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Podcast 344 - Ashford Lane Has Become Dunwoody's Event Space - Autry Graham & Bari Holmes Ashford Lane wants Dunwoody to come hang out, and they're spending real money to make it happen. Free movies on the lawn, fall festivals, watch parties, a stage for local nonprofits, and great restaurants steps away. Autry Graham runs marketing for Ashford Lane, and Bari Holmes, a Dunwoody High grad, plans their events. We got into why they keep throwing free events for families, their "Costco hot dog" theory, and why Dunwoody would rather be invited than sold to. We also talked about S'more the Merrier in December and what's coming in 2027. And yes, Dunwoody Idol is coming back! Next up is the free Fall Festival. It was scheduled for this Saturday, but it's moved to Saturday, October 17, from 4 to 7. Pumpkin painting, carnival games and a stilt walker, then grab dinner on a patio. Bring the kids. The best part is that it is completely free, and surrounded by amazing restaurants. See you out there! --- Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-344

Podcast 343 - Wildcat5e Robotics Opens St. Luke's Pumpkin Patch This Week - Lars Dike & Izzy Grant If you've driven down Mount Vernon Road in October, you've seen the giant pumpkin patch in front of St. Luke's. Every one of those pumpkins helps pay for Dunwoody High's robotics team. My nephew Lars Dike and his friend Izzy Grant are both on Wildcat5e, and they walked me through what the team actually does. We got into the brand new game that drops every January, what six weeks of "lock-in time" looks like, why no two robots look alike, and how close they came to Worlds in Houston. Then we talked about where the money comes from, and spoiler, it's mostly pumpkins. We also got into the Dunwoody High School Marching Band and this year's halftime show. The patch opens October 6th, so plan your pumpkin run now. These kids have earned it.

Podcast 342 - Aritzia at Perimeter Mall, Ashford Lane, and School of Rock Dunwoody - Mark Galvin I asked Mark Galvin, "If a family came to Dunwoody to visit, where's the number one place they should go?" His immediate answer was Ashford Lane, which I love, but I didn't expect it. His next answer was Perimeter Mall, where Aritzia just opened, and Mark swears malls are back. Then we dove deep into a bunch of random topics, like who actually fills Dunwoody's hotels, how Discover Dunwoody helps bring conferences to town and why, and why they're packing up the office and moving to High Street. We talked about what Create Dunwoody is really for and who decides what public art goes up around the city. We also got into a few new business openings. School of Rock just opened in Williamsburg, and Mark had a stat about who's signing up for lessons that neither of us saw coming. Mark, with Discover Dunwoody, knows more about what's going on in Dunwoody than just about anybody, and he brought a whole list of fall events, so grab a pen.

Podcast 341 - Free PR and Marketing Tips Every Dunwoody Business Can Use - Dori Mendel - Totally PR I've been doing What's Up Dunwoody since 2018, and I had never once sat down with a PR pro and asked what I'm doing wrong. So I did it on the show. Dori Mendel has spent more than 20 years helping companies tell their story, and she launched Totally PR in Dunwoody seven years ago. A sign she bought at a Dunwoody boutique that first week still hangs behind her desk: "Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try." Her approach starts with one question. Where do you want to end up? Instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall, Dori builds the plan backward from the goal, then lets the data decide what to do more of and what to drop. She's big on keeping one consistent tone of voice, so people recognize you whether they meet you at a Dunwoody event, land on your website or open your email. She also reminded me that every buying decision is an emotional one. People do business with people they trust. She made the case for authenticity over polish, for promoting your wins instead of sitting on them (like the time Atlanta Magazine featured What's Up Dunwoody in its 2019 Best of Atlanta issue, which I never told anyone about), and for using what's already around you, like client testimonials and your own team. Content ideas are everywhere. Most people think we have a short attention span, but Dori put it better: "I think we have a short consideration span." If you run a small business around Dunwoody, there's a lot in here you can use this week, no big budget required.

Podcast 340 - You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Belong at the JCC - Janel Margaretta The JCC has been sitting on the land off Tilly Mill since 1961, back when it was farmland and Dunwoody was still decades away from being a city. It's still a huge part of Dunwoody's culture. Sixty thousand people walk through the doors every year now, and nine out of ten of them tell Janel Margaretta they made a friend while they were there. Measuring that is literally her job. She is the Chief Impact Officer, and she raised the money for the biggest renovation that campus has seen since 2000. You see it in small ways. A bus brings kids from school to Club J while a parent gets a workout in. When you show up at the pickleball courts, you always see someone you know. Summer camps are where kids grow up. Janel calls it the third spot, after work and home. All are welcome. You don't have to be Jewish. She said it comes down to kindness and honesty and caring for one another, and that is it. Sixty five years on the same piece of ground, and that is still the whole idea. Camp Barney registration opens September 23. And the Book Festival is back November 1 through 22, one of the largest Jewish book festivals in North America and somehow already in its 35th year, with Harry Connick Jr. on the lineup.

Podcast 339 - 31 Years of McKendrick's Steak House, and What's New on the Menu - Chef Branden Holte McKendrick's is a Dunwoody institution. Claudia and Doug McKendrick opened it across from Perimeter Mall in 1995. It's been named one of the top five power bars in Atlanta and has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 2003. Servers who've been there more than a decade are still bringing out the same great steaks. That corner of Park Place has watched restaurants come and go, and McKendrick's just keeps holding it down. There's a new chef now. Branden Holte came on in June, brought in by operating partner Anthony Casiello. He's an Atlanta guy, and the first thing I wanted to know was whether he touched the steaks. He didn't. Same cuts, same purveyor, still Meats by Linz and the Linz Heritage Angus line. The real changes are in places you wouldn't think to look, like a rebuilt fish program where nothing goes to waste and a tuna tataki that replaced an old tuna tartare that had gotten a bit played out. Little changes, and they sound like they add up. If you've been to McKendrick's before but not lately, now's the time to go back.

Podcast 338 - Varuni Napoli, Rosetta Bakery, and Discover Dunwoody at High Street - Mark Galvin There are not many people I get to talk Dunwoody with the way I talk Dunwoody with Mark Galvin. The man knows everything new. He is the Chief Marketing and Operating Officer at Discover Dunwoody, and once a month we catch up. High Street took up a good chunk of it this time. Varuni Napoli is open, Rosetta Bakery opened right beside it, and TriNet just cut the ribbon on a new regional office there. Discover Dunwoody just announced that it is moving its offices there by the end of the year. We got into Perimeter Mall moving its food court toward Macy's, with entrances from the Ashford Dunwoody side and the back parking deck. We also covered Van Leeuwen at Park Place, Beyond Juicery + Eatery at The Shops of Dunwoody, and the Dunwoody Village Merchant Alliance with Sips Around the Village. The Discover Dunwoody events page is filling up for fall. A 12-foot Busy Bee sculpture by Huelani Mei is unveiled at Windwood Hollow Park on September 10, the Butterfly Experience runs September 5 and 6 at the Dunwoody Nature Center, Farm to Table moved to Thursday, October 1 at Donaldson Bannister Farm, and much more.

Podcast 337 - This Chamblee Gym Is the Next Step in My Son's Basketball Journey - Lee Miller A lot of Dunwoody kids are already playing basketball through the Dunwoody Metro League at Dunwoody United Methodist, Dunwoody Baptist, and Kingswood, or through All Saints' own league. But that's a few months of games and then nothing until next fall. That gap is exactly what got my attention at EHB Chamblee. I sat down with Lee Miller, who's run EHB (Elite Hoops Basketball) for over 20 years and owns all four of the company's metro Atlanta locations, including the Chamblee one, which is a short drive from most of Dunwoody, right next to Chamblee Plaza off Peachtree Industrial. We got into what a class actually looks like there (Skill Development, Shooting, and 3-on-3, all 75 minutes) and Lee's brush-your-teeth logic: you can't cram basketball skills into two weeks before a season, you show up once a week, year-round, and it sticks. That's what we started doing with my son Sam. He's there one day a week, and we've already seen real improvement, enough that we'll probably bump it up to two days a week. I asked him about EHBL, the in-house league EHB runs opposite the traditional winter season across all four of their metro Atlanta gyms, and we also talked about NIKE Basketball Camps, which EHB has run as the official Southeast provider since 2005. The skills membership itself, which is what we do, is month-to-month (Starter, All-Star, or MVP), no long-term contract. It's a great starting point that won't break the bank, and it gets your kid used to just showing up for training every week. --- Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-337

Podcast 336 - Saints + Council Plans Second Location at Perimeter - William Pitts and Ian Winslade Saints + Council is coming to Perimeter Mall. If you've had brunch at the original in Midtown, you already know why that's a big deal. Saints + Council founder William Pitts and Culinary Director Ian Winslade just held their groundbreaking ceremony on the mall's parking lot outparcel next to Lazy Dog, and they walked me through everything that's coming. The building will run about 8,000 square feet with fireplaces, water features, and a covered patio with a telescoping roof. We got into the origin story behind the Dutch Baby, the dish that almost became the whole concept before Saints + Council grew into a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant. We got into their menu favorites like braised short rib and a lemon miso salmon. William also got real about company culture, real paid vacation, 50 percent covered medical, and paid maternity leave for restaurant staff, which isn't something you hear about often in this industry. There's a personal layer to this one too. The new spot sits right across the street from Café Intermezzo, where William shared his last meal with his father years ago, and it's just down the street from where he lives now. His first two restaurants have already shown real success, Saints + Council in Midtown and his Oaxacan-inspired Cuevacía, both under his restaurant group Spur Hospitality, are thriving. Permits are still in progress, and they're targeting a 2027 opening.

Podcast 335 - Building Community in Dunwoody at Crema Espresso Gourmet - Roey Shoshan Thirteen years ago, a small group of friends missing the coffee culture they grew up with back in Israel took over an old butcher shop on Mount Vernon Road and turned it into Crema. Roey Shoshan was one of them, and he joined me to talk about how that little shop became one of the most loved gathering spots in Dunwoody. Roey and his co-founders sold their stake in 2014 to Erez Inbal, who took over with business partner Udi Goldstein and has carried Crema forward ever since. Roey doesn't take the credit for what it's become. He points straight to Erez for building it into what he calls Dunwoody's version of Cheers, the kind of place where the staff knows your order and your name before you say a word. We also got into why Dunwoody has seen a real coffee shop boom since COVID, and why Crema's still the one everyone else is measuring up to. We talked about the choices behind that feeling too. Crema still doesn't have a drive thru on purpose, Erez wants people walking in the door and saying hello. During COVID, when so much of Dunwoody shut down, Crema found ways to stay open for the community that leaned on it. It also traces back to a serious investment in their espresso machine, a La Marzocco, on day one. Roey works at the JCC too, and we touched on what that place means to Dunwoody, though that's a conversation for its own episode. --- Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-335

Podcast 334 - The Low-Key Walk That Became Dunwoody's Newest Community - Jess Zeewy & Delia O'Malley Jess Zeewy and Delia O'Malley were just doing their normal walk around Brook Run Park, until they decided to invite some friends along. 27 Dunwoody women showed up. We talked about their zero expectations philosophy, why admitting adult friendship is hard, and how the group spans every age. That first week, a 21 year old fresh out of college showed. As well as a 67 year old brand new to Dunwoody who didn't know a soul yet. Jess brings her background as a personal trainer and nutritionist, and Delia's own wellness journey over the years shapes how judgment free it all feels. Lucky Goat Coffee Co. became their official post walk spot after owner Josh reached out within hours of launch, wanting real community and offering to help. Their GroupMe has grown to about 108 women strong. Lucky Goat's celebrating its one year anniversary this week, with a Kendra Scott event coming in August, and a Pure Barre class in the works for September. If you want to join in, they walk Sunday mornings at 10am and Wednesday evenings at 6pm, both at Brook Run Park. No pressure, no sign up required, just show up. --- Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-334

Podcast 333 - How IHG Became One of Dunwoody's Biggest Community Partners - Colin Macdonald Dunwoody just had its 50th annual 4th of July Parade, and by every account it was the biggest and best one yet. IHG Hotels & Resorts was this year's platinum sponsor, and I sat down with Colin Macdonald, who runs IHG's franchise operations across the U.S. and Canada, to find out why a company headquartered in Dunwoody keeps showing up for this city. Turns out the parade was just one small piece of it. We also got into IHG Army Hotels, the part of the business that runs hotels right on military bases, the renovation that turned Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia into a real destination under GM Sharon Kilmartin, and IHG's work fighting human trafficking alongside groups like Wellspring Living and Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp. IHG has been headquartered behind Ravinia for more than thirty years now, with about 1,300 employees and five hotels right here in Dunwoody. If you haven't tried Parkwoods, the restaurant and bar on Ravinia's ground floor, or the Backyard at Parkwoods out back, put it on your list, especially once the holiday lights go up in December. And a big thank you to the IHG team, they didn't just show up on parade day, they helped us spread the word beforehand too. Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-333

Podcast 332 - A New Season, a New Stadium, and Players Who Make Dunwoody Proud - Coach Matt Schmitz Coach Schmitz is back on the podcast, and Dunwoody football is in an exciting spot. It had been almost a year since our last conversation, and the program is heading into year two with real momentum, a returning coaching staff, and nearly a hundred kids on the roster. We covered a lot. Coach talked about why keeping Dunwoody kids home matters more to him than recruiting new ones, and how the Junior Wildcats feed right into the high school program under the same booster club. We got into the Chamblee rivalry and the Golden Spike, the football team carrying that giant American flag in the July 4th parade, and why so many families are choosing Dunwoody these days. We also dug into the new home field. Seacrest Stadium will finally give the Wildcats their own place to play on campus, instead of sharing a field with Chamblee. It is made possible by a major gift from Dunwoody alum Ryan Seacrest, matched by the community through the Bring It Home campaign, and it brings Coach Mike Nash's old dream of Dunwoody kids walking to their own game within reach. Between a returning staff, a deep roster, and a new home field on the way, there is a lot to look forward to this fall. Give it a listen and get ready for some Wildcat football.

Podcast 331 - Dunwoody's Insider Summer Guide, From the 50th Parade to the World Cup - Mark Galvin After watching the U.S. beat Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup — one of the most historic wins in U.S. soccer history — the energy around Dunwoody this summer is electric. Mark Galvin of Discover Dunwoody came on the podcast already pumped about the World Cup, and it's easy to see why: local restaurants are setting up watch parties all over town and the whole community is fired up. High Street is expanding fast, Perimeter Mall is getting its biggest overhaul in years, and a brand new tearoom at Park Place just opened that Mark says rivals anything in Atlanta. Dunwoody is quietly leveling up, and this conversation is the fastest way to catch up. If you're looking for something fun to do with your kids, I got early access to Thrillz in Doraville, an indoor adventure park near Assembly Atlanta with trampolines, zip lines, and 35-foot slides. We also grabbed tickets to Big League Wiffle Ball at Assembly, backed by Gary Vee, Kevin Costner, Tony Robbins, TI, and Julio Jones. It might be the most fun $7 you'll spend this summer. All of that plus the 50th Dunwoody 4th of July Parade, where Discover Dunwoody is bringing the trolley and handing out red, white, and blue soccer balls. Fifty years. Follow Discover Dunwoody on Instagram to stay on top of everything happening this summer. Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-331

Podcast 330 - Dunwoody Tavern is Bringing Back their Dunwoody Beer Fest as Tunes and Taps - Huw Thomas & Miguel Romero Huw Thomas has been running pubs in Dunwoody longer than most of us have lived here, and Miguel Romero of Taqueria Los Hermanos has become one of the most beloved anchors at the Shops of Dunwoody. Together, they're bringing back a Dunwoody tradition that drew thousands of people a year over more than a decade. And it's happening May 30. Huw's story is one of my favorites. He moved here just before the 1996 Olympics, looked around at a neighborhood with nowhere to grab a beer and a burger, and decided to fix that. That became Dunwoody Tavern. Thirty years later, Dunwoody Restaurant Group has five active locations across metro Atlanta, and Huw has had buildings named after his company at Camp Twin Lakes because of a 30-year fundraising partnership with the charity. Tunes & Taps is the new version of the Dunwoody Beer Fest, and it's going down May 30 from 4 to 10pm at the Shops of Dunwoody. Your $20 gets you in the door, live music from Mike Veal Band and the Basement Band, great food, and a raffle for $3,000 in DRG gift cards. Every dollar from ticket sales goes directly to Camp Twin Lakes, and 20% of Dunwoody Tavern's sales that day go to the charity too. Grab your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tunes-taps-tickets-1988120706552 Full episode summary lives here: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-330