Free-For-All Friday 7/16/10
Decatur Metro | July 16, 2010Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
« Eye on the Street Gary DeToma Jr. Flower Memorial in Harmony Park »
I noticed that Taste finally has a “for lease” sign in the window, but all of the merchandise is still in the shop. Has anyone heard from the owner? I know a lot of people who have gift certificates to his store who would like to use them!
Let me know if you hear about a fire sale there!
When I moved to Decatur ten years ago there were four things missing that I wanted in my city:
1. Real bakery (now forthcoming via Cakes and Ale!)
2. Snoballs! (open and serving at New Orleans Snoball Cafe)
3. An indie movie theater (still dreaming but hoping “macarolina” will solve this problem)
4. A market kind of like Sevananda but without all the incense (counting on you, DM)
YES to #4. Please! Soon, someone get the ball rolling on a Decatur food co-op. I will be an inaugural member and supporter.
You’ve got the whole Farmer’s Market!!!!
that’s a whole different animal and long conversation that i think has gone on at length here before. i’m talking small, local, organic, member-driven community co-op with good, healthy food and maybe bakery/prepared veg/org foods, also including natural/organic toiletries, paper products etc like sevananda so i don’t have to make 3 stops a week, nor ever have to go to CVS or Kroger again. just sayin’! i can dream, can’t i?
You people are never satisfied. What about Rainbow grocery. It’s close enough.
“You people”. That’s nice.
Isn’t that code for “Republicans” around here?
Wait, I thought “Nazi” was code for Republican around here.
Just like “Nazi” is a codeword for Obama outside the perimeter?
Silly Nellie, even the OTPers do not refer to Obama as a “Nazi”. He’s a “socialist” of course!
I thought he was a socialist nazi…. all this talk make me head hurts.
That’s what Brick Store is for!
Jeez, I’m gone for a week, and things haven’t changed in the least. Let’s see…DM readers still despise anyone who’s not a flaming liberal, Gibbetts still has nothing to say that might advance a discussion in an intelligent direction, Nellie tosses around words like “Nazi,” with no regard for those of us whose ancestry causes us to flinch when reading/hearing the word, and the continued disdain for anyone who lives outside the I-285 corridor…
Can we stop using the term “Nazi?” It really is a grotesque reminder of the 20th century’s darkest time. And I believe I’m safe in assuming there are other Jewish readers who would ask the same.
Sorry Token
I think there are a lot of hate words everyone needs to stop using- not necessarily here, but everywhere. I was mostly serious about the head hurting thing- there is so much hate running around these days I can’t tell anymore if it’s the media or if it’s real. Head hurts, eyes and brains….
BTW, please notice I didn’t start the Nazi thing…. I’ll admit to adding to it, but I didn’t start it.
Token, I will not apologize for atrocities committed before my parents were born, I will not make excuses for my humor, I will acknowledge the fact that everybody else’s world continues even while you are out of town, and I will not accept any censorship of the language I choose to use.
It is an established fact that as soon as you disallow the use of any word you end up only giving it more power.
Also, in my post about “Nazis”, there was absolutely no intention to offend anyone other than hardcore Republicans.
DTR, there are plenty of conservative voices on this site – especially considering the political makeup of this city.
Gibbs, personally I really could’ve lived without the Nazi comment. But I guess offending people is a fun game in and of itself.
We’re all so dramatic. Yes, the other political party is the end of the world as we know it. Government can fix it all. Businesses can fix it all. Everyone has the answer.
Good thing our system of government is predicated on that exact premise: everyone thinks they have the answer but in fact no one does.
DM, most times a joke is just a joke–and that’s all my comment was. I don’t even think it was all that political.
We can all agree that the weight of being offended lies with offended, no?
I don’t mind offending anybody, but I really like making people laugh–like Mel Brooks.
I do apologize for wasting anyone’s online time though.
Gibbets,
I reread my post, and nowhere did I ask for, or expect, an apology. I simply asked if we could not use that word anymore. Notice I did not recommend disallowing it. Like you, I recognize the slippery slope actions such as that lead to.
I’ve mentioned before, and let me repeat…as a Republican in a heavily Democrat town, I have a thick political skin. Take as many shots as you want. I can handle it.
I too am outraged at the loose use of Nazi. I am particularly incensed during reruns of Hogan’s Heroes and the History Channel’s 24-hour Hitler marathons. The N-word should be outlawed and stiff corporal punishment for it loose use should be forced on our shameful society.
I just meant “newer” Decatur residents. It was a tongue in cheek statement.
YDFM does it for me — I don’t know why SOME people are so opposed to shopping for fresh foods and products there. ?!?!?!?!? …
I get ALL my groceries at the Dekalb Farmer’s Market (love their selection of organics and “happy meat”) and supplement at the Decatur Farmer’s Market. I just would prefer to WALK and shop. A girl can dream, can’t she?
Because it smells horribly and the owners are not nice to either staff or customers? That pretty much does it for me.
Yes, because you deserve better.
1000% better.
…and obsessed with the impossible.
I’ve never had a problem with any unpleasant odors at YDFM and never had a problem with owners or staff — sorry you have had negative experiences there. It’s a great resource for our community, and I never miss an opportunity to go there. It’s as fun to look at all that is offered as it is to shop there, and I never come home empty handed. I wish I lived nearer, but in the meantime Publix is my favorite place to shop for groceries.
I lived there in the late 80s and early 90s; the partners (brothers) split sometime in 90s, and I just don’t the place is as good.
I’ve had problems with odors, the staff, food quality (the chemical taste of the baked goods), and watched the owner stand in the aisle right at one of the entrance doors loudly dropping F-Bombs at someone over his cell phone on more than one occasion. I still go occasionally, but I used to go a lot more when I lived in Snellville than I do now that I live in Decatur. The beer selection is pedestrian, but there are usually some wine bargains.
I love it when this topic comes up. I am always amazed at how spoiled we are. Is the YDFM perfect? No. Is it the envy of almost everyone who does not live near it? Hell yes. We are very lucky to have a place like that very close to us. Man, how spoiled we are!
We’re spoiled only as long as we don’t pick up a bag of spoiled shrimp at YDFM and then can’t return it.
Gotta check that seafood before you leave DM!
Indeed. Lesson learned. I guess I’ve been spoiled by the return policies of other grocery stores!
But seriously, I personally view YDFM as a great resource for the community, but I don’t understand why I am suddenly spoiled when I wish for something closer and more connected/responsive to the Decatur community.
Am I spoiled if I demand greater satisfaction from my iPhone or my vacuum cleaner or my car? Isn’t dissatisfaction what drives innovation?
I agree with all you say. Just a little perspective is all I was suggesting.
towards my task of solving the lack of decatur movie theater (uh, thanks altmod)– if the idea of a movie theater in the center of town interests you and you have some creative ideas to add to the dialogue, please go to the “Give Input on Beacon Hill Master Plan” topic on DM, read and contribute to the discussion! Or, if you can’t click over there, post thoughts here. I’ll gather the ideas and present at the meeting on Tuesday.
The government can not make a private business open here in Decatur. It simply doesn’t work that way. You, however, can open one with your money and work hard to make sure it’s successful and profitable. In the age of Netflix and streaming movies, my guess is that even with $8 popcorn most theaters struggle and pray for blockbusters. An indy theater is an even scarier proposition. Not saying I don’t support one coming to town. I just don’t think the local government can make it happen.
We agree- a private, for profit movie theater won’t float here, at least that is what the private market tells us, since we don’t have one. The potential idea is for a multiple purpose city resource to be used some of the time as a nonprof (or as Karass proposed, a co-op) movie theater. Yes, there has to be enough other uses of the rooms (2 theaters, lobby and small concession?) to make it work. Would love to hear ideas for cross uses of the space… some have been generated on the Beacon Hill topic link. We need more ideas!
city provision of recreation isn’t a new concept, and some times it competes with private market (see after school care- but I’ve heard city beats private market’s butt on that one). We have a broad range of rec options here, I’m just curious in seeing if residents are interested in cinema-rec, and gathering ideas for trying to make it work in conjuction with other uses of the space.
and yes, I do plan to invest some of my own efforts in this, as well as membership dollars.
We can already show movies in the new DHS auditorium, no?
I would love to see CSD facilities used more for community events but I get the sense that there is some reluctance–how much is worry about access to school facilities, how much is cost, how much is logistics, and how much is territoriality, I’m not sure. But there IS a new CSD-salaried events coordinator at the high school.
i first thought of joint movies/public facilities when the new auditorium was being discussed, but too late to the process. I think being able to use the auditorium at the hight school for movies would be great too. not sure it is configured to do a nregular ightly or weekend movie schedule, but at this point maybe even a monthly movie would be fun. great dinner & a movie promo for restaurants too?
#4 to be located in part of the empty Oakhurst Village space! (Fat chance, unfortunately.)
Whenever grocery stores come up on this site, no one mentions Rainbow Natural Foods. I live on the North side of town and can walk there in the same amount of time it takes me to get downtown. The staff is nice, the store smells fine, the hot food bar is a vegetarian’s heaven, and having lived in near Sevananda for many year I can say it’s very comparable. I don’t think it’s a co-op, but I’m not sure. I stongly recommend some of their prepared salads as well, especially the sesame noodles.
I’m with you. Rainbow has been there a long time, and does a great job. Another market in that same vein in downtown Decatur would probably kill them, and they deserve better than that.
Small local places can’t be all things to all people–that’s a basic trade off. Rainbow isn’t perfectly located and the selection isn’t as wide as Sevananda, but I think they’re Decatur’s best option for that kind of market.
love me some rainbow sesame noodles!
I loooooove Rainbow’s vegetarian pastitso– it’s so delicious, the spousal unit (a decidedly dedicated carnivore) wolfs it down with alacrity whenever I serve it. I’m not a gecan, but I enjoy their vegan brownies & cakes, too…oh, and you can get any number of different kinds of protein shake powders there, including vegetarian ones!
I’m still pining for a TJ’s (I know, I know…never gonna happen, but a girl can dream).
I’m rooting for a TJ’s as well. In fact a year ago, I started a group on facebook –“Bring Trader Joes’ to Decatur” as a means of procrastinating the writing of my dissertation and it gained a ton of support…over 2,000 members or something like that. I spoke with Trader Joe’s headquarters and made them aware of the site but they said that until sales at the midtown location improved, they were not going to open any more TJ’s in the area. They did say that if/when they did open more locations that Decatur was a very strong contender..
I lied. More like 1300 members but still, not bad.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=49389553081&ref=ts
“…until sales at the midtown location improved….”: They don’t think sales are high enough?!!!! That place is crowded even on Monday nights! I’ve never been in there and seen it quiet.
Supposedly they’ve had 30 percent less business at the midtown store than they’d originally projected two years ago…
if there were magically more parking spaces they’d have all the business they could handle
I wish Rainbow too credit cards for less than $10. If it did, I would go there MUCH more often.
I like to caricature Decatur as much as anyone, but we don’t have enough collectivist vegan hippies to support another Sevenanda.
Has anyone noticed that there are now three (3!) urban markets that surround the Sevananda ‘hood? Savi in Inman Park Village, the Mercantile at Clifton and Dekalb Ave, and of course the gold standard, the Candler Park Market.
There’s a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in this space to put an urban market in downtown Decatur and/or Oakhurst. I would think such a concept would thrive in the Sherlocks space on Ponce, and in the old Big H in Oakhurst.
IF and/or WHEN we start a co-op, the purpose isn’t just convenience, but also strengthening community ties. Both YDFM and Rainbow are great local options – hell, people drive from all over Atlanta to go to YDFM – we’re talking about not just providing a valuable local resource, but an org where co-op members get together and discuss and consider their food options. Where food comes from, but also what sells.
It’s the place where neighbors meet up, discuss what’s in stock, but also how their son’s little league team is doing.
It’s the ULTIMATE “third place”…even more so than the Brick – in my wildest dreams.
If you are looking for a great food co-op model, I would suggest the Olympia (WA) Food Coop: http://www.olympiafood.coop/
Thanks for the link Mel. Over the many months of researching co-ops on-and-off, I come to realize that paying the rent would be the largest hurdle for any new co-op in this city. Not only were many people saying exactly that, but also if you look at successful co-ops, most were started in the 1970s and today own their property. Also, though not a co-op, the same is true of the Candler Park Market.
I’m not saying a Decatur co-op would need to do the same, but it would need to find a piece of property that had a lease payment that wouldn’t sink the endeavor.
I really kinda love the DM Co-op idea. Or a hybrid of it. Must be my fascination with bulk bins! And of course the community aspects of it!
Rainbow Natural Foods is a good little store at what they do. I agree that a nearby location would kill them. Taking Suburban Plaza off the sites list… It does seem Oakhurst’s former grocery store space is the best locale. While I’m all about developers standing on their own dang feet, if there’s something the City can do to entice the property owner to put that location to good use for the neighborhood, then the City should just do it! ( And who is this mystery owner anyway? Seems like we need to be taking them to task for several defunct properties! )
On the hybrid concept: What if the main business focused on the produce, bulk & shelf items, & household goods side of things, while smaller shops on the same property (or even set up like the Belvedere Kroger) handled specialty areas such meat/seafood, wine/beer/spirits, florist stuff, etc? It’d open up opportunities for local businesses such as Sawicki’s to expand, and it’d certainly be more cost effective for the co-op. Seems like something worth considering.
I say we all pool our resources together and just make it happen. Find some folks to run the place and you’re done.
It’s going to take a mighty big pool of resources! Besides ponying up for the lease payments, there’s refrigeration & other equipment requiring electrical/plumbing, fixtures, registers, carts…. oh, and inventory! How to even begin calculating the $$$ involved?!?
It’s doable though! Figure out the upfront money part to get the doors open, and it will definitely do the business!
Someone did it 40 years ago with Sevenanda…
… and folks did it 15 years ago in Athens with Daily Groceries Co-op. A link to their history shows that a can do attitude indeed makes all things possible!
http://www.dailygroceries.org/about/history.php
Neighbors:
Some of our neighbors have obtained approval from the city to set up a flower
memorial in Harmony Park in memory of Gary DeToma Jr, the 5-year-old boy who was
found dead in Oakhurst earlier this week. The memorial will be up from mid-day
Friday, July 16, through the evening of Monday, July 19. An order for a spray
stand has been placed with Maud Baker Florist on Church Street, which graciously
provided a significant discount. If you are able and wish to support this
gesture, please feel free to drop off a small bouquet or other remembrance of
your own at Harmony Park, at the corner of Oakview Road and East Lake Drive.
Please also do not forget the Gary DeToma Jr. Memorial Fund at Decatur First
Bank. The bank is accepting cash and/or checks. Checks should be made out to the
Gary DeToma Jr. Fund. Donations can be made at the bank or mailed. The mailing
address is 1120 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga. 30030 or 720 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga.
30030
(A permanent memorial has been suggested and is being researched for placement, cost, and city approval. We will share information in the near future).
I’m wondering if the people who commute on W. Howard would kindly give me their addresses and tag numbers. I’m gonna drive 50 mph down your street 25-35mph street while your walking. Then you can get on this web site and tell me how you like it.
I think that will solve my problem. Thanks!
Does that mean your problem was that your neighborhood is infested with mutant squirrels that like to chase fast-moving objects?
So we don’t have sidewalks on West Howard? We need to figure out a way to get the city to ensure there is at least one sidewalk on every street. Too much walking around here not to have a sidewalk.
Andy–did you see the newly installed sign in our favorite crosswalk? I hope to be able to point at it while simultaneously flipping off drivers trying to kill me crossing W. Howard.
You beat me to comment ing on the standing yellow/neon green stop for pedistrian sign at Howard & Adair…. Anyone up for a pool on how long it will take for that marker to be flattened into oblivian? I give it 5 weeks max (to get to oblivian that is– it will take a beating much earlier than that).
I have been lobbying for that sign for SIX years, ever since they shut down Westchester and my son had to attend third grade at Oakhurst. He’s going into ninth grade and won’t be crossing there any more, but at least the other children who walk across the street have that crossing.
I’m for that sign- i just think the bad driving on Howard is going to beat it up.
An empty threat unworthy of the busy-body citizens of Decatur.
Save a dougnut and call the police.
I’m frustrated, but my comment is completely tongue-in-cheek. People don’t drive too fast because they’re jerks. They drive too fast because W. Howard looks and feels like a 50mph road, despite the signs.
And DM, the squirrels haven’t been a problem this year. I have two cherry tomato plants and two pepper plants that have gone unmolested by glam-rodents.
Last year, there were frequent loud fights between behind the house between mockingbirds and squirrels. This year, I’ve only heard that battle once. I still see a lot of squirrels around though. I’m wondering if they’re finding more food in a nearby yard, and therefore ignoring our patio.
Has anyone ever had a squirrel burglarize their home? When i was college, a squirrel chewed through a window screen in my kitchen and ate part of a loaf of bread on my kitchen counter.
Thank you for my first laugh-out-loud moment of the day. Didn’t know squirrels were so savvy!
my landlord at the time said i was lucky – because my burglar squirrel left before i got home. they’re kind of a pain to get out of your house. i know it was a squirrel because it had been raining and there were squirrel footprint on the kitchen counter.
A friend mine woke up one day and both her cat and a chipmunk in her bed. Both were sleeping peacefully.
My cat brought a Decatur chipmunk in the house too. It did not have peace long.
Chipmunk came in on her own!
OMG, that’s hilarious!
Your squirrels must be all at my house. They’ve been eating my unripe tomatoes as well as ripe ones. I even watched one come up on my deck and relieve himself. That was after I trapped one of his friends…
Hey, get a cat to hang out around your tomatoes for a few days. That might repel the squirrels.
I’m crediting the cats, although the coyote in my ‘hood might be eating the tomato-eating squirrels.
Maybe I’ll get a coyote.
..and ground squirrels and rats. Cats are by far the best defence against varmints, especially rodents.
Too bad they go after birds too! I’ve seen two cats with a little bird in their mouth getting dive-bombed by distraught parents in the last month. One on Adair and one on Drexel.
they also like bunnies- saw a cute little bunny get scooped up by a cat on adair and hibernia the other week. i love cats- hunting is just in the blood. litteraly.
Put a bell on your cat. They get all the fun of hunting and stalking and being cats, but don’t actually impact the wildlife.
one of my neighbors did the smartest thing I’ve ever seen: clasp those clear clamshell produce containers AROUND the green tomatoes. like a little tiny terrarium. and then the bushy-tailed rats can’t get to them!
My next-door neighbor used to make fun of my Squirrel-Proof Net Tent, the giant garden netting tent I erected over my garden last year to keep the squirrels out. She called it the “Squirrel-Proof Nut Tent.” Then yesterday she came over and announced that SHE needs a Squirrel-Proof Net Tent for her tomatoes. Ah, the sweet flavor of homegrown vindication!
If any of you are interested, here’s a link to my blog that will tell you all about the Squirrel Proof Net Tent. http://southernurbanhomestead.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/squirrels-just-want-to-have-fun/
The squirrels have taken a liking to the lily pads in my pond. They roll the pads up in their paw (hand?) look at me through the window while they stand there and munch. Maybe they want some dip?
With respect, I think that, yes, they are jerks. Improved road design and signage may help both their driving and their jerk quotient, so I am all for it.
You need to chain a couple hundred bicycles down W. Howard. That’ll slow everyone down.
I need an upholsterer that can repair a sofa cushion seam. Any recommendations?
(And I would love it if the traffic on my street would slow down to 50 mph.)
If it’s not leather I think the ladies at the alterations shop at N. Decatur and Clairmont (near WIlly’s) can do it.
there is an upholstery place on ponce just past the farmers’ market on the left hand side…can’t think of the name off the top of my head but it is there as i drove by there this morning.
On the topic of local baked goods and natural toiletries, The Cookie Studio and Mama right behind it do both.
This week my daughter has been attending Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL), a summer camp where girls learn how to play a rock-based instrument, form a band, write an original song, and then play a big rock show…all in five days! The girls have been working really hard these past few days and I hope you can make it out to the showcase this Saturday night. It would really mean a lot to the campers if we could fill the house! Plus, it’s a fundraiser for the Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL) organization.
3RD ANNUAL GIRLS’ ROCK CAMP (ATL) CAMPER SHOWCASE
On Saturday, July 17th, Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL) camper bands will perform original material they write, compose, and rehearse at Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL), a five-day, non-profit summer camp for girls ages 10-16 years.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 (in Little 5 Points)
Doors at 6:30pm
Showtime at 7:30pm
all ages
general admission
$12 advance
$15 day of show
All proceeds from this event benefit Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL) programs.
For more information on Girls’ Rock Camp (ATL) and how to get involved, please visit http://www.girlsrockcampatl.org
For more information on The Variety Playhouse call (404) 524-7354
Tickets are available for purchase online, right now at:
http://www.varietyplayhouse.com
Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girls-Rock-Camp-ATL/96710871169?v=wall
I noticed recently that NAVO church has moved out of their Oakhurst Village space. Any news on what’s up? Is anything else moving in there…?
I have been asking that for two weeks and no one seems to answer
Given that landlord’s history, I bet they didn’t get their lease renewed because he expects a condo developer to snap it up. Which won’t happen and the storefronts will sit empty for another 3 years.
Doesn’t the same landlord own the burned out Trackside and 5th Earl Spaces? It would make too much sense to relocate them there, wouldn’t it?!?
well that explains a lot
I don’t know if anyone will see this reply at this late date, but I heard that NAVO closed up because they were funded by the United Methodist Church (???) who gave them money to see if they could make a go of it, and they evidently could not – not enough members, or whatever.
while my street is off west howard, it has no outlet to ponce, so speeding traffic/thru traffic is at a minimum thank goodness
Where can I take plastics #3-7 for recycling?
I thought that Decatur takes all plastics with a recycling symbol? If not then I am guilty of recycling abuse.
My condo complex is just outside on the Decatur city line.
Check at the DeKalb Farmers Market.
YDFM accepts only #1 and 2 plastics.
Walk down the block across the city line and drop them off in the City of Decatur recycling bins when it’s garbage and recycling day.
I tried this once but a “neighbor” freaked because I was using “her” bin.
So, I guess there is nowhere in Dekalb to take plastics 3-7?
Pretty funny. I would be annoyed if our bin was moved to the wrong yard as has happened accidentally occasionally or if someone removed our stuff to put in theirs. But if our bin isn’t full, we wouldn’t mind receiving legitimate recyclables from others. The only issue might be the cost to the City of Decatur. If LOTs of folks in DeKalb started trekking over here and filled our bins to be recycled at Decatur taxpayers’ expense, that would be a problem.
But does Decatur lose money on a greater volume of recycling (honest question)? Once you’ve spent the upfront costs to hire the company (with the trucks, personnel, etc.etc.) to pick the stuff up, I’d think that the more recyclables, the better–that that stuff is worth some money.
Maybe if you asked first…. that would have been polite and she probably would have said yes.
Can you sign up for the County’s curbside recycling program?
http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/publicwrks/sanitation/san_Residential_Curbside_Recycle.html
I tried signing up but they don’t accept condominium complex memberships. Its really a bummer!
They do say they take all plastic numbers. About the only thing they won’t take is styrofoam.
…which they take on electronics recycling day.
I thought you could recycle styrofoam if it was #6, no?
The flyer the new company distributed when they took over the service last year specifically calls out no styrofoam.
Drive thru coffee!!
I’ll second that!
Is relics ice cream ever open when sign says??
Every time i’ve been they’ve been open?
Well, they weren’t open this Friday afternoon at 4:00 even with the neon OPEN sign lit. Two little boys were majorly disappointed and tried knocking on all the doors in the hot sun. I loved supporting this place but I am a little bitter.
Thanks to the Yogurt Tap for saving the day!
I’m with you, Roo. I’ve given them three prime-time tries with no luck. What gives?
I’d highly recommend calling/writing the owner to let him know. If i were a small biz owner and I had employees closing up shop w/o my knowledge they’d be fired
Decaturites can advance vote today at the Old Courthouse (bottom level) today until 7 PM. Advance voted yesterday and location was nice and staff friendly.
Roo- I am bitter too… I even tried calling relics and phone was disconnected!?!?
Relics is moving to Underground. I also heard that Navo is moving the McDonough.
I mean moving to
What? Really? Where will he put the cars?
Big time lurker second time poster here. I gotta say that all this YDFM bashing on this site really drives home the snobish and elitist Reputation that decatur residents may or not deserve. YDFM is a great asset to the community much more so than a corporate chain like whole foods. Say what you want about about smells and owners, but what I look at is customers. And I cannot think of a single place in Georgia (much less Decatur) that offers a wider diversity of customers, products, and prices than YDFM. For every yuppie who is turned off by the “smell” there are at least 10 or 12 people around the area that are happy to have such a extensive and affordable place to shop. Quit pissing and moaning about a lousy Wholefoods already. You clearly know where one is!
Jeez, Brad. I live in Decatur (and am thus a resident) and just above posted that I do all of my shopping at YDFM and I explained why. I love YDFM for the people, the selection, the lack of processed foods, the organics, the flags, and the happy meat. Nothing beats the buffet for cheap and relatively healthy eats. Noting the familiar smell of pesticides when I walk in each week does not make me a snob or elitist.
I guess a counterargument was impossible without the embedded animosity and outright demands.
You say “quit pissing and moaning about Whole Foods” and someone else says “quit pissing and moaning about people who don’t like YDFM.” Where does it get us?
Nowhere.
Conversation is full of diverse opinions. Respect them please.
Sorry DM,
Didn’t mean to be disrespectful or even make this a thread about YDFM again (really wanted to celebrate the bakery and snoballs). My intent was to illustrate that you can love YDFM (as I do) and still be able to think critically about it (and not to be chastised for it that criticism). I agree with Brad that the market is great–just wanted to defend criticizers as well.
Let’s get back to discussion of squirrels. I hear Brevard, NC has a population of white squirrels. True?
Yes, you can see them everywhere. I think they originally were imported from Germany but I might have imagined that part.
We had a squirrel war the other day in our back yard. The kids alerted me to a bunch–like maybe 20 or 30-squirrels screaming at each other all around a clump of bushes as though something of contention was in those bushes. It lasted several hours. No idea what it was about. Hopefully they were arguing about who got to get into our attic first.
Make that “weren’t arguing”, not “were arguing”.
Squirrel war?
http://www.freakingnews.com/Captain-Squirrel-Army-Pictures-22941.asp
Maybe something dangerous in the bushes like a cat or a hawk. Squirrels will gather together to warn and try to frighten an intruder in their territory.
should have said squirrels will “bark” to warn each other and gather together to try to frighten an intruder.
DM – I need an edit function to make up for my terrible keyboarding ( and proof reading) skills
Altmod, my response was to Brad, not you. And I appreciate the ongoing co-op support!
I for one, yuppie or not, have no problem with any smells and I love the selection of ethnic foods and produce. But it’s really hard to support a place with an owner who has such contempt for his customers.
There’s bitching whenever YDFM comes up. Nothing wrong with that! In fact, if the YDFM owner actually read the comments, it’d be very beneficial! The callouts are pretty fixable. And pleasing folks = more $$$. What if we (meaning DM!) forwarded this latest batch to him with a request to participate in an upcoming YDFM post? Whereas he might blow off in store comments, he just might be real receptive to addressing issues that are being discussed so publicly!
(We should do the same with Baby Kroger. Starting with the store’s manager before going to corporate.)
(Also, I ‘m glad to know that J_T is not smelly. :0)
The first place my out of town friends want to visit when coming to Decatur is, oddly enough, YDFM. Places like that truly are pretty rare.
That said, I think it’s time we move on to another topic. In recent weeks, this grocery store talk has been run into. the. ground.
Aren’t you the least bit curious to see what else folks will find to complain about if we somehow fix the mentioned issues? There’s always something! :0)
Hey Brad, speaking of diversity–that applies to opinions as well.
Signed,
Pissy and Moany
I’ll see your pissy and moany and raise you hot, sticky, and grumpy.
Uh, I don’t think I’ll go anywhere near that…
That’s your opinion, Brad. Mine is I’d rather spend my money somewhere that I enjoy shopping. Talk to some former employees if you’d like to know how much the owner of that company actually gives back to the community and how well he treats his employees. As someone who shopped there 20 years ago with great regularity, I can say that I did part to support this place back in the old days and have moved on. My money, my choice. I got sick in there about 8 years ago. I was an extremely hard core vegetarian and the smell of dead animals that permeates the place and the boxes and bags just got to me. The place has not been as clean since Harry split off in the mid-90s, period.
While we’re on the topic of squirrels, did anyone see this article in the NY Times a few weeks ago? The survival skills of squirrels are truly amazing…
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/science/06angi.html?_r=1&ref=squirrels
Anyone have any good recomendations for dentists and opticians in downtown decatur?
We have been happy with Eyeworks of Decatur. They made sure I remembered the rebate for my contacts and dealt with my insurance company – they also helped my picky husband select some nice frames.
I remembered the subject of dentists came up a while back on FFAF. Here’s the link:
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2010/05/07/free-for-all-friday-5710/
thanks!
Isabella’s Cafe on College is now open! Haven’t tried it yet, but there are already two reviews on urbanspoon.
Does anyone know off the tops of their pretty little heads how much setbacks are on all sides for new construction? There is a house going up on Underwood and Mr. Nellie (who knows such things) says there can’t be much more than 2 feet of yard between the new house and the neighbor’s fence….
HELP, Referral needed please! Can anyone recommend a good TAILOR nearby who can quickly fit and alter three suits, one of which I absolutely need done by Wednesday???
I was very happy with Avondale Expert Alterations, 112 N. Avondale Rd. Recently had a garment altered there. The work was well done, quite reasonably priced and the seamstress is really knowledgeable about recommending proper fit.
I just had to post how much I enjoyed Yogurt Tap this weekend. It was my first visit and it was SOOOOO good! The wild blackberry and original with crushed oreos was heaven. It’s my new favorite place!