Editor’s Letter

[ EDITOR’S LETTER ]

Idon’t know about you, but over the last couple of years I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for being outside—and for the South’s weather that lends itself to year-round outdoor enjoyment.

FOOD BEER WINE

COCKTAIL TASTES LIVE MUSIC

My backyard, local parks and restaurant patios have become go-to spots to reconnect with friends, soak up some vitamin D and enjoy some much-needed time away from technology.

That’s why we’re so thrilled to produce this month’s cover feature, exploring the many ways Atlantans can experience the outdoors. Karina Antenucci examines how to get started foraging for culinary treasures and where to have luxurious glamping experiences in North Georgia, Jill Becker offers suggestions for seeing some of our state’s many natural wonders, Michael Jacobs shares expert recommendations for trails and parks to explore in our in-town neighborhoods, and I examine how to make your home a productive oasis (spoiler alert: there’s an adorable photo of a Buckhead goat!).

As always, there’s much more to discover on our pages. Lauren Finney Harden highlights some purveyors who help keep golfers stylish on the links, Giannina S. Bedford shares a recent travel experience at the storied King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, and Angela Hansberger fills us in on creative ways local bartenders are shaking up cocktails with rum. It’s a packed issue we know you’ll enjoy, whether you peruse it indoors or out.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Sara Hanna

A TASTING EVENT, CELEBRATING SANDY SPRINGS SEPT 23,24 25 20 21

LIMITED TICKETS AT foodthatrocks.org

FOOD THAT ROCKS WAS FOUNDED ON BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT FOR A CAUSE. A PORTION OF YOUR TICKET COST WILL PAY FOR MANY SANDY SPRINGS' FRONTLINE & PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS TO ATTEND FREE OF CHARGE AS A SPECIAL THANK YOUR FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SIMPLY NOW

TRAVEL NEAR

Heritage Hotel P20

Over its more than 80-year history, this St. Simon’s Island landmark has adapted to the world around it.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort offers a sprawling beach and unobstructed views of the Georgia coast.

BY: Ginger Strejcek

Putting on the Ritz

BUCKHEAD CONSIGNMENT SHOP OFFERS LUXE LOOKS FOR LESS

From a Michael Kors handbag and Vera Wang gown to an Hermès horse blanket and Murano glass bowl, designer deals are up for grabs at The RealReal in Buckhead. It’s the newest brick-and-mortar location of the national consignment company, billed as the world’s largest marketplace for luxury resale goods and backed by a fully authenticated guarantee.

“Everything in the store is for sale down to the furniture and art, and we refresh items daily, meaning each visit is a new opportunity to find one-of-akind treasures,” says Ketoria Holmes, head of shop for The RealReal Atlanta. “We’re able to connect our community directly with experts for convenient curbside drop-offs or one-on-one valuation meetings, and customers can see and try on pieces from a wide range of luxury brands in person.”

The business model is a win-win strategy for buyers and sellers. Shoppers can score top-quality merchandise at reduced prices, and consigners can monetize items no longer being used. In-store repair and alteration services for apparel, shoes, bags, fine jewelry and watches keep goods in circulation and out of landfills.

“The pandemic has heightened environmental consciousness for many consumers, and many people are now making concrete changes to live more sustainably,” Holmes says. “We’re also in a time when personal style reigns supreme; people are shopping for pieces that feel unique and special to them.” n

Above: The RealReal is curated for the local market with such top-performing brands as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.

THE REALREAL

Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun., noon-6 p.m. 3073 Peachtree Road, Suite 100 Atlanta 30326 therealreal.com

NEWS CLIPS

SHARP DRESSED MAN

For guys in need of a fall wardrobe refresher, check out The Park on the first floor of Macy’s Men’s Store at Lenox Square. The 3,500-square-foot space features a kicky selection of everyday attire, from graphic tees by Heroes Motors and urban outerwear by Manastash to deconstructed jackets by Paul Smith, with new merch on the racks every eight to 12 weeks. “The rotating assortment is specifically curated to inspire style and amplify the excitement of discovering new brands and must-have trends,” says Brian Williams, Macy’s store manager. “The Park has resonated well with our Atlanta customer as he treats life as his runway.”

macys.com/thepark

EUROPEAN EXPANSION

A local culinary treasure that’s delighted patrons with freshly baked breads, handmade pastries, gourmet sandwiches, fine cheeses and chocolates since 1992, Alon’s Bakery & Market has opened a third location at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, on the corner of Nordstrom facing Peachtree Road. Executive chef and owner Alon Balshan couldn’t be prouder of the continued success of the restaurant, long established in Morningside and Dunwoody. “We have merged our vision with the Phipps Plaza setting to create a hub for our same great food, unique marketplace and a beautiful outdoor cafe,” he says. “We look forward to becoming a part of the Buckhead community.”

alons.com

BEAUTY BOOST

Got a brow-raising situation? Leza Bennett can help. The beauty guru, who’s been working her magic at The Perfect Brows in Buckhead for over a decade, has a new product line, including the All About the Brows Kit ($60) with a precision brush and setting gel for daily grooming. “It’s a go-to kit that our clients have loved, especially during the pandemic,” says Bennett, a former flight attendant whose salon success has also led to a soon-to-be launched brow certification

program. theperfectbrows.com

LOCAL SALUTE BY: Mickey Goodman

A Tree Grows in Brookhaven

The green team

In 2013, Sandy Murray watched in horror as developers cut down 19 specimen oak trees on the property next door to her Brookhaven house. “It particularly bothered me when I found out that our brand new city didn’t have a tree ordinance,” she says. Her friend Karstin Bodell was also concerned and formed an informal group that later became the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy. The two women became the driving forces.

When Murray attended a city council meeting and showed pictures of the stumps, others were equally alarmed, but it took a year to get an ordinance in place. “It had no enforcement,” she says. “Since trees provide beauty, oxygen and shade, and reduce rain runoff and prevent pollution and smog, I continued to nag the city council.”

In 2019 they got support from Councilman John Park and Mayor John Ernst who told the group, “I want to look down at Brookhaven from the sky and see a green canopy.”

A 2020 ordinance, written by Tree Canopy Conservation Manager Jeff Dadisman and arboriculturist India Woodson, included restrictions on cutting down specimen trees such as white and red oaks, elm, maple, hickory, etc.; notification about upcoming tree cuttings; rules on replacement trees; flexibility for builders and more, plus teeth for enforcing it. In June, Bodell, Murray and the members of the Brookhaven Conservancy celebrated the adoption of a sustainable tree ordinance.

Karstin Bodell and Sandy Murray of the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy spearheaded the effort to develop a sustainable tree ordinance for the city.

For more information, visit brookhaventreeconservancy.org.

Thinking Forward, Giving Back

Celebrating 40 years

Christopher D. Fagan and Bert Mills (third and fourth from left) of Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors present a $10,000 check to Solomon’s Temple founder, Solomon Smallwood (fifth from left).

For Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors, a company with a long history of giving back, there seemed no better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary than embarking on a year-long project. The result is "Thinking Forward, Giving Back,” a campaign to spotlight four nonprofits: Solomon’s Temple, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Eagle Ranch.

The firm also launched a “40 for 40” social media series (#MCTurns40) to feature 40 local nonprofits the company has supported over the years. The goal is to engage people and garner donations.

“Our first day of service at Solomon’s Temple in June drew 65 volunteers who cleaned up the 2.5 acres of land behind the facility and painted the playground equipment,” says Partner Christopher Fagan, who serves on the nonprofit's board of directors. The company also donated $10,000 to the resident facility.

“Solomon’s Temple has 130 beds for women and their children experiencing homelessness,” Fagan says. “Others provide shelter for 30 days, but [this] allows families to remain for six months to give them an opportunity to save money and learn new skills. Working with Solomon’s Temple has given me far more than I have given them.”

For more information, visit solomonstempleinc.org.

Honoring a Fallen Colleague

A lifeline for hospitality workers

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the food service and hospitality industry has the highest rates of substance use disorders and third-highest rates of heavy alcohol use of all employment sectors.

Grant Hurless, COO of Ghost Town Restaurants based in Brookhaven, knows the pitfalls all too well. “By August 2018, my drinking had gotten so heavy that I knew it wasn’t sustainable,” he says. “In desperation I Googled ‘how to stay sober in the industry’ and found Ben’s Friends. It was founded by legendary restaurateurs Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst after the death of their colleague, Chef Ben Murray, who took his own life as a result of the disease.”

“I ran into a friend who had gotten clean and looked like a totally different person,” Hurless says. “I set a goal to get sober and found help within the group. It changed my life.”

When the support group relaunched the Atlanta chapter, Hurless was tapped as the leader, along with co-leader Mallory Hastings. Two and a half years of sobriety later, he is helping industry workers find the support they need. The group meets every Sunday at Southern Belle Restaurant in Midtown, and the only requisite for membership is the desire to stop drinking or be “sober curious.” Ben’s Friends has 12 chapters in the United States and conducts online Zoom meetings every day.

Grant Hurless was tapped to lead the Atlanta chapter of Ben’s Friends, a support group for the hospitality industry. For more information, visit bensfriendshope.com.

Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that gives back to the community in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or Upper Westside? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com