Leigh writes in…

Hey there – do you (or any of the readers) know what happened to Rockit Boutique on the Square?? Went by there this morning, and the store was empty!! I still had a few dresses to buy. No indication of them moving, so I assume they closed shop. Bummer.

Decatur city staff confirms that the boutique closed quietly about a week ago.

Photo courtesy of Rockit’s website

Commerce Drive, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Jeff)

The Medlock neighborhood association met last night and has provided a very detailed recap regarding everything that is currently known about Selig’s plan to bring Walmart to a redeveloped Suburban Plaza.

Not only have they posted a conceptual site plan (above – click to enlarge), but also plenty of additional details about the proposed development.  To sum up…

• Developer is very interested in community feedback and is aware the residents want a more walkable, bikeable area
• Selig has ordered a traffic study on its own dime, but county state roads surrounding the site will make it a complicated process
• Walmart would take over the space “occupied by the thrift store and the discount mattress store. The Walmart would feature 500 underground parking spots; Walmart would pay for this.”
• The Walmart would be 147,000 square feet with 40,000 square feet dedicated to groceries
• Selig would also reface all other buildings in the plaza
• Trader Joe’s was not interested in the site
• Walmart will not have a garden center – a concern with Intown ACE Hardware fans

The Medlock Neighborhood Association has scheduled an entire meeting to cover the details of this plan on November 2nd at 7pm at North Presbyterian Church at 611 Medlock Road.

But don’t just go on my summation, there’s a lot more info in the Medlock post!

• Alice Murray: “Thanks to Decatur First Bank President for her work in our community” [Lenz]
• Occupy Atlanta stand-off seems to be coming to a head [AJC]
• Billy Crystal movie filming in Piedmont Park [Patch]
• Student reports drunk kids try to start fire on Quad [Emory Police Report]
• OTPers ticked off about HOT lanes act ticked off at meeting [AJC]
• One of Savannah most popular squares getting a much-needed makeover [Savannah Morning News]
• Your brain on music [Salon]
• Aw what the heck…Anthony Bourdain’s favorite food shows! [GrubStreet]

Your DeKalb Farmer’s Market parking lot (pic submitted by Jeff)

LooneyMooney points to this extensive article about business practices at Decatur Diner from Atlanta’s Hispanic news source, Mundo Hispanico today.  Here’s a blurb that’s been translated by Google Translate…

Workers say a restaurant for over two months without receiving their wages.

At least 10 Diner Decatur Hispanic workers say this restaurant is not been paid in five weeks.

In addition, most of them claim that their employer paid six dollars an hour, when the minimum wage by law is 7.50.

These workers MundoHispánico told the restaurant owners have promised to pay off your debt on several occasions but that such agreements are only promises.

If anyone wants to provide a better translation, they’re welcome to.

If you weren’t around for the related Crescent Moon saga a couple years back, you can get caught up HERE.

Kelly sends along this press release…

October 2011 – On Saturday, November 12^th, participants will return to Dearborn Park to root out invasive plants for the 4^th annual Park Renewal Day competition. Each year, this event has over 150 participants – all competing for prize money sponsored by Renewal Design-Build – clear more than an acre of English ivy and Chinese privet from the park. View video of past Park Renewal Day competitions here.

Teams will compete for the grand prize of $1,000, while second, third, and fourth place teams will take home $500, $300, and $200, respectively. Each team’s assigned plot will be scored by County Park experts. A live band, food, and the awarding of prizes follow the competition.

Any group willing to help the park and raise money is eligible and should register as soon as possible. Teams in past years have included school organizations, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and Scout troops. Last year, the Decatur High School Close Up Club and the Midway Woods Neighborhood Association tied for first place. Many winning teams have donated their prize money to other causes.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Great 1972 photo of Sycamore Street readying for MARTA construction [GSU]
• Black bears are moving into Atlanta’s northern suburbs [AP]
• Video from the Avondale Estates auction [YouTube]
• Avondale Estates candidates forum tomorrow night [Avondale]
• No one’s really talking about it, but Lanier is back near historic lows again [AJC]
• Some tech execs in Silicon Valley send their kids to tech-free Waldorf School [NYT]
• “Is This the Future of Punctuation!?” [WSJ]

Photo of Atlanta police assembling around Woodruff Park this morning sent in by Lindy

• SOPO Bike co-op needs a new home [Fresh Loaf]
• Rocket88 closed just a month after opening [Facebook]
• A sunny day in Scotland and a new chair! [AsianCajuns]
• More influential ARC selects new leader [AJC]
• Bike training begins at Fifth Ave Academy [Be Active Decatur]
• Twirlin’ Swirlin’ Now Open [Patch]
• City of Brookhaven advocates remove Century Center from proposed study area [Mike Jacobs] [PDF map here]

Adair Street, Decatur GA (photo submitted by Karen)