The Taste of East Point brings out all the foodies.

If you are in town, come downtown Saturday. Bring your wallet and an empty belly for the Taste of East Point. Part food fest and art show, it'll be an opportunity for foodies to try out new places.

Taste of East Point... and the Tri-Cities Area East Point ~ Hapeville ~ College Park

MUSIC --- FOOD --- ART
"Ticket a Taste"
$1 Tickets ($5 minimum)

Tickets are available for purchase at the event. Beer and wine sales benefit East Point Main Street Association.  

Saturday, May 1.
Time: 4-9 PM – Block of West Cleveland Ave. (Across from City Hall)

EPMSA is bringing back and adding a twist to an East Point favorite, the "Taste of East Point". The "Taste of East Point" is an event that will give attendees a taste of the food, art and music of East Point.

Local East Point restaurants will be giving out samples of their cuisine, local artists will be displaying and selling their work and local musicians will be performing during the event.

The event will be held downtown, on West Cleveland Ave from 4-9pm.

Wrist bands will be sold to sample the various types of food all day long (Wrist bands are $10 for adults and $5 for children(12 and under). Beverages, including wine and beer, will be sold to attendees by EPMSA as a fundraiser.

For more information: The East Point Main Street Association.

East Point's Spring Fling 2010

 In downtown East Point on Saturday, April 10, scores of people came out to enjoy a beautiful day and take advantage of the first Spring Fling, a community party to promote creative ways to reduce the amount of garbage thrown in the trash. 

  

Downtown Newsletter

Get the latest and the greatest about happenings downtown here.

Downtown East Point Newsletter April 2010

College Park bakery reopens

The store closed down late last week to deal with vandalism.  Stop by and spend some money to show your support.

 Our Place Bakery Cafe

3387 Main Street 404-767-3181 

www.ourplacecollegepark.com

Main Street has 'endless future possibilities'

The city's Main Street Association just issued its first newsletter publicizing some of the people and events happening in the city center. Now, its director Erin Rodgers talks about the nonprofit:

• What is the purpose of the East Point Main Street organization?

Erin Rodgers: The East Point Main Street Association (EPMSA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of nine board members who are residents or business owners. The board’s mission is to “To preserve and enhance the downtown area as the heart of East Point, communicating a sense of place, community pride and heritage, while providing for a successful business and residential environment.”

• What are the strengths of the city's downtown and how is the organization building on them? What does the organization envisions as success for downtown? 

ER: One of the strengths of the city’s downtown are the historic buildings we have and the amount of available land that allows for future expansion. Many city’s downtowns have a limited number of buildings or available space, however, our downtown boasts a large footprint and therefore, endless future possibilities. The ultimate success for downtown will be when it “fills out” to its full potential and becomes a thriving downtown district full of businesses, residents and visitors alike.

• What challenges do you face in promoting the downtown area? How can residents help overcome those challenges? 

ER: Currently, one of the biggest challenges for downtown East Point, like many cities, is the current economy. As I mentioned above, we have a tremendous supply of available buildings and land for new businesses/developments, we are located just 5 minutes from I-75/85, I-285 and the busiest international airport in the nation and we are only 9 miles from downtown Atlanta – we have so much going for us! However, new businesses and developers are being very cautious these days and they want to see figures/numbers that support bringing their business to East Point (density figures, income levels in the area neighborhoods, etc.- so be sure to fill out your 2010 census!!) and they want to see incentives to take that risk in this volatile market. As residents, you can encourage others to be patrons of our downtown area businesses, show a potential home buyer the area, show your support by attending events downtown. . .basically just get involved! The better our current businesses do, the more attractive downtown becomes to potential new businesses.

• What type of establishment does downtown East Point need at this point? 

ER: Well that is the purpose of the new neighborhood survey on the www.downtowneastpoint.com website- if you haven’t already, send one in today! A few of the most requested establishments are as follows: Grocery Store, Theatre/Performance Hall, Indoor Farmer’s Market and Coffee House.

• Can you tell us a little about the survey? What will it be used for?

ER: The survey will be used to prioritize what residents feel are the most important downtown issues that need to be addressed. Your opinion matters! Send one in today.

If you haven't already, take a few moments and fill out this four page survey to help guide the development of Main Street.  Email your responses or mail the completed survey to: 

East Point Main Street Association
Attn: Main Street/Downtown Development Manager
1526 East Forrest Ave., Suite 400
East Point, Georgia 30344

East Point Main Street Assocation Neighborhood Survey

Weekend events around Jefferson Park

This weekend promises to be a busy one in Jefferson Park, from carolers at the annual tree lighting to an outside Christmas service, and throw in the always popular holiday progressive dinner.

With temperatures expected to hover in the 40s, residents will celebrate the annual tree lighting downtown.

The festivities will include snow, thanks to snow-making technology, along with  musical performances around downtown and other holiday activities.

The fun begins at 5 and wraps up at 7:30 p.m.  It happens in front of City Hall at 2777 East Point St.

To keep away the chill, there will be hot cocoa and apple cider, along with baked goodies. Santa's workshop will have free crafts for kids in a heated tent. And professional photos with Santa will be available.

The good time is organized by the East Point Main Street Association.  For more information visit www.DowntownEastPoint.com. 

On Saturday, the always popular holiday progressive dinner is on the calendar.  The  dinner is one of the events that make living in Jefferson Park special. Folks float from home to home and enjoy good food and good company. If you one make on progressive dinner, make it this one.

To attend, organizers need to hear from you. A dish is usually the price of admission and to learn where the dinner is taking place. Contact Alex Soto at amsoto77@gmail.com to get more information. 

And if you'd like a reminder that Christmas isn't about malls and gifts and wrapping paper, "Church on the porch" is taking place 5 p.m. Sunday at the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. 

It is an outdoor Christmas carol service featuring the TeamKids Choir, TeamKids Puppets, and Adult Handbell Choir, takes place on the church's front steps. 

View Weekend events in a larger map

Downtown East Point is the place to be

With games, vendors selling crafts, and bragging rights in the chili cook off as a prize, the Destination Downtown celebration Saturday will be lively.

Four bands - playing everything from Latin rhythms to jazz - will give the party a spark.

Streets will be closed to give folks an opporunity to stroll the heart of the community, support the new stores and restaurants and visit with neigbhors. Last year, an estimated 5,000 people came out.

Weather on Saturday is supposed to be sunny and in the 70s.

The fall tradition is sponsored by a variety of local establishments, who come together as the East Point Main Street Association, a group focused on enhancing the central business district of downtown East Point.

The festival opens at noon. The schedule of events: 

• Noon - 1:00 pm - Water Seed (Rhythm & Blues)
• 1 pm - Free Face Painting (til around 4:00 pm)
• 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Guru Fish (Light Rock Band
• 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Alicia Y. Rumba Brava (Latin Band)
• 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Dog/Puppy Show begins in grassy area of the "Commons"
• 5 p.m.  - 7 p.m. - Ron James and the Truth (Jazz Band)
• 7:30 pm - Kid's Zone & Silent Auction Closes
• 8 pm - Closing remarks and announcement of contest winners 

View East Point's historic downtown in a larger map

Main Street Runners hit the street

Braving summer's heat, runners Thursday laced up for the first jog of the Main Street Runners.

(In the photo, from left, Sean, Indra, Carson, Andrew, Sara, Alexa. The youngsters got pushed along the route by Sean.)

The fleet of foot waved hello to seniors enjoying the warm summer evening on their porch, passed dogs and owners out for a walk and boys and girls simply playing.

The runners came with a variety of experience, from veteran marathoners to an ex-smoker looking to get in better shape.

This week, the group completed a 3.18- mile course through the Frog Hollow and Conley Hills neighborhoods.

The new running group of plans to meet weekly either at Main Street's Oz Pizza or another local mainstay and hit the streets. The running routes will expand to include College Park.

Next running is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. The location remains up in the air. A Facebook page is in the works. Also, the Hub will post the next running location.

And for the record book, the first route of the Main Street Runners:

First mile starts with the first step

Neighbors lace up their sneakers Thursday for the inaugural run of a new running club.

A Jefferson Avenue resident and others came up with the idea after running with the Tuesday Night Urban Run Club in Atlanta. (See the AJC article about the club here.)

The goal is to run three to five miles. Runners of all levels are welcome.

The Main Street Running Club meets for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Oz Pizza on Main Street. To help you find the place, here is a map. But most everyone knows how to find the pizza shop.


View Larger Map