Thank you to all who made it out for our November Cocktail Conversations event! We had a truly informative presentation by Austin Taylor, marketing guru of Highland Mortgage.  We also did a mini EABA general meeting update for attendees. Engagement was great and the questions were flowing! Feedback from this presentation was ALL positive. We will definitely host Austin again in the spring and encourage all East Atlanta small businesses to take advantage of these FREE offerings from EABA. 

Special thanks to Argosy for hosting and providing snacks! 

Great information overall and some fun networking. Hope to see y'all at the next one!

Public Safety Townhall!!

Hey all! Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari's office has been working on a public safety townhall for quite some time. We have finally nailed down all the details. Given all of the issues that have been occurring, especially in Dekalb County, she wanted to make sure she involved multiple offices.

The townhall will include representatives from Atlanta E911, APD, Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, Atlanta Fire Rescue, ATLDOT, Department of City Planning, and code enforcement.

The event will be Wednesday, November 29th, from 4pm to 6pm, at Turner Monumental AME Church in Kirkwood.

The address is listed on the flier below. There will be a hybrid option provided closer to the day of the event.

To make sure they answer as many questions as possible, there is a link to a google form for folks to be able to submit questions ahead of time.

https://forms.gle/DFw1ZFRinq3SemHYA

There will also be a Q&A at the event. This form link above is just to make sure we use our time as effectively as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to comment below or email Liliana at lbakhtiari@atlantaga.gov.

Thank you all!

From Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari:

Hey neighbors! I know crosswalks on Glenwood Ave have been a long time conversation, so I wanted to update folks with some good news.

As neighbors may or may not know, the portion of Glenwood Ave that runs through the village is state highway and under the purview of GDOT, meaning that the city is unable to install or do anything on that section of road without GDOT's explicit approval.

That being said, with the help of ATLDOT, my office has been able to set up a regular meeting with the GDOT team and we are starting to make some progress.

GDOT is happy to help us fast track two crosswalks on Glenwood. The first two we are focusing on is a crosswalk by the Brannan senior towers and one near Haas Ave.

To get this done, ATLDOT must do a study of the street. The study should be done by next month. We will then send the study to GDOT, and they will use that to expedite shipping of materials and installation. When it is all said and done, we will have two crosswalks (to start) on Glenwood that will have proper signage and signals.

The whole process should take about 6 to 8 months. I know that doesn't sound fast, but it is given all the processes we will be working through.

I'll make sure to keep the neighborhood informed on progress, and as always, if anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know!

Thanks everyone

Edit: also adding that this wouldn’t have happened without the neighborhood, without EABA, without EACA, and especially not without Nate Minor helping me keep this top of mind

Contact instructions from East Atlanta's case manager Michael Nolan of Intown Cares:

Thank you to Eastside Church for hosting our community training event where Liliana Bakhtiari and Michael Nolan of Intown Cares discussed the new pilot program and who/how to contact help when the need arises. If you missed it, you can view the entire conversation HERE.

The image attached to this post includes the new telephone number to reach Michael for all things related to his role in East Atlanta. You may text or call, but please be aware that he am rarely able to answer telephone calls and you will likely need to leave a voicemail. Please continue to tag Michael Nolan on FB when relevant issues are brought up in the group, but be aware that this is not a timely or reliable way to reach him, nor is Facebook Messenger.

PLEASE REMEMBER: If you are in a situation that is threatening or dangerous, call 911 immediately.

When you text the number above for the first time please send your full name (and business affiliation, if you have one) so Michael can add you as a contact. This will make communication much faster in the future should you need his assistance.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS

The East Atlanta Business Association (EABA) encourages you to think about how you can support a small and local business in East Atlanta today! And remember that #SmallBizSaturday is coming up on Saturday, Nov 25! 

Did you know that every time you buy a coffee from the neighborhood coffee shop, grab a gift from a local store, or get your electronics fixed at ScreenFixing, you're doing more than just making a purchase? You're creating a ripple effect of positive change right here in East Atlanta! Here’s how you can be a local hero not only this holiday season, but every day:

1. **Shop Local:** Take a stroll down Flat Shoals or Glenwood and pick up something that catches your eye. About 70% of every dollar you spend stays within the community—how’s that for local impact?

2. **Dine Local:** Enjoy a meal out at a locally-owned restaurant. Savor the meal and the knowledge that you’re helping keep our community’s culture and cuisine vibrant.

3. **Use Local Services:** In need of an electrician or a car detail? The EABA members directory has a number of local experts. Opting for local services supports our neighborhood’s skilled workers and business owners.

4. **Share on Social Media:** If you're not looking to spend today, you can still make a difference! A simple like, share, or follow can significantly impact local businesses. Give your favorite local business a shout-out online. Your recommendation could introduce someone else to their new favorite spot.

5. **Leave Positive Reviews:** Good reviews are gold for small businesses. If you loved the service, tell the world. Those star ratings and warm words mean a lot to a small business owner.

While our tone is positive, the stakes are real—without community support, we risk turning our vibrant village into a series of impersonal big-box retailers. Supporting local businesses isn’t just about the goods and services; it's about investing in East Atlanta’s economy, jobs, and the distinctive community that we cherish. How will you show some love to our local businesses this holiday season?

 - Nate Minor, Owner of ScreenFixing and President of EABA

We had a great turnout for our October general meeting! Discussions included public safety, construction/road closure, Village clean-up, EABA's Holiday party and Cocktail Conversations events, Brownwood Park updates, Atlanta Main Street and so much more.

10.17.23 General Meeting MINUTES

EABA was proud to have featured businesses Sarah Dyne Creative Services and Heinsch House speak and give out raffle prizes and discounts.

Sending out a HUGE THANK YOU to our host, food, and drink sponsors! Argosy for the use of the Brig, Grant Central East and Buteco EAV for the delicious food, Ten ATL for the beer, spirits, and other beverages, Chelsea Sommers, Realtor for the wine, and Traci with an Eye Graphic Design, LLC for her sweet treats.

And lastly, we want to thank Austin Taylor of Highland Mortgage for giving us a sneak peek of what's to come at our Cocktail Conversations event in November (SAVE THE DATE: 11.16.23 | 5-7 PM)!

Remember, anyone is welcome to attend. Business owners, members, non-members + community members. Bring your business neighbor.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Come shop  for a  FREE costume one last time before EAV-O-Ween! The Costume Closet pop-up will be open at the East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC) on Friday, 10/20 from 4-7 PM. 

This project is a collaborative effort between EABA and East Atlanta Parents Network (EAPN). We've already provided costumes to tons of EAKC attendees and EAV Farmers Market patrons! 

The Invest Atlanta Small Business Team has upcoming events to help grow your small business. Join us!

In Person: Small Business Mixer at the Goodwill Career Center

Network with other small business owners, Invest Atlanta team members, business associations and technical assistance providers. 

Date: October 26, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Register here

Preparing Your Business for Tomorrow, TODAY!

A Webinar covering financial topics like bookkeeping, accounting, reading financial statements, controlling costs, and managing cash flow. Start planning smart financial decisions for your business. 

Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Register here

• Next Meeting: TBD; Full proposal due to Park Pride by 11/1/23

• Pavilion redesign to be presented to DPR, Park Design on 9/28/23

• Funding from the Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure package: 

• • Revised playground design presented at July EACA meeting and currently under DPR review; design has also been shared via The Porch Press

• Cash App + Art in the Park resurfaced and painted the basketball court; Park Design & Park Operations ideating on drainage solutions to preserve investment

• ADA improvements also being designed for center and park in response to outstanding Justice Dept. violations; possibilities: restroom upgrades in center, path to courts in park

• Concrete chess tables installed and ribbon cutting held on 9/16/2023

***EDITED TO ADD:***

A traffic plan has been provided by Metro Site Solutions ref Diana Bombard (dmetros59@gmail.com). 

TRAFFIC PLAN

It appears cars may be allowed to travel north onto Flat Shoals from Glenwood to the Argosy/Earl parking lot. 

No Thru Traffic signs will be posted at Glenwood and Metropolitan, Road Closed signs will be along the 456 parcel.

The road will be re-opened at 5 pm daily and during the weekends.  Open cuts will be covered with DOT rated steel plates when the road is open.

The following information has been posted in EAV:

"ATTENTION AREA BUSINESSES

Flat Shoals Ave will be closed for construction beginning 10.16.23 through 10.27.23 between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. 

If you have any questions please call Metro Site Solutions 706-265-9961.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologize for any inconvenience."

EABA will provide updates as they are received from the city and crew.