WEST END ATLANTA

Check this out guys, it was in the AJC today. There is apparently a lot of Korean money that's going to be coming into West End. It's good to see people taking notice of a good opportunity. The key thing is they plan to develop within the context of the existing character and history of the neighborhood.

www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/04/11/westendkorean_0410.html

I had the privelige of being invited to our neighbors inaugeration as the first women to be the president of the Korean-american chamber of commerce. Her name is Suna Om and she is the owner of the strip of businesses that are across from west end mall and krispy Kreme. Suna has done alot of great volunteer work for the neighborhood and donated many items to the West End Merchants Coalition and Brown middle school. I welcome the korean-american community to the neighborhood and all others that see the greatness of this neighborhood and its dedication to preserving its historical features.

P.S. The West End needs a neighborhood bar restaurant bad and the community will support one if it is done with the same amount of effort that one would give if opening up in East Atlanta or Oakhurst. What about a diner?

Suna is great and I am really proud of her! She is a wonderful example of "walking the talk". I am excited to have her as a new neighbor.

I do agree with John, that we need some kind of diner where you can sit down and eat. Not so much soul food, but rather diner food (soups, sandwiches, etc..), I at least wish that Quiznos had openned. I do like the Pizza Pie place behind Gutbusters and they deliver!

Hey Dani,

I really like the picture of you on your post. I will text russell and see if I can not get a date of when Quiznos is opening. He told me that they signed a lease about a month ago.

No question that we need the small stuff. Large development such as sky lofts and the planned hotel are great, but what will redevelop the community in a more organic way, people moving into homes, fixing them up, and living here as part of the community, will be from people spending time here before the buy here. The reason that neighborhoods such as Grant Park, East Atlanta, or the Highlands are so popular is that people spend recreational time there and then think how great it would be if they didn't need to drive so far back home.

We need the big developments because they make quick strides and send out a message, but the small businesses are what make these historic neighborhoods. We need more shops, bars, restaurants and services other than hair and nails, and a clean, safe neighborhood grocery. If I was going to start one business here, it would be one of those cool brunch places with a bar crowd and maybe live music at night. I LOVE events like the tour of homes, but when people just find themselves spending time here naturally, that's when we're going to see the inventory of great priced homes disappear.

Where is this pizza place behind Gutbusters? We've been complaining that the West End needs pizza in a bad sort of way (we're lazy and let's face it, we like pizza.) I keep looking for it when I drive by, but it must be hidden.
And I agree, if we were able to attract food or boutique specialty shops that had people coming in and hanging out, people would get a more favorable vibe and perhaps want to relocate. As it is now, the services in the neighborhood are somewhat 'limited' and don't draw people in from all over the city.

The place sits back from the curb, so you have to turn into the parking lot behind Gutbusters and it is straight ahead. Once you find it, you will wonder how you ever missed it.

I like the Bar crowd idea. Kind of like Cafe Circa or the Slice. You can eat or just hangout. I was hoping Chrome would endup being more like that, but unfortunately it is more like a bar than a restaurant.

Are we still getting the "Chicken & Waffle" restaurant on RDA?