Here is your chance to let us know what you want for the East Atlanta #smallbiz community!

EABA is constantly striving to do good within our business community . By supporting our network of small businesses and strengthening their success we enhance our entire community. The quirky-ness that is uniquely East Atlanta is undoubtedly better because of the many small businesses that call East Atlanta home. EABA's main goal is to make sure these businesses are supported and continue to have opportunities to thrive. With that sentiment in mind, we are asking for your input to help structure our work plan and goals for 2025 and beyond.  Whether you own, work at or patronize a business in or near East Atlanta, we'd love to hear from you!

TAKE THE SURVEY

Please take a few minutes to review EABA's 2025 work plan and goals which have been structured around the Main Street platform. This nationally recognized program utilizes the 4 pillars of design, organization, promotion and economic vitality to enhance communities. We are excited to be sharing in their prolific strategies to amplify the businesses that operate within East Atlanta.

The survey will close on Friday, February 28. Everyone who has completed the survey will be entered to win one of 4 ShopEAV gift cards that you can redeem at multiple businesses in East Atlanta.

Are you or someone you know a good fit as a representative of East Atlanta's small business community? We need help executing our 2025+ goals to support every East Atlanta small business. It takes a village.

Open EABA Board Positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer

Please reach out to hello@eastatlantabiz.com with recommendations! Board elections will take place at EABA's April General Meeting: 4.15.25 from 6-8 PM.

WHO CAN RUN?
To be eligible to run, your business must be a current member of EABA and you must be representing the business member. The owner of the company does not have to be the one to be on the board of directors as long as it is approved by the owner. Only 2 seats available for non business owners. 

• Members or associate members in good standing.

• Members are businesses and property owners that operate within the bounds of East Atlanta.

• Associate members operate outside of the bounds of East Atlanta.

If you are not listed in the directory, your membership has lapsed. 

Two Year Terms: Executive Officers and Committee Chairs make up the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors Time Commitments: 10 hours per month + Mixers & Events + Work Sessions

• The executive officers are the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The executive officers govern EABA.

• Committee Chairs vote on major issues and manage each area of expertise.  Reports to the Executive Officers and works closely with the Main Street Coordinator on action items and plans.

Required Monthly Meetings: 5 hours

Board of Directors may not miss more than 3 meetings total per term.

• Attendance at in-person and zoom BOD meetings on the 1st Tuesday of the Month from 6-7:30 PM. 

• Attendance at in-person General Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month from 6-8 PM.

Working Sessions & Follow Up: 5 hours

• No more than 5 hours per month during normal EABA functions regarding preparation of agendas, follow up items and emails between the Board of Directors and the community.

EABA By-Laws

• Hosted 10 Monthly General Meetings with areas of focus including public safety, outreach, etc
• Recruited 34 new business members
• On-boarded 2 new board members
• Installed 40 street pole banners
• Hosted the Strut 5k through East Atlanta Runs that raised $6500 with funds distributed to local programs: Intown Cares, Georgia Works + East Atlanta Kids Club
• Partnered with District 5 + EACA to start the Intown Cares EAV Pilot Program with a dedicated unhoused and mental health specialist for EAV
• Partnered with EACA to start the Georgia Works program with 3 weekly cleanups in EAV
• Partnered with EACA to produce 2-day East Atlanta Santa event + raised $?
• Hosted EABA Holiday Party + raised approx. $1k
• Partnered with East Atlanta Parents Network to host EAV-O-Ween in the village with a free costume closet 
• Attended the Main Street NOW Conference in Birmingham to further our education on the Main Street program
• Partnered with City of Atlanta to further establish an Atlanta Main Street program that will continue to be funded by the City and welcomed a 6th Main Street: MLK District
• Organized a visit from the Mayor to local EAV establishments
• Activated the EAV Farmers Market with a free Make Music Day event, in partnership with Atlanta Main Streets
• Hosted multiple EAV tours including Whispers of History and a Street Art Tour

VIEW 2024 SLIDESHOW

Goals for 2025 include:

• Main Street accredidation
• Spring/Summer Fundraiser
• East Atlanta Runs: Spring 5k w/ Mini East Atlanta Beer Fest + Strut 5k
• Placemaking + beautification projects, especially involving the business community:  #smallbiz sign, painted light boxes, string lights near Gaja
• Local artist designed street pole banners sponsored by business members
• Increased public safety efforts with a more robust committee and commitment from local programs and authorities
• Increased historic preservation efforts, including protection of Madison Theater and more promotional activities and events surrounding EAV's history
• Arts + Culture Committee
• Expand EAV walking tour opportunities + add incentives (gatherings and/or local restaurant discounts)
• Quarterly EAV trivia nights
• Recruit new dedicated board members and committee members

View full Main Street work plan for 2025 HERE (coming soon)

We are celebrating East Atlanta's cleanest year yet thanks to Georgia Works! Orchestrated by the efforts of local community members, organizations and the office of Liliana Bakhtiari, and funded by those same outlets, the 3 weekly clean-ups provided by the men of GA Works have made a huge impact on our village. Cleaner streets, sidewalks and parking lots benefit us all in ways that you may not even recognize.

DONATE NOW

Below is a note from Georgia Works program director Steve McGoy who has worked closely with EABA to make this a reality this past year. Hear what has worked well this year and the plans to have continued success with this partnership going forward. 

"HAPPY NEW YEAR! I want to thank you for A great year of partnership in 2024. . We value your community and the opportunity you have given us to help make it better by our beautification efforts. Since we began in March, we haven't missed any clean ups that have not been made up. Our commitment is strong as is your appreciation of our efforts. This should continue to serve us well as we move forward. 

Here are some highlights and goals for the new year:

• Monthly Meetings have been excellent channels to interact, promote, assess and bond. 
• We continue to provide value on our clean ups using extra men at no additional cost and keeping the billable rates to one hour per visit. 
• Several of our Operations staff are familiar with the clean ups which will help keep the contract going. 
• Current 3 day clean up schedule agreed to works well. Sundays, Tuesdays & Saturdays. We are open to adjustments as needed.
• Additional beautification services will be offered blowing leaves and trash, pressure washing, working with Outreach and real time field training to improve our efforts. 
• A Field Operations Supervisor will be hired and work on cigarette butt litter observation, education, awareness and clean ups. They will work with EABA as needed as this is a major source of litter in the village. 
• We are open to doing an expanded clean up in East Atlanta to bring further awareness to our beautification efforts and presence in the Village. This would be in residential and commercial areas and hopefully lead to more financial/community support. 
• We plan to be more present at EABA and Public Safety Meetings to better educate and advocate. 
• We intend to work closer with Michael Nolan to collaborate with the intent of better coordination of information regarding the unhoused.

None of this would have happened without the support of Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari's office and the efforts of Micki Silvestros of EAV Copy to work with us to help this opportunity manifest. We would also like to recognize EABA for your tireless efforts to bring everything and everyone together! Your passion is obvious and infectious! -Steve"

EAV-O-Ween 2024 was a blast! You can relive the fun by visiting the photo gallery from Dani Weiss Photography. Just click on EAV-O-Ween and add your email address to view photos. 

If you see a photo you want, Dani has graciously offered to supply one free photo per family. Please email Dani directly at dani@daniweissphotography.com with the photo number. 

Thanks to all for coming out!

That's a wrap on the 2024 Strut 5k! We had 380 runners show up in the wee hours of the morning on East Atlanta Strut day this year. It was a high-energy morning filled with tunes, cheering, running and mimosas! What a great way to kick off the best festival of the year!

CHECK OUT THE RACE PHOTOS

Much gratitude to everyone that came out to RUN the 5k, everyone that came out to CHEER our runners on and every one of our vendors and sponsors.

Joes Coffee House | Captains of Revelry | Climbing Kites | Village Fitness | Keller Knapp Realty | Ruff Runners | Topo Chico | Guyaki Yerba Mate | Chelsea Sommers, Realtor® | Core Pilates Studio | Noka Smoothies | Corrective Chiropractic Decatur

See y'all again next year!

The 2024 East Atlanta Strut needs your help! Volunteers are needed, especially during the later shifts. Please consider donating 2 hours of your time for this beloved community event. Need some motivation to get involved? You get a 2024 limited edition Strut t-shirt!

VOLUNTEER

Friends of East Atlanta Library has created a survey and they need YOUR input! Please consider helping out our local branch library by completing this simple and fast survey.

A note from FEAL:

"We would love library patrons feedback on our group's survey. We appreciate your time to complete this quick survey on our branch specifically. We help with funding some programming and supplies at the library as requested and this will help us with decisions in the future and offering some patron input to the library staff."

TAKE SURVEY

  
 

THANK YOU to everyone who came out and joined us for our August General Meeting focused on OUTREACH.

VIEW MINUTES HERE

The panel was an all-star roundup of outreach initiatives in and around East Atlanta. Programs such as @intowncares , @eastatlantakids , @blessingbagsofwarmth , @Atlanta311, @padatlanta and @bagel.rescue (with support from @lilianaforatlanta )! They are doing amazing work to foster a culture of care and support for those in need within our community and we are so lucky to have these awesome organizations in our city and neighborhood.

Thank you again to all our sponsors! Argosy + Peachtree Dog Training + Carlen Hultgren, Realtor® w/ RPM Home Advisors + Coffyn Pyes

To hear more about the work these programs are providing to support our community, check out the live stream video on our instagram:

View this post on Instagram

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Thursday, September 19 The Point at Cascade 5:00 - 8:00pm If you are looking for small business resources, this event is for you! Join us at The Point at Cascade for an evening of networking with other small business owners, lending partners and technical assistance providers. This event promises insights, information and opportunities: Learn about exciting small business resources offered by Invest Atlanta Tour the small businesses at The Point to hear success stories from Invest Atlanta program recipients Meet Invest Atlanta team and chat with our community partners Network with fellow entrepreneurs and commercial real estate professionals Pick up helpful resources provided at each business at The Point Enjoy music, art and tastings Information sessions will occur every 30 minutes on the green space between 2317 and 2323 Cascade Road SW.  RSVP TODAY