July 29, 2017
The Good Hair Shop held its Grand Re-Opening after some brief downtime during upgrades.
The re-opened store features a new concept, extending their handmade, all-natural, eco-friendly and chemical free products into a customizable, bespoke experience. You can even have The Good Hair Shop team of ‘Curlologists’ mix custom blended products for you.
Check out photos from the opening soirée.
June 22, 2017
The second Ralph David Abernathy Complete Streets meeting was held on June 22, 2017 at KIPP STRIVE Academy. Attendees were split into three groups to visualize and provide input on the design of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd between Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Cascade Avenue.
Project History
In 2014 Westview residents made a big impact when they came out in large numbers to request improvements in the neighborhood at a series of Infrastructure Bond meetings. The City of Atlanta listened and included a number of Westview projects on the list, including making Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard a “complete street” between Cascade Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
What is a Complete Street?
“Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work.” (Renew Atlanta)
Repaving
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has undergone the design process to repave and restripe Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. This will result in a safer Westview Village due to traffic calming measures through reduced driving lanes, added on-street parking spots, and added bicycle lanes.
Sidewalks/Streetscape
The City of Atlanta has hired the Atlanta BeltLine to facilitate the design process of creating a more pedestrian-friendly area along the road.
June 16, 2017
The much anticipated Lean Draft House officially opened for business on Friday, June 16th, 2017. Lean Draft House, located near the White St access point along the BeltLine Westside Trail and adjacent to Gordon White Park, features twenty local craft beers on tap and handcrafted tacos.
The opening of Lean Draft House marks the first new business to open along the BeltLine Westside Trail. The trail is slated for completion at the start of August. Once the trail is open to the public, Lean Draft House will be just a short walk from Westview.
In addition to a spacious interior decked out in natural wood, there is an outside seating area and bocce court. Lean Draft House is also home to Lean Motorsports, so make sure to browse the impressive collection of motorcycles.
Currently, the hours are 5:00pm to 10:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday (subject to change).
The beer selection on the opening weekend featured brews from Sweetwater, Monday Night, Creature Comforts, Orpheus, Jekyll, Scofflaw, Wild Heaven, Terrapin, and others.
June 16, 2017
Online Instagram celebrity chef Darius Williams already created a media buzz prior to opening his restaurant Greens & Gravy:
Neighborhood groups were equally abuzz as online reservations for the soft opening disappeared within minutes and Williams indicating that the five sold out evenings equated to 814 reservations.
The buzz did not let down. The food was on par. The deviled eggs appeared to be a social media favorite, as did the mac and cheese. The restaurant was well staffed, and the staff was well trained. Perhaps the only thing missing was the ability to pair the delicious dishes with some adult beverages; however, it is our understanding that this will be added at some point.
Greens & Gravy will officially open for brunch on Saturday, June 17, 2017.
May 30, 2017
Over the last few months news story after news story announced exciting new businesses moving into the Lee+White development along White Street in West End. On Tuesday, May 30, 2017 development moved one step closer with the groundbreaking ceremony of Monday Night Brewing’s expanded $5.5 million facility along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail.
A crowd gathered to see guests of honor, Mayor Kasim Reed, Councilmember Cleta Winslow, and NPU-T Chair Terry Ross join Monday Night Brewing co-founders Jeff Heck, Joel Iverson, and Jonathan Baker for the special occasion.
The brewery is slated to open in September with an economic impact of $43.3 million and 34 new jobs.
Related press stories:
May 19, 2017
Every community needs a “third place,” and with D Cafe’s re-opening at the new location, neighbors were once again able to meet and socialize during the special “Community Night at D Cafe.”
May 10, 2017
Development in Westview, and southwest Atlanta, is in full swing. Westview residents have been particularly excited about the re-opening of D Cafe a few weeks ago, giving them and visitors alike that “third place” to hang out and enjoy a meal while being able to meet familiar, friendly faces.
Additionally in the works is celebrity chef Darius Williams’ first restaurant, Greens & Gravy, at 1540 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Darius has released a sneak peak of the menu, featuring mouth-watering dishes like “Skillet Butter Pecan Cornbread with Whipped Honey Butter,” “Creamed Corn Bisque with Fried Lobster & Chive Oil” and “Creamy Collard Green Lasagna.” An opening date has not been determined, but is anticipated to happen in the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, Stream Realty and its Atlanta BeltLine-adjacent Lee + White development just down the road in neighboring West End continues to make headlines with its newest tenants. This time, the headlines are about a new distillery being added to the roster – ASW Distillery. Like Monday Night Brewing and Wild Heaven Beer, ASW Distillery will be opening up a second location at the LEE + White development called the “ASW Rickhouse.”
May 1, 2017
The City of Atlanta has expanded its Relay bike share program. A bicycle station is now located at Gordon-White Park in the adjacent West End neighborhood, allowing residents to rent bike’s for hourly pay-as-you-go plans, or via monthly or annual passes. This is a great way for neighbors who don’t own bike’s to enjoy a different mode of transportation, which will be especially fun once the car-free Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail opens up in the fall.
Additional information about Relay bike’s can be found at: www.relaybikeshare.com
April 21, 2017
Ms. D. and D Café are not new to Westview, but they have moved to a new location a block over. After a few months’ hiatus due to the relocation, D Café is back! A private ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday, April 21, 2017, with Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell and Councilmember C. T. Martin being present for the occasion. As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony the two councilmembers honored Ms. D. with a letter from Mayor Kasim Reed for her entrepreneurship and willingness to hire community youth and former offenders. (Read a recent article about Ms. D.: Soul on the Westside: D Cafe)
D Café’s official grand opening to the public will be on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
April 17, 2017
In 2014 Westview residents made a big impact when they came out in large numbers to request improvements in the neighborhood at a series of Infrastructure Bond meetings. The City of Atlanta listened and included a number of Westview projects on the list, including making Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard a “complete street” between Cascade Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
What is a Complete Street?
“Complete Streets are streets for everyone. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work.” (Renew Atlanta)
Repaving
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has undergone the design process to repave and restripe Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. This will result in a safer Westview Village due to traffic calming measures through reduced driving lanes, added on-street parking spots, and added bicycle lanes.
Sidewalks/Streetscape
The City of Atlanta has hired the Atlanta BeltLine to facilitate the design process of creating a more pedestrian-friendly area along the road. The Atlanta BeltLine is hosting a series of meetings to allow residents to provide input to the look-and-feel of the streetscaped area. The first meeting was to create the “Vision” and was held on April 17, 2017 at KIPP STRIVE Primary School. Attendees were able to provide input on features such as benches, lighting, crosswalks, and more.
The “Concept Development” meeting will be scheduled in the summer and the “Detailed Design” meeting will be scheduled in the fall, while construction is anticipated to begin February/March 2018.
