As we mentioned previously, web traffic at East Cobb News reached an all-time high in 2023.
As we close out our news coverage this year, we’ve surpassed 1.7 million pageviews and 900,000 unique monthly visitors for the past 12 months.
Our previous best was in 2020, dominated by coverage of the local response to COVID-19 and a competitive election year.
We didn’t have those things in 2023, but East Cobb News readers visited our site for a variety of timely news stories, features, calendar listings and other information that’s reflected in our yearly roundup of top stories.
We’re doing this in two posts. In this one, we’ll share some of our and reader favorites—feature stories, people, the always-changing restaurant and business scene, lifestyle news and more.
Previously we linked to those stories and individuals who were among the notable newsmakers and headliners in events taking place in East Cobb.
Vying to be the voice of the Braves
Mark Aston has been the public-address voice of Walton High School sports for several years, and this spring a friend encouraged him to take a shot at the opening with the Atlanta Braves.
A former football walk-on at Auburn, Aston does some sports voice-over work for his alma mater and for other sports.
The man Walton athletes call VOMA—the “Voice of Mark Aston”—made the final group of Braves hopefuls. The organization chose someone else, but Aston said he enjoyed the experience and was taken back by the recognition he got in the community.
He continues his PA work with Walton, and was the emcee at the 2023 Taste of East Cobb, staged by the Walton Parent Booster Association.
Restaurant openings and closings
2023 was a busy year on the East Cobb restaurant scene.
Among the openings were Westfield Tavern at the former Keegan’s Public House venue; Cafe Rivkah in the Pavilions at East Lake; First Watch and Cleaver and Cork at the Woodlawn Point Shopping Center; Fire Stone at the Merchants Festival; and Verandah Indian Cuisine at Olde Mill.
Several East Cobb favorites reopened in new locations: Tasty China and Rose and Crown on Powers Ferry Road; and LongHorn, now at Merchants Exchange.
At Avenue East Cobb, the New York Butcher Shoppe opened, the first of a wave of new eateries coming with the redevelopment of the retail center. In early 2024 Avenue will welcome Round Trip Brewing Co., Press Waffle Co., Peach State Pizza and a gaming-friendly expansion at Tin Lizzy’s.
Also coming in early 2024 is a new location of Sidelines Grill, at Stonewood Village, in the former Egg Harbor Cafe and Ritters space.
Plans for the former Red Sky site have also been delayed into 2024. What was to have been called 1255 Social and featuring a wood-fire grill and oven and locally- and regionally-sourced dinner fare has been renamed Reunion Kitchen. It’s keeping the same concept and ownership group, but an estimated opening date hasn’t been announced.
Notable closings included AJ’s Seafood & Poboys at Pavilions at East Lake, the Olea Oliva! gourmet food store at the Avenue, and also at the Avenue, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, which declined to renew its lease.
Kroger/MarketPlace Terrell Mill opens
The grocery chain’s first “superstore” in metro Atlanta opened its doors in August, the crown jewel of the MarketPlace Terrell Mill redevelopment.
The 90,000-square-foot store features a specially-designed mural of local landmarks at the entrance, leading into a cornucopia of fresh-cut flowers, an abundance of produce offerings and fully stocked sushi, delicatessen, bakery and meat and seafood counters. There’s also a location of Murray’s Cheese Shop.
Dance Stop Studio turns 50
One of East Cobb’s longest-lasting businesses hit the half-century mark. In August, Dance Stop Studio held an open house at its location at Merchants Exchange—its third facility under owner Lynette Strickland, whose staff includes former students.
“They started with us when they were young and came back because they love the children,” she said.
The Dance Stop Company that Strickland started to conduct auditions and hold performances for the public at larger venues recently held a holiday special event at the Lassiter Concert Hall.
EAST COBBER parade and festival returns
For the first time since COVID-19, bands, schools and other organizations marched down Johnson Ferry Road on the first Saturday in September.
It was the return of the EAST COBBER parade and festival, and included many familiar participants. The event was the first for publisher Laren Brown, who purchased the magazine in 2022 from founder Cynthia Rozzo.
Old buildings complicate zoning cases
A couple of zoning cases in East Cobb were abandoned in 2023 after historic preservationists asked for time to save some of the county’s oldest known existing buildings.
They included the Power-Jackson Cabin on Post Oak Tritt Road and the McAfee House on Bells Ferry Road.
Both rezoning requests—for a subdivision on the former and a car wash on the latter—were eventually dropped.
In November, Cobb Landmarks, an historic preservation non-profit, announced a fundraising drive to pay to relocate the 1840s-era Power-Jackson Cabin to Hyde Farm, a working farm from the same time period operated by Cobb PARKS off Lower Roswell Road.
The goal is to have it added to the grounds, with the possibility of using 2016 Cobb SPLOST funds to restore the cabin.
SPLOST funds have been used to preserve other structures at Hyde Farm, which was turned over to the county in 1999 by the Trust for Public Land. Cobb Landmarks maintains the cabin and conducts tours of the property.
Gritters/Shaw Park redevelopment
Gritters Library was demolished in 2023 to make room for a new facility combining library services with the nearby Northeast Cobb Community Center.
That’s just one part of a proposed revitalization of Shaw Park, an aging Cobb PARKS facility that features ball fields, playgrounds and picnic pavilions.
In March, county officials held a community town hall to explain the situation, and to hear suggestions.
Sand Plains Softball players pleaded to save their fields. Pickleball players expressed the need for more courts in a fast-growing recreational sport.
They and others cited safety and crime issues that have been a growing concern, as have outdated bathrooms.
County officials went “back to the drawing board” but haven’t yet presented a proposal that would require further public meetings and a master plan.
A 20th work anniversary surprise
When Jerri Heacock showed up for work at the East Cobb Barber Shop on Sept. 19, she wasn’t aware of a big surprise that was in store for her.
The longtime stylist was marking her 20th anniversary, and before long customers and co-w0rkers were showering her with gifts, a cake and praise.
“She just always has a smile, really knows how to build a rapport with customers,” owner Dee Reitz said. “That’s why she’s the first chair.”
Heacock said that working at the four-employee shop feels like family, and her boss said it’s not easy to find a stylist who can build up a loyal clientele.
“I don’t like turnover,” Reitz added. Having a reliable, friendly and familiar face “makes people feel comfortable.”
Taste of East Cobb
Point of personal privilege as I wrap up this year-end review. The year 2023 was so good for us at East Cobb News, including our participation in the Taste of East Cobb festival.
It was our first time as a sponsor, and was such a great example of the community connection that we take pride in with our coverage and everything we do.
It was great working with the Walton Band Parent Associaiton, which put on a top-notch event, and we look forward to being at the 2024 festival.
It was also so gratifying to meet readers, the community at-large and others who told us how much they value our truly local news and information.
As I wrote then, I was tickled to hear some of you say things like “I love how local you are.”
We’re aiming to do even more in 2024, and I wanted to say thanks to my readers, advertisers and citizens of this community for getting in touch and being part of what we do for all of you.
Happy New Year East Cobb!
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