In a letter to “customers, newsletter subscribers, and blog readers”, Wordsmiths owner Zachary Steele, says that the old Suntrust Building at 545 N. McDonough is really where the bookstore should have originally been housed. But apparently circumstances a year-ago made that move impossible so Zach settled for the old Post Office building on Trinity.

As such, Zach sees the sale of the old Post Office building to a new owner as a “stroke of luck” that allows him bring the bookstore to its first imagined location.

According to a note from PR Director Russ Marshalek, Wordsmiths will physically move to the Square between March 25th and 27th, reopening on March 28th.

Make sure to read the full posting by Zach. Lots of more info over there.

UPDATE: Over on InDecatur, Zach says the Post Office building sold for $1.8 million and that the new owner plans to open a “rather refined Gift Shop” in the space.

UPDATE II:  Russ confirms that Wordsmiths will occupy only the first floor of the building, which is around the same floor space as its current location.

(photo courtesy of Wordsmiths Books blog)

Forbes Traveler ranks the Brick Store as one of the top 10 Beer Bars in the country.

Here’s the blurb…

“Deep in the heart of football and Budweiser country, the pleasantly subdued Brick Store—no neon, no blaring TVs—is an upscale oasis offering 17 craft beers on tap, including Atlanta’s unfiltered SweetWater IPA; and about 75 bottles, such as Denmark’s Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, a double stout redolent of espresso coffee and dark chocolate. Fill up on pasta with homemade pesto before heading upstairs to the Belgian Room annex featuring more than 100 bottled beauties.”

h/t: InDecatur

Back in September, just before this blog got off the ground, the City Commission approved the destruction and redevelopment of Allen Wilson Terrace (by far Decatur’s poorest neighborhood), which sits between Trinity and W. Howard on Commerce Dr. just outside of downtown.

Shortly thereafter, GoDeKalb’s Aileen Harris gave a thorough overview of what Decatur had in store for the site. In short, its a plan seen metrowide in recent years; mixing public housing with market-rate condos. According to the article, the city will sell three of the 7.39 acres of the site (along W. Trinity) to be rebuilt as market rate condos w/ a parking deck, while the remaining land will house 189 units in 5 multi-story buildings and a mid-rise building for senior citizens.

I bring all this back to light because last night we ran across one of those large traffic signs parked along Commerce in the middle of the sidewalk next to CVS.

What did it say?

“Commerce Drive Closed Between W. Trinity and W. Howard Starting March 8th.” When was the anticipated start date of this project? In the article Decatur Housing Authority Director Paul Pierce said “…our hope is to start next spring.”

Well, its nearly Spring and what else could possibly close that whole portion of Commerce for an extended period of time? (unless it has something to do with Decatur High’s Stadium)

So, that’s my speculation for the morning. Let the redevelopment begin!

Any further info (confirming or denying) would be much appreciated.

UPDATE: It’s not Allen Wilson, its the High School.  See the comments section for details!

(photo courtesy of GoDeKalb)