In a recent MediaWeek article, which heralded the return of Paste’s co-founder Nick Purdy to the Publisher role, Purdy discussed the success of their “Pay What You Deal” where subscribers could pay a minimum of $1 for a year of Paste.

Here are the details as reported by MediaWeek…

In a Radiohead-inspired move, Paste last fall offered people the chance to name their price for a one-year subscription, usually $20 for 11 issues.

Purdy said the offer netted Paste (which guarantees a rate base of 180,000) north of 31,000 new subscribers who paid an average price of $4. He called the experiment a success, given that its cost was minimal compared with the $1.5 million he estimated it would cost to enlist that many subscribers via direct mail, assuming a response rate of 1 percent and per-piece cost of 50 cents.

Purdy said the offer benefited from its novelty and no doubt wouldn’t be as successful the second time around. Still, he said the results were good enough to warrant repeating it, adding, “the proof will be in the pudding on conversion.”

Then check out www.decaturresidents.com!

The website is run by neighbors wary of the 315 West Ponce development and includes a letter (excerpted on InDecatur yesterday) expressing their concerns.

What I found most interesting is another letter linked to on the site from the new owners of the property (DPC Decatur Investors) to their current tenets discussing improvements to the property they are planning to make. Here’s a key quote…

We are so excited about creating a mixed use town concept that will include an apartment community and a boutique hotel on West Ponce de Leon with a wonderful restaurant concept on the corner of West Ponce and Ponce de Leon Place. We intend to work closely with the community and the city to make our project one of the most attractive live/work environments in the Decatur submarket.

I wonder whether they will be willing to work with this new neighborhood group and listen to their concerns, because this email makes it sounds like they are really only thinking to their property line and not really considering the residential neighbors along Montgomery St.

Want my uneducated/unsupported prediction? They might get a variance for a taller structure close to the Wachovia Building, but the project will have to step down the closer their development gets to Montgomery St. As to the parking issue, I think the city commission will hold them to sufficient parking requirements…they’ve been working too long and hard on creating adequate parking to let it be negatively affected by such a large project.

The neighborhood group meets tonight Thursday January 3, 2007 7:30 – 8:30 pm at 1st Baptist Church 308 Clairmont Avenue 3rd Floor conference room (enter right side of building under the portico, take elevator to the 3rd floor)

Ask and you shall receive…

I wrote a quick email to Pangaea regarding the questionable development at 2774 East Ponce and got this response from the restaurant.

We did sign a lease for a second Pangaea, but things have not worked out – Most likely we will be involved in another restaurant in that same space.

So the bad news is no Pangaea. The good news is that renovations will continue at the proposed location and another restaurant will probably open in its place.  The emailer said she would probably have details of the new restaurant in the next month or so.  Stay tuned to Decatur Metro and I’ll report as soon as I hear something!

If you needed any additional proof that Decatur was becoming more upscale (and you probably don’t), try this on for size.

Tastings: A Wine Experience, which first opened in St. Petersburg, FL in 2005, is going into the space in the 335 W Ponce condo building once occupied by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Here’s a description of this unique wine bar from its website..

Tastings is a one-of-a-kind wine bar offering new levels of experience to everyone from the novice to the sommelier. With over 100 wines in stock, Tastings boasts one of the largest selections in the world for wines-by-the-taste. The entire selection is available by the taste, by the glass and by the bottle. Every bottle is sold at retail price and can be opened in the store, or taken home to enjoy.

Click here to watch a video that gives a good overview of the business.

Many thanks to Kelly Resignola, co-owner of the location, for this info and website.  I’ve been trying for weeks to figure out what was taking over this location.

I can’t wait to try this place out!  Pretty soon I’ve be impressing/annoying all my friends with my knowledge of $200 wines…