Shopping - Coweta Living 2011

Shopping

A publication of

The Times-Herald

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New shopping,

dining abound choices in Coweta

By Elizabeth Melville

oweta County continues to be a destination for people in search of shopping and dining opportunities.

Local communities are the backbone of the county’s overall success, creating a place for residents to live, work and play.

The face of downtown Newnan may be evolving, but its historic charm remains unchanged. Business in Senoia is on the rise thanks in part to the continued success of the movie industry – as well as an abundance of rich history. Ashley Park has become a gathering place with plentiful opportunities for those in search of shopping and entertainment.

Downtown Newnan is home to over 15 restaurants, with new restaurants opening all the time, according to Martha Ann Parks, chair of the Newnan Downtown Development Authority and a Main Street Newnan member.

Grille 1904 opened on East Washington at the end of 2010, and SaZa, Serious Italian, opened its doors on Jefferson Street in spring

Business in Senoia is on the rise thanks in part to the continued success of the movie industry – as well as an abundance of rich history.

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2011. Both restaurants serve lunch and offer fine dining at dinner.

A new deli, Sugar Magnolia, was slated to open in summer 2011 on the Court Square. It features gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as specialty foods and wines. A Taste of Homemade was also expected to open in summer 2011 on Perry Street to serve breakfast and lunch. The restaurant will feature cakes, coffee, pastries and sandwiches, according to Parks.

“Downtown Newnan has a growing arts scene,” said Parks.

Farrago, an art gallery, has opened in loft space on Greenville Street. It features the work of several resident artists and offers art classes to the public. Corner Arts Gallery & Studio opened in July 2011 on Jefferson Street. It features works of local artists and also offers art lessons and supplies, according to Parks.

In addition to the thriving restaurant and entertainment scene in downtown, there are several antique stores giving old furnishings new life.

Grannie Fannie’s opened in April 2011 to offer a variety of antiques, collectibles and gently used furniture. It joined at least four similar businesses.

“Although our beloved Brothers Limited closed its doors, we have new clothing stores on the scene,” said Parks.

Drops of Heaven opened on Perry Street

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Etain Bridal Boutique at Ashley Park is one of Newnan’s newest retail shops.

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Some of Coweta’s newest retail and dining options include Grannie Fannie’s in downtown Newnan, with partner Carol Glover behind the counter, above, and Thai Heaven restaurant at Ashley Park.

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in spring 2011. Our Secret Store Specialty Wear set up shop on East Broad.

In the absence of Main Street staff for a few months during 2011, members have “kept the momentum going,” Parks assures.

“Historic downtown Newnan remains the heart and soul of Coweta County and is the authentic atmosphere that all other shopping destinations aspire to be,” said Parks.

Downtown Senoia is now home to five dining establishments, including Founders Restaurant and Bar, Senoia Coffee and Café, Maguire’s Family & Friends Restaurant and Irish Pub, Redneck Gourmet and, the newest addition, Small Town Pizza, according to Suzanne Helfman, chairman of Senoia’s Downtown Development Authority.

Additionally, Senoia has a variety of

The face of downtown Newnan may be evolving, but its historic charm remains unchanged.

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antique – and “junktique” – boutiques and home accessory stores. Hollberg’s Fine Furniture has long been a mainstay in downtown, according to Helfman.

A new building was constructed on Main Street in recent years. Upstairs is medical office space, and downstairs there is a bakery, a wine shop and retail shops.

“We constantly have new shops coming in,” said Helfman. She anticipated the addition of a lady’s apparel boutique and chocolate shop in summer 2011.

Additionally, the DDA purchased the city’s old police station, located on Main Street. One building will become the new location for the Welcome Center. The other will be renovated and used as retail space.

“That will free up the space we’re in now at 9 Main St. for new retail,” said Helfman.

Senoia continues to attract new movie projects thanks to Raleigh Studios Atlanta at Riverwood and Georgia’s tax incentives.

Lifetime Television’s Drop Dead Diva continues regular filming in town.

AMC’s The Walking Dead series was

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slated for several months of filming in Senoia during 2011. The major motion picture The Wettest County in the World also filmed scenes in town. “We continue to be a destination for filming, which spurs our economic development,� said Helfman.

Helfman said Senoia also continues to be a destination for travelers, especially those interested in historic homes and filmmaking. “We see many first-time visitors,� she said. “People just immediately fall in love with this little town.�

Similarly, Ashley Park continues to add infill to its shopping development.

In April 2011, the development welcomed a state-of-the-art gym facility, Atlanta Fitness, next to Belk. Ashley Park has also welcomed Etain Bridal Boutique, Thai Heaven, Zany Cuts for Kids & Tweens hair salon, and The Skin Spa of Newnan Dermatology.

A frozen yogurt shop, Yogli Mogli, opened its doors in summer 2011, according to Charla Tarr, director of tenant services.

Local non-profits and high schools frequently make use of Ashley Park for fundraising opportunities, according to Kristy Pruitt-Hardage of Event Services. The shopping center also partners with area businesses to present community activities.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers has regular programs for families, such as story time and holiday events. “The community has been here for us, and through these relationships we can continue to offer events and activities for them as well,� said PruittHardage.

Visitors can enjoy endless amounts of activities, such as sipping coffee and watching traffic travel Main Street,

having family fun time at Monkey Joe’s, treating someone special to spa services, dining at one of several locations and, of course, shopping. “Families are always looking for that one-stop destination where they can save money,� said Pruitt-Hardage. “Ashley Park is the place for them to do just that.� CL

Small Town Pizza in Senoia is one of the town’s newest dining choices.

Serving The Coweta-Fayette Area Since 1983.

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Junkin’ in Coweta

By Kimberly Campbell | Photos by Bob Fraley

JUNKER (n: a person in search of new or used items at a discount price that could perhaps be repurposed).

Junker Anne Nelson

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unkers visit garage sales, thrift shops, estate sales, auctions, antique malls, and even the side of the road— anywhere items can be found and purchased at incredible savings. What are junkers hoping to find? Collectibles, yard art, furniture, vintage décor, Americana and bric-a-brac. You name it.

Sometimes the thrill is more in the search than in the discovery. Junkers also have other nicknames. They’ve been dubbed pickers,

Coweta Living 2011-12 • SHOPPING & DINING

thriftaholics, second-hand queens and more.

According to Newnan resident Anne Nelson, a kindergarten teacher at Moreland Elementary, there are some tried and true techniques to the trade. She has been a picker for years. Nelson says, “A real picker keeps their eyes peeled for trash on the side of the road, yard sales, garage sales, old rundown houses, and any thrift store. I’ll even keep a lookout for homes that are for rent or for sale, then stop and tell them I’m willing to help them clear out the ‘junk’ if they’ll let me look through everything. At yard sales I’ll offer to pick up the leftovers in hopes of finding something I could sell in my booth or use to make some sort of mixed media art. Estate sales are great too, but only if they are run by a family and not a company (because families have better prices).

Families just want to get rid of things!”

Nelson taps into a variety of local resources. She says, “I’ve even knocked on the door of certain homes to ask if they have anything they want to get rid of!”

What does Nelson do with all of this stuff ? She and her mother have a booth in downtown Newnan’s Vintage Flea called “The Good Buy Girls” and another booth in downtown Woodbury.

Nelson is always on the lookout for terrific finds. One of her best was at the big annual yard sale on Greenville Street in Newnan: an old set of Bakelite dominoes purchased for $3 and sold for $65. She also found a large stash of old eyeglasses for $1 each. She later discovered they were 14 karat gold and sold them for several hundred dollars on eBay. Another all-time favorite find was a massive amount of flashcards from the 1890s to 1920s. It took her a while to resell them all because she personally enjoyed looking at them at home.

However, Nelson is keenly aware of when it’s finally time to move some of her items to her booth. It’s when her husband says, “You’re driving me crazy!” (That’s his way of telling her she has too much stuff lying around their house.) This summer she and her husband also held their own estate sale

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Ten East Washington “WHERE EATING

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This patio set with tables is one of Anne Nelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite buys. She got the couch, two chairs and tables for a total of just $20.

and made more than $5,000 selling many things Nelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bought over recent years.

Savvy junkers can make big profits.

But Nelson says the real fun of pickinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t solely about making money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also about the joy of sharing and a way to stay connected to paper and old fashioned traditions.â&#x20AC;?

She says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people would be excited about finding an old trunk at an estate sale, but I love the old memories tucked inside.â&#x20AC;? She often sells what she finds inside these old trunks for next to nothing (for example, a Anne Nelson bought this Reddi-Wip cooler at an auction. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house where it will be handwritten recipe for used as a beer cooler.

50 cents).

Scouting the perfect pick is easier than you think. Anyone can

Newnan, GA 11 N. Court Square

Senoia, GA

770-251-0092

678-723-0235

42 Main Street

Catering Available www.redneckgourmet.com

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learn the art of junkin’ and become an expert picker. You just have to start looking! A good tip to remember if you’re planning to try your hand at pickin’ and junkin’: haggling is allowed.

Just because the price tag says $5 doesn’t mean you can’t make a lower offer on an item. Many times a lower bid is accepted!

With a little effort and ingenuity you can find deals on a lot of stuff around town. And with the economy the way it is who would object to being thrifty?

Besides, one person’s trash ... CL

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Combined Local Collectors Eclectic Mix of Periods and Styles Unique Handmade Gifts Works by Local Artists Wood Furniture Repair and Restoration Custom Furniture s Sign Painting s Lamp Repair www.granniefannies.com

Look for local announcements of the annual Greenville Street yard sale, usually held every spring. Also, in addition to a variety of informal roadside marketplaces scattered around town, as well as a nice number of antique shops and consignment stores, here are some places around Coweta to start your own junkin’ journey.

Thrift Shops (donation driven) • Community Welcome House thrift stores, 13 Augusta Dr. and 4 Fair St., Newnan • Goodwill Thrift Store, 228 Bullsboro Dr., Newnan • Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 150 Pine Rd., Newnan

Open for LUNCH 11 AM - 2 PM and DINNER 5 PM - 11 PM Mon.-Sat. Closed for lunch on Saturday Reservations for 5 or more.

11 Jefferson Street, Newnan, GA

770.683.FOOD (3663) www.sazapizza.com

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• One Roof Ecumenical Outreach, 320-C Temple Ave., Newnan • Salvation Army Thrift Store, 670 Jefferson St., Newnan • Upscale Resale Shoppe, 31 Market Square Rd., Suite 105, Newnan

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Newnan

a great place for youth

he town of Newnan in Coweta County has always had a reputation of being a small town. However, that is not necessarily true. For a young person who enjoys going out and spending time with friends, the town of Newnan is perfect.

If you’re a newcomer to Newnan between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, the first place to visit is the Town Square. The square is dripping with history since many businesses and buildings have been there for more than 50 years. With many family-owned businesses such as Scott’s Bookstore, Redneck Gourmet and Plain Stitches, the square is a great place to shop and eat and have fun while also learning about the town and getting to know its people. With two parks, it is also a good place for kids to come and play or for families to have picnics.

Friends could make a day of going to the square, hanging out, going shopping and having fun while also feeling the hospitality of Newnan.

During the fall, you are welcome to attend home football games at Newnan High School, East Coweta High School and Northgate High School. The whole season leads up to Homecoming, championships and the alwaysanticipated rivalry game between Newnan and East Coweta!

Refreshments are sold as well as food at all games. It is a great way of coming out to have a good time with friends, get spirited, and

Story and photos by Kristian Hammond, Journalism Intern

Five Guys, the Georgian Cinemas and Scott’s Bookstore are all great places for youth to visit.

support the local Cougar, Indian and Viking football teams as well as see phenomenal half-time shows performed by the marching bands.

When in Newnan, a must-see place is Ashley Park, a shopping center with restaurants, shops and a movie theatre. There are always places to find friends and go on a friend’s day or night out.

The shopping in Ashley Park is top-notch and very diverse. It is perfect for Christmas shopping, or any shopping trip. In Ashley Park, the most common place to see any group of people is the Georgian Cinemas. These are movie theatres that show great movies like Harry Potter, The Green Hornet and Twilight. They also are host to many midnight release parties as well as a free movie event for kids in the summer. This cinema is ideal for friends and families and is guaranteed to be a fun time.

In addition to the Georgian Cinemas in Ashley Park, there is

also a Carmike Cinema that also shows great movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. This theatre has been in Newnan longer than the Georgian Cinemas and is perfect for anyone and everyone who loves movies. Near it is the Junction Lanes bowling alley. With an arcade, bowling lanes and a puttputt golf course, Junction Lanes is perfect for teens, adults and families. Party rooms are also available for special occasions.

Across the way from Ashley Park is the Target shopping center with even more shopping opportunities.

So though the town of Newnan is small, it is rich in history, kindness and fun. Anyone, especially those who are 15 to 18 years old, will find the town enjoyable and fun as long as they know where to go. We welcome all newcomers to Newnan and hope to see them around Coweta County. CL SHOPPING & DINING • Coweta Living 2011-12

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