Food + Beverage

Time to Smile

Smileys Burger Club has emerged in Decatur at just the right time, offering award-winning burgers and vibes. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by John Wachs A bite into a well-crafted cheeseburger can turn a day around, and for burger lovers in Decatur, there is a new place slinging out smiles in a wrapper. Smileys Burger Club has been offering good vibes and taste-bud-pleasing beef in its new brick-and-mortar spot on E. Howard Ave this summer. The burgers really are that good...

Food + Beverage

In Mourning and Joy, We Share a Meal

The Giving Kitchen’s life-saving resources serve those who serve us. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Jonathan Wade The Giving Kitchen began with one story and has spawned thousands. Literally, thousands: 21,000 people have been served as of their July reporting. That figure doesn’t even include their families, over 50% of whom include at least two children. The impact has been hugely felt and publicized in the eleven and a half years since the organization’s inception. Awards have been...

Life + Culture

On Air with Radio Roasters

Where Coffee Meets Community: Radio Roasters is Reimagining the Decatur Coffee Scene. Article by Julianna Bragg | Photography by John Wachs When Chip Grabow opened Radio Roasters Coffee in 2014, his mission was simple: become the great neighborhood coffee roaster. Although Grabow has been working in the news industry for most of his life, when he moved to Decatur, he felt inspired to upscale his small home roastery into a business that would bring him closer to the customer experience to help...

Food + Beverage

Let Your Taste Buds Travel

Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar will bring intimate elegance to Downtown Decatur in Chef Terry Koval’s most personal project yet. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Matt Boggs Welcome to a feast for the senses: meticulously selected music, visionary amaro cocktails, and poignantly flavored seafood. Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar promises a cross-cultural experience emphasizing dark and moody intimacy. Inspired by European wine bars, the small and narrow space allows energy to swirl, with limited seating for...

Arts + Culture

Oakhurst Porchfest Celebrates a Decade

A performer's perspective on why hundreds donate their time and energy. Article by Jeremy Rhett | Photography by Edward Rhett When I first heard about Oakhurst Porchfest, I was hooked. In 2015, after 8 glorious years of playing in Decatur’s infamous Dad band, The Grits, I was searching for my next musical endeavor. Porchfest gave me a mission to start something new. There was Chris Neff, musical prodigy, who I had jammed with on a rowdy New Year’s Eve soiree at the Clark house; and he had a...

Home + Design

Ever-Evolving Interiors

Kudzu Antiques + Modern houses an eclectic mix of styles, encouraging exploration and intentional curation. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Matt Boggs Our homes, like our lives, are meant to be ever-evolving. The people we meet and the places we experience leave an indelible mark on how we view the world. Creating a home space that mirrors the innermost parts of you, however unexpected, fosters an environment others will be drawn to; and more importantly, fosters an environment...

Shopping

Sole Play: The Community Impact Store

Shoes are only the beginning. Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Jonathan Wade It’s no surprise the Atlanta metro is a hub for sneaker culture. When it comes to sneaker shops worth seeking out around town, Sole Play in Downtown Decatur is among the elites. From their impressive selection of new shoe and clothing releases to their vault of rare and vintage Jordans and Nikes, there’s something to be found for every sneakerhead at Sole Play.  For co-owner Anthony “TJ” Bennett, the...

Health + Wellness

A Transformed Smile

Dr. Meagan Sturm looks to change the orthodontic experience under new brand. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by Jonathan Wade For many, the orthodontist's office might bring back some memories stuffed deep into the back of the brain: the wires, the rubber bands, and their constant presence during the awkwardness of the teenage years.  Dr. Meagan Sturm is trying to change that at her new-look practice on Clairmont. In 2023, Sturm took over the Silver Smiles practice from Dr. Arthur B...

Style + Beauty

Giving Back in Style

Gretchen Hollingsworth’s mission to empower women through jewelry. Article by Jade Abdul-Malik | Photography by Matthew Boggs The INK+ALLOY factory store is right off Ponce de Leon and brings its modern bohemian essence to Decatur. It's a women-founded accessory brand that focuses on what matters most to the founder: empowering women to express themselves with no inhibitions. While locations span New York City and Chicago, Decatur is home. For Gretchen Hollingsworth, it all started with the...

Life + Culture

Commune in a Sun-Filled Space

The Solarium’s stunning events are curated to give back. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Caroline Ficken Welcome to Oakhurst’s neighborhood gem. Owned and maintained by The Community Center of South Decatur, The Solarium serves the community through accessible amenities and voluntary passion. Their board consists of multi-talented neighbors dedicated to honoring this piece of Oakhurst history while serving the community they love. As new families move in and generations continue to...