Editor’s Letter

[ EDITOR’S LETTER ]

Ihave a love-hate relationship with technology. It often feels like everyone’s staring at their phones (myself included) rather than engaging in conversation or being present.

Do we really need to Google the question at hand or check the Citizen app notification immediately? Can’t it wait until after dinner? At the same time, I very much appreciate all the daily smart functions that make life easier, such as beaming at-home workouts to the TV, modifying the house’s temperature remotely and checking on my sleeping baby from my phone. Once tech simplifies a slice of your life, it’s hard to go back.

And, of course, technology goes way beyond smartphones and apps into major public health innovations such as the COVID-19 vaccine, space exploration that puts “regular people” in rocket ships to the final frontier and much more. It’s incredible what humans can create. We simply can’t stop, won’t stop!

In our October issue, we explore the imaginations of local technology stars such as the founders of the Goodr app and Purposity platform, both of which aim to do good for communities. Atlanta is a hotbed for tech, and Michael Jacobs reports on the fast-growing startups in and around Buckhead that are working their magic in fintech, crypto, sales and security. He also chats with leaders at Atlanta’s tech incubators that serve to help tech businesses succeed here. I had the pleasure of speaking with former school teacher Anike Sakariyawo (featured on the cover) who founded a nonprofit to bring STEM and STEAM programs to underserved kids and helps foster the big ideas in little minds and therefore the future of technology in this country.

Throughout this issue, you might notice that we’re also embracing a new social media-forward change. We’ve added Instagram handles to our stories so you can find and follow the interesting individuals, fabulous retailers and noteworthy businesses featured on our pages.

Wishing you a healthy and happy October. Karina Antenucci

SIMPLY NOW

TRAVEL STAYCATION

Big Little Touches P22

Tucked into a wooded lot, Southern Shore Cove offers ample private outdoor hangout spaces.

Stay and play at this rental property on Lake Lanier.

BY: Ginger Strejcek

Stunning designs by Sanjay Kasliwal, whose family has been in the jewelry trade since the 1700s, are handcrafted by master artisans at India’s iconic Gem Palace in Jaipur. Left: Rubellites, diamonds and pearls set, 18kt white gold. Above: The Goldnetic Collection.

BLING IT ON

Buckhead boutique unveils glitzy gallery of jewelry, art and gifts

Awhole lot of name-dropping is going on at Don Purcell, an haute new spot at Buckhead Village where the featured designers have famously accessorized everyone from Madonna and Michelle Obama to Elton John and Elizabeth Taylor.

The curated collection of modern fine jewelry, vogue art and posh gifts at the 1,200-square-foot showroom comes courtesy of owner and namesake Don Purcell, whose impressive credentials extend from Charleston’s Bob Ellis to New York’s Jeffrey.

“Through many years of experience in the luxury fashion industry, I have made a lot of amazing connections with talented people. I always look for quality and personalization,” says Purcell, a fine arts graduate from the University of South Carolina with a discerning eye for design and an adherence to old-school service that assure a great shopping experience.

Dazzling offerings at the gem-studded gallery include jewelry by Cathy Waterman, Eva Fehren, Loree Rodkin, Sanjay Kasliwal, among other prestigious designers, as well as mixed-media works radiating positive vibes by pop artist sensation Ashley Longshore of Louisiana. Judith Leiber handbags, Cire Trudon candles and even some antique finds round out the eclectic selection.

“The fashion customer wants the best and expects the best,” Purcell says, “and that’s what we are going to give them.” n

A signature piece by Cathy Waterman, this 22K blackened recycled gold Column of Tears ring features blue tourmaline and ethically-sourced diamonds.

DON PURCELL

404.239.4350 donpurcelljeweler.com @donpurcelljeweler

NEWS CLIPS

CAFE CULTURE

Experience the joie de vivre of France just down the street at Buckhead Village, where the soon-to-open SaintGermain Bakery & Cafe will serve fresh pastries and croissants, coffee and tea, soups and sandwiches, and other European yummies to sip and savor in a quaint Parisian space with indoor dining and an outdoor patio. Order at the counter and snag a seat for breakfast, light lunch fare and after-dinner sweets, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. The cafe also features a selection of wine and bubbly by the glass with a focus on regional, organic and women-owned vineyards, artisan chocolates and custom macaron towers with 18 available flavors. Founder/co-owner Mathieu Jourdan-Gassin, who runs the neighborhood bakery with his wife, Heather, says it offers “a little slice of France at any moment of the day.”

@stgermainbakery

CRIME BUSTERS

Move over, McGruff. Flock Safety is taking a bite out of crime from its expanded Atlanta headquarters at Westside Provisions District. The neighborhood watch startup produces solar-powered cameras and surveillance equipment that provide license plate and vehicle information to help local residents, businesses and law enforcement agencies. A spike in crime has led to increased demand for the cameras, which can also ping cars from the FBI’s most-wanted list. The new 9,700-square-foot space opening this fall more than doubles the size of the former office, now converted to an engineering hub for the fast-growing company that’s tracking over 1,000 cities.

flock_safety.com, @flocksafety

CATERING KING

After half a century of service in the hospitality industry, Chef Vagn Nielsen of Proof of the Pudding has been duly crowned. He was honored with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Allie Awards celebration for his exceptional contributions to Atlanta’s events community. “Being part of an industry for so many years where one is able to constantly be challenged with creativity and excitement is some of the best medicine one can get to keep an open mind, accept changes in life and be able to reinvent yourself to deal with life’s challenges,” says Nielsen, who’s orchestrated everything from elegant dinners for former presidents to conventions and golf tournaments since joining Proof of the Pudding as founding chef in 1984. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, he formerly worked at Midnight Sun restaurant in Atlanta and The Anchorage House in Beaufort, South

Carolina. proofpudding.com, @proofofthepudding