This is a bit north of the Decatur city limits, but this 1969 Arby’s building – most recently an Athens Pizza Express – has finally revealed its latest incarnation – Kitsch’n 155!  (Here’s a similar looking Arby’s, turned into a car dealership.)

They’re website is already up and running – though no detailed menu yet.  However, a couple blurbs on their Yelp! page give some background.  First a short history…

We’ve taken some of our favorite parts of dining out and combined it with how we cook at home for our family to provide Tasty Tacky Fun to the Decatur Community. We had been searching for the right location for our new venture when we came across this tacky old building that was an old Arby’s from 1969. We looked at it and saw what it could be, and our vision has come to life. This old building will catch your eye with its arched roof, nostalgic design and bright colors. We embrace the tacky. You’ll enjoy this retro road trip to a simpler time.

And as for menu items…

*Our “Everyday Menu” includes items like burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, chili, fresh cut fries and sweet potato fries.  *Our “Today’s Menu” that will have our blue plates and sides for that day. Items like pot roast, fried chicken, meatloaf, pork chops, country fried steak, roasted asparagus, greens, squash casserole, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, creamed corn, and many more.

The same Yelp! page says they open sometime this week.  Also this at-night pic gives a slightly better look at the interior decor.

Photo courtesy of the misses

Submitted by:  Rebecca Watts Hull, City of Decatur resident, Director of Mothers & Others for Clean Air and Board Member of Citizens for Progressive Transit

Light rail…commuter rail…bike paths… or more sprawl?

For Decatur residents who care about metro Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure and want to see more of the 10-county area connected by public transit, sidewalks and safe bicycle routes like our hometown, now is the time to speak up! The clock is ticking—we have until August 15 to shape the first draft of the list of transportation projects that, if voters approve, will be funded by a 10 year Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) already has sponsored an online public poll that showed widespread support for transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects through our region. Many metro area polls administered over the past five years show that most of us want a 21^st century public transportation system. Public opinion in the suburbs has changed dramatically since Cobb, Clayton and Gwinnett refused MARTA rail service several decades ago.

The Executive Committee of the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable is charged with boiling down a $22 million transportation wish list to $8 million (the estimated amount the tax would raise over 10 years), and Decatur citizens should take note that our Mayor, Bill Floyd, is a member of that small and powerful group. After the project list is finalized this October, voters will have only a “yes” or “no” option at the polls in July 2012. Let’s vote “yes” on a good list of projects that helps Atlanta move toward a 21^st century transportation system, rather than having to say “no” because the list represents business as usual-– more road widening projects and the sprawl that results.

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