainable Building Materials: Eco-Friendly Choices

Opting for sustainable materials is another way to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Materials like bamboo, cork, and recycled products have a lower environmental impact and can improve the sustainability of your home. These materials help reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier living environment.

Energy-Efficient Appliances: High Performance, Lower Costs

Upgrading energy-efficient appliances is a straightforward approach to reducing energy usage. Modern energy-saving models of refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and other household appliances use less electricity without sacrificing performance. This cuts down on your energy bills and helps reduce overall carbon emissions.

Choosing the Right Contractor: The LEED Advantage

If energy efficiency is a significant concern for you, consider hiring a LEEDcertified contractor. These professionals are trained and certified in sustainable building

practices, ensuring that your upgrades not only meet but exceed energy efficiency standards. A LEED-certified contractor can guide you through the process of designing and implementing sustainable solutions that fit your needs and budget while ensuring environmental responsibility.

Embracing energy-efficient home upgrades is a win-win; you’ll enjoy lower

energy bills and a more comfortable home while contributing positively to the environment. Whether you’re installing solar panels, updating energy-efficient windows, or choosing sustainable materials, these improvements can significantly enhance both your home’s value and your quality of life.

JD Crill, CR Owner, Crill Construction + Contracting

President, NARI Atlanta Chapter

The Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards are given each year by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. In November 2023 , winners in each category were honored for projects ranging from kitchen and bath remodels to whole-house renovations and additions.

C. Residential Exterior $100,000 to $200,000 The Hamlin Group, LLC

D. Residential Exterior Over $200,000 The Hamlin Group, LLC

E. Residential Exterior Under $100,000 Small Carpenters At Large, Inc.

F. Residential Historical Renovation/ Restoration $250,000 and Over Alair Homes Decatur

G. Residential Historical Renovation/ Restoration Under $250,000 Sunshine on a Ranney Day

H. Residential Interior $100,000 to $250,000 Construction Ahead, Inc.

I. Residential Interior Feature $50,000 and Over Stephenson Construction, LLC

Did you know? There are also National Contractor of the Year Awards. Scan the QR code to see which NARI Atlanta members won 2024 National CotY Awards!

Member Directory

Listings current as of MAY 2024

APPLIANCES

Howard Payne Co., Inc.

Jeff Payne | (770)451-0136 info@howardpayne.com

LG Electronics

Dalton Kizer | (800)243-0000 LGussupport@lge.com

Pinnacle Sales Group

Manny Gardo | (863)353-4313 mgardo@pinnaclesalesgroup.com

Plumbing Contractors/Suppliers

Sewell Appliance

Eddie Robinson | (404)255-0640 info@sewellappliance.com

Outdoor Living

Sub-Zero Group Southeast, Inc.

Debbie Killeen | (404)661-5183

Debbie.Killeen@subzero.com

ASSOCIATION/EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Chattahoochee Technical College

Ginger Burton | (770)509-6332 gburton@chattahoocheetech.edu

Gwinnett Technical College

Dennis Bowers | (678)226-6649 dbowers@gwinnetttech.edu

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 77 Cameron Michelson | (678)705-5668 cmichelson@iupatdc77.org

Drywall; Glass; Painting Southface

Pam Henman | (404)604-3614 info@southface.org

CABINETRY

Bell Cabinetry & Design (770)751-7861

Bathrooms; Kitchens

Cabinet Wholesalers, Inc.

Spencer Ripley | 770-737-4696 spencer@barrwoodcabinets.com

Dove Studio Kitchen & Bath

Jenny Lyons | (404)405-5219 jenny@dovestudio.com

Bathrooms; Kitchens

European Kitchen & Bath Works

Chris Brennan | (404)518-6823 chrisb@eurokbw.com

Bathrooms; Kitchens

Founders Kitchen & Bath, Inc. (770)569-4499 info@fkbga.com

Bathrooms; Kitchens

Muses Cabinets

Chance Yan | (800)806-0708 info@musescabinets.com

Bathrooms; Kitchens

ROC Cabinetry

Vivian Jin | (770)847-8222 info@roccabinetry.com

Bathrooms; Kitchens

Timberland Cabinets

David DiCristina | (706)253-1026 david@timberlandcabinets.net

Wellborn Cabinet

Kevin Lovering | (256)354-7151 klovering@wellborn.com

CHARITY/NON-PROFIT

Lifecycle Building Center

Shannon Goodman | (678)592-0417 shannon@lifecyclebuildingcenter.org

Rebuilding Together Atlanta

Michael Hicks | (404)505-5599 mhicks@rebuildingtogether-atlanta.org

Sunshine on a Ranney Day

Joe Lane | (770)990-2434 info@soardcharity.com

CLOSET SYSTEMS

Creative Closets and More

Peggy Snider Houghton | (770)365-5630 peggy@404closets.com

SpaceMakers of Atlanta, LLC

Matt Prewett | (770)422-6464 matt.prewett@spacemakersclosets.com

CONCRETE PUMPING/REPAIR

Quick Mix Concrete

Kurt Anderson | (470)880-8544 Office@QuickMixConcrete.us

COUNTERTOPS

Cambria Jeff Cox | (404)291-1176 david.leonard@cambriausa.com

Classic Stoneworks, Inc.

Pam Andersen, CRPM | (770)865-8029 pam@cswatlanta.com

Cosentino Atlanta

Jason Peters | (770)409-9621 jpeters@cosentino.com

Elevation Stone Design

Kathren Jean | (404)798-5944 info@elevationstonedesign.com

Granite and Marble Solutions

Don Benton | (678)319-0498 don@graniteandmarblesolutions.com

J. Aaron Custom Wood Countertops

Joshua Johnson | (404)298-4200 joshua@jaaronwoodcountertops.com

Marmi Natural Stone

Judy Talley | (770)921-7601 info@marmistone.com

Natural Stone

Stone Showcase

Kenzie Rediger | (678)546-6166 jrediger@stoneshowcase.net

Top Shop Stone

Becky Costa | (404)946-9338 becky@topshopstone.com

Toro Granite

Soo Cho | (770)455-8810 soo@torogranite.com

DOORS/WINDOWS

Architectural Visions, Inc.

Mark Cantrall | (678)297-1111 mcantrall@aviwindowsanddoors.com

Millwork and Mouldings

Davis Window & Door

Mauricio Jaimes | (770)279-0905 Mauricio.jaimes@daviswin.com

North Georgia Replacement Windows, Inc.

Ted Kirk | (770)888-1604 info@ngwindows.com

Pella Window and Door of Georgia

Brian Robbins | (404)952-5134 bervin@pellasoutheast.com

Stellar Windows and Doors, LLC

Adam Banks | (404)662-2560 info@stellarwd.com

Velux

Brant Hurdelbrink | (800)888-3589 brant.hurdelbrink@velux.com Skylights

Window Traditions of Georgia, LLC

Dan Shaunnessy | (678)672-1963 dshaunnessy@windowtraditions.com

Window World (770)303-0757

DUMPSTERS

Arrow Waste

Justin Vetsch | (770)441-3037 Finance@ArrowWaste.com

Bin There Dump That Dumpsters Kurt Anderson | (404)692-2838 atl@BinThereDumpThat.com

VaVia Atlanta Michael Mendoza michael.mendoza@govavia.com

FLOORING

Authentic Hardwood Flooring

Buddy Wofford | (678)985-0110 buddy@authentichardwoodflooring.com

ECMD, Inc

Andrew Chambers | (336)667-5976 andrew.chambers@ecmd.com

Millwork and Mouldings;Stairs & Railings

Great American Floors

Jason Seltzer | (404)254-2964 jason@greatamericanfloors.com Carpet

Moda Floors & Interiors

Dean Howell | (404)477-3744 dean@modafloorsandinteriors.com Tile; Window Treatments

Peachwood Floor Coverings

Joseph Roderick | (678)935-6901 joseph@peachwoodfc.com

Southeast Flooring Markets Lori Kisner | (770)559-0293x2 sammie@flooringmarkets.com

FULL-SERVICE SHOWROOMS

Atlanta Flooring Design Centers Inc

Jeannie Homer | (770)476-8306 info@atlantaflooringdesign.com Cabinetry;Countertops;Flooring

Bath & Kitchen Galleria

John Hogan | (770)765-6000 info@remodelingexpo.com

Construction Resources

Mitch Hires | (404)378-3132 info@crhomeusa.com Countertops;Flooring;Tile/Stone

JD Kitchens Bath & More LLC

Harry Harshaw | (770)516-1602 JD.KITCHENS@yahoo.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Remodel Republic

Murat Temiz | (678)395-7060 hello@remodelrepublic.com

GLASS/MIRRORS

Glass Doctor of Atlanta

David Nash | (770)766-9309 paulag@glassdoctoratlanta.com

Windows

The Shower Door Guy

Brad Leamon | (678)477-1389 brad.leamon@gmail.com

Bathrooms

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REMEDIATION

Clean and Green Environmental

John Coleman | (678)807-7900 info@cleanandgreenenv.com

Insurance Restoration

HVAC / VENTILATION

Broan-NuTone

Dave Jones | (262)673-8613 dave.jones@broan.com

INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Bridgette Boylan Interiors

Bridgette Boylan | (770)616-9142 bb@boylaninteriors.com

Designs by BSB

BeckySue Becker, CMKBD, CLIPP, CAPS | (404)456-8799 beckysue@designsbybsb.com

Renee Jones Interiors, Inc. Renee Jones | (404)314-3045 renee@reneejonesinteriors.com

Thelen Designs, LLC Cailin M. Thelen, CMKBD | (770)330-9622 cailin@thelendesigns.com

LICENSED CONTRACTORS

5th Generation Contracting, Inc.

Bob Stutrud | (770)509-2525 5thgen@5thgen.us

Ace and Hammer Construction Chris Branscum | (404)500-7689 INFO@ACEANDHAMMER.COM

Alair Homes Decatur

Heather Shuster | (404)378-6962 heather.shuster@alairhomes.com

Alair Homes Marietta

H. Dale Contant, MCR, CRPM, UDCP | (770)565-8999 AHMoffice@alairhomes.com

Ameritech Facility Services, LLC

Kathy Houston | (770)721-8933 kathy.houston@ameritechfs.com

Artech Roofing and Construction LLC

Patricia Higuita, CKBR | (404)783-4949 ph@artechroofing.com

Roofing

Artisans of Atlanta, Inc.

Matt Johnson | (404)377-3350 renovations@artisansofatlanta.com

Askla Construction

Abi Nadoff | (470)733-1632 abinadoff@gmail.com

Atlanta Area Building & Remodeling, LLC

Joshua Leibowitz | (404)353-5660 josh@atlantaareabuilding.com

Benjamin Andrew Construction

Benjamin Kitchen | (678)794-0543 benkitchen.bac@gmail.com

Bickley Design Build Services, Inc.

CR Bickley | (478)750-7434

jennifer@bickleydesignbuild.com

Big Bear Construction, Inc.

Bearin Santos | (770)435-5440 info@bigbear-construction.com

Bires Remodeling, Inc.

Dean Bires, CR | (404)226-1841 dean@biresremodeling.com

Blue Juniper Construction LLC

Richard Williams | (404)594-4469 richard@bluejuniperhomes.com

Bathrooms; Decks/Patios/Porches; Kitchens

Boyce Design + Build, LLC

Thomas Boyce | (770)237-0284 info@boycedesign.com Outdoor Living

Bradford Custom Homes & Remodeling

Brad Robinson | (404)450-1410 brad@bradfordremodels.com

Brownlow and Sons Company, Inc.

Chuck Brownlow | (770)977-8404 karen@brownlowandsons.com

Builders America, Inc.

Stan Garnet | (770)587-3325 stan@deckbuildersusa.com

Decks; Inspection Services

Built Tough Construction of North Georgia

Steven Giampietro, RA | (770)687-6303 stgarchitect@gmail.com

Castlehaven Construction

Adam Pollock | (770)855-9812 adam@castlehavenconstruction.com

Champion Design & Renovations, LLC

Stacy Champion | (678)736-9932 admin@cdandr.net

Chris Malone Designs

Christopher Malone | (404)507-2919 chris@chrismalonedesigns.com

Connelly Residential Services, Inc.

Kevin Connelly | (770)755-2151 connellyresidential@yahoo.com

Construction Ahead, Inc.

Austin Foster | (770)234-0911 austin@constructionahead.net

Construction Max Group, Inc.

Ramunas Jonikas | (404)578-6666 rjonikas@constructionmax.com

Copernicus Home Creations

Robert Wieczynski | (678)467-3590 info@copernicushomecreations.com

Copper Sky Renovations

Jim Walker | (404)931-7419 jim.walker@copperskyrenovations.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Cornerstone Builders

David Hutchison | (404)580-7443 hutch@cornerstone-atlanta.com

Crabtree Remodeling, LLC

David Crabtree | (770)714-6498 crabtreeremodeling@comcast.net

Craftworks Construction

Brett Winchester, CR | (678)695-3338 office@craftworks-construction.com

Crill Construction + Contracting, LLC

JD Crill, CR | (770)710-5870 jd@crillconstruction.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Cruickshank Remodeling

Timothy Joyce | (404)235-0988 info@cruickshankremodeling.com

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio

Steen Clausen | (770)729-1999 mimi@csikitchenandbath.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Dave Roberts Inc

David Roberts | (404)597-9235 dave@daverobertsinc.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

db Atlanta

Robert Hames | (770)642-1002

robert.hames@dbatlanta.com

Decks and More, Inc.

Frank Pologruto | (770)235-6929 frank1@decksandmore.biz

Outdoor Living

Decksouth, Inc.

John Lea | (770)452-3325 tammy@decksouth.com

Decks;Pools/Spas;Porches

Distinctive Remodeling Solutions, Inc.

Mark D. Buelow, CGR, CR | (770)668-9393 nariatlanta@distinctiveremodeling.net

Exodus Design Build

Garrett Erath | (770)656-5569 hello@exodusbuilt.com

Exovations

Roone Unger, CR | (770)205-2995 runger@exovations.com

Exteriors; Roofing

FireSign Design Build

Kimberly Lacy-Lightford | (404)400-1993 info@firesigndb.com

Furin Construction, Inc.

Brandt Furin | (404)474-7293 brandtfurin@bellsouth.net

Georgia Contractor Group

Ron Lester | (770)549-5291 ron@georgiacontractorgroup.com Basements;Kitchens

GHIR Construction, LLC

Wes Wiggins | (404)557-3963 info@ghir.construction.com

Glazer Design & Construction

Randy Glazer | (404)683-9848 randy@glazerconstruction.com

GreatHouse Remodeling

Timothy Piendel | (678)352-1035 info@greathouseatlanta.com

Handyman Services

Hall Construction and Real Estate Services, LLC

Bradley Hall, MCR, GCP | (678)283-7530 bhall@halldesignbuild.com

HammerSmith, Inc.

Warner McConaughey | (404)377-1021 renovate@hammersmith.net

Handcrafted Homes, Inc.

Judy Mozen, MCR, GCP | (770)642-1010 officers@handcraftedhomes-inc.com

Harry’s Home Renovations

Harry Kirchhoff | (770)231-6896 harrykirchhoff@gmail.com Kitchens;Bathrooms

Hodge Design & Remodeling, Inc.

Larry Hodge, CR, CKBR | (706)769-1600 larry@hodgedr.com

Home Forge Remodeling, LLC

Bruce Meller | (404)273-1137 bmeller@homeforgeremodeling.com

HomeStar Renovations

Bob Hodge | (404)879-5396 bob@homestarreno.com

Howland Homes

Hannah Howland | (404)845-6155 hannah.hhomes@gmail.com

HwRenewal

Thomas Hayes | (770)498-4663 services@gohw.net

Ilex Inc.

Kara Lytton | (404)597-5258 ilexincorporated@gmail.com

Infinite Home LLC

David Mullikin | (770)316-4260 hello@infinitehomellc.com

Innovative Design Build

Clark Harris | (404)400-2406 info@innovateatlanta.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Integrity Home Improvements

Gordon Bill | (770)617-5619 gordon@ihiatlanta.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens;Sunrooms

J. Werho Construction Company

Jeff Werho, MCR, CLC, CAPS | (770)477-8983 jwerho@gmail.com

John Rogers Renovations

Chris Rogers | (770)327-1299 Renovations@jrrenovations.com

JOMA Construction Services

Jeff Squier | (706)372-1052 john@jomaconstruction.com Handyman Services

Kade Homes & Renovations

Daniel Cipriani | (404)433-2949 info@kademade.com

Karen Aberra Construction

Karen Aberra | (678)621-6874 karenbuilds@gmail.com

Kayler Construction Services, Inc.

Tom Kayler | (678)414-3043 kcsi@bellsouth.net

Kind Sir Construction

Ben Leak | (404)406-7357 ben.leak@kindsir.com Bathrooms;Kitchens

Level One Construction Co., LLC

Brian Spix | (770)552-0103 wtpbks@leveloneconstruction.com

Limitless Renovations Statewide, LLC

Lance Smith | (404)369-0098 brian.hames@lrenovations.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Live Oak Construction Group, LLC

Matt Skubic | (404)512-9513 matt@liveoakgroupllc.com

Lombardi Works

Thomas Lombardi | (678)424-7939 tom@lombardiworks.com Kitchens

Macallan Construction LLC

Nathan Harbison | (404)603-8833 info@macallanconstruction.com

Historic Renovation/Restoration

MacBuilt Homes, LLC

Ryan MacDowell, UDCP | (678)688-4960 info@macbuilthomes.com

Macvel International, LLC

Marty D. Norvel Sr. | (404)934-4949 INFO@MACVELINTERNATIONAL.COM

Malone Construction Company Mike Ewalt | (404)351-3991 mewalt@maloneconstruction.com Bathrooms;Kitchens

Marcus Corporation (The) Marcus Hoge | (770)446-1080 marcus@themarcuscorp.com

Master Home Remodelers, Inc. Mark Galey, MCR, UDCP, CRPM (770)696-0623 mark@MHRatlanta.com

Michael James Remodeling

Michael James | (770)599-2575 admin@michaeljamesremodeling.com

Modify Atlanta

Jack Mattern | (678)431-7539 jack@modifyatl.com

Moon Brothers, Inc.

Tiffany Barcik | (404)377-6006 gina@moonbros.com

Mosaic Group Architects and Remodelers

Rick Goldstein | (770)670-6022 rick@mosaicdesignbuild.com Architectural Design

Nelson Exteriors

Tom Stogsdill | (678)283-8171

Office@Nelson-Exteriors.com

Exteriors

North Georgia Design Build, LLC

Jesse Battaglia | (770)560-1840

info@northgeorgiadesignbuild.com

Historic Renovation/Restoration

Northside Construction Services, Inc.

Bob Swisher, CR | (404)392-5858

Bob@northsideconstructionservices.com

Northside Remodeling Services

Willie Middleton | (404)444-8737 willie@northsideremodeling.com

Oak Southern Homes

Branden Reagin | (770)715-8767 oaksouthernhomes@gmail.com Decks; Structural Work

Oneida Builders, Inc.

Rocco Sinisgalli | (770)396-1002 admin@oneidabuilders.net

Phillips | Collins Construction Group, Inc.

Keiffer Phillips | (404)949-8115

Keiffer@phillipscollinsconstruction.com

Pine Hill Remodeling

Aaron Garner | (404)918-7606 aaron@pinehillremodeling.com

Kitchens;Bathrooms

Prestige Construction & Remodeling, LLC

Kris Griffin | (770)714-4930 kris@pcratlanta.com

Professional Home Improvement, Inc.

Dennis Delashmit, CKBR, UDCP | (770)256-1618 dennis.delashmit@phicompanies.com

Professional Interiors, Inc.

Cayenne Barnes, CAPS | (404)379-9660 cayennebarnes@pro-interiors.com Bathrooms;Kitchens

Property Action, LLC

Russell Moolman | (404)428-9724 russell@actionequityinvestments.com

Property Masters, Inc

Kelly Brooks | (678)384-6864 kelly.brooks@propertymasters.com

Quality Craftsmen, LLC Zett Quinn | (404)483-7446 info@quality-craftsmen.com

R&R Build and Design

Robert McMillan | (770)834-0592 robert.mcmillan@rrbuilddesign.com

Ranney Blair Weidmann Remodeling Peter Ranney, CR | (404)308-3305 info@ranneyblair.com

Renovating Atlanta Design & Build David Warren | (678)448-4002 david@renovatingatlanta.com Architectural Design

Revival Construction, Inc.

Wright Marshall, CR | (404)888-9886 info@revivalconstruction.com

Silver Oak Remodel Wes Busby | (770)892-6688 info@silveroakremodel.com

Sims Remodeling Co.

Tim Pratt, CR | (770)953-5959 sales@simsremodeling.com Kitchens;Bathrooms

Small Carpenters at Large, Inc. Theresa Same | (404)688-7665 info@smallcarpenters.com

Southern Dreambuilders

Donald Fletcher | (770)241-1691 fletcher@southerndreambuilders.com

Southland Development Services Eric Koehler eric@southlanddevelopmentservices.com

Stephenson Construction, LLC

Rob Stephenson | (404)348-0108

info.stephenson.llc@gmail.com Basements;Bathrooms

Struby Construction LLC

Neil Struby | (404)456-5500 neil@strubyconstruction.com

Studio D + C Inc.

Juan Ramirez | (404)377-7346 jramirez@studiod-c.com

Summers & Sons Development Co.

Fred W. Summers, CR | (770)934-2700 fred@summers-sons.com

Summit Renovations

Brian Meadors | (678)551-9276 brian@summitga.com

Sylvan Construction Services, LLC

Brian Champion | (770)367-7551 bchampion@sylvanroad.com

Terracotta Design Build

Maurie Hullender | (404)377-0906 myhome@terracottadesignbuild.com Kitchens

The Design Gallery

Kristy Steele, CKBR, CRPM | (478)929-0915 rbump@designgallery.biz Bathrooms;Kitchens

The Hamlin Group, LLC

Chad Hamlin | (770)674-1556 tene@hamlingroup.com

The Trusted Toolbox

Chris Lalomia | (770)623-3097 chris@thetrustedtoolbox.com Handyman Services

Tom Williams Residential, Inc.

Tom Williams | (404)869-0333 tom@tomwilliamsresidential.com

Totally Dependable Contracting Services, LLC

Don Hagemeister | (770)509-7498 donh@totallydependable.com

Victoria Renovations

David McDonald | (770)406-8909

david@victoriarenos.com

Wysocki Brothers Home Services, Inc.

Karl Wysocki | (678)873-0773 WYSOCKIBROTHERS@GMAIL.COM

LIGHTING

MasterPiece Lighting

Phil Sherer | (404)897-9977 PhilSherer@masterpiecelighting.com

LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIALS

Builders Firstsource

Vince Kuykendall | (470)814-8426 vince.kuykendall@bldr.com Doors/Windows

Carolina Lumber and Supply Co.

Allen Hanahan | (404)873-2676 drobinson@carolinalumber.com

Dixie Plywood and Lumber Company

Tonya Longo | (678)957-4500 sgprice@dixieply.com

Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.

Paul Stevens | (262)408-4248 pstevens@hllmark.com

Huber Engineered Woods

Gregory Kollar | (800)933-9220 gregory.kollar@huber.com

Randall Brothers, LLC

Gregg Mizerak | (404)892-6666 justin.huntley@randallbrothers.com Doors; Millwork & Mouldings

Stark Supply LLC Halil Temiz | (404)836-7055

support@vbinsulation.com Insulation

TimberTown Atlanta

Cody Jones | (404)476-3747 salesATL@timbertown.com Decks; Outdoor Living; Specialty Building Products

Via Viridis Green Solutions, Inc.

Nick Hobbs | (770)345-4000 nickhobbs@viaviridis.com Decks; Exteriors Weyerhaeuser (678)407-6931 rutger.colt@weyerhaeuser.com

Wilsonart, LLC

Joe Vela | (770)593-2424 goffep@wilsonart.com Cabinetry;Millwork and Mouldings; Countertops

MEDIA

Adam Pendleton Photography

Adam Pendleton | (678)993-8246 adam@adampendleton.com Photography

My Home Improvement Magazine

Patti Stephens | 404-303-9333ext.17 pstephens@atlantabestmedia.com Marketing Services;Publications

Rough Draft Atlanta KEITH PEPPER | (917)603-4989 hello@roughdraftatlanta.com Marketing Services;Publications

MOVING/STORAGE

Classic Design Services, Inc. Kaiyanna Price | (404)835-5413 kprice@classicdesignservices.com

OUTDOOR LIVING

Outback Deck

Bryan Miller | (678)990-6921 bmiller@virtusfamily.com

Your Dreams-Our Work

Piedmont Precast

Clinton Watkins | (404)691-9414 cwatkins@piedmontprecast.com

Screens of Georgia

Derek Melnychuk | (404)624-0202 derek@screensofgeorgia.com Patios;Screens;Porches

PAINTING

AVA PAINTING SERVICES, LLC

Allan Guerra | (678)449-9437 avapainting@hotmail.com

PLUMBING CONTRACTORS/ SUPPLIERS

Cowan Supply

John Busby | (404)351-6351 info258@cowansupply.com

DeVore & Johnson

Donna Raye | (678)458-6603 donna.raye@reece.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Kohler Company

Shannon Hartley | (404)276-4270 shannon.hartley@kohler.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Moen Inc.

Rachel Dymecki | (470)503-3780 rachel.dymecki@moen.com

Noland Company

Zach Rollins | (770)458-2111 dana.atlnoland@gmail.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens

Plumbing Distributors, Inc.

Anita Ballard | (770)963-9231 info@relyonpdi.com

SERVICES

Ameris Bank

Matt Upchurch | (404)819-6573

will.mcneeley@amerisbank.com

Financing

ATL Epoxy Ltd. Company

Leroy Browne | (770)821-1633

info@atlepoxy.com

Basements;Bathrooms;Decks;Flooring;Painting

Capital One - Business Cards & Payments

Henry Mills | (571)369-7804

henry.mills@capitalone.com

Financing

Cox Media Group - TV & Digital Ros Mircio | (404)897-7000

roselyn.mircio@wsbtv.com

Marketing Services

Douglas Park Law

Douglas Park | (404)919-1957 dpark@douglasparklaw.com

Attorneys/Legal Services

Downs Law, LLC

Will Downs | (404)842-6500 will@downslawllc.com

Attorneys/Legal Services

Globe Life-Liberty National Division

Serge Clouatre | (770)536-3451 br049@libnat.com

Insurance Provider

Innovative Financial Group

Rick Walters | (678)338-4400 infoATL@askIFG.com

James Zulke

Jim Zulke | (202)369-1672 jims_work@hotmail.com

Specialty Contractor

Little and Smith

Jackson Bentley | (770)428-3308 jbentley@littleandsmith.com

Insurance Provider

Remodel Reach Marketing

Brooks Burnette | (706)265-9278

brooks@remodelreachmarketing.com

Marketing Services

Sourced.

Gabrielle Mills | (678)744-8877

sales@getsourced.com

Accounting;Employment;Marketing

Sparks Law, LLC

Jonathan Sparks | (470)268-5234 office@sparkslawpractice.com

Attorneys/Legal Services

SteadyBuild, LLC

Vishal Samtani | (404)916-3540 vishal@steadybuild.com

Real Estate

Synergy Benefits & Wellness

Michelle Hodgson | (404)931-0266 mhodgson@synergybenefits.com

Insurance Provider

SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS

AB Works, LLC

Allison Bible | (404)556-0767 abworks40@gmail.com

Renovation Coach

Against The Grain

Jeff Hanlon | (470)223-2284 jeff@atgtops.com

Cabinetry;Custom Bars;Countertops

Bruce Environmental, Inc.

Tony Smith | (770)439-8908

tony_tse@icloud.com

Hazardous Material Remediation

Chastain Roofing

Tina Chastain | (770)486-0820 info@chastainroofing.com

Roofing

Cosmic Design Studio

Bart Schwartz | (678)708-7920

bart@cosmicdesignstudios.com

Outdoor Living

Creative Living, LLC

Jessica Flores | (678)719-8598

jess@creativelivingllc.com

Bathrooms;Kitchens;Design

Custom Building Partners

Chloe Lowery | (678)719-8598

chloe@custombuildingpartners.com

Design;Kitchens

Design & Remodel Brothers

Jim Garip | (404)490-3023

jim@dnrbros.com

Full-Service Showrooms

Dogwood Home & Design

Don Crozier | (770)703-5667

don@dogwoodhomeanddesign.com

Bathrooms;Flooring;Kitchens

Environmental Services Of America

Elias Hernandez | (706)661-0487

contact@es-america.com

Hazardous Material Remediation

Ironclad Roofing

Joey Olson | (706)714-7663

ironcladjoey@gmail.com

Roofing

Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces, LLC

Navid Derakhshan | (404)587-5656

design@outdoormakeover.net

Outdoor Living

Schuon Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

Hans Schuon, UDCP | (770)643-9000

hansschuon@skbi.com

Bathrooms;Design;Kitchens

Skyline Electrical, LLC

Amir Paziraei | (770)820-1663

Skylineelectricalservices@gmail.com

Electrical Contractors/Suppliers

Southeastern Underdeck Systems, LLC

Heath Bowman | (678)765-7686

seud@southeasternunderdeck.com

Outdoor Living

Superior Pro LLC

Irwin Weitz | (770)642-7170

Bhutton@superiorpro.com

Exteriors

Taylor Construction + Design

Truitt Taylor | (770)833-0628

info@taylorconstructiondesign.co Basements;Bathrooms;Kitchens

STAIRS & RAILINGS

Stair Solution, LLC

Michael Keenan | (770)813-9070 ironmike@stairsolution.com

STRUCTURAL REPAIRS

Structures Inc.

David Moore, CKBR, UDCP | (770)403-6300 david@mystructures.com

Licensed Contractors; Waterproofing

TILE

Florida Tile

Montse Ordono | (770)769-1760 montse.ordono@floridatile.com

Specialty Tile Products

Anne Demers | (404)264-0727 buckhead@specialtytile.com Flooring

Temmer

Kourosh Fatemi | (678)313-1553 temmer@temmer.us Flooring;Kitchens;Natural Stone

The Tile Shop

Gil McDaniel | (678)539-1453 gilbert.mcdaniel@tileshop.com

Flooring

Tile Redi

Heather Callender | (404)512-2646

heathercallender@tileredi.com

Plumbing Contractors/ Suppliers;Waterproofing

Topcu Tile & Stone

Debra Karschnik | (877)814-9393

debra.karschnik@topcutile.com

Flooring

Traditions in Tile and Stone (770)343-9104

gail.smith@traditionsintile.com

UTILITIES

Utility Energy Services

Charles McMillan | (248)602-2070 Info@Utility-EnergyServices.com

WATERPROOFING

AquaGuard Foundation Solutions Tom DiGregorio | (770)419-9111 Foundations

Everdry Waterproofing of North Georgia

John Fahmy | (678)741-2900 tpeverdry@hotmail.com Foundations

Time to refresh your 90s home? Here’s why you might consider it.

The 1990s brought significant cultural and technological shifts that shaped an era. Homes built during this time reflect the distinct design trends and construction methods of that decade. However, as we continue further into the 21st century, you might wonder if now the right time is to update your 90s home. Here are compelling reasons to consider a refresh:

Modernizing Outdated Designs: The design features of the 90s, like brass fixtures, sponge-painted walls, and bold floral wallpapers, might hold nostalgic value but can make your home feel dated. Modern trends favor minimalism, neutral colors, and sleek, contemporary fixtures. Updating these elements can revitalize your living space and enhance its appeal.

Boosting Energy Efficiency: Energy standards have dramatically improved since the 90s. By updating your home’s insulation, windows, and HVAC systems, you can reduce energy usage, lower your utility bills, and decrease your carbon footprint. Modern smart home technologies also offer additional ways to enhance efficiency and comfort.

Addressing Wear and Tear: After three decades, signs of aging are natural. Whether it’s the roof, deck, or plumbing, addressing these issues can prevent larger problems down the road, ensuring your home remains safe and durable.

Increasing Property Value: Real estate is an investment, and maintaining or increasing your home’s value is crucial. Modernized kitchens, updated bathrooms, and open living spaces are highly attractive to today’s homebuyers and can command a higher market price.

Adapting to Lifestyle Changes: The way we live has evolved since the 90s,

with more people working from home and an increase in multigenerational households.

Updating your home’s layout to include a home office, larger communal areas, or extra bedrooms can better accommodate these changing lifestyle needs.

Embracing Technological Advancements: While the 90s introduced us to the internet, today’s technology offers much more, from advanced security systems to smart appliances and integrated entertainment systems. These enhancements can significantly improve convenience and your overall home experience.

Personal Satisfaction: Finally, updating your home is a deeply personal decision that can bring great joy and satisfaction. Transforming your space to reflect your current tastes and preferences can make your home feel truly yours and a place you’re excited to return to each day.

While homes from the 90s carry their unique charm, updating can provide significant benefits, from enhancing

functionality and comfort to increasing the property’s value. If you decide to embark on renovations, prioritize updates that align with your longterm goals and budget. Always choose a licensed remodeler for your projects, ideally a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), to ensure quality and professionalism.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

André 3000 will bring ‘New Blue Sun’ to Atlanta Jazz Festival

By Collin Kelley

André 3000 will bring his acclaimed flute album “New Blue Sun” to the Atlanta Jazz Festival over Memorial Day weekend.

The co-founder of Outkast is fresh off a series of dates at Variety Playhouse where he and his band played ambient freeform concerts with a few tunes from his debut solo album thrown into the mix.

He’ll be joined by other jazz luminaries, including Lizz Wright, Paquito D’Rivera, and more for the three-day festival in Piedmont Park, May 25-27. Admission is free.

“We have a fabulous lineup of musicians performing at the 47th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival on Memorial Day Weekend,” Camille Russell Love, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, said in a statement on Monday. “We invite you to experience an eclectic mix of jazz by national artists on Saturday, explore the global sounds of some of the world’s best international artists on Sunday, and discover the latest music from notable Atlanta musicians on Monday.”

To learn more about the artists performing at this year’s festival and our late-night and pre-festival concerts, visit atljazzfest.com.

Here’s the schedule in Piedmont Park:

Saturday, May 25

1 p.m.    New Jazz Underground

3 p.m.    Sullivan Fortner

5 p.m.    Butcher Brown

7 p.m.    Cécile McLorin Salvant

9 p.m.    Something Else!

Sunday, May 26

1 p.m.    OKAN

3 p.m.    Luca Ciarla Trio

5 p.m.    Jacques Schwarz-Bart

7 p.m.    OLATUJA

9 p.m.    Paquito D’Rivera

Monday, May 27

1 p.m.    Justice Michael & The Passage

3 p.m.    KELS

5 p.m.    Groove Centric

7 p.m.    André 3000: New Blue Sun LIVE

9 p.m.    Lizz Wright

The Atlanta Jazz Festival Presents WCLK AT 50 on May 24

To celebrate WCLK 91.9’s 50th Anniversary the Atlanta Jazz Festival is presenting WCLK At 50: Featuring Lil John Roberts with an Atlanta AllStar Band, along with some very special guests, at Atlanta Symphony Hall at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 24. Tickets will go on sale March 8. To purchase tickets, visit atljazzfest.com.

Enjoy a Late-Night Jazz Concert on May 25

Vocalist and composer Lauren Henderson will be the featured performer at this year’s late-night event at Park Tavern at 10 pm on Saturday, May 25. To reserve your tickets, visit atljazzfest.com.

Andre 3000’s “New Blue Sun” (Epic Records)

Art of Nature installations return to Blue Heron

By Becca McCoy

Throughout time, nature has been a muse for artists. The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Art takes nature as its model.” Combining art and nature invites exploration of the natural world, deepens our understanding of ourselves, and has quantifiable benefits to our well-being.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve’s founding mission is to “create a personal experience with nature through conservation, education, and the arts.” And for almost a decade, the annual outdoor exhibition Art of Nature has served this mission by merging the Preserve’s unique greenspace with Atlanta’s visionary artists.

Curated by Blue Heron’s 2024 Artistin-Residence Dorothy O’Connor, the 10th Annual Art of Nature features new projects from previous participating artists,

considering the theme “Community.” The diverse collection of artistic projects ranges from the permanent to the ephemeral, from works encouraging examination to works promoting interaction. Among the 2024 installations are:

Diana Toma’s mural on a concrete cistern in the Woodland Loop Trail, applied to keep part of the original surface, building the imagery around stains, age spots, and peeling paint as if it’s always been there.

Alison Hamil, a previous Blue Heron Artist-in-Residence, added to her on-site murals roster with an Ant Trail Crosswalk. The ants, painted on the pavement, guide visitors along the trail from Rickenbacker Drive to the opposite side of Nancy Creek.

Bautanzt Here, an Atlanta-based site-specific dance theatre company, performed “Shielding Echoes” at the April

20 opening. Under the guidance of Nadya Zeitlin, Bautanzt Here (from bau meaning “build” and tanzt for “dancing”) tells visually engaging stories in unconventional spaces, making dance accessible, often to people who don’t usually attend dance performances.

Laura Bell’s ten cyanotype fabric panels, hung from the trees in the center of the Preserve between Nancy Creek and the Woodland Loop Trail, with imagery representing the plant and animal species found in the distinct habitats of the Preserve.

Becca Rodriguez created a tabletop (or “forest floor”) life cycle role-playing game, made to complete the journey from egg to fully metamorphosed frog. Becca is an artist and a volunteer with the Amphibian Foundation, a nonprofit in residence at Blue Heron Nature Preserve, and her game is located near their mesocosms off the Confluence Trail. The exhibition also features work from Nneka Kai, Shana L. Robbins, Hellenne Vermillion, Julia Hill, and an artist team comprised of Sylvia Cross, Nicole Haysler, Wes Cribb, and Randy Taylor. Art of Nature 2024: Community can be enjoyed through June 9 anytime the Preserve is open as a self-guided tour.

A map, visual references, and artist statements are available at bhnp.org/arts/ art-of-nature/ and each installation is accompanied by signage. In addition, Art of Nature 2024: Community partnered with Georgia State University for “Canary in the Water,” an exhibit in the Indoor Gallery from three Graduate Student Artists, curated by Pam Longobardi and Jeremy Bolen. Nature-inspired artworks will be on display from Heather Bird Harris, Leslie Drennan, and Cheyenne Hendrickson. Art of Nature 2024: Community is sponsored by Georgia Power, Aprio, YKK AP, and Northside Hospital.

An installation by Bautantz Here. (Images courtesy Blue Heron Nature Preserve)

Artwork by Laura Bell.

Artwork by Diana Toma.

Streak

Fulton, DeKalb to mark Older Americans Month with events

By Bob Pepalis

The DeKalb County Public Library and Fulton County Department of Senior Services will recognize Older Americans Month (OAM) during May.

This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” highlights the impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being of older adults.

DeKalb

This year, the library is bringing back the senior talent and variety show on May 22 at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center during the library’s annual OAM celebration.

The library is also using this opportunity to highlight its SeniorCONNECT program for homebound people, ages 55 and up. The program aims to decrease social isolation and loneliness by providing

May during Older Americans Month is one of the ways we do that.”

Fulton

The Fulton County Department of Senior Services has scheduled a series of events and virtual programs throughout the county for OAM.

Fulton County has scheduled 47 in-person and virtual experiences with events ranging from art exhibits to health fairs.

SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS

library resources and support such as book discussions, technical assistance, and access to virtual programs. Find more information at dekalblibrary.org/ seniorconnect.

The guide to all OAM programs at the library is located at dekalblibrary. org/news/older-americansmonth-2024. Programs are offered free, though some require registration.

“Seniors are some of our most treasured library patrons, and many of them have been visiting DCPL for decades,” said Myguail Chappel, branch supervisor for Library Take-Out Services, DeKalb County Public Library. “They tell us that the library is an important part of their social infrastructure, and we want to let all seniors know we are here to support them. Honoring them each

Highlights include an Annual Artist Walk, Field Day Games, and a T65 Day Party, which allows seniors to learn about different fitness programs and healthy living options while engaging in physical activities. Other OAM offerings include Movie Night, Connection Café, Mother’s Day celebrations, and activities that promote mental and physical wellness. Events planned at the Dorothy C. Benson MP Facility at 6500 Vernon Woods Drive in Sandy Springs include the “Third Act Dating: A Guide to Companionship” at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Bestselling author, Emory University professor, and dating coach Gillian Royes will host a workshop for seniors looking for companionship and will cover preparing to date, internet dating, avoiding scams, matchmaking services, and serendipitous meetings.

“Older Americans Month is a wonderful opportunity for Fulton County to honor older adults and their contributions to the community,” Pamela Roshell, Fulton County’s chief operating officer for Health, Human Services and Public Works, said in the release. “The Fulton County Department of Senior Services will continue to promote healthy thinking regarding aging — and how we all benefit when seniors remain actively engaged, connected, and included.”

For information about ongoing programs and services for seniors, contact the STARline at (404) 613-6000 or email seniorservices@fultoncountyga.gov.

Courtesy Fulton County.

The Philippines’ most communal feast became the calling card for Kamayan ATL

By Beth McKibben

Mia Orino and Carlo Gan founded Kamayan ATL in 2018 to reconnect with the food of their native Philippines and the small population of Filipino people living around Atlanta. They named the pop-up after a traditional feasting style in the Philippines called “kamayan” where those gathered spread food along a table dressed from end-to-end with verdant banana leaves. Groups of people then stand or sit around the table and use sticky rice and their hands to scoop up bites of food.

“Kamayan is coming together with the people you love and trust the most or have a strong bond with. Everything is eaten with your hands,” Orino explained. “It’s very communal and that’s important to Filipino people. The name fit for many reasons.”

Community has been at the heart of the Buford Highway Filipino restaurant since it operated as a pop-up serving from a subdivision clubhouse in metro Atlanta nearly seven years ago.

Within months of those first clubhouse pop-ups, Orino and Gan found themselves serving Filipino dishes like shrimp and pork lumpia (fried spring rolls), bowls of pancit bihon (noodles), and lechon kawali (crispy pork

belly) at restaurants such as Ba Bellies, A Mano, and Lazy Betty. Most diners they encountered at the Kamayan ATL pop-ups were non-Filipinos, Orino said, and many times not of Asian descent.

Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Orino and Gan struggled to keep the pop-up going,

Kamayan ATL as a restaurant in a centuryold house in Kirkwood close to their home in Decatur. The bungalow included a koi pond similar to one found at Orino’s childhood home in Manilla. But the buildout proved too costly on the property. They soon found a restaurant space at the iconic Asian Square restaurant and retail complex on Buford Highway in Doraville.

Kamayan ATL opened as a restaurant in 2022. Lines snaked out the front door and reservations stayed booked for weeks. The James Beard Foundation recognized Orino and Gan as semifinalists for Emerging Chef that same year. In 2023, Michelin placed Kamayan ATL in its inaugural dining guide to Atlanta.

The kamayan feast has become the restaurant’s calling card.

The design for Kamayan ATL centers on the community, too, including walls decorated with artwork from friends and local and national Filipino artists and photographers. An ornate scarf owned by Orino’s mother hangs framed near the prep area and counter in back.

Punctuating the room is a replica of a bahay kudo; a traditional house indigenous to the Philippines. Built on stilts and made from natural materials like bamboo, friends, family, and the community help

diners continued to show up for their food.

“Those early pop-up days showed us how diverse Atlanta is and how much people here want to support each other and learn. Atlantans are adventurous eaters,” Orino said.

They had planned on opening

construct the house for their neighbor by hand. When the neighbor decides to move, that same community returns to help, hoisting the house upon their shoulders and carrying it to its next location.

At Kamayan ATL, the bahay kudo

Kamayan ATL owners Mia Orino and Carlo Gan talk with guests (including Rough Draft’s Beth McKibben) at the Doraville restaurant. (Photos by Isadoran Pennington)

Kamayan means “by hand” in the Filipino Tagalog dialect.

Mia Orino and Carlo Gan.

hosts up to 20 people for kamayan feasts. It’s a rare week when the restaurant doesn’t have a kamayan booked in the bahay kudo.

What is kamayan?

Kamayan means “by hand” in the Filipino Tagalog dialect with dishes laid out upon large green banana leaves spread across long tables like a buffet. People host kamayans on beaches, in their homes, or places suitable for sizable groups dining together throughout the archipelago’s nearly 8,000 islands.

While it’s most often and traditionally referred to as a kamayan, some Filipino communities call the feast a “boodle fight.” The slang term was first coined during the American occupation of the Philippines in the early 20th century. Filipino troops ate kamayan style, regardless of rank, because the meal was easy to set up wherever they were based for the day and to feed big groups without utensils. Sometimes the meal would turn into an eating contest.

Whether called kamayan or boodle fight, the communal aspect of the meal remains its central tenet.

Orino and Gan used to offer a kamayan option as part of the regular restaurant menu, but the preparation is labor intensive. Cooking multiple dishes and designing and laying out the feast can take between four and six hours from start to finish. The restaurant now offers the kamayan as a catering option and for private dining in the bahay kudo. The largest kamayan spread the restaurant prepared fed nearly 300 people. It took an entire day to prepare, even with a team of employees and volunteers.

giant prawns don’t require rice. You often just make up how you want to eat food on the table as you go along, Orino said.

“We just want to feed you,” she said. “So there’s no judgement on how you eat, but with rice and by hand is easiest and the best way to enjoy a kamayan.”

Kamayan ATL does provide chopsticks when asked.

Kamayan dish highlights

■ Lumpia (fried spring rolls stuffed with pork, shrimp, or vegetables)

■ Pancit Bihon-Canton (rice and wheat noodles tossed with stir-fried vegetables)

■ Ube puto (steamed purple yam rice cake)

■ Lechon kawali (thick cubes of crispy fried pork belly)

■ Vegan kare-kare (peanut stew with bokchoy, eggplant, and green beans)

■ Whole fried pompano

■ Barbecue chicken or pork skewers

■ Whole barbecue shrimp skewers (head- and tail-on)

■ Crispy pata (deep-fried pork leg)

How you eat:

The kamayan at Kamayan ATL features at least 12 dishes, along with plenty of rice and dipping sauces. You eat fruits like mangos, jackfruit, and kiwis and pickled vegetables between bites as palate cleansers. To eat, you scoop up glutinous sticky rice from the table using four fingers,

making an indentation in the middle with your thumb. Next, you compose the bite with other ingredients, like tender pork and bits of fish or longganisa (sausage). Mash down the bite, top it with sauce, and pop it into your mouth.

Other dishes like lumpia, thick cubes of crispy lechon kawali (pork belly), and

Booking a private kamayan

While catering is available, the restaurant offers private kamayans in the bahay kudo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays after 5:30 p.m. for 10 or more people. It’s $75 per person and $37.50 per child up to 12 years old. Kamayan ATL provides fresh juices and tea. People can also BYOB.

Asian Square, 5150 Buford Highway, Doraville. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations highly encouraged.

Kamayan ATL is in the inaugural Michelin dining guide.

Carlo Gan prepares food tableside at the restaurant.

Continued from page 30

Trio of Ray’s Restaurants sold to TEI Hospitality

By Beth McKibben

Ray Schoenbaum, the man behind Ray’s Restaurants, will retire from the business after more than 40 years. And he’s selling his trio of restaurants in Sandy Springs, Downtown Atlanta, and Alpharetta.

Schoenbaum will sell Ray’s on the River, Ray’s in the City, and Ray’s at Killer Creek to Kennesaw-based TEI Hospitality, the Atlanta Business Chronicle first reported. The deal finalizes in June.

The new owners plan to retain the current Ray’s staff and the names of all three restaurants, according to a press release.

“Like us, TEI Hospitality is a familyowned company that has been around for decades, so they share our values and understand the importance of relationships and providing our guests a first-class experience,” said Schoenbaum in a prepared statement. “Choosing a

buyer was not something I took lightly . . . Nothing is going to change!”

TEI Hospitality owner Dan GroomTraina echoed Schoenbaum’s sentiment, stating, “Ray’s isn’t going anywhere and will keep serving its communities for the next 40 years!”

Schoenbaum, the son of Alex Schoenbaum, the founder of the Shoney’s restaurant chain, opened Ray’s on the River in 1984. The restaurant resides along the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs. Ray’s at Killer Creek opened in 1998 in Alpharetta, followed five years later by Ray’s in the City at the AmericasMart on Peachtree.

Ray’s Restaurants became synonymous with casual fine dining in Atlanta. The menu features everything from lump crab cakes and seafood gumbo to pecan-crusted trout and prime rib. The popular weekend brunch buffet is one of Ray’s signature meal offerings at the Sandy Springs location.

Rreal Tacos opens new Buckhead location

By Beth McKibben

The Buckhead location of Rreal Tacos is now open in the former Farm Burger space on Piedmont Road. It will become the seventh location of the taco restaurant owned by Damian Otero and Miguel Hernandez.

Rreal Tacos serves a variety of street tacos, along with tacos filled with birria, grilled fish, and pork belly. The menu also features costra tacos (protein wrapped in fried cheese), taco platters, tortas, birria pizza, and burritos. Expect margaritas from the bar and DJs on the weekends in the Buckhead location at 3365 Piedmont Road.

Named for founding Chef Adrian Villarreal, Rreal Tacos first opened nearly a decade ago at the corner of 6th and Juniper streets in Midtown. The

menu offered tacos and dishes based on those found in Villarreal’s hometown of Monterrey, Mexico.

Villarreal sold the restaurant to Otero and Hernandez in 2022, who began a rapid expansion of Rreal Tacos. The restaurant chain now includes additional locations in Atlanta’s Home Park neighborhood, Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Cumming, and Sugar Hill.

Farm Burger closed last fall in Buckhead after 12 years at Tower Place, followed by the Grant Park location in January. The Grant Park Farm Burger lasted only six years on Memorial Drive. Owner George Frangos said at the time of the closure that he and business partner Jason Mann planned to focus on the remaining locations in Midtown, VirginiaHighland, and Decatur and expanding to other cities across the Southeast.

Ray’s on the River (Courtesy Ray’s Restaurants)

Courtesy Rreal Tacos

REAL ESTATE

High Street welcomes first tenants to new apartments

By Cathy Cobbs

After decades of delays and modifications to its design, Perimeter’s mixed-use district High Street has officially welcomed its first wave of residents into its multifamily units.

MAY MEETINGS & EVENTS

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 350B, Tucker, GA 30084

• MAY 3 - 7 P.M.

First Friday Concert The Troubadour Project Church Street Greenspace 4316 Church Street

• MAY 6 - 6:30 P.M. Downtown Development Authority

• MAY 7 - 7 P.M.

Zoning Board of Appeals

• MAY 13 - 7 P.M. City Council Meeting

• MAY 16 - 7 P.M. Planning Commission

• MAY 18 & 19

Sneak Peek Weekend at Tucker City Pools

• MAY 23 - 7 P.M. Movie on the Green Elemental Church Street

Greenspace 4316 Church Street

• MAY 27 MEMORIAL DAY

All City ofces closed

• MAY 25 - 7 P.M.

City Council Work Session

According to a release from the developers, more than 100 leases have been signed and at least 50 residents have moved into the apartments since opening in late January.

The apartments at High Street total 598 units across two buildings – Windsor Brompton and Windsor Avery. Prices range from $1,500 a month for a 500-square-foot studio apartment to about $3,000 for an 1,100-squarefoot, two-bedroom unit, according to the High Street website.

“We’re thrilled to welcome our residents to High Street and everything this premier mixed-use destination has to offer,” James Linsley, President of GID Development Group, said. “Residents will have an incredible mix of chef-driven restaurants, engaging retailers and experiential concepts coming straight to their doorstep, along with beautiful private amenities.”

The residences are part of High Street’s $2 billion, 36-acre mixed-use and campus located at the intersection of Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive. The first phase features 150,000 square feet of retail, 598 apartments and 310,000 square feet of office, including

90,000 square feet of new Class A office.

High Street’s apartments offer 16 different floor plans. According to the release, residents can choose their unit and price point based on balcony size and orientation, cabinetry colors, work-from-home desks, standalone tubs and other amenities.

The complex also includes a fitness and yoga studio, pool and sundeck, catering kitchen and private dining room, coworking spaces, an outdoor dog run and dog wash, outdoor gaming lawn, a bike lounge and repair station and more.

Retail outlets will be located on the

The High Street development has been on paper since 2007. That’s when DeKalb County approved rezoning for the massive mixed-use development that includes 1,500 apartments and 1,500 condominiums, 400,000 square feet of new office, 400,000 square feet of retail and 400 hotel rooms. After Dunwoody became a city, the plan underwent a series of changes in the scope of the project.

Developer GID broke ground at the site in 2021. When completed, the campus will span 10 blocks and contain 672,000 square feet of office space, 400,000 square feet of retail, 3,000 residential units and a 400-key hotel.

ground floor of the building, with incoming tenants such as Puttshack, Jaguar Bolera, Nando’s PERi-PERi, Velvet Taco, Allen Edmonds, Skin Spirit, The Hampton Social, Agave Bandido, Cuddlefish, Ben & Jerry’s and Sugar Coat.

Courtesy GID Development Group

Windsor Brompton Apartments

Summer Camps

MJCCA’s Jewish Summer Overnight Camp in the North Georgia Mountains for Campers Completing K–10th Grades

JOIN US FOR A SUMMER TOUR

June 9 or July 14

Learn about the magic of Camp Barney Medintz! Take a tour while we’re in session to feel the excitement of camp in action. Open to prospective families whose children are not at Camp Barney Medintz at the time of the tour.

TOUR RSVPs REQUIRED: campbarney.org/camptours

Fall Tours: Aug. 18 or Sept. 8

Take a guided tour of camp! RSVP: campbarney.org/camptours Summer 2025 Registration Opens for Returning Families: Sept. 17 Opens for All: Sept. 24

camp for youth ages 7-18