The retail center’s management on Friday released a partial list of its tenants who’ve opened up their doors, with this caveat:
“The well-being, health and safety of you and the community is our #1 priority. We recommend all guest adhere to the CDC and the State of Georgia’s guidelines when visiting.
“Please note some retailers remain closed at this time while others hours vary. We recommend that you contact your favorite retailer for their current hours and any restrictions they may have in place (curbside pickup, appointment only etc.) prior to visiting.”
The stores that are open now include the following, and they include some that have stayed open:
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!
With Georgia’s shelter-in-place order expected to expire later today, and as selected businesses are allowed to reopen, we’re updating what’s opening and what’s staying closed for now in East Cobb.
We’ll be adding to this during the day, so let us know your status. E-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com.
Williamson Bros BBQ on Roswell Road has been fully closed, but announced this morning it’s open as of today for drive-thru service only, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 770-071-3201 to order in advance. They’ve been testing this approach at other locations and the dining room is still closed.
Chicago’s Steak and Seafood, at Shallowford Corners, had been closed completely but is now resuming dining room service for dinner. Proprietor Mark Zwolak said during the closure the restaurant underwent a full deep cleaning and some renovations and is taking extra safety precautions, including use of “a non-contact infrared thermometer to screen the temperatures of our employees and patrons.”
A few doors down, East Cobb Tavern is reopening Monday and will be open from 3-8 p.m. for dining room and curbside service. It was open only a few weeks after being rebranded from Keegan’s Pub, and has been closed completely since mid-March.
The Eggs Up Grill, also at Shallowford Corners, has been fully closed for a couple of weeks, after trying pickup/takeout/delivery. Management announced Wednesday the dining room is reopening in seven days, after saying over the weekend it would hold off despite the governor’s reopening plans. “We will be adhering to all safety guidelines for social distancing, sanitation etc. We look forward to get back to serving the community we so love! It has been too long!” was Wednesday’s message.
On Monday, Suburban Tap reopened its dining room and will allow only 10 patrons per square foot and dining parties of six people or less per table. Salad bar and buffet service are discontinued for the time being.
Most restaurants in East Cobb that are open are limiting their operations to pickup/takeout/delivery for now, even though they could open their dining rooms on Monday.
Hair and nail salons, barber shops and other “personal touch” businesses were allowed to open on Friday, and a few are doing so (more in-depth on a few of those in another post) very gradually.
Nancy’s Salon on Johnson Ferry Road said Wednesday it would be reopening on May 12. The day before, on May 11, Zeba Hair Salon is reopening at Merchant’s Festival.
Some pet-related businesses have closed and a few will be opening up again soon. Haven, The Dog Spot is aiming for a May 11 “business almost as usual” reopening date, and has detailed its safety protocols.
Likewise at Hot Dogs, Cool Cats at Paper Mill Village, a pet spa and grooming boutique that also is shooting for May 11 to open back up.
Most of the gyms and fitness centers in East Cobb that also have been allowed to reopen remain closed, at least for now, and are offering virtual classes.
Some medical offices are starting to reopen. One is East Cobb Foot and Ankle Care, which is requiring all patients to wear masks or a face covering and will be checking temperatures.
Carwash USA at East Cobb Crossing is reopening on Thursday, but in a limited mode. No more than two customers will be allowed in the indoor waiting room at any given time, although there is outdoor seating as well.
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The Cobb Chamber, in partnership with web developer DynamiX, has launched a redesigned COVID-19 resources site for business owners, community leaders and anyone impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covidsupport.cobbchamber.org includes resources and information on the CARES Act federal stimulus, reopening guidelines, upcoming Cobb Chamber webinars and learning opportunities, a list of companies that are currently hiring, among many other resources. The redesigned site also promotes businesses and initiatives, including the donation-driven Operation Meal Plan, Cobb Shops To Go, Thank a Healthcare Hero, and more. The website also provides up-to-date content as news develops and as needs are realized throughout our community.
“The Cobb Chamber has been focused on providing resources, advocacy and support to help our businesses and community through this difficult time,” said Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber President & CEO. “With the redesign of our COVID-19 website, we’re able to take our support one step further by helping you quickly find the resources you need. We will continue working with our many partners and our Economic Recovery Taskforce to drive initiatives that will lead to our community’s recovery.”
One of the core tenants of the Cobb Chamber’s mission is to aid entrepreneurs and small businesses—and drive community and economic development. By hosting a wealth of resources on a single lightweight, responsive site, the Chamber can offer a one-stop-shop experience for every sector of the community that has been impacted by COVID-19.
DynamiX, a Kennesaw-based web design company, built out the site free of charge for the Cobb Chamber. Aiming to highlight organizations standing up for their employees, community and other businesses, DynamiX provided covidsupport.cobbchamber.org as a public service to the Cobb Chamber in order to promote positivity and awareness in their community.
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Bradley’s Bar and Grill is reopening its dining room while maintaining takeout/pickup/delivery service. (ECN photo)
Following up an earlier post from this week about the reluctance of East Cobb restaurant owners to fully reopen, including dining room service:
Not many will be doing that when they’re allowed to do so on Monday, per Gov. Brian Kemp’s reopening provisions.
(There are 39 guidelines that restaurants must follow under Kemp’s Reviving a Healthy Georgia Order that he issued on Thursday.)
Bradley’s Bar & Grill on Lower Roswell Road indicated it will be opening its dining room Monday, “with restrictions,” and “will follow the strict guidelines for social distancing and have already begun to remove chairs and bar stools.”
Bradley’s will continue takeout, curbside and delivery service and online ordering, as many restaurants have been doing since the state’s shelter-in-place order went into effect earlier this month.
All of the Ted’s Montana Grill locations—including the East Cobb restaurant at Parkaire Landing—have been completely closed since the shutdown began.
Ted’s CEO co-founder George McKerrow sent out a note Friday that its dining rooms will remain closed for now, but that it also will begin curbside pickup on Monday, with more details to come.
“While the Governor has allowed restaurants to open their dining rooms, we do not feel it is safe for our Team Members and Guests,” McKerrow said. “We look forward to the day we can experience made-from-scratch food in a great atmosphere together again. Until then, be safe and see you soon.”
A number of the restaurants we’ve listed in our East Cobb Open for Business Directory are going to continue some combination of takeout/pickup/delivery without opening up their dining rooms for the time being. They include:
AJ’s Seafood and Po’Boys
Camps Kitchen & Bar
Lucia’s Italian Restaurant
Mellow Mushroom Johnson Ferry
Mezza Luna Seafood & Pasta
Paradise Grille
Rosa’s Pizza
Tijuana Joe’s
We’ll be updating this list as restaurants and businesses begin changing their service; please pass along your updates to: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll note that in this and future posts as well as our directory.
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Katy Colvin and Kesha Darji, owners of the K Squared Artisan Boutique at The Avenue East Cobb, have begun a fundraiser to purchase wellness gifts for healthcare workers and to support the work of their fellow artisans.
Colvin sent along word to East Cobb News that the gifts will be distributed to workers at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and the WellStar North Fulton Hospital. Details here:
“Donations will be collected through the GoFundMe website at www.gf.me/u/xx5ipu. One donation of $10 will go towards a wellness gift valued at $12 to $20. Not only will this donation provide a gift for a local healthcare worker to show that the community supports them, but the money will also be used to purchase gifts made by local artisans to help them deal with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.”
Katy further says that “it’s a rewarding situation for both sides. So many artists have been impacted by the cancellation of art shows and were forced to close their doors, leaving them without anyway to earn income. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are the real action heroes of the crisis and we have the opportunity to lift their spirits and show them we care. We are hoping that this can do a little bit to help.“
She said the GoFundMe fundraiser has raised over $1,000 with a goal to raise $10,000 to provide 1,000 wellness gifts for both hospitals.
The gifts will be distributed next week and another fundraiser may begin soon to extend the gift-buying program.
She said some of the artisanal businesses they sell include, but are not limited to:
Regina’s Farm Kitchen
The Toasted Nut
Jack Be Nimble
LRW Designs
Elizabeth Matthews Designs
The Sassy Buck
Lexicon of Love
True & Radient
Iron Angel
Stoneridge Foods
“It’s hard to choose though. We love all our artisans we sell and they are just great people who are so passionate about what they do! They are all small local businesses and we adore them all!”
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Even though they’ve been given permission to reopen in the next few days, some businesses and restaurants in East Cobb that have been closed due to shelter-in-place orders will wait to resume their full operations.
Among those staying closed for the time being are Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar and Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar.
In a message to customers sent out Tuesday afternoon, owner Doug Turbush said that while Gov. Brian Kemp’s order lifting mandatory dining room closures of restaurants “is an encouraging sign, we feel it is not in the best interest of our employees, guests or our community to reopen at this time.”
Turbush completely closed all three of his restaurants on March 17, before Kemp restricted restaurants to takeout, delivery and pickup services only.
In his message, Turbush said the timing of reopening depends on getting safety gear, supplies and guidance “on how we can operate and interact with each other in such close proximity. We want nothing more than to open our dining rooms, provide for the people who work with us and get back to what we do best, but service considerations will take time to develop, implement and train.”
On Monday, Kemp said restaurants that meet a list of safety, hygiene and social-distancing criteria can reopen this coming Monday, April 27. The governor will provide more details for restaurants later this week.
Some restaurants that had prioritized dining room service had to adapt to the new measures. One of them, Brewsters Neighborhood Bar & Grille on Canton Road, also said Tuesday it would not be opening its dining room back up for now.
“We apologize, but we feel that this is the right decision at this time. We miss all of you very much and can’t wait to see everyone again soon!” the restaurant said in a social media message, adding that its curbside to go service would continue through May 1.
Kemp’s new measures will allow nail and hair salons, gyms and other “personal touch” businesses he closed last month to reopen on Friday, also if they meet safety criterial.
The new Spenga gym at Merchant’s Walk won’t be one of them. A message yesterday said that “we will not be opening at this time as we feel it is too soon. Your health and that of the staff is our top priority.”
Spenga, which shut its doors March 16, is also eyeing a May 1 reopen date, but that is tentative. Like many gyms and fitness facilities that have been closed, it has been conducting virtual classes and workouts with its clients.
Some businesses haven’t announced reopening dates as they prepare their staff and juggle schedules and appointments.
Among them is Intrigue Salon, which we profiled last week. After Kemp’s announcement Monday, the Johnson Ferry Road establishment said Monday that it will be opening again soon, but “we need to get the needed safety supplies and products to be up and running. . . . We have many procedures to implement before we start booking to keep everyone safe.”
Nancy’s Salon asked its clients to “please be patient with us as we organize our schedules, get the needed supplies, products and have safety measures to go get us started,” and that it would provide an update on its reopening date.
Tracy Kreiner Barnes, owner of The French Table, a furnishings and home decor store on Lower Roswell Road, said she would reopen “when the local CDC advises that it is safe for all of us,” and she will “personally monitor” what doctors and scientists recommend.
She ended her message to customers with the hashtag #livesbeforeeconomy.
The current Georgia shelter-in-place order expires on April 30, and a statewide public health emergency has been extended to May 13.
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Seed Kitchen & Bar closed on March 17, before Gov. Brian Kemp ordered restaurants to discontinue dining room service. (ECN photo0
Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday that some businesses in Georgia that have been ordered closed under his Coronovirus shelter-in-place order can reopen as soon as Friday if they meet certain safety guidelines.
Those businesses include hair salons, barber shops, bowling alleys, nail and body art service providers, massage therapists and gyms.
Starting Monday, theaters can reopen, and restaurants can serve in their dining rooms. Bars, nightclubs, amusement parks and live performance venues will remain closed for now.
Places of worship can hold in-person services, but they must be done “in accordance with strict social distancing protocols.”
Kemp held a briefing Monday at the Georgia Capitol with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker Dennis Ralston.
He said his decision to relax business closures was “due to favorable data and more testing” but that it will not be “business as usual” for those businesses that do reopen.
Among the factors Kemp referenced were the availability of hospital and intenstive-care beds—including a temporary hospital at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta—as well as increased testing capability in the state.
At Jim Miller Park in Cobb County, people no longer have to have a medical referral but they must have an appointment for a drive-up Coronavirus test if they show symptoms.
“Our small business owners are seeing sales plummet, and the company that they built with blood, sweat, and tears disappear right before them,” Kemp said. “These are tough moments in our state and nation. I hear the concerns of those I am honored to serve.”
Kemp said that all businesses that decide to reopen must meet “Minimum Basic Operation” criteria, including screening workers for fever and respiratory illnesses, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, maintaining social distancing guidelines of six feet between persons and working in staggered shifts.
Restaurants, theaters and private social clubs must also meet the same social distancing and sanitation mandates in order to open on Monday.
“Unlike other businesses, these entities have been unable to manage inventory, deal with payroll, and take care of administrative items while we shelter in place,” the governor said.
Kemp’s shelter-in-place continues through April 30, and those who are sick or medically fragile should stay at home until May 13, when a statewide public health emergency is set to expire.
Some East Cobb “personal touch” businesses—in particular hair salons—have been telling their customers that when they reopen, all staff and customers will be required to wear masks.
Not long after Kemp’s announcement, East Cobb Barber Shop owner Dee Reitz said her store is opening Friday at 9:30 a.m. “with all hands on on deck!!”
She said customers will be given numbers to maintain social distancing edicts, and no more than six customers will be allowed inside at any time.
“PLEASE bear with us as we figure this out!! We are excited to be able to re-open,” she said on her business’ Facebook page.
Frenchie’s Modern Nail Care on Johnson Ferry Road said it also would reopen on Friday “with stringent protocols and only two guests at a time.”
Management at the East Cobb-McCleskey Family YMCA and Northeast Cobb YMCA branches said it was “carefully considering all the health and safety precautions and guidelines” to determine when they may reopen.
“We look forward to being able to open our facilities to our members as soon as we can ensure that it is safe to do so.”
Kemp said local governments cannot enact measures that are any more or less restrictive than what he is allowing to open back up for now.
“The private sector is going to have to convince the public that it’s safe to come back into these businesses,” he said.
As for churches, synagogues and other faith communities, Kemp said he’s urging them to continue to hold virtual worship events, as many have since early March.
In-person services were never prohibited, although they were limited to no more than 10 people following social distancing measures.
On Monday, Kemp said that “I urge faith leaders to continue to help us in this effort and keep their congregations safe by heeding the advice of public health officials. Of course, online, call-in, or drive-in services remain good options for religious institutions.”
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Like restaurants everywhere since the Coronavirus outbreak, the ubiquitous 24/7 Waffle House enterprise has had to scramble to accommodate mandatory dining-room closures and shelter-in-place orders while trying to stay in business.
After the Norcross-based company temporarily closed more than 600 restaurants—an unprecedented action in an unprecedented time—those that have remained open have a much smaller window of operations and staff.
There are nine Waffle Houses in the East Cobb area, and they’re all open for now, albeit with limited hours, typically from early in the morning to mid-afternoon.
The Waffle House on Sandy Plains Road at Post Oak Tritt Road is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and with barely a skeleton crew, consisting of manager Nancy Lynne Newton and three servers.
That’s it.
“I’m the cook, and on my days off, I volunteer to cook,” Newton said.
All of her workers on the second and third shifts—evenings and overnights—are on unemployment, at the very least until restaurants can resume some semblance of dining-room service.
Newton doesn’t know when that might be. Georgia’s shelter-in-place order limiting restaurants to takeout, pickup and delivery only has been extended to April 30, and the state’s public health emergency is due to expire on May 13.
Those orders could be extended again, as the state grapples with a COVID-19 caseload that’s approaching 20,000 and nearing 700 deaths.
At the Sandy Plains Road Waffle House, business “has definitely gone down,” Newton said.
“We are remaining optimistic. We’re doing everything we can to work with the community, and to keep our doors open.”
As an example of the former, she said some customers have donated to an “Adopt-A-Hero” program set up by Waffle House, to pay for the meals of medical workers and first responders.
Recently a police officer was a beneficiary of that generosity, and picked up a free meal—to go, of course.
“We want to do anything we can to help people like that,” Newton said.
Letting the public know her restaurant is open has been a big challenge. The parking lot is practically empty, but makeshift signs in the windows alert the public about its opening hours and the phone number to place an advance order.
Newton said customers can do that, or they can show up and order while in the store. The full menu also is available.
The store also has family-oriented specials—4 All-Star Special breakfasts and hashbrown bowls for $30 is just one. And if five families or more from a neighborhood get together and order at once, someone from Waffle House management will provide delivery.
Newton said to address safety and hygiene concerns, all caterings are individually wrapped. The restaurant is thoroughly cleaned “every hour on the hour” and after customers leave.
She said customers “have been absolutely phenomenal” about observing social distancing guidelines” while they are inside.
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When customers pulled into the Intrigue Salon parking lot on Johnson Ferry Road Saturday morning to pick up their supply of hair-care products, they were greeted by staffers wearing masks and bunny ears.
On the day before Easter, the playful gestures meant to encourage a sense of fun blended in with the somber new realities of the post-COVID-19 world.
Staff placed the products in the popped-up trunks of customers, who then drove away, all in the no-contact fashion that’s becoming the new normal for many businesses these days.
“We tell them this is for your temporary fix,” said Bonnie Bonadeo, Intrigue’s marketing director.
Like most “personal touch” businesses in Georgia—hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and spas—Intrigue has been closed to regular business for the better part of the last month.
In that time, owner Jeff South and his staff have held a few Saturday curbside pickup sessions for customers who order in advance.
It’s not just a way for Intrigue to do a spare bit of business for the time being, but for its clients to stay in touch, and do what they can until they’re allowed to come back in for a haircut and other hair treatments.
“We pride ourselves in our license to touch, but we can’t do that at all right now,” Bonadeo said.
She said for the two hours of the curbside pickup service, around 50 to 60 customers have come by.
They order their products—powders, conditioners and foams, for the most part—online. They’re not being sold anything that’s not advisable for them to use at home.
Instead, the daily hair products they take with them are meant to “help people feel better about themselves.”
It’s all part of what Bonadeo said is “making a very simple connection” to a customer base in an intensively customized and personalized industry, and one that’s in a very competitive market in East Cobb.
“For a small business, this is as valid as it can get,” she said.
Future curbside sessions are dictated by having enough customers order online.
Bonadeo also sends out e-mails with a light touch on occasion, another means of maintaining connections.
When a customer sent a note wondering how long the shutdown might last, Bonadeo sent out another e-mail with a giraffe and indicated “this long.”
A statewide shelter-in-place that ordered non-essential businesses closed has been extended by Gov. Brian Kemp at least through April 30.
Some other personal care businesses in East Cobb have tentatively announced reopening dates of May 1. Others are saying for now they may reopen on May 13, when a statewide public health emergency is set to expire.
When does Intrigue open again, Bonadeo said more patience will be necessary for customers. Social distancing guidelines are likely to limit staffing levels and how many customers can be accommodated at any given time.
“The priority is that we have to ensure that people feel safe coming back,” she said. “We all want to believe this is a temporary situation.”
How are you coping?
We’re writing a series of stories about how people in East Cobb are faring during the Coronavirus crisis—business owners, parents homeschooling their kids, personal caregivers, worshipping via Zoom, etc.
Let us know how your daily routine has changed, and what you’re doing during this uncertain time. E-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com.
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!
Its other locations in East Cobb remain open, including Woodlawn Square (1205 Johnson Ferry Road) and Powers Ferry Plaza (1275 Powers Ferry Road) remain open for takeout, pickup and delivery service only from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.
The Atlanta-based breakfast, lunch and brunch chain has closed eights restaurants thus far, with 16 remaining open.
Some other businesses keeping their doors open have been added to our East Cobb Open for Business Directory, which is mostly restaurants/food operations but other locally owned businesses as well.
Also since our last update, the Cazadores Mexican Restaurant location on Sandy Plains Road has reopened, joining its Johnson Ferry restaurant for delivery, takeout and curbside service.
Send Us Your News!
If your business closed and is reopening, please e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we will place it in our East Cobb Open for Business Directory. We want to help local businesses get back on their feet with this free listing!
Contact us at the same e-mail address for news about efforts to assist those in need, health care workers, first responders and others on the frontlines of combatting Coronavirus in East Cobb.
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!
The Cobb Chamber is addressing the difficulties in navigating a post-pandemic business climate through a “Business Recovery from COVID-19: Navigating Human Resources Changes & Challenges” webinar Tuesday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Part three of the “How To” webinar series on business recovery will feature experts sharing methods for managing the many human resources changes and complexities, as well as how to motivate your team during this challenging time. This webinar is for business owners, managers, executives and human resources professionals. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions.
Speakers for the “Business Recovery from COVID-19” webinar include, the following:
Mark Butler, Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner
Dave Cole, Partner at Freeman Mathis & Gary
Tammy Cohen, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of InfoMart
Secret Holland, VP of Human Resources & Community Affairs at Gas South
John Loud, 2020 Cobb Chamber Chairman & President of LOUD Security Systems
Sharon Mason, President & CEO of the Cobb Chamber
To register for this virtual event, visit cobbchamber.org/events. There is no cost, and Chamber members and non-members are welcome to attend on a first, come first served basis, up to 500 attendees.
For recordings of the first two webinars from the “How To” series, visit the Cobb Chamber’s COVID-19 Resources page at cobbchamber.org.
For more information, contact Mandy Burton, Vice President of Member Development atmburton@cobbchamber.org.
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The Avenue East Cobb management announced late Friday afternoon that its stores that are non-essential will be closed through April 13, due to the Georgia shelter-in-place orderissued by Gov. Brian Kemp.
The order begins is effective from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. April 13.
“Select restaurants” at The Avenue will remain open, with takeout, pickup and delivery service only. They are Kale Me Crazy, Olea Oliva, Menchie’s, Panera Bread, Smallcakes and Tin Lizzie’s.
Other restaurants at The Avenue, including Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and Stockyard Burgers & Bones, closed before the state order and a Cobb state of emergency declaration that goes through April 24.
The Michael’s craft store and the Simply Mac Apple computer store will remain open with reduced hours.
Non-essential “personal touch” businesses have been ordered to close, although many in East Cobb—hair salons, spas, barber shops, etc.—had already closed before that order.
During the shelter-in-place period, citizens are asked to stay at home, except to do essential shopping for groceries, food and medicines, to help with the care of children and the elderly in their families and act on behalf of the health and safety of those in their households.
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Both Cazadores Mexican Restaurant (Johnson Ferry Road location only) and Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood have reopened for takeout, curbside pickup and delivery.
Cazadores is open at 3165 Johnson Ferry Road from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., phone 770-641-8625. The Sandy Plains Road location is remaining closed for now.
Mezza Luna Pasta & Seafood (2100 Roswell Road) began takeout, curbside and delivery service Tuesday with a limited menu. Hours are Starting March 31, curbside pickup, takeout and delivery from a limited menu Monday-Saturday 5-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-9 p.m., call 678-214-5856;
On Friday, Marietta Coffee Company (1598 Roswell Road), will start walk-up and takeout orders daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., call 678-765-8885.
Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q was among the restaurants that has closed and was planning to reopen Tuesday, but is saying now that a mid-April “grand reopening” is being planned.
Send Us Your News!
If your business closed and is reopening, please e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we will place it in our East Cobb Open for Business Directory. We want to help local businesses get back on their feet with this free listing!
Contact us at the same e-mail address for news about efforts to assist those in need, health care workers, first responders and others on the frontlines of combatting Coronavirus in East Cobb.
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On Monday Smita Daya delivered 45 meals she prepared for health care workers at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park.
The owner of the Olea Oliva! gourmet shop at The Avenue East Cobb, is staying open for customers who want to shop for her variety of olive oils, vinegars, spices, teas and related artisanal products.
But she’s also donating her time and resources to give a boost to those who are working around the clock to tend to those sick with COVID-19.
Another East Cobb resident, Alison Estella, who runs Rua Marketing, a digital agency, is donating her services for a fundraising drive that also is helping to feed medical professionals, at Kennestone and elsewhere.
Her GoFundMe drive started last week with a goal of raising $5,000, and she told East Cobb News Monday the outreach has netted close to that.
On Tuesday, more than 40 meals were delivered to the Kennestone ICU.
Lunches provided by Smita Daya of Olea Oliva! to East Cobb Health Park workers.
But she’s not stopping now.
“We’re just trying to get Cobb County residents to donate,” said Estella, who’s also coordinated efforts to feed workers at the Wellstar North Fulton emergency unit and the Northside Forsyth Women’s Center.
The donations are used to place orders with several local restaurants, including Paradise Grill, XenGo Fusion Sushi and WZ Tavern in East Cobb (see video below).
When the meals are ready, Estella coordinates their deliveries to the medical locations.
“There’s a dual purpose here,” she said. Medical workers are fed, and “it keeps small businesses afloat. They need the business.”
Proceeds from the GoFundMe drive are also used to provide a 20 percent tip to the restaurant staffers.
“These guys are still alive, and they want to be able to pay their staff.”
What Estella ideally is looking for is not necessarily a few major donors, but many donors offering a few dollars in smaller amounts.
“This is so easy,” she said.
You can also nominate local essential medical facilities to receive the meals, and restuarants to prepare them.
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has launched what it calls its Operation Meal Plan, which also solicits donations. Restaurants provide meals to be delivered to various non-profit organizations around the county associated with the Cobb Community Foundation.
The selected restaurants include Kouzina Christos in East Cobb. Here’s more from the Chamber about how to get involved in that effort:
For restaurants interested in participating in Operation Meal Plan, contact Nate Futrell, with the Cobb Chamber, at nfutrell@cobbchamber.org and include the following information: point of contact for the restaurant, contact information and what the restaurant’s capacity is per meal request.
For non-profits in need of food for their clients, contact Melanie Kagan, with the Center for Family Resources, at MelanieKagan@thecfr.org. After non-profits and restaurants sign up to participate, Kagan will coordinate orders between the groups, scheduling all orders the day prior.
For community members, groups or organizations that would like to contribute to Operation Meal Plan, all contributions are made through the Cobb Community Foundation and are tax deductible. Contribute here: https://bit.ly/2QNq6aB. Upon service delivery, restaurants provide an invoice so the Cobb Community Foundation can reimburse the at-unit cost.
Send us your news!
Let us know what you, your neighbors or others you know are doing to help one another and those in need as part of the Coronavirus response.
Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com with text, photos and other relevant information, and we’ll share it with the community.
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 County government is asking for the public’s help in collecting resources using its Geographic Information Service (GIS) mapping tools about grocery store inventories and open businesses during the Coronavirus crisis.
A message that’s been sent out explains the purpose, and asks that you submit what you see at grocery stores when you go shopping, or use an open restaurant for takeout/curbside/delivery service:
“We want to help as many Cobb businesses to survive as possible, and we’re using the power of the people to spread the word!
“Which restaurants are offering take out? Go to our special map and let others know which restaurants are cooking up take out orders. Visit it here.”
Other links to be found there include what customers are noticing in their stores from the previous 24 hours in terms of paper products, breads/foods, produce, and crowds/social distancing.
Thus far more than 400 people have filled out the survey, and results obviously will change frequently.
Here’s the link to survey about to available restaurant options, with answers also to be folded into a countywide data source.
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!
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has started an Economic Recovery Taskforce to develop and implement a strategic approach to proactively drive our community’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Taskforce members will meet weekly via video conference starting on Monday, March 30th.
“Many businesses are struggling with the impact COVID-19 has had on their organizations and their employees,” said John Loud, 2020 Chairman of the Cobb Chamber’s Board of Directors and president of LOUD Security Systems. “We want to drive initiatives that will lead the recovery that this community needs.”
“The Cobb Chamber has been focused on providing resources, advocacy and support to help our businesses and community through this difficult time,” said Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber President & CEO. “This taskforce will help us take additional steps for a proactive strategy for economic recovery.”
Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect Britt Fleck will serve as the Chair of the Cobb Chamber’s Economic Recovery Taskforce. “We have brought together a diverse group for this taskforce that represents different organizations and industries in our community, especially sectors most impacted by COVID-19,” said Britt Fleck, Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect and Regional Director for Georgia Power. “We look forward to working with this taskforce for a strategic and thoughtful approach for overcoming this.”
In addition its kick-off meeting on March 30th, the taskforce’s first program is a webinar, “How To: Business Recovery from COVID-19” on Tuesday, March 31st at 10:30 a.m. Any business is welcome to join this free webinar by registering through the Cobb Chamber’s website at cobbchamber.org/events. There are up to 500 attendee spots available.
The March 31st webinar will be moderated by 2020 Chairman John Loud and with participants, such as Georgia Small Business Development Center Area Director Drew Tonsmeire. The webinar will focus on walking businesses through the recovery resources available, including the Small Business Administration loan application process, the federal stimulus CARES act and more.
And here are the task force members:
· John Loud, Cobb Chamber 2020 Chairman & LOUD Security Systems President
· Britt Fleck, Taskforce Chair, Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect, Georgia Power Regional Director
Don’t forget to support local businesses in East Cobb that are remaining open. Many of those listed in our East Cobb Open for Business Directory are restaurants, and many are adapting on the fly to provide takeout/curbside services.
We’re constantly adding to this listing, so if you’d like to add yours please e-mail us the information: editor@eastcobbnews.com. Please include links to your website, social media platforms, etc.
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!
While many businesses have closed during the response to COVID-19, we’re keeping an updated list of those that are staying open and have changed their hours and services to serve the public.
Our East Cobb Open for Business Directory can be found here, and we welcome your submissions. E-mail us at: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll add it to our directory.
We want East Cobb News readers to connect with local businesses that are working hard during this unprecedented time to keep their doors open.
Many of those businesses listed are restaurants, since they’ve had to adapt on the fly to the closure of dining rooms during the Cobb state of emergency.
But we’ll list all types of locally-run businesses as a community service to bring awareness for part of the vibrant backbone of our community during a time of great duress.
We’ll keep this going during the Cobb state of emergency and beyond, as this recovery will last for many weeks and months.
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!
We’re keeping a running update on businesses—especially restaurants and retail—that are closing during the newly declared state of emergency in Cobb and/or are changing their hours and services.
Some that are closed are offering a drive-through pickup at designated times, and we’ll probably be seeing more of those, especially since this is a three-week emergency declaration.
As we have in recent days, we’ll add your submissions as well. Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll share it with the community.
Before ordering, you’re advised to call ahead since plans/services/offers are changing quickly:
Asahi Japanese Steakhouse: Open for curbside and takeout from 4-8:30 p.m. daily;
Book Exchange: Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and curbside service is available;
Book Miser: Open regular hours, online ordering and curbside pickup available;
Bradley’s Bar & Grill: Open for takeout/curbside service daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m;
Brewsters Neighborhood Bar & Grill: Takeout and curbside delivery only, starting Tuesday through April 6;
Camp’s Kitchen & Bar: Open for takeout/curbside pickup daily from 4-9 p.m.;
Catfish Hox: New hours 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and drive-through service only;
East Cobb Barbershop: Closed until April 15;
East Cobb Foot & Ankle Care: Closed for 2 weeks as of March 25, phone calls will be answered between 9am-4pm Monday thru Friday;
Eggs Up Grill: Open for takeout/curbside during regular opening hours, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m;
The Freakin’ Incan: Closed until further notice;
Fuji Hana East Cobb: Open for takeout/delivery from 4-9 p.m.
Intrigue Salon: Offering a Color Survival Kit (info here) for drive-through pickup Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.;
J. Christopher’s: Delivery available via UberEats at Woodlawn Square, East Lake and Powers Ferry locations;
J J’s Pizzeria: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for takeout, curbside pickup and free delivery;
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q: Curbside pickup is available;
Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant: Reopening Friday March 27 with dinner menu items only from 12-2:30 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. for takeout;
Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for takeout and delivery via DoorDash, daily specials also available;
Marietta Coffee Company: Closed until April 15, possibly opening for takeout TBA;
Montana’s Bar & Grill: Open for delivery and takeout from 4-9 p.m. from full menu;
Nancy’s Salon: Closed until further notice;
Roll On In Sushi Burrito: Takeout/delivery service, BOGO orders with free delivery via UberEats through March 30;
Rosa’s Pizza: Open for takeout/delivery 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily;
Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors: Closed to foot traffic March 26-April 6. Posting sale items on social media platforms, processing online orders with pickup after reopening at: Marietta@queenofheartsantiques-interiors.com;
Sakura Japanese Sushi Bar: Open for takeout;
Taqueria Tsunami East Cobb: Takeout and curbside delivery only, 4-9 p.m. daily;
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!
We’re compiling this list and will be updating it all day, as businesses continue to close temporarily or change their hours and go to takeout or delivery only.
Much of this figures to change after the governor holds a briefing at 5 p.m. Monday and Cobb commissioners meet Tuesday morning.
If you’ve got information to share about Coronavirus-related closings, cancellations, postponements or other changes in East Cobb, please e-mail us at editor@eastcobbnews.com.
We’ll be doing a separate post on ongoing food drive updates for the needy, elderly and others.
Closings
Frenchies Modern Nail Care: As of Friday, targeting April 3 reopen date;
Marietta Fish Market: As of Monday;
Cazadores Mexican Restaurant: Both East Cobb locations, as of Monday;
East Cobb Tavern: As of Sunday;
Frankie’s Italian: Closed as of Monday;
Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant: Closed as of Monday;
Changing Hours/Services
Taqueria Tsunami East Cobb: Takeout and curbside delivery only, 4-9 p.m. daily;
Brewsters Neighborhood Bar & Grill: Takeout and curbside delivery only, starting Tuesday through April 6;
Catfish Hox: New hours 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and drive-through service only;
Zama Mexican Cuisine: Open 12-9 p.m., dine-in still open with curbside delivery available;
Chicken Salad Chick: Open 10-5 and curbside pickup is available;
Biscuits and More: Curbside pickup available;
Marietta Antique Mall: New daily hours 12-4 p.m.;
Paradise Grill: Dining room closed but curbside and delivery available;
Asahi Japanese Steakhouse: Open for curbside and takeout from 4-8:30 p.m. daily;
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q: Curbside pickup is available;
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!
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!
