I’ve gotten a few inquiries lately regarding the fate of The Angel building, sitting lonely and vacant at the Western end of Ponce, with only the occasional contractor or parked car to keep it company.

The masses are getting restless.

Speaking as a Ponce Heights resident, it seems I’d gotten a little too used to having such a close option for food and drink. Especially on a Sunday, Little Azio and Tastings are the closest options, and they seem miles away. (I know…my life is so difficult)

But I’ve made my bed and have to lie in it. I got a little ticked at the Angel upon their closing (for reasons I won’t rehash) and since then I’ve had to sit idly by and bite my tongue while slow progress was made on the building’s renovation. (I think The Angel sign just came down a few weeks ago)

But finally we have a tidbit! And we’re so starved for any info on this place, just a little rumble of info classifies as major news/rumor to me. Though we’d been hearing things about it being turned into a “chef-inspired restaurant”, Jeff at Whit’s End tells us that the owner of the property says the Angel will become an “Irish pub”. It ain’t much in terms of detail…but it brings a smile to my face. A pub would be most welcome.

So let’s bury the hatchet and start over Angel. Especially since it seems that we need each other.

More details as they surface.

We’ve been hearing rumblings about a scooter store for months now. Most recently the city teased us in the Decatur Focus with news that a scooter store was coming, but gave few details. Well, thanks to Jeff at Whit’s End, I finally have a name and location for you! ….drumroll please….

Midtown’s Twist & Scoot will open a new store in the old Intaglia space on West Ponce. No details yet as to when, but they certainly couldn’t have picked a better time to expand, with scooter sales going up faster than gas prices. A recent Time Magazine article (“10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas“) says that Vespa sales are up 109% since last year.

Perhaps the close proximity to our house will help convince my wife of my undying NEED for a sporty little scooter. But unfortunately, MARTA is still a more viable option for me.

Best of luck to all involved!

[Midtown location photo courtesy of Flickr]

Jeff at Whit’s End reports that Fleet Feet Sports (next to Whit’s End on West Ponce) will be open within the week.

Honestly, this little piece of news isn’t all that surprising, since I saw staff at the new store working late into the night stocking shelves and taking inventory as we stumbled back from Taqueria yesterday evening.

Best of Luck Fleet Feet!  We’re almost neighbors!

From the city’s website…

Join Decatur’s July 4th Pied Piper Parade as it winds through downtown Decatur. Decorate your wagon, ride your bike, skate, or walk in this event.

The City Commissioners will lead the parade in the mini-firetruck. Neighborhoods and organizations are encouraged to make floats and join the fun.

Parade line-up is at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. It ends at the Community Bandstand on the square with a presentation of colors and the Star Spangled Banner.

Anyone may participate in the parade but those with vehicles must register by completing the July 4th Pied Piper Parade Guidelines form.

The concert, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band, begins at 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand. Fireworks begin at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) and are shot from the top of the DeKalb County parking deck.

For information call 404-371-8386 or email . For 24-hour information call the Decatur Events Hotline, 404-371-8262, or check this website.

>Parade guidelines and registration form (PDF)

Also checkout the city’s sidewalk sale all weekend long. See the list of participants HERE. [h/t: DecaturMom]  UPDATE: Jeff at Whit’s End notes that he will also be participating in this weekend’s sidewalk sale even though he didn’t make the city’s brochure.  He also will be participating in the Decatur Green Bag program, once the reusable bags are given out this month.

Next Stop…Decatur notes the old look of the Pythagoras Mason Temple Building at the northeast corner of Clairemont and Ponce included street-level retail (specifically Glenn’s Pharmacy). This is actually the original layout/intent of the first floor, and a look at the current building (in a pic found in Next Stop’s post) shows that it would not be too difficult to revert the exterior of the building’s first floor back to street-level retail. The interior is probably another story.

I can only assume that the city would fully support such an initiative (especially if the change didn’t alter the exterior), but it’s probably up to the building’s owners (the Mason’s) to make the change.

As Next Stop notes, it would be a great extension of street-level retail along Ponce and Clairemont. Now…what to do about that really unfriendly Emory Clinic building on the northwest corner.