Michele Swann, General Manager & CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, has announced that she will leave her leadership position effective December 31, 2024.
In her role with the Authority since 1995, Swann has been responsible for the administrative oversight and strategic growth of the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops and ArtsBridge Foundation. An announcement about a new General Manager and CEO will be made in early December.
“Michele deserves all the credit for her steady leadership and execution of the Authority’s vision – among other things – to develop the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, create the ArtsBridge Foundation, launch the capital plan to construct the performing arts center, guide the operations through a pandemic and oversee the design and programming for the renovation and expansion of the Cobb Galleria Centre,” said Jerry Nix, Chairman of the Authority. “She has been a watchful steward of the Authority’s assets, and the longevity and tenure of her staff is a testament to her quiet, humble leadership.”
Connie Engel, Chairwoman of the Authority’s Personnel Committee, said, “I struggle adequately finding the right words, but we at the Authority (and moreover those of us in Cobb County) are extremely grateful to Michele for the dedication and heart she has put into everything she has done over the last 29 years, including the years spent integrating the Cobb Galleria campus and parking with the new Braves development. Her leadership has resulted in a successful partnership with the Atlanta Braves, Cobb County and other area stakeholders.”
A 40-year veteran of the venue management industry, Swann has opened, operated, and expanded a variety of facilities including convention centers, arenas and performing arts centers in Atlanta, College Park, Ga., Augusta, Ga., and Niagara Falls, N.Y.
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CYP Cultivate, the Cobb Chamber’s newest leadership development program, has selected 51 new participants for the 2024-2025 class. Through a series of skills development workshops and one-on-one pairings with seasoned mentors, this six-month leadership program helps young professionals grow as leaders, excel in their careers, and make impactful connections in the community.
Congratulations to the 2024 Class:
Will Albers Gas South
Andrew Allison Kennesaw State University
Avery Arnold Brasfield & Gorrie
Leah Barton LoRusso Law Firm
Georgia Beggs Win-Tech, Inc.
Jacob Bower City of Smyrna Fire Department
Evan Burnett Chattahoochee Technical College
Tiara Chambliss JE Dunn Construction
Kelly Daniels Wellstar Health System
London Demetriou BIS Benefits
DeChino Duke Polsinelli/100 Black Men of North Metro Atlanta
Carson Earnest Delta Airlines
Danny Fischer City of Marietta Fire Department
Katie Guice Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Milad Jabbari Hemophilia of Georgia
Crystal Jordan Cobb County School District
Avery Maddox Cobb Electric Membership Corporation
Katherine Markey Atlanta Braves
Tori O’Bryant Northside Hospital Cherokee
Zack Orr Kimley-Horn & Associates
Jared Rakestraw Marietta Police Department
Timothy Ray Cobb Travel & Tourism
Josh Smith All Contractor Marketing
Lily Smith City of Mableton
Abby Smith Visit Marietta
Alena Urruzmendi Proda Technology
Mentors include:
Allan Bishop Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Edith Boy Edward Jones
Tripp Boyer Boyer Ramey Wealth Management
Angelo Brown Shepherding Leaders
Littie Brown SpeedPro Marietta
Melissa Cantrell CDH Partners
Stewart Carlin Accounting Consultants of Cobb
Kris Delaney Cobb EMC
Joy Doss The Doss Firm
Allison Giddens Win-Tech
Brittney Gray Visit Marietta
Arnold Huffman Yalo!
Kevin Hyland Sweetwater Financial
Fitz Johnson Public Service Commission
Don Keller Don Keller Coaching, LLC
Brian Marcos Smyrna Fire Department
Jesus Martinez Peach Tree Commercial Capital
Mazi Mazloom Mazloom Law Firm
Holly Quinlan Cobb Travel & Tourism
Dena Rodrigues Daniel Corporation
Amanda Seals Cobb Chamber
Jeremy Strife Atlanta Braves
Tracy Styf Town Center CID
Roz Tucker Atlanta Regional Commission
Andrew Walker Colliers International
CYP Cultivate is sponsored by Presenting Sponsor, Cobb EMC, and CYP Cultivate Champion Sponsors, The Mazloom Law Firm LLC and Wellstar Health System. For more information about this program, contact Rebecca Chadwick at rchadwick@cobbchamber.org.
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We are sorry to announce that the Marietta Studio is no longer hosting workshops and will be closed indefinitely.
We have sent cancellation emails to all customers who had an upcoming event. In addition, refunds have been processed to all customers affected by the sudden closure.
We certainly hope you will visit one of our other wonderful Bb studios hosting festive events! Here is a link to find the location nearest you!
Thank you for being a valued Bb customer! If you have questions, please email hello@boardandbrush.com
ORIGINAL REPORT:
The East Cobb location of the Board and Brush Creative Studio will be closing on Dec. 28, according to a social media posting.
The announcement came on Thursday, and said that customers who have a rebook code, store credit, or gift certificate please should contact the store immediately “so that we can review options with you for the use of these items or if a refund is appropriate.”
Board and Brush is a nationwide company offering DIY wood decor and crafts workshops geared mainly for a female clientele.
The East Cobb location was initially at Woodlawn Commons, then moved to 2323 Shallowford Road in a retail center at Trickum Road.
The store message on Thursday said that its e-mail address (marietta-eastcobb@boardandbrush.com) and telephone number (770-599-2660), “will remain active for the next few weeks. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. We have enjoyed our time in Marietta-East Cobb and we thank you for letting us be a part of your community.”
The store is “a first of its kind in Cobb County,” specializing in books and featuring “a whimsical and serene literary sanctuary where we encourage the importance of reading books that inspire your well-being.”
Topics include emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, financial, cultural and environmental wellness.
Activities will feature author signing events, musical book reads, spoken wellness word gatherings and wellness book clubs.
The store also will sell wellness-related gifts and apparel and includes a children’s reading room.
The owner is Dr. Viola Lanier, a former school teacher who founded a non-profit for women cancer survivors.
NCBA November luncheon
Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady is the guest speaker at the Nov. 20 monthly luncheon of the Northeast Cobb Business Association.
The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Piedmont Church (570 Piedmont Road) and the cost is $20 for members and $35 for non-members. Info and registration: Click here.
Holiday business parties
The East Cobb Business Association is holding its holiday social on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road). The cost is $10 for members and a member guest, and $15 for non-members.
The NCBA’s Alive After Five holiday event is Thursday, Dec. 5, at Marlow’s Tavern (745 Chastain Road, Kennesaw.
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Butch Carter with his wife Kimberly Shea-Carter and former East Cobb Citizen of the Year Susan Hampton.
Business owner and civic leader Butch Carter was named the 2024 East Cobb Citizen of the Year Thursday by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
The honor was announced during the Chamber’s East Cobb Area Council breakfast at Indian Hills Country Club.
According to the Chamber, “the Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live. Awards are given based on local area nominations.”
Carter is the owner of Honest-1 Auto Care on East Cobb Drive and is a past president of the East Cobb Rotary Club, supervising the distribution of over $100,000 to local charities in the 2023-2024 Rotary year.
The club also raised $30,000 to Lunches for Learning, a charity that provides food for needy children in Honduras. Carter leads the club’s volunteer efforts with East Cobb Park, road cleanup, clean water projects, and veteran organizations.
More from the Chamber about Carter’s community activities:
“Carter’s volunteer endeavors include service at MUST Ministries, the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA, and the East Cobb Business Association. Some of his notable achievements with the East Cobb Business Association has been supporting the East Cobb Public Safety Celebration and winning the East Cobb Business Association Business Person of the Year award. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after attending North Carolina State University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship. His generosity and positive energy are an invaluable part of the East Cobb community.”
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During the 2024 grant cycle, the Capital City Bank Group (CCBG) Foundation reinvested $13,500 into the Cobb County community, awarding grants to Cobb Collaborative, Marietta Schools Foundation, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, 10 Women of Hope, Cobb & Douglas Public Health and Communities In Schools of Georgia. The donations provided by the CCBG Foundation help nonprofits carry on the mission of the Foundation to enhance the quality of life for countless local citizens in the areas where we do business.
“Enriching the quality of life in the communities we serve is the primary mission of the Capital City Bank Group Foundation and a calling our bankers are proud to share,” said Ron King, Capital City Bank president of Cobb County. “Whether by way of dollars pledged annually by the Capital City Bank Group Foundation or through the individual efforts of our associates to donate their time and talents, Capital City Bankers are deeply invested in making a meaningful difference in the places we call home.”
The CCBG Foundation – a nonprofit organization created in 1983 by Capital City Bank Group, Inc. – is designed to build strong communities by enhancing the quality of life in communities where Capital City does business. The Foundation provides grants to nonprofits, charitable organizations and institutions exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The mission of the CCBG Foundation is to invest in initiatives that benefit local communities. Most of the funds are distributed to specific areas of focus, including: arts/culture, children/youth services, economic/community development, education, health/sciences and human services.
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The final East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce breakfast of 2024 takes place Thursday.
Travis Ellis
The event takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Indian Hills Country Club (4001 Clubland Drive) and features a special tribute to veterans.
The 2024 East Cobb Citizen of the Year also will be named.
The deadline to register is Monday and can be done by clicking here. The cost ranges from $30 for Cobb Chamber members to $40 for non-members.
Here’s more on the veterans’ portion of the program, involving the Shepherd’s Men organization:
“Ten years ago, a movement was born in Cobb County. Travis Ellis and his friends had a dream to create something bigger than themselves in support of our nation’s veteran heroes affected by the hidden injuries of war. That dream came to life in the form of Shepherd’s Men. Their mission is simple. They would raise funds and awareness for the SHARE Military Initiative, a life-saving program for post-9/11 military veterans at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Each year, they set out on grueling multi-state runs and rucks, symbolically sharing the burden these veterans face each day. Ten years later, Shepherd’s Men has run more than 5,000 miles and raised over $11 million for SHARE, covering the annual clinical budget of $1.2 million and growing the number of veterans served each year. “Join us for this moving program featuring a fireside chat with Shepherd’s Men co-founder, Travis Ellis, and a long-time supporter and Marine Veteran, Mitch Rhoden. Travis and Mitch will reflect on ten years of life-saving impact through Shepherd’s Men, what’s on the horizon, and how you can help amplify their impact. In addition to their roles with Shepherd’s Men, Travis and Mitch are local business owners and long-time Chamber members. Travis runs Mobilized Fuels in Marietta, GA and has served as a Chairman for the Cobb Chamber’s Honorary Commanders Program. Mitch is the President and CEO of Futren Hospitality and is a Past Chairman of the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors.”
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The outdoor public plaza that’s the centerpiece of major changes at Avenue East Cobb. (ECN file photo)
Back in August we noted the pending sale of the Atlanta office of North American Properties, which has managed the overhaul of Avenue East Cobb.
On Wednesday NAP officially sent out word that the acquisition by Jamestown, a commercial real estate investment and management firm, which also operates Parkaire Landing Shopping Center in East Cobb and Ponce City Market in Atlanta, has closed.
A sale price was not disclosed but the acquisition includes other metro Atlanta properties in Avalon, Atlantic Station and Colony Square. Jamestown’s assets now total $13.7 billion, according to a release sent out Wednesday.
“This acquisition gives us the ability to accelerate our expansion in secondary and tertiary markets throughout the Sun Belt where the population is growing,” Jamestown CEO Matt Bronfman said in the release.
“The additional experience in these markets and product types reinforces and enhances our differential capabilities as a vertically integrated, mixed-use operator, providing additional bench strength in these fast-growing markets.”
NAP took over management of Avenue East Cobb in 2021 and installed an outdoor public plaza and other amenities, and increased public events.
With those changes have come a number of new tenants, especially restaurants. Most recently, NAP announced an Italian restaurant and patisserie and a Japanese restaurant will be opening in early 2025.
Britni Johnson, a company spokeswoman, told East Cobb News that “no further changes are planned at this time; we’re just continuing to move forward on new tenant buildouts. Guests should not notice any differences in the team or property operations.”
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Celebrate the highly anticipated grand opening of Pause Studio at Avenue East Cobb on Saturday, November 2, 2024. From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pause East Cobb will officially open its doors to wellness enthusiasts with an all-day event featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, studio tours, wellness consultations, exclusive discounts, an exciting raffle, and goodie bags for the first 50 guests. Attendees can meet local owners Lisa and Evan Benson while sipping beverages from The Georgia Hemp Company, enjoying treats from Sugar Shane’s, getting permanent jewelry courtesy of Sparx, or creating custom trucker hats with Boho Trace. The event also includes exclusive discounts including Founding Discovery Packages at 50% off, along with 20% off other packages and founding Memberships at www.pausestudio.com/eastcobb.
WHAT: Pause East Cobb Grand Opening Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Last week The Playroom East Cobb, a “children’s gym” catering to youngsters with developmental differences, opened to the public and held a grand opening.
The Playroom is located at 1344 East Cobb Drive, Suite 200. Among the features of the 3,600-square-foot space are a climate-controlled space with play structures, activities, toys and therapy facilities for children with autism, sensory challenges and ADHD.
Owner and founder Stephanie Fisher, an East Cobb resident, said she was inspired to create the space in response to challenges she faced in finding play spaces for her own children that weren’t overstimulating.
She and her husband Nate are the parents of two boys, Jackson and Greyson.
“We designed The Playroom for kids, but as a mom, parents were always on the top of my mind,” Fisher said. “So, we made it easy to watch your kids. We wanted a place where parents could play with their kids, but also be able to drop them off when they needed a break. And it needed to be affordable enough that they could bring their children regularly. We knew that having the therapists on site will be incredibly valuable for the families that need them.”
The Playroom also has a therapy suite and gym for professionals such as speech therapists, counselors, and occupational therapists, who will provide care and classes for children and parents.
Fisher said the age range for children are infants through elementary school, and The Playroom is available for open play, private birthday parties, special classes programs and related activities.
Play sessions last up to 90 minutes and there are various individual and family membership rates. For more information, click here.
The Downtown Pooch opens at PMV
A pet boutique shop, The Downtown Pooch, has opened at Paper Mill Village (255 Village Parkway, Suite 134), across from Hot Dogs Cool Cats.
The doors opened officially on Monday, and it’s the second location of the Roswell-based pet retailer, which provides a range of products and services, including “wholistic pet cuisine,”
A grand opening is set for Saturday, Nov. 2. For information, contact hello@thedowntownpooch.com.
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Commissioner Richardson invites you to attend the 2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day on October 25, 2024!
Cobb County Government is committed to serving the community, which is why we are hosting this event to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to protect themselves online. Ever heard of “social engineering”? It’s a tactic used by cybercriminals that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking. Being aware of these tactics can help you recognize and avoid potential threats!
The 2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM at 1150 Powder Springs Street.
Cybersecurity awareness can save you money! A data breach can cost individuals thousands of dollars in recovery costs. Educating yourself about online safety can help you avoid these expenses.
This year’s event will feature industry-leading speakers, interactive presentations, and discussions on cyber safety for both organizations and individuals.
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!
A small vacant space at the Merchant’s Exchange Shopping Center looks non-descript for the moment, with its windows blocked out to indicate renovations.
Behind the scenes, a new franchise of a small chain, the Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Cafe, is being prepared for a likely November opening.
The franchisee is truly local.
After a long career in the technology sector, Tri Phan recently began considering entrepreneurial opportunities. His daughters attend Walton High School, and he wants his new business to be community focused.
“I’ve been looking for a place in East Cobb,” he said, initially pursuing a coffee/tea establishment. “Even if this wasn’t a franchise, I’d want to operate it the same way.”
He settled on Fluffy Fluffy Cafe, a dessert cafe with a wide array of coffees and teas, plus a few savory items (menu here.)
The headliner, Phan says, is Japanese souffle pancakes.
Fluffy Fluffy grew out of an original concept in Toronto, and has expanded to nearly a dozen franchises in the United States, including two in metro Atlanta, Duluth and Tucker, which is having a Nov. 9 grand opening.
The East Cobb location will occupy nearly 2,000 square feet next to Jersey Mike’s when it opens. It will be among several new eateries at Merchant’s Exchange, including Katana Sushi and Hibachi and J’MZ and artisanal coffee and tea spot with juices, light breakfast items, bowls and bakery items.
“It was just time for a change, said Phan, who left his technology job as a product manager earlier this year when it was purchased by another company.
For now, as the location is being built out, Phan—who earned an MBA from the University of Michigan—is laying some marketing and promotional groundwork.
He hoping for a soft opening by the end of October with a grand opening in November, but hasn’t set any hard dates.
Phan said the opening hours for Fluffy Fluffy Cafe will be 10-8 Sunday-Thursday and 10-9 on Friday-Saturday.
Pause Studio sets grand opening
Pause Studio will have a flotation therapy chamber.
Pause Studio, which provides holistic wellness services, will hold its grand opening at Avenue East Cobb on Nov. 2 from 12-6 p.m. (475 Roswell Rd, Suite B-420).
Based in Los Angeles,, Pause will be opening its first franchise location outside of California, featuring wellness treatments, including floatation therapy, infrared saunas, LED light therapy, IV therapy, contrast therapy, cryotherapy, and naturopathic medicine.
“It’s been our passion to open a state-of-the-art wellness studio in our own backyard, helping us realize our vision of providing the community with modern, holistic lifestyle solutions that nurture both mind and body,” says franchise owner Lisa Benson, who is local. “Our mission is to lead Atlanta’s wellness space through unparalleled service, education, and by offering approachable and affordable solutions that empower everyone to live healthier, happier lives.”
A company release said the new Pause Studio is the first in Cobb County to receive health department approval for cold plunges and float tanks.
The grand opening includes food, drink mini-services from partners, a raffle, giveaways, studio tours and more. Initial Founding Discovery Packages at are being sold for 50 percent off, along with 20 percent off other packages and founding memberships.
Helping those in need
A number of businesses, religious institutions and other organizations have been collecting donations for Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina.
Suburban Tap has been loading up several vehicles to transport to those needing assistance, as the restaurant notes on its Facebook page:
They’ve been asking for the donations on their social media channels for the last few days, and last week offered specials for refugees from Hurricane Milton in Florida.
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One of the most high-profile business leaders in Cobb County organizing a rally this week against the Cobb transit tax referendum that’s on the November ballot.
John Loud
The event on Thursday was led by John Loud and Cobb Republican state legislators John Carson and Ginny Ehrhart “and other Cobb County business leaders.”
Loud is the founder of Loud Security Systems and is a former president of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. He was a key figure in efforts to lure the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County in 2013.
He has become more active politically recently, recruiting Republican candidates John Cristadoro (Cobb Board of Education Post 4) and Kay Morgan (Cobb Commission Chair) to run for office in 2024.
What’s being called the Cobb Mobility SPLOST, if approved by voters in the referendum, raise the current sales tax totals in Cobb County from six to seven cents on the dollar.
The transit tax would collect a one-percent Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax for 30 years (more than $11 billion) to expand bus service in Cobb County, including 108 new miles of routes as well as construction of transfer stations and expansion of microtransit and other related services.
In a social media post Monday, Loud called the tax “such a waste of money” and said the county hasn’t been transparent on ridership figures and how the money would be spent.
The MDJ has reported that ridership across the overall Cobb bus system has plummeted from 3.7 million annual trips in 2014 to just under 1 million trips in 2022, and that the decline began well before COVID-19.
Cobb commissioners voted in a 3-2 partisan vote in June to put the tax out for a referendum. It’s the longest and most ambitious sales tax in Cobb County, and Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid has frequently defended both in public statements.
“What it comes down to is do we perceive the future is worth it?” she said before the vote in June. “We can do something that is transformational . . . it enhances our ability to serve our own citizens.”
Loud said in a social media post Monday that while he supports the current sales taxes to finance Cobb County government and Cobb County School District construction and maintenance projects, “this M-SPLOST, for public transportation is nothing like the others.”
The existing SPLOSTs have been approved since the late 1990s for shorter periods (typically four to six years), have committed project lists and citizen oversight committees.
If the Mobility SPLOST passes, he claimed on the Vote NO M-SPLOST Facebook page he created, that “future elected officials can make all sorts of changes and use these funds in all sorts of ways as there is no committed full list of how these [BILLION$ Lisa Cupid] will be spent.”
Among the proposed projects that would be funded with the transit tax is the construction of a bus transfer station in the Roswell-Johnson Ferry Road area and the restoration of two bus routes through East Cobb that were eliminated during recession budget cuts.
Loud claimed that nearly $300,000 of taxpayer money has been diverted for “an education campaign” to inform voters about the referendum, and that Cupid “pressured” Community Improvement Districts to spend around $260,000 on “education initiatives” for the tax.
The former figure is around $287,000 that’s being paid to Kimley-Horn, an Atlanta consulting firm, to build an informational web site for the tax and to hold open houses.
The latter reference includes around $100,000 in contributions by the Cumberland CID and around $110,000 by the Town Center CID, per the MDJ.
The county cannot officially make an endorsement on the tax, but a sentence on the SPLOST “overview” page states that “this initiative seeks to improve the county’s transit infrastructure with a focus on safety, flexibility, and reliability tailored to meet the specific needs of our growing community and local economy.”
More than 200 people have joined the Facebook page started by Loud and Carson, and some are fellow GOP elected officials and conservative activists.
Opposition also has come from the Cobb Taxpayer Association, which held a rally in East Cobb last month.
The Cobb Business Alliance, made up of companies in the construction industry, has also launched a website that it says is informational only.
However, the CBA sent out media and other invitations to its campaign kickoff in support of the tax, and that Cupid attended.
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The fast casual chicken franchise Super Chix opened its third location in Georgia Monday at Avenue East Cobb, the retail center announced.
As we noted earlier this year, the eatery is occupying the former Victoria’s Secret space (3,800 square feet) andthe franchisee is East Cobb resident Missy Newks.
The Texas-based company serves grilled chicken sandwiches (which the chain dubs “The Last True Chicken Sandwich”), hand-cut fries and frozen custards (menu here).
The flavor options for the chicken sandwiches, salads and tenders include Nashville Hot, Cheesy BBQ, Buffalo Ranch, Blackened Cajun, Crispy Avocado and Cordon Bleu.
In addition to the fries, Super Chix also serves fried pickles, and coleslaw and kids’ meals.
The frozen custards are available in cups, cold fusions, shakes and pints. Flavors include Strawberry Cheesecake, Cookies n’ Cream, Butterfinger, English Toffee, and Reese’s Peanut Buttercup.
Super Chix is the fourth restaurant/eatery to open at Avenue East Cobb since the retail center’s overhaul, joining Round Trip Brewing Co., Peach State Pizza and Press Waffle Co. The existing Tin Lizzy’s also expanded to include a game bar with food service from the main restaurant.
It’s also the latest fast-casual chicken eatery in what’s becoming a competitive market in East Cobb. In April, Howlin’ Willy’s, a hot-chicken concept from Willy’s Mexicana Grill, opened at Pine Straw Place.
Guthrie’s Chicken will be opening in a drive-through-only capacity at the intersection of Lower Roswell and Johnson Ferry roads. Construction work is nearing completion but a specific timetable hasn’t been announced.
Super Chix hours are daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and online ordering is available.
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Town Center Community will host its third annual State of the District event on October 22 at 8 a.m. at the Governors Gun Club, located at 1005 Cobb Place Blvd. NW, in Kennesaw. This annual gathering brings together industry leaders, community members and key stakeholders to discuss the district’s growth and success, its vision for 2025 and to recognize the winners of the 2024 Townie Awards, which celebrate outstanding community leaders, developers and businesses in the Town Center area.
“The State of the District event offers businesses valuable insight into the strategic developments shaping our community’s economic landscape,” said Tracy Styf, Executive Director of Town Center Community. “By coming together, we can foster strong partnerships that will benefit the entire Town Center area for years to come.”
This year’s event will feature two panel discussions:
The World Stage Panel will explore the impact of Kennesaw State University joining Conference USA and Fifth Third Stadium’s selection as a training base for the 2026 World Cup. Panelists include:
Rachel Rogers, Vice President Sports Sales & Engagement of Cobb Sports Alliance
Randy Koporc, Regional President of Fifth Third Bank
Teddy Parrish, President & CIO of Parrish Capital
The Economic Drivers and Resilience Panel will examine how Town Center’s diverse industries contribute to economic resilience and development. Panelists include:
Ashley West, Regional Economic Development Manager of Georgia Power Economic Development
Mike Alexander, COO of Atlanta Regional Commission
Michael Davis, Co-founder and Partner of D&G Development Group
All proceeds from the State of the District event will go to the Lanie Shipp Hoover Fund, which supports future trail, park and greenspace projects in the Town Center area.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations and businesses to support the event. Current sponsors:
Gold Sponsors: Capital City Public Affairs, Cobb Travel & Tourism, Crane Elder Law Firm, Croy, Georgia Power Foundation, Son & Sons
Silver Sponsors: Arcadis, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Cooper Carry, Council for Quality Growth, Dentons, DeNyse, Kennesaw State University, LGE Credit Union
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Kennesaw State University’s HatchBridge Incubator, which started in July 2023, provides training and guidance for those in the Atlanta suburbs wishing to start their own businesses.
Since then, the incubator has hosted 51 different startup projects in a variety of programs
“People need mentorship and accountability when they’re creating a startup,” said Colin Ake, HatchBridge’s director of incubation and commercialization, in a university release. “What we do is provide support for all the people who are building something in the suburbs.”
Here are more specifics about the program:
“HatchBridge offers programs where entrepreneurs refine their ideas, research potential markets, receive business coaching from incubator staff, launch their businesses, and work to make them grow. Entrepreneurs can then continue working to build their companies at the incubator as they refine products, business plans, and raise money to fund their growth.
“While bringing their startups into being, HatchBridge members get access to workstations or offices, tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers to make product prototypes, a content studio to make promotional videos, podcasts, and more. They also belong to a digital community of fellow startup builders who inspire and support each other.
“Being based at and part of Kennesaw State makes HatchBridge a natural stop for university researchers, alumni, and even students to bring their inventions to market. But the incubator is open to anyone who is building a business.”
Ake said that the focus is to “serve entrepreneurs who live and build in the suburbs. They need community, support, and accountability in proximity to where they live.”
One of them is recent KSU graduate Jordan St. Louis, who is using his degree in software engineering to Generalized Robotics, a company that hasdeveloped a camera for emergency vehicles that provides a 360-degree view and has been tested by the Clayton County Police Department. Generalized Robotics was in the first two HatchBridge programs.
Ake has more than a decade of experience building startups, including his alma mater, Georgia Tech, and the HatchBridge staff has similar backgrounds.
Next year, the incubator will be moving to a larger stand-alone space at 1111 Chastain Road, the former General Bookstore building.
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As part of the 29th annual Public Safety Appreciation Week (Oct.7-11), the Cobb Chamber will honor Cobb County’s finest during a special recognition program at the Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon event held at the Coca-Cola Roxy on October 7. The luncheon will kick off a weeklong effort to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County. The luncheon is presented by Marquee Sponsor Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating and includes the presentation of the 2024 Public Safety Awards.
2024 Public Safety Awards and Nominees
The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon will honor the bravery and commitment to excellence for each of the 2024 nominees – 15 individuals and 10 units, representing 12 different public safety organizations. Each nominee is eligible to win the following awards: the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, Medal of Valor, Award of Merit, Distinguished Achievement Award, and Outstanding Community Contribution Award. The 2024 Public Safety Committee Chairwoman is Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications.
Award winners will be announced and celebrated at the October 7 Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy. Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/2ba98snc.
Sponsors include Marquee Sponsor, Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating; Platinum Sponsors, Cobb EMC and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service; Awards Sponsor LoRusso Law Firm; Gold Sponsors Barrow Wrecker Services, Genuine Parts, and Marietta Wrecker; and Appreciation Week Sponsor Verizon.
2024 Public Safety Appreciation Week
The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon kicks off a weeklong community effort to celebrate the efforts of our public safety personnel, known as Public Safety Appreciation Week. Led by the Cobb Chamber, the community is invited to show their gratitude by visiting the public safety agencies in their neighborhood, between Oct. 7 through Oct. 11.
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!
Diane Spencer, co-founder of Frameworks Gallery, which is marking its 50th anniversary.
Thursday will be a special day at Frameworks Gallery.
The East Cobb art gallery and frame shop is marking the start of its 50th anniversary in business with a new exhibition, “Symphony of Colors,” that will run through Oct. 18.
The opening reception on Thursday lasts from 6-8 p.m. (1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 110).
The special show features the work of four artists who’ve had their work displayed at Frameworks in the pas: Pat Fiorello, Marsha Savage, Barbara Royal, and Judie Jacobs.
Founded by sisters Diane Spencer and the late Sunny Walker, Frameworks Gallery is a fixture not just in the local art and business scene, but also the larger civic community.
In April we spoke to Spencer about her initiative to raise funds for a special garden at East Cobb Park to honor Walker, a leading figure in the creation of the park.
What’s to be called “Sunny’s Butterfly Garden” is getting underway under the auspices of the East Cobb Garden Club, part of the all-volunteer Friends for the East Cobb Park.
Frameworks has been in East Cobb all along, and moved into its present space in the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center 20 years ago.
Walker passed away in 2019, and Spencer has kept the business in the family, with her son running the framing operation.
The artists featured in “Symphony of Colors” have distinguished backgrounds in the local arts scene.
Fiorello’s work was selected as Best Floral in the April 2023 PleinAir Salon competition sponsored by PleinAir Magazine, and she’s the author of a book, “Bella Italia, Italy Through the Eyes of an Artist.”
Savage has been an artist for more than 50 years, specializing in landscape painting. Her work has been displayed at the Georgia State Capitol and she has been entered in many local and regional art shows.
Royal paints landscapes and abstract works, and is a member of the High Museum of Art of Atlanta.
A member of the metro Atlanta artist community for more than 40 years, Jacob is a painter, ceramic sculptor and mixed media specialist.
Parading around
Saturday’s EAST COBBER parade and festival (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes some local businesses. Here’s a partial list of who you’ll see stepping down Johnson Ferry Road and/or having booths at the festival afterwards at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church:
Aqua-Tots East Cobb; Auto Accident Attorneys; Custom Disposal; Dance Stop Company; Just Fences Inc.; My Best Friend’s Vet; Neighborhood Tire Pros & Auto Service; Prime IV Hydration & Wellness; Sparkles Family Fun Center; Stretch Zone East Cobb; Ted’s Montana Grill; Willow Orthodontics.
The chief sponsor for the second year in a row is CertaPro Painters.
Festival x 2
Saturday’s going to be extra busy for The Auto Accident Attorneys Group. In addition to being a sponsor of the EAST COBBER event, AAA is holding its third annual Fall Kickoff Festival from 12-3 Saturday at its offices (1454 Johnson Ferry Road).
Admission is free, and the event features a live band, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses, shaved ice and food vendors. The sponsor is Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy.
Managing partner Jamie Salimi said it’s a community give-back event. Food and drinks are complimentary with a wristband while supplies last, and you’re asked to register online.
Started by former East Cobb Business Association president Brian Kramer and other experienced local business leaders, the CCBB provides free start-up assistance to qualified applicants, with a focus on sales, marketing, operations, finance/legal, human resources and entrepreneurial evolution.
On Tuesday there will be a free workshop to go over the bootcamp program details to those interested.
It’s from 5-7 at the North Cobb Regional Library (3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw) and is free to attend. You’re asked to RSVP in advance at https://bit.ly/CCBBIdeaWorkshop9102024.
Since officially opening in March, CCBB has accepted more than 100 business owners as member participants. The goal is to have more than 300 owners on board by the end of the year.
Selected participants will have their scholarships paid for with funding from an American Recovery Program Act small- and minority-owned business grant through Cobb County government.
According to the CCBB website, “this membership covers all aspects of the program such as our online courses, peer-to-peer roundtables, access to our live events and the done-with-you services provided by our partners.”
“We want any minority small business owner in Cobb County to know we’re open, our services are free, and we are eager to help them succeed,” Kramer said in a release.
“One of our key differentiators is that CCBB is set up to help many types of businesses, from mom-and-pop startups in a home office or kitchen to retail businesses or franchises across the community.”
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Dr. Marianna Kovtich (in white suit) with staff and members of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce at the Modern Dental Center ribbon-cutting.
We reported a few months ago on the Mt. Bethel Community Center being sold to be converted into a dentistry practice.
That business has now opened. Modern Dental Center recently opened its doors at 4608 Lower Roswell Road earlier this month, providing “general cleaning for children and adults, veneers, bonding, crowns, bridges, implants, and treatment for sleep apnea,” according to a release.
Leading the practice is Dr. Marianna Kovitch, a board-certified dental sleep medicine specialist certified by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
She has had a fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantology in 2015 and a fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 2018, where she also served as past president of the Georgia chapter.
“My mission is to provide exceptional dentistry you can trust in a comfortable, pain-free environment,” says Dr. Kovitch.
She said the center provides patients with the latest in technology and comfort, including a beverage station, Bose headphones, ceiling televisions and an electric car charger.
Dental services features include a 3D scanner for x-rays with a low radiation exposure using the Vatech Green CBCT system. There’s also a diode dental laser for gum recontouring, treatment of ulcers and periodontal disease.
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’s Board of Directors have named Melissa Cantrell, President and CEO of CDH Partners, as its 2026 Chairwoman of the Board.
Cantrell will succeed Chris Britton, Regional President of Brasfield & Gorrie, who begins his term as Chairman of the Board in 2025. Cantrell will start her term in January 2026 as Board Chairwoman and will serve as Board Chair Elect in 2025.
“It is an honor to be entrusted to serve as the 2026 Board Chairwoman. My passion for serving our business community and helping them achieve their goals has been fueled by the mission of the Chamber. By building the foundations of our community with a prioritization on the needs of our businesses, we’re laying the groundwork for a more vibrant and sustainable future,” said Melissa Cantrell. “I am proud to contribute to the Chamber’s vision to create a future for Cobb that makes Cobb County a dynamic place to live, work, and play!”
Cantrell is a long-time investor in the Cobb Chamber and its economic development strategy, SelectCobb. She has served on the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors and SelectCobb Board of Directors since 2015. Her most recent role has been the 2024 Member and Community Programs Chair on the Cobb Chamber’s Executive Committee. Cantrell also served as a judge for the Cobb Chamber’s 2024 Small Business of the Year award. Cantrell and her team at CDH Partners were named the 2023 Small Business of the Year.
Cantrell has also served on many Cobb Chamber committees, including the building transition taskforce, Leadership Cobb Selection Committee, Leadership Cobb Education/Workforce Day, Armed Services Program Day, and as a Marietta Area Council Director. She is a graduate of the 2014 Leadership Cobb class and an active member of the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association. She is a current class member of the Honorary Commanders program.
As President and CEO of CDH Partners, Cantrell leads the firm’s operations, plans and strategies, resourcing, employee growth, and budgets. She is also the principal of CDH Partners’ education studio, where she delivers innovative architectural design and master planning to public and private education clients.
Cantrell is a member of several industry organizations, including the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Learning Environments, the United States Green Building Council, the Georgia Association of Physical Plant Administrators, and the Georgia Board of Architects and Interior Designers. She shares her expertise with several community organizations, such as the Kennesaw State University College of Architecture Advisory Council, the Marietta High School Architecture Program Advisory Council, and the One Cumberland Board of Directors. Cantrell is also currently serving on the Cobb Chamber’s taskforce for the county’s Unified Development Code project.
“Melissa Cantrell is a remarkable leader with a proven track record of excellence and innovation. Her extensive experience as President and CEO of CDH Partners, coupled with her deep commitment to our community and chamber, makes her an ideal choice to chair the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors in 2026,” said Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “Melissa’s vision, strategic thinking, and ability to bring people together will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission. I couldn’t be more excited to have her at the helm, and I look forward to the incredible impact she’ll make in this role.”
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 public plaza at Avenue East Cobb is the centerpiece of the retail center’s redevelopment project in 2023. ECN file photo.
The Atlanta-based subsidiary of a commercial real estate company that completed the redevelopment of Avenue East Cobb last year is being purchased by another major commercial developer and property manager.
North American Properties announced Tuesday that its Atlanta unit is being acquired by Jamestown Properties, which manages major office and retail properties that include Parkaire Landing Shopping Center in East Cobb.
NAP said in a release that a Jamestown affiliate will “make an investment” in the new portfolio of properties, which includes Colony Square and Atlantic Station in Atlanta, The Forum in Peachtree Corners and others in New York, North Carolina and Kentucky.
NAP also is the developer of Avalon in Alpharetta and counts nearly $2 billion in assets in its Atlanta unit. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
“Jamestown’s North Star is to create inspiring places that serve as the foundation of community life and reinforce a sense of place and belonging, while generating value for investors,” Jamestown president Michael Phillips said in a release.
“This acquisition will bolster our differential advantage in the market as a vertically integrated, mixed-use operator with a focus on placemaking. Their expertise around suburban placemaking is a great complement for our urban placemaking expertise, as well as our grocery-anchored shopping center business.”
The acquisition comes as Jamestown is making a major push into suburban areeas.
Jamestown owns 22 properties in 19 states, and at Parkaire, the anchor is a Kroger store. Avenue East Cobb doesn’t have retail grocery, but has opened a number of new retail stores and restaurants in wake of the redevelopment.
Those include a Barnes & Noble bookstore, Press Waffle Co., Peach State Pizza and Round Trip Brewing Co. There is a major vacancy at Avenue East Cobb after Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar closed at the end of last year, opting not to renew its lease.
One of the two “jewel box” spaces built in the redevelopment also remains vacant.
NAP said its 200 employees, including top executives, will come under the Jamestown umbrella after the deal closes.
Jamestown has more than $11.7 billion in assets in the U.S., Latin America and Europe. Its other properties in metro Atlanta include Ponce City Market.
NAP, based in Cincinnati, opened its Atlanta office in 1996.
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!
