From HomeGrown Decatur’s brand-new Facebook page…

HomeGrown Decatur announces its plans to open at 412 Church Street in the space formerly occupied by That Pottery Place. HomeGrown will serve as a market and gallery space for local artists, artisans and craftsmen to showcase their work. An emphasis will be placed on green and eco-friendly art.

Decatur residents and co-owners Lori Ronca and Beth Thompson plan on an August opening. Classes will be offered, as well as monthly art openings and special events. Student art shows will feature talented young people from the surrounding area. Beth Thompson comments, “We look forward to providing a fun and eclectic shopping experience for our customers while creating a thriving market to showcase the unique talents of local artists. Being able to bring the store to life in our beloved hometown is a priceless benefit of living in this amazing community.”

Lori Ronca adds, “Emerging, independent artists in Atlanta will find a home here- an opportunity to network with other artists as well as a venue in which to show and sell their work while providing the community an ever changing selection of art and locally produced products.”

Local artists interested in displaying their work at HomeGrown can contact Beth and Lori at www.homegrowndecatur@gmail.com.

Back in April, we reported that the vacant building at  542 Church Street had been bought by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.

Through a city staff report attached to a parking variance submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals (see page 52 of materials), we learn the Association’s future plan for the site…

The applicant proposes to demolish the existing building and build a new 2-3 story, 19,000 square foot building with one level of parking underneath the building.

The variance itself asks to have the current 48 spaces required under current zoning laws reduced to 24 spaces.

Cakes & Ale co-owner Kristin Allin’s recent comment in response to many of your comments about the restaurant’s planned bakery deserves its own post.

Yes, we’re still working out some details but we will have fresh bread for sale and also sandwiches on our house made bread for lunch. We are very excited about the bakery and the expanded cooking capabilities this will give Cakes and Ale with the addition of a wood burning oven!

From the City of Decatur’s Cheryl Burnette…

Join Team Decatur for the KP Corporate Run/Walk

Join Decatur businesses and community members as we participate in the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program. The City of Decatur is participating in the KP Run/Walk as “Team Decatur” – we want you, your family and city businesses to join in this great community fitness activity. Decatur Active Living, Big Peach Running Company, Fleet Feet, and One Step at a Time will be helping you to “get fit” by holding fitness walks and runs; all a part of the 8 week training program.

There will be an Informational Meeting on Thursday, June 24 at the Decatur Holiday Inn from 6 until 8pm for those interested in rounding up their co-workers. For more information and to RSVP visit http://www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com/captains.html.

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On Thursday June 17th, the city of Decatur will host a public input session on a first draft of new guidelines for community gardens within the city limits.   The introduction of the guidelines notes…

These guidelines have been developed in order to ensure that community garden proposals on city-owned property have proper community support, address the current and future needs of the garden, and meet operational needs of the City.

The guidelines call for gardens to be evaluated on the goals of education, community building, integration with existing city environmental plans and financial sustainability.

If adopted, residents starting a garden will need to submit a plan for their garden to the city, and pay a $50 application fee and a $200 annual fee (along with potential, one-time floodplain development and stream buffer variance fees).  The guidelines specify that no designated parking will be permitted for gardens and all pesticides used must be organic.

Check out the full document HERE.  And if you have input, head over to the city commission meeting room this Thursday at 7pm.