East Cobb Business Archives

Tokyo Valentino business license revocation hearing delayed

September 22, 2020 6:46 PMSeptember 22, 2020 9:18 AM by Wendy Parker

Tokyo Valentino East Cobb

A due cause hearing for revoking a business license for the Tokyo Valentino adult retail store in East Cobb is being delayed until Oct. 27.

The hearing was to have taken place Tuesday night before the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

The county said that the delay is taking place because Tokyo Valentino lawyers have submitted open records requests for information.

The county notified Tokyo Valentino Sept. 8 it was suspending a business license granted in March because of what the Cobb Community Development Agency said was false and misleading information provided in the application.

Those details included the name listed on the application, 1290 Clothing Co. LLC, the store’s inventory and misrepresentations it said Tokyo Valentino owner Michael Morrison made to the news media about his intentions for the East Cobb store.

Tokyo Valentino opened in a vacant Mattress Firm store space in June without needing rezoning or any action from the county, other than a business license that was granted in March.

Considerable opposition came from nearby residents before the store opened, as first reported in May by East Cobb News.

Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb said at the time there wasn’t anything the county could to stop the store from opening.

Last month, he proposed an overhaul of the county’s sex shop ordinance that would further restrict such businesses, and those measures passed unanimously without much public discussion.

In June, the Marietta City Council revoked the business license of a Tokyo Valentino store on Cobb Parkway for 180 days, saying the store inventory didn’t match what was on its application.

Tokyo Valentino is appealing that decision in Cobb Superior Court.

East Cobb restaurant update: Five Guys, Panera Bread opening soon

September 21, 2020 4:42 PMSeptember 21, 2020 2:08 PM by Wendy Parker

Five Guys East Cobb opening

We’re still waiting to get official word on a specific date but the new Five Guys location in East Cobb is a step closer to opening.

The former Del Taco space at the East Cobb Crossing Shopping Center (4269 Roswell Road) has been converted over the past weeks, and the final stages of the project are in progress.

That includes getting a business license, which the Cobb Community Development Agency said was issued Sept. 16.

Typically restaurants get business licenses right before opening their doors. We’ve left several messages with Five Guys for more details and will pass that along when we get them.

East Cobb Crossing also will be the location for the newest Publix store in East Cobb, with plans underway to occupy space next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. That was to have taken place this fall but there’s not an opening timetable forthcoming.

Five Guys, which specializes in gourmet hamburgers, has 48 other locations in Georgia, including Austell, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, Roswell and Woodstock.

Also last week, a business license was granted for a Panera Bread location at the new MarketPlace Terrell Mill (1430 Terrell Mill Road).

It will be the second East Cobb location, along with The Avenue East Cobb. A Panera Bread location closed several years ago at the Pavilions at East Lake, on the site of a new Kroger gas station.

MUST leader on COVID challenges: ‘Let’s not let this define us’

September 15, 2020 5:59 PM by Wendy Parker

Rev. Ike Reighard said he realized how serious COVID-19 was going to be when churches and casinos closed at the same time in March, as lockdowns began.

Cobb non-profit funding delayed — *Rev. Ike Reighard*

“When Heaven and Hell agree, we ought to take note,” quipped the senior pastor at Piedmont Church in East Cobb and president and CEO of MUST Ministries.

He told an in-person and online meeting of the East Cobb Business Association Tuesday that one of Cobb County’s prominent non-profits had its hands full tending to the crushing need for food, clothing, shelter and job assistance as pandemic-related closings threw thousands out of work and homes, and needing help providing the basics for their families.

Before they could do that, he said, the MUST staff had to reorganize its own staff, especially since they couldn’t rely on a volunteer army of around 17,000.

Instead of serving around 33,000 people in a typical year in an eight-county area, MUST has provided some form of help to nearly 125,000 people since March alone.

“We’ve already quadrupled what we do in an entire year,” Reighard said.

That includes more than a million meals, a million pounds of food for direct distribution and via pantries, putting up 238 households in motels when the MUST shelter closed and serving 78,000 total households in one form or another.

Another 400,000 meals have been provided to school students over the summer, in conjunction with the Cobb County School District, as well as other partnerships.

“To witness how people come together like this is one of the most encouraging things I’ve ever seen,” he said. As overwhelming as the needs have been, “even more overwhelming is the generosity of this community.”

He was asked to inspire business leaders who like so many have been adversely affected by the economic impact of the response to the virus.

Brimming with his usual enthusiasm, Reighard said the only way to approach such daunting challenges is that “you have to choose your attitude.

“We decided we would have to rise above the situation. We weren’t going to shut our doors. We just couldn’t disappear in our community when our community needs us the most.”

He said his staff had to “get really creative” when its main food supplier, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, became overwhelmed with requests from other non-profits.

MUST volunteers helped distribute student meals at various schools that were paid through the federal school lunch program.

With the Cobb County School District phasing in classroom returns next month, Reighard said work is finishing on restocking 39 food pantries in some of those and other schools.

Next month, MUST will break ground on a new 130-bed shelter on its current campus on Cobb Parkway near Bells Ferry Road. It’s the first phase of a two-phase process to nearly double capacity, as construction will continue into MUST’s 50th year in 2021.

Reighard said while needs in the community will remain high and the challenges to provide basic services will prove considerable, “let’s not let that define us.

“We’ve got a lot of obstacles ahead of us, but we’re going to get through this. The best is yet to come.”

MUST continues to accept donations at its donation center (1280 Field Parkway, Marietta), from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For information on making financial contributions, click here.

Lidl announces Sept. 30 grand opening for East Cobb store

September 15, 2020 1:09 PM by Wendy Parker

Lidl East Cobb opening

Updating our post from Aug. 25, here’s official word from Lidl about the East Cobb store opening at Woodlawn Square (1205 Johnson Ferry Road) on Sept. 30, the same day as a similar location opens in Woodstock:

The stores will open at 8 a.m. after a brief ribbon cutting in front of the store at 7:40 a.m. The stores will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday. The East Cobb and Woodstock stores will be Lidl’s tenth and eleventh in the Atlanta area and were part of its recently announced 50-store East Coast expansion.

“I am delighted to welcome another Lidl store to our county,” said Cobb County Commission Chairman Mike Boyce. “I’m certain the neighbors will enjoy their shopping experience and am glad Lidl is investing in Cobb County for their new locations.”

Lidl’s top priority is the health and safety of its customers and team members. A detailed overview of the protective measures in place can be found here: https://www.lidl.com/coronavirus-update.

Grand Opening Event Details

Customers will be able to take advantage of get-them-while-you-can grand opening special offers at the new stores. The first 100 customers will be presented with a special gift card ranging from $5 to $100 each. Shoppers can be entered to win a $500 Lidl gift card, as well as take advantage of special giveaways.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce chairman’s term extended through 2021

September 14, 2020 1:33 PM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information: John Loud, Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Today, the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors announced they will extend the terms of their 2020 Board of Directors chair leadership.

As the 2020 Chairman of the Board, John Loud, President of LOUD Security Systems, will now remain Board Chairman until the end of 2021. Loud will be succeeded by Britt Fleck, Regional Director of the Metro West Region of Georgia Power, who will continue as Chair-Elect in 2021 and will begin her term as Chairwoman in 2022. Greg Teague, President of Croy Engineering, will now begin his role as Chair-Elect in 2022 and will become Chairman of the Board in 2023.

“In order to help the Cobb Chamber best navigate the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Board of Directors held a special vote to extend the term for its board chair leadership,” said Mitch Rhoden, Immediate Past Chairman of the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors. “During these uncertain times, the board wants to provide consistent leadership for the Chamber.”

“This consistency of our board chair leadership will enable our chamber to continue focusing on leading this community’s needed economic recovery,” said Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “John Loud, Britt Fleck, Greg Teague, Mitch Rhoden, our entire board and team have been instrumental working together through this crisis and it is a blessing to work with each of them.”

The Cobb Chamber’s Board of Directors is the organization’s governing body. The Board of Directors consists of 91 voting board members, including a 21-member Executive Committee, representing the county’s diverse populations, geographies, and industries.

Ott reflects on time as commissioner to East Cobb business group

September 14, 2020 12:40 PMSeptember 14, 2020 9:05 AM by Wendy Parker

Bob Ott

As he spends his last few months in office, Cobb commissioner Bob Ott is getting invited to speak about his 12-year tenure.

Ott addressed the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce last week, reviewing business and economic development, zoning and land use issues, infrastructure, health care, libraries, parks and more.

(You can watch his full presentation at this link).

“Indeed it has been a ride,” said Ott, who announced in January he would not be seeking a fourth term.

Ott is a former president of the East Cobb Civic Association and served on the Cobb Planning Commission. In 2008, he defeated commissioner Joe Thompson, who had appointed him to that board.

The Republican who lives in the Powers Ferry-Terrell Mill area has represented District 2, which includes most of East Cobb as well as the Cumberland-Smyrna-Vinings area.

Ott said the biggest economic driver was the construction of the Atlanta Braves stadium, now called Truist Park, that he said has generated 22,000 jobs in the district.

“We didn’t just get a stadium” he said, referencing the adjacent The Battery Atlanta development and the 22-story Thyssen-Krupp tower that’s opening soon.

Another major development that he steered is the MarketPlace Terrell mixed-use project that’s underway at Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill.

It’s the centerpiece of the Powers Ferry corridor that was the subject of the first of four master plans that have been developed in District 2.

“If we get certain things to go, everything else will follow,” he said, referring to nearby businesses that have upgraded, including a BP station across the road.

A Wendy’s restaurant has opened at the MarketPlace Terrell Mill, with other restaurants and eateries coming on line soon, as well as an apartment complex. The anchor will be a Kroger superstore.

Ott said that in his time in office, 5,000 apartments have been built in District 2, with around 3,500 of them in the Cumberland/Battery area, “where they should be.”

The other master plans included Vinings, design guidelines for the Johnson Ferry corridor and last week, when commissioners approved one for the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford area.

He said those plans include 60 percent of land in District 2, and give developers a solid guideline for developers.

For the most part, Ott said, “if they develop according to the master plan, the community is going to support it.”

In November, District 2 voters will choose his successor. Republican Fitz Johnson, a Vinings resident who serves on the board of the WellStar Health System, will face Democrat Jerica Richardson, a first-time candidate who lives in the Delk Road area.

Cobb Foodie Week participants include East Cobb restaurants

September 12, 2020 7:33 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Chamber business reopening guidelines — *Marlow’s Tavern at Merchant’s Walk put up special signs when it reopened after COVID closures in the spring.*

The Cobb Travel & Tourism office is rebranding what it’s called Cobb Restaurant Week into Cobb Foodie Week, which gets underway on Saturday.

Several East Cobb restaurants are taking place as the promotion focuses on helping eateries recover from COVID-19 closures.

Each restaurant has special items, prices and discounts that are described at the link above, as well as links to each participating restaurant. Here’s which East Cobb establishments are taking part, and the specials continue through Sept. 19:

Camps Kitchen & Bar (Paper Mill Village, 225 Village Parkway, Suite 310)
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar (The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1410)
Grand Champion BBQ (Shallowford Corners, 4401 Shallowford Road, Suite 168)
J. Christopher’s East Lake (2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2116)
Kale Me Crazy (The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1620)
Marlow’s Tavern Merchant’s Walk (1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 208)
McCray’s Tavern (Parkaire Landing, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 850)
Seed Kitchen & Bar (Merchant’s Walk, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 504)
Stockyard Burgers & Bones (The Avenue, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1700)
Taqueria Tsunami (1275 Johnson Ferry Road)
Williamson Bros. BBQ (1425 Roswell Road).

East Cobb Biz Update: Lululemon store to open at The Avenue

September 11, 2020 3:09 PMSeptember 11, 2020 1:54 PM by Wendy Parker

Lululemon The Avenue East Cobb
A pop-up version of the Lululemon Athletica women’s yoga and exercise apparel store is opening Saturday, with special hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12-6 p.m.

It’s located between the Sephora and Versona stores, and to celebrate the opening, Lululemon is giving away a $100 gift card. Customers should text “FITNESS” TO 444222 and reply YES! The winner will be notified on Monday.

The store is the 12th in Georgia for Lululemon and the first in Cobb County.

Grand opening

The grand opening and ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Anytime Fitness location at Parkaire Landing is Oct. 1 at 11 a.m.

As we noted previously, it’s run by Durran Dunn, “The Freeze” from Atlanta Braves games, who’s an elite-level sprinter. The celebration lasts until 6 p.m. and includes food, door prizes, giveaways and more.

It’s located next to the East Cobb Library.

For info: 678-909-5095; Facebook and Instagram.

Chamber launches COVID school response

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber’s Partners in Education program is launching an effort to connect local businesses with Cobb’s public school systems to provide specific items and support to help each school meet the needs of students during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In responding to the coronavirus pandemic, our local public schools have faced unprecedented challenges, all while continuing to provide the world-class education that sets Cobb County apart,” said Dana Johnson, COO of the Cobb Chamber and Executive Director of SelectCobb. “Every year Partners in Education brings businesses and schools together, bringing valuable resources to classrooms across the county.”

This year, the Cobb Chamber is partnering with Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools through the Partners in Education COVID-19 Response program to address specific equipment, financial, and additional support needs for local schools.

Each district has shared that schools have needs in the following areas:

Financial Donations: Supporting needs like childcare, food security, and digital/distance learning equipment;

In-Kind Donations: Especially impactful donations include, but are not limited to, school supplies, computers and tech accessories (ear buds, headphones, etc.), mobile hotspots, and services such as preparing donated computers for student use;

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers may be helpful for a variety of needs;

Social, Emotional, and Academic Support: Providing services and experiences that support the social, emotional, and academic development of students, such as stress management classes, internet safety classes, internships, virtual business tours, and virtual “day in the life of” experiences.

Businesses can visit www.cobbchamber.org/pie to join the Partners in Education COVID-19 Response program. For more information about Partners in Education, contact Nate Futrell, Workforce Initiatives Senior Manager at nfutrell@cobbchamber.org or (770) 859-2374.

Cobb commissioners adopt major changes to sex shop ordinance

September 8, 2020 5:23 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb sex shop changes — *A mobile sign in front of the new Tokyo Valentino store on Johnson Ferry Road has been removed.*

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved major changes to the county code governing the operation of sexually oriented businesses.

Commissioners adopted the new ordinance provisions on its consent agenda, and after a second required public hearing attracted no speakers.

The code amendments would limit sex shops and other adult businesses to two industrial zoning categories. All such businesses would be required to obtain a special license and employees would have to be issued a special permit.

(You can read through the code amendments here. Reader discretion is advised, since there are some explicit descriptions of sexual acts, body parts and devices.)

The aim is to combat what a lawyer consulting with the Cobb County Attorney’s office calls the “adverse secondary effects” of sexually oriented businesses, including crime and loitering, to nearby areas.

The changes come after Tokyo Valentino, an Atlanta-based adult retail chain, opened a store on Johnson Ferry Road in the former Mattress Firm location across from Merchant’s Walk.

The store was granted a business license as a general retail operation under the name 1290 Clothing Co., but opened as Tokyo Valentino.

Another Tokyo Valentino store opened in Sandy Springs last year under similar circumstances.

The ordinance changes also prohibit sexually oriented businesses from operating within 750 feet of residentially zoned land, within 1,500 feet of a school, religious facility, government-owned or run building, 1,000 feet of another sexually oriented business and 500 feet of another business licensed to sell alcohol, either on premises or a package store.

While nobody spoke in favor of or against the code amendments during the public hearings, Daniel White, who began an online petition against Tokyo Valentino, told East Cobb News he was sending a written statement in support of the measures.

Here’s what he submitted for the record:

“Based on the short notice and change to live public comments vs. online comments, I am submitting this on behalf of the 2,906 people who have signed the change.org petition to reject the sex shop on Johnson Ferry. I believe good can come from this for all Cobb County residents and not just the residents of East Cobb. The well researched common sense changes to the ordinance have our support to—as well outlined—establish reasonable and uniform regulations that prevent the secondary deleterious effects of these businesses in residential areas.

“These regulations are limiting and not prohibitive. They allow for the rights to operate these businesses and take into consideration common sense conditions for operating. Since the shop has opened it has installed outdoor color changing strobe like dance lights on the front and parked a large explicit mobile sign in front as well. We are certain that these ‘near legal tactics’ will continue. The sexually oriented permanent sign is tragedy to the progress we have made in the awareness of sexualizing and exploiting women. It’s tasteless and taunting. If the owner wanted to work with the community he would not continue to lie and hide.

“In thIs meeting of Cobb County commissioners, we support the affirmative vote on the sweeping changes to the Cobb County sexually oriented business ordinances effectively putting these businesses where they belong—not out of business as it is their right—but out of our neighborhoods by effectively banning their operations near schools, residences, and churches.

“This means that the 2,906 people who have signed this that represent nearly 9,000 east cobb residents will have had a positive voice in government. In today’s day, you should not have to show up to a specific meeting to have your voices heard. There are so many listening avenues and I’m glad you have heard us, worked hard and found ways to balance business and resident input. The well researched 30 page document outlines the blight these businesses cause and the trouble they bring. It is naive and insulting to say that opponents of this ordinance are ‘just a bunch of moms.’ Because it is not a bunch of ‘moms’ that keep these places open and frequent them enough to stay open. It is people who go often. It’s the rule of any business and if you’re in a sex shop often you don’t need to be 3/10’s of a mile from a school or within a few hundred yards of kids walking to school, a Chick-fil-A or a Starbucks or for that matter directly across the street from an Old Navy.

“The changes make good sense.”

The Avenue East Cobb to hold car show on Sunday

August 27, 2020 1:08 PMAugust 27, 2020 9:11 AM by Wendy Parker

The Avenue East Cobb Car Show

For the second time this summer, The Avenue East Cobb is having another car show this Sunday as part of a shopping promotion.

The hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and around shops will be open, including restaurants. Pop’s Lobster Shack.

Monster Customs is putting on the car show, and if you have a specialty car you’d like to show, click here to reserve a spot.

The retail center is continuing free storytime events for kids through the month of September.

Those take place every Wednesday, and here’s more information:

Sign up, bring your blanket or folding chair and join us in the shaded area between Origins and Hand & Stone Massage. Storytelling begins at 10 am, followed by a Take Home DIY craft. To allow for social distancing, reserve 1 ticket per child over 18 months old. https://avenueecstorytime.eventbrite.com

Siblings under 18 mo. do not need a ticket. Suggested ages 2-8 yrs. NO TICKET NEEDED FOR ADULTS. Masks are recommended. Spaces will be marked and first-come, first-served.

East Cobb Biz Update: Lidl Woodlawn Square opening date TBA

August 25, 2020 2:54 PM by Wendy Parker

Lidl East Cobb opening

Hiring and other opening signs have been up for months at the forthcoming Lidl store at Woodlawn Square in East Cobb, but there’s still no word yet when the store may open to the public.

We’ve been getting inquiries from readers and today Lidl passed along some information about expansion into Georgia with five more stores, including the East Cobb location, by the end of 2021.

We asked Lidl if there’s a general timetable for opening at Woodlawn Square, if not a specific date, and here’s the reply from the company:

“We expect to have more to share on the East Cobb store over the coming weeks and will look forward to getting in touch with you again then.”

What Lidl is saying for now is that the East Cobb store is part of a $500 million expansion with 50 new stores on the East Coast. The other stores in Georgia are in Marietta (on Whitlock Ave.) and future stores Sandy Springs, Woodstock and Duluth.

Lidl said those five stores will create an estimated 200 new jobs.

Lidl is a German-based discount grocer that competes with another German rival Aldi, and currently has two stores in the south Cobb area.

Lidl first attempted to enter the East Cobb market in 2017 when it sought rezoning of the Park 12 Cobb theatre on Gordy Parkway, but that request was denied following strong community opposition.

Lidl will occupy more than 21,000 square feet of space formerly occupied by The Fresh Market, which closed last October.

The only Aldi store in East Cobb is at the East Lake Shopping Center on Roswell Road, near the Marietta Parkway.

More business news

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb Chamber launches CobbHires.com job, internship portal

August 17, 2020 3:07 PMAugust 17, 2020 12:00 PM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber is excited to announce a new offering for the county’s workforce: CobbHires.com, an online portal for job and internship seekers and local companies looking to hire top talent.

“At the Cobb Chamber, we know that our county is a magnet for talent. In order to expand our workforce offerings and create value for our business members and community, we are proud to announce the launch of CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber’s job board and internship board,” said Dana Johnson, COO of the Cobb Chamber and Executive Director of SelectCobb.

CobbHires.com makes it easy for businesses to post their open positions or internship opportunities to find the best candidates in Cobb County. This portal also gives job and internship seekers access to local opportunities to assist them in furthering or starting their careers.

As part of the launch of CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber is offering a discount code allowing employers to post free of charge. Enter the code COBBJOBS to post your jobs and internship positions for free through the end of September. After September, companies can post open positions at the following rates: 30-day posts for $15 Cobb Chamber member/$50 non-member; 60-day posts for $30 Cobb Chamber member/$100 non-member; and 90-day posts for $45 Cobb Chamber member/ $150 non-member. Employers can enhance their posts for an additional $50, which prioritizes the post to the top of the board, highlights the listing and publishes it within the Google Jobs Network.

For more information about CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber job and internship boards, contact Nate Futrell at nfutrell@cobbchamber.org.

More business news

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Picture Show at Merchant’s Exchange to reopen on Aug. 21

August 15, 2020 1:04 PM by Wendy Parker

The Picture Show at Merchant’s Exchange (4400 Roswell Road), which had a grand-reopening in March, a week before the COVID-19 crisis began, announced this week that it’s going to start screening movies once again on Aug. 21. Picture Show Merchant's Exchange

Those films and a schedule are forthcoming, but the decision to reopen is part of a phased approach by the cinema’s owner, Picture Show Entertainment, which operates 12 theaters across the country.

Its theaters in Grand Junction, Colo., reopened in June, and the East Cobb location is one of six following suit next Friday.

Capacity will be limited to at most 50 percent. Moviegoers will be required to wear masks in general areas but can take them off when seated for their films.

Cash won’t be accepted at the theater, there will be limited restroom capacity and patrons will be asked not to congregate in the lobby.

More reopening guidelines and information can be found here.

The Picture Show at Merchant’s Exchange had undergone a major $1 million renovation and reopened its doors a week before being forced to close due to COVID-19.

In recent weeks, GTC Merchants Walk Cinema (1301 Johnson Ferry Road) has screened films for private parties of up to 20 people making reservations in what it calls By Appointment Only. Many of those sessions, which are shown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, are sold out well in advance.

The Movie Tavern (4651 Woodstock Road) reopened in mid-June, screening a variety of classic movies. Earlier this month management announced that “although classic films are enjoyable on the big screen, nothing compares to seeing a new movie at the theatre opening weekend. So, we’ve decided to put a pause on past movies and await the return of the blockbuster in a few weeks and have an even bigger reopening.”

EAST COBBER magazine to publish bimonthly through 2020

August 15, 2020 12:14 PMAugust 15, 2020 8:12 AM by Wendy Parker

East Cobber magazine suspends publication

After resuming monthly publication in August, the EAST COBBER magazine announced it will be publishing every other month through the end of the year.

Publisher Cynthia Rozzo, who founded the monthly community magazine in 1993, wrote in a note posted Friday that due to the fallout from COVID-19, there will be September/October and November/December issues:

“By January 2021 we hope to go back to our regular monthly print schedule. In the meantime, we’ll continue to keep the East Cobb community inspired with the usual uplifting stories by direct mailing our magazine, publishing weekly E-newsletters and sharing the latest news on our social media platforms.”

For the first time in its history, the EAST COBBER suspended publication in May. The combined June/July issue and the August issue were 24 pages, about half the number of a typical issue. Rozzo is offering print advertisers a “COVID Stimulus Special” that includes placement in her weekly e-mail newsletter.

That blast reaches more than 22,000 subscribers, while the magazine has a press run of around 40,000.

Rozzo announced in June that the EAST COBBER parade and festival, which would have marked its 25th anniversary in September, is being cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Three-13 Salon named Cobb Chamber small business of year

August 11, 2020 3:22 PMAugust 11, 2020 10:39 AM by Wendy Parker

Three-13 Salon Cobb Chamber small business of year — *Photos taken by Karl L. Moore. Source: Cobb Chamber of the Commerce*

Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique, located on Canton Road, was named the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s small business of the year on Monday. After 46 years in business, it was among those that closed completely for several weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cobb Chamber announced its small business awards honorees at its monthly Marquee Monday event, and here’s what was said about Three-13:

The Marietta-based salon and spa is proud to offer a complete staff of highly-trained service professionals, and complete hair extension and spa departments. Three-13 has built a brand and culture that boasts the qualities of innovation, integrity, and quality—and remain committed to professional services and client satisfaction.

With a motto of “Be Your Best You,” Three-13 welcomes in partners, employees and customers from every imaginable background with open arms. They also host an annual “Angels of Life” event, which has raised awareness and $560,000 over the past nine years for The Georgia Transplant Foundation, an organization near and dear to managing partner Lester Crowell, whose own two heart transplants have given him new life and determination.

Committed to innovation, creating a welcome atmosphere and working closely within their community, partners Lester Crowell Jr., Marian Crowell, and Joseph Tony Lacey are excited for the future of business in Cobb County.

Other businesses among the Chamber’s Top 25 list include the following from East Cobb:

Artisan Custom Closets, 600 Wylie Road (home renovation)
Deluxe Athletics, 800 Scott Drive (synthetic field turf and lawn manufacturer)
InPrime Legal, 1640 Powers Ferry Road (outsourced business legal provider)
Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team, 2250 Sewell Mill Road (residential real estate)
Southeastern Engineering, 2470 Sandy Plains Road (civil engineering firm)

The Chamber also named 2020 businesses to watch, those have have been open for three years or less and “have already achieved substantial growth.”

They include the The Auto Accident Attorneys Group, located at 1454 Johnson Ferry Road.

Three-13 Salon Cobb Chamber small business of the year — *Three-13 owners Lester and Leslie Crowell accept their small business of the year award, with Cobb Chamber president John Loud looking on. Source: Cobb Chamber*

More business news

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Atlanta Braves sprinter ‘The Freeze’ opens gym in East Cobb

August 10, 2020 6:05 PMAugust 10, 2020 5:31 PM by Wendy Parker

Durran Dunn, The Freeze opens East Cobb gym — *Durran Dunn competing for the USA in track competition.*

You may remember the last two Atlanta Braves seasons—when fans actually came to games—and one lucky fan got to challenge an elite-level sprinter between innings.

That sprinter, Durran Dunn, nicknamed “The Freeze,” would give a fan a lengthy head start in a foot race around the outfield warning track. It was part of a promotion by RaceTrac called “Beat the Freeze.”

On a handful of occasions, the fan would score an upset. Most of the time, however, “The Freeze” turned on his burners down the stretch.

Dunn has turned over a new leaf as as a small business owner in East Cobb.

Dunn, born in Jamaica and who grew up in New York, has competed for the U.S. and his native country in track and field competitions. He also has a business background and is a certified public accountant.

In late June he opened an Anytime Fitness location at Parkaire Landing (4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 520, right next to the East Cobb Library) that’s open 24 hours a day.

He says that the facility is following “enhanced and rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures” during this time of COVID-19, including sanitizing stations, social-distance measures and the provisions of masks.

Dunn says he’s offering free enrollment through Aug. 31, includes an initial fitness assessment, and a grand opening is coming in September.

For info: 678-909-5095; Facebook and Instagram.

If you want to see what it was like to run against The Freeze, check out this body cam video from the perspective a fan.

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East Cobb Biz Update: Stretch Society grand opening is Monday

August 7, 2020 2:50 PM by Wendy Parker

Audrey Cox, manager of the Stretch Society studio in East Cobb that’s been in the works for a few weeks now, says the business will have its grand opening Monday.

It’s located in Market Plaza (1255 Johnson Ferry Road), in Suite 26, in the former Motion Stretch space next to Bird Watcher’s Supply.

She says her studio is offering a free two-week trial period for new customers. More details on its Facebook page.

As the name suggests, Stretch Society offers a variety of classes for general wellness, and to improve mobility, flexibility and strength.

It’s a metro-Atlanta franchise chain with locations in Brookhaven, Buckhead and Kennesaw.

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Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.

We also run brief notices about new businesses that come to the community.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

More business news

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Former Burger’s Market owner opening weekend produce stand

August 5, 2020 2:13 PMAugust 5, 2020 12:33 PM by Wendy Parker

Burger's Market closing — *Burger’s Market closed on Canton Road in August 2018 after 45 years. (ECN file)*

Following up our post about local weekend produce stands, comes some more good news for fresh vegetable and fruit fans:

One of the former owners of the Burger’s Market in East Cobb are starting one of their own, starting this Saturday. It’s been almost two years since the market closed on Canton Road, after 45 years in business.

Tina Burger Berry, daughter of the Burger’s Market founder Truman Burger, is taking online orders through 10 a.m. Thursday (details below). The pickup spot is the Daily Bread Cafe (531 Roselane St. in Marietta, near Kennestone Hospital, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

She and her sister Sharilyn have kept the market’s Facebook page alive, and on Monday, that’s where Tina announced the news about the pop-up market:

“I’ve been thinking and praying on a way to serve our loyal customers and community with the freshest, most local produce available like our family did for over 45 years every since we shut our doors and sold almost 2 yrs ago. When God closes one door, he always opens another. So, after much prayer and anticipation….HERE it goes!! We will not have a storefront, consider us more of a local mobile market of sorts.”

What they’re offering are fixed bags of vegetables ($25) and fruit ($20) and a make-your-own bag with a $15 minimum. Each Monday by 2 p.m. they’ll list the available items for that weekend’s market, with the deadline for ordering by 2 p.m. Thursday by e-mailing burgersmkt@gmail.com or by filling out this form.

Payment is cash or Venmo, which is becoming the standard for some other pop-up stands that have emerged recently.

Orders will come in brown paper bags, but you’re free to bring your own bags or boxes. The first weekend items are as follows:

Fruit bag: Tree ripened peaches, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Muscadines or Scuppernongs
Veggie bag: Vine ripe Tomatoes Stringless Pole beans, Sweet potatoes, Pickling cukes, Yellow crookneck squash, Georgia Kale, Silver queen corn, Vidalia onions
Make your own bag (items also sold individually): Okra, Vidalia onions, Red tomatoes , Fresh shelled lady finger peas or white butter beans, Zuchini Silver queen corn, Cantaloupe, Heirloom tomatoes, Watermelon, Green boiling peanuts.

Tina asked for patience us as we navigate through this new endeavor . . . We sure have missed you!! I can’t wait to see you beautiful people!!”

Luminary Eye Care opens at Woodlawn Point Shopping Center

August 3, 2020 12:50 PM by Wendy Parker

Dr. Jinen Shah got in touch to announce that he’s opened Luminary Eye Care at the Woodlawn Point Shopping Center (1100 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 120).

It’s an independent practice that sees adult and child patients with standard examinations, as well as emergency care, ocular disease management, LASIK consultations and glasses and contact lenses.

Most vision and medical insurance is accepted. Hours are Monday & Wednesday 9-5; Tuesday & Thursday 10:30-6:30; Friday 9-3; and Saturday by appointment only.

Phone is 678-263-2226; Facebook updates here.

Sunday closure at Roll On In

Not far away in Woodlawn Point, Suzanne and Monte Jump, owners of Roll On In Sushi, said that starting this Sunday, Aug. 9, they’ll be closed on Sundays.

“We feel this will allow more time for faith, family and fellowship for our family and our employees. Thank you so much for your support, East Cobb. It means the world,” they said on Monday.

Monday-Saturday hours remain from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Avenue bounces back

The Chain Store Age publication is scrapping its annual listing of top retail experiences for one explaining those centers that are recovering from closures due to COVID-19. Fifth on its list is The Avenue East Cobb, where special outdoor events like Dinner & Drive-In movie and fitness workshops are tied to stores reopening.

As we noted previously, there will be a fundraising event Aug. 22 for the Box of Balloons non-profit that gives disadvantaged kids a special birthday celebration.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.

We also run brief notices about new businesses that come to the community.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

East Cobb Women in Business group to meet at Mabry Park

August 3, 2020 12:04 PMAugust 3, 2020 8:47 AM by Wendy Parker

Mabry Park Opening

If you’re interested in meeting other business women for lunch in the outdoors, the East Cobb Women in Business Group is doing that on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Mabry Park, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.:

“Bring a lawn chair and meet under the big Pavilion. Space is limited and registration is required. We are a non-industry exclusive networking group for local women and invite you to join us for support and education to help build your business relationships and invest in the growth of others.”

The limit on this gathering is 15 people, first-come, first-serve, due to COVID restrictions. The group has been meeting at Paradise Grill, and plans on going back there in the fall.

More information about the group can be found here and details on what’s being discussed at the meeting can be found here.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

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