Jonathan points out that Decatur ranked as the #1 neighborhood in Atlanta in Creative Loafing’s just-released, unscientific-but-still-totally-accurate “Ultimate Neighborhood Guide”.  (Go to page 12 of this PDF of the guide to read the full Decatur description)

What makes Decatur the greatest neighborhood in the Atlanta metro according to Thomas Wheatley and the people he bribed with laundry services to give Decatur the top spot?  In summary, great schools, a strong LGBT community, lots of beer, and transit.  Glenlake Park and the Decatur Cemetery also get nods, along with blurbs on many of our top restaurants, pubs and stores and cultural scenes.   And what guide isn’t complete without a comment from “social media monster” Carl!?

The downsides of Decatur, according to CL?

High liberal yuppie quotient. (If that’s a plus for you, refile under upsides.)

Swarms of beer lovers on weekends can mean long waits at tiny pubs.

Oh, and as for the “Sorry Midtown” of my post title, Midtown ranked #2, while Inman Park was #3.  It’s all in the PDF!

UPDATE: FM Fats reports that he spoke with Depeaux owner Bill Sharkey today and was told that the Depeaux isn’t entirely closed and is still open on weekends.

It opened to renovation controversy (after a $250,000 move funded by the DPA) and high Cajun-food-hopes.  It closed quitely and without notice.

Until now.

A few days after a major refreshening of its “Business For Sale” page with the Shumacher Group, Carl reports that it looks like the Depeaux (in the old Decatur depot) has finally closed its doors for good.

No hours posted, mail slot sealed shut…no sign of life. BBQ joint moving in?

Photo courtesy of the Shumacher Group

That’s what the sign on the door to the barely year-old cafe in the 340 West Ponce building says, along with an” Available” sign from Shumacher Group.

If the first isn’t an ominous sign, the second certainly is!

Carl headed over there after a Twitter tipster gave us the heads-up and snapped this pic.

Better Mornings Atlanta’s Corrina Allen stormed Decatur this morning at 5am for multiple segments featuring Decatur as a “Hip Zip”.

And all segments are already available online, including:

Welcome to Decatur

Decatur: A Great Place For Kids

Decatur Rules the Roost

Shopping, Eating Fun in Decatur

Despite the early call, it looks like there was a great turnout at Parkers!  Videos feature lots of familiar faces, including Bill Floyd, Cheryl Burnette, the AsianCajuns, Carl Black, the Butt Nazi and many more.

h/t: The Decatur Minute