Living Large is easy at The Retreat at Mountain Brook in Birmingham, Alabama
Are you searching for a luxurious apartment community in the Birmingham area, but struggling to find the maximum value in a floorplan? We’re glad you found us! The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a compilation of your aspirations in a community where residents come first, followed by luxurious living for less. The Retreat is nestled against Mountain Brook, Alabama; and is known for its location, legendary square footage, walk in closets, salt-water pools and fitness centers. However, our greatest attribute is our valued, spacious floor plans! Seriously – you’ll often hear us talk about large, luxury living because we stand by what we say. Our idea specialists at The Retreat have crunched the numbers and statistically proven we offer the best value when it comes to a community in Birmingham, Alabama. Let’s talk LARGE. Our community is made up of 3 villages; Canterbury, Highland and Greenbriar, which include 3 bedroom apartments and townhomes. Are you ready to hear more about these substantial Birmingham spaces? We’ll begin with Canterbury, which hosts the largest floorplan of all the villages. Say hello to, The Augustine, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment home with nearly 2,000 sq. ft. of fabulous living space. (that’s 445 sq. ft. more than our closest competitors). Highland Village welcomes you with an array of 3 bedroom floor plans. Keep in mind we currently have availability in this village – come Experience the Difference with us! The Winsford, a generous 1,450 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment home, ranges from $1305-$1345. This apartment, like all at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, offers storage galore and a large balcony for outdoor living. The Beaumont, one of many townhomes in Highland, is nearly 1,700 sq. ft. for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. All that space for just $1650. The Brookshire townhome, a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath is 1,900 sq. ft. This is the largest option in the Highland village and is priced at $1699. Use the extra space to entertain, the third bedroom as your yoga studio, or a lovely guest room for when company comes to visit! The Prescott townhome, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment home with 1,732 sq. ft. ranges from $1440 – $1480. Lastly, Greenbriar Village, which offers one 3 bedroom floor plan, The Stoneridge, also with 2 full bathrooms, is 1,800 sq. ft., ranges from $1340 – $1370. And our large, luxurious floor plans include; stainless and black appliances, washer and dryers, sunrooms, porches and legendary closets. Don’t forget about our amazing location! We have easy access to interstates, surrounded by hip neighborhoods and trendy local events. Visit us and let us make your living experience large and luxurious for an affordable price right here in Birmingham, Alabama.
Springify Your Space
It’s that time of the year again… Flowers are blooming and days are getting longer – hello there, spring! It’s also time to lighten up – put away winter-wear, take stock, and get a plan to lighten up; refresh, renew and reinvent our day-to-day surroundings. The idea specialists, at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, sought this season’s freshest indoor and outdoor home décor trends, to bring you ideas to incorporate a pop of color with fresh-finds to springify your space. Are you ready to hippity-hop into a new spring style? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: Bright Rug Brighten your balcony by adding a small, colorful outdoor rug! We suggest looking at the wide selection Wayfair has to offer. These rugs are affordable and sustainable. Planters Rail planters not only look fabulous, but they are easy to assemble. Fill your planter with your favorite flowers and bask in the joys of spring! No green thumb? Don’t fret, we know the ultimate place for all your flower needs. Visit Oak Street Garden Shop, in Crestline Village – they can create and customize any arrangement. However, the best news is that it’s ONLY 3 miles from our community! Pastel Pillows Pastels sing to the tune of spring joy! Coordinate your outdoor color scheme by adding a pop of pastel with your furniture. Shop vibrant, outdoor pillows under $20 at Target. Bench Seating A hot trend this spring is, earth-toned furniture. We are obsessed with this trend because it balances out any color scheme. Did you know outdoor benches can serve in a multi-purpose way? Transform your bench into a couch by placing it against a wall with comfy cushions – or remove pillows and use it as seating at the dining table. We suggest investing in a bench from Arhaus, located 7 miles away from home at the Summit. String Lights Outdoor lighting adds the perfect touch to your space! We hope this trend NEVER fades. This detail accentuates your twist on spring style. There are several different ways to string your lights; railing, ceiling or in a tree. Now the balcony is draped in fabulousness, but what about the interior of your apartment? Glad you thought to ask. We have ideas for the inside of your home too! Aren’t you glad you kept reading – how adorable are these apothecary jars filled with lemon and limes? This concepts brings the natural colors of spring inside! You can find a beautiful variety of apothecary jars at Pottery Barn in The Summit. Springify your kitchen by adding greenery in a neutral container. This cooking tray encapsulates simplistic decor with a pop of color. Visit Leaf n Petal, with all three locations close by The Retreat at Mountain Brool for indoor flowers and plants. Another trend we cannot live without this spring is, terrariums. This earthy decor can be a head-turner in your apartment, especially if Oak Street Garden Shop is the creator! We hope your apartment and you, are now revived of the winter blues!
De-stress Address
Under stress, because you’ve started a new job? Perhaps you’re getting married, and you are negotiating wedding activities while looking for a place to live? Or like thousands across the US, you’re a medical student, waiting for Match Day, March 16, 2018, when you’ll learn where you will spend the next several years as a resident, which medical school you’ll attend, and what state you’ll live in to complete your medical residency. It’s an extremely exciting time…and very stressful. The good news? Well, there’s lots of good news, especially if you are moving to Birmingham, Alabama, to attend the University of Alabama School of Medicine. There are plenty of services to help make your life easier – and there is one apartment community where you can live just 6.5 miles from UAB’s campus. Where you’ll pay about half of what you would pay at comparable places, with at least twice the square footage. And that is The Retreat at Mountain Brook luxury apartment community, nestled against one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country, with manicured grounds with a naturally forested backdrop, gated and secure. Our apartment homes’ large size is legendary. We offer home to curb valet trash service, chef-inspired kitchens, granite countertops, stainless appliances, wood plank flooring, electric fireplaces, sunrooms, balconies, fenced backyards, double vanity sinks and walk-in closets, and AT&T U-verse for a strong internet connection – to name just a few of our remarkable features. But, back to the stress. We know that medical school and residency is extraordinarily stressful. Since we are a different sort of community, we are serious about assisting our community members and striving to make their time at home as positive an experience as possible. As a medical resident, you are about to undergo years of both physical and mental challenges. What tools can you use to successfully cope with these challenges? While a little unorthodox from the perspective of marketing a luxury apartment community, we think these are differentials we should bring to your attention — like our 24-hour state of the art fitness center, tennis courts, 3 resort-style saltwater pools and nearby hiking trails. Why do we want you to know how easy it is to stay active at The Retreat at Mountain Brook? We ran across a TED talk we wanted to share about the scientific neuroscience behind stress and the brain changing benefits of exercise, by Dr. Wendy A. Suzuki a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University. And the final reason you should consider The Retreat at Mountain Brook luxury apartment community for your place of abode during your residency? Our staff, who we hope you will consider as your on-site home team, will strive to take care of your living details in whatever ways they can while you are busy at work. We are prepared to assist first with a personalized tour of our beautiful community, and then to make your time here with us as carefree as possible. We can be reached 7-days a week at 205-956-9722 or at info@retreatatmountainbrook.net. Now, congratulations and welcome to UAB, in the Magic City, Birmingham, Alabama, where you can call the Retreat at Mountain Brook your home.
Magic City Mixology
Have you ever wondered what it would take to become a great bartender? Do you secretly have the desire to be the guy on the other side of the bar, making fabulous libations and concoctions for people – showing off your prowess of mixology? Or perhaps you’d just like to polish your entertaining style and become that envied host or hostess who throws the best parties? With spring just around the corner and outdoor entertaining on the rise; and if mixology has always intrigued you, we suggest starting out with 3 things: 1. Education, whether formal or self-taught 2. The right barware 3. A well-stocked bar There are all sorts of books on the subject, in bookstores and online, but did you know that we have a school for bartenders right here in Birmingham, Alabama? In just two weeks you can learn the ins-and-outs of mixing drinks. Whether you go the professional-hobby route or opt for the self-taught version, here are some resources we recommend to get you groovin’ and shakin’ in no time at all. If you want to spend a relatively small amount of money for a cool new hobby, or even – a whole new profession, check out ABC Bartending School, with locations throughout the South. Classes start soon and are repeated every two weeks for $295 – talk about a fun gift to give someone! Here’s the schedule: Night Class: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for 2 weeks Weekend class: Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for 4 weeks Night class starts: February 27, 2018 Weekend class starts: March 3, 2018 As for stocking the bar and barware, here’s an informative post from our favorite Blog, StyleBlueprint featuring top mixologists advice about the essentials you will need in the way of bar tools. As far as where to buy barware nearby The Retreat at Mountain Brook, here are some of our favorite places: The Cook Store – Mountain Brook Village – Here you will find Moscow Mules Copper Cups, Whisky Wedge Glasses, Corkcicles to keep your wine the perfect temperature , Corkcicle canteens that keep your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours, Rabbit Wine Openers & a variety of wine stoppers. Table Matters – We absolutely LOVE the VIVE at Table Matters and think you will too. You’ll be able to stock up on essentials like martini shakers, decanters. Wales Bar Spoons, Ice buckets and more! Target.com – Literally, everything you could possibly want for a well stocked bar. To create a well stock bar, you need to learn the lingo and about the products you’re using – you need answers to questions like, “What is vermouth? What makes a drink dirty? Shaken or stirred? On the Rocks or meat? What does all of this mean?” We suggest reading: The Joy of Mixology. It is the quintessential bar guide complete with history and how liquor is made. And here is a great article from The Spruce that provides a quick guide to distilled spirits. Just follow these easy steps and in no time you’ll be a mixologist aficionado and be the hit of entertaining at home! P.S. Do you remember any of these guys? The greatest TV bartenders of all times.
Frontier Airlines – A Whole Different Animal
A new option for travel for Retreat at Mountain Brook residents We love a good story, especially when it is tied to something that makes life easier for our residents at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. So when we heard from Bham Now, the modern, mobile Birmingham, about Frontier Airlines coming to Birmingham, we had to investigate, and here’s what we discovered… Great news! Traveling to Disney, Denver, or Philly from Birmingham just got a lot easier and less expensive as the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport announced that Frontier has landed a slot as the airport’s newest commercial carrier. It’s perfect timing, because spring break is around the corner and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth is, too, with an easy drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook; logging in at just under 15 minutes via 1-20, ideal for people who travel a lot or work at the airport. And who doesn’t want to fly on a large aircraft with cute critters painted on the tail? Several years ago, when the airline wanted to differentiate its brand, it looked back to a concept begun years before that featured larger than life-sized animals painted on its planes. In 2014, spokesanimals’ roles increased and a new marketing campaign was launched, hence the tagline, A Whole Different Animal. [huge_it_gallery id=”4″] We also learned that each aircraft features the name of the animal featured on its tail near the nose of the aircraft for easier identification. Each animal has a name: Jack the rabbit, Grizwald the bear, Foxy the fox (for whom Jack has a crush), Flip the dolphin (who always gets stuck going to Chicago rather than the warmer climates the others are going to), Larry the lynx, Hector the sea otter, and Sal the cougar. The newest spokesanimal additions are Penguins Jim, Joe, Jay, and Gary, a barbershop-style quartet, singing the praises of EarlyReturns to an audience of Frontier’s well-known characters from the A Whole Different Animal campaign, Hector the otter, advertising Frontier’s expanding service to Mexico, and Polly the Parrot, who won the new animal audition in 2012. We love this concept. So, welcome to Birmingham, Frontier Airlines! If Jack, Grizwald, Foxy, Flip, Larry, Hector, Sal, Jim, Joe, Jay, Gary, or Polly need a place to call home, The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a nearby destination and stands ready to accommodate!
Let Them Eat Cake!
There are all sorts of weird, and sometimes wacky, national and international observances. In February alone there’s everything from Lame Duck Day, Tuesday, Feb. 6, to World Sword Swallower’s Day, Feb 24. But today, as we prepare to leave January behind, we can do so with a smile on our face and chocolate in our tummies, as we celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day. My resolution this year: If I’m going to treat myself to sweets – it won’t be your ordinary run of the mill Reese’s Cup (although we do LOVE our Reese’s Cups). No, if I was going to occasionally indulge, it was going to be something homemade or baked by an artisanal baker. After all, I deserve the very best! (That’s why I live at the Retreat at Mountain Brook – smile:) So, my friend and I set out in search of the very best chocolate cake in the Birmingham area. First stop, Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at the Summit. The first thing you notice when you walk through the door is the aroma — ahhh, just like visiting grandma’s kitchen — on steroids. The mélange of aromas greets you as you enter the cheerful bakery, causing us to remind ourselves of our mission — chocolate. After pondering our choices, we caved and purchased a dozen Bundtinis. Yum. Off to our next destination – a Birmingham classic – Edgar’s Bakery at The Shops of the Colonnade – here we opted for breakfast because we knew we would need lots of energy for our task of the day — finding chocolate cake. I had the Croque Madame ($6.49) and my friend had Crabcake Benedict ($9.49), both lovely breakfast dishes. Although, I must say that we had to keep reminding ourselves that we were not there for Edgar’s famous Strawberry Cake (OMG) or the King Cake, which we could come back for in time for our Mardi Gras party. We left with a whole Chocolate Decadence cake. ($55) Onward and Upward. Back towards Homewood, to make a stop at Dreamcakes – their motto: We BAKE the world a better place. Love that. Almond Joy, Boston Cream Pie, Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate High, Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Sundae, Dolly Madison (gasp), Foreign Affair (ooh la la), Mint Chocolate Chip, Mississippi Mud, Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake, Smores and Turtle Dreamcakes. Two of each, please. Now it’s a party. We get our phones out and start texting – there’s clearly a chocolate party in our future — so we start to invite friends over, knowing we can’t do this on our own. With just two more stops before we end up back home, Olexa’s in Mountain Brook and Zoe’s Kitchen in Crestline – we are in full-fledged party planning mode, and decide to pick up some other party foods while on our mission! We get to Olexa’s, order Chicken Salad ($12.99 lb.), Seafood Louie Salad ($15.99 lb.), and their signature Corn and Black Bean Salad ($6.99 lb.) and two pieces of chocolate fudge buttercream cake, just in case we get hungry on our way back home. Our final stop before meeting all of our friends back home at The Retreat at Mountain Brook is Zoe’s Kitchen in Crestline Village. Perhaps we could have gone there first and satisfied our chocolate cravings with a piece of their chocolate cake. Zoe’s Kitchen was founded by Mrs. Zoe Cassimus in 1995. Everything Mrs. Cassimus, aka Yaya, created for her family and followers, was amazing, but her chocolate cake… (moment of silence)…was, and is, to die for. Located at 225 Country Club Park in Crestline Village, Zoe’s Kitchen is a 7 min. drive from home, The Retreat at Mountain Brook. It’s now 4 pm. The party’s gotten so large, we’re taking over the clubhouse, to share our bounty of the day with friends and family. Cheers, and here’s to National Chocolate Cake Day!
Season Stops, but Birmingham Does Not
Its already August and we’re quickly approaching the end of summer; however, there’s still a lot of fun things going on in Birmingham to keep the season in motion. Whether it’s a spontaneous meet up at one of the local breweries, a night event, festival, or even the opening of a spunky new restaurant, happenings in and around Birmingham are plentiful and there is something for everyone—just a quick drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. For the first year since its inception 5-years ago, Southern Makers, an event celebrating creativity and handcrafted goods, will make its Birmingham debut at the historic Sloss Furnaces. The two-day festival, Aug. 12, noon – 5 p.m. and Aug. 13, noon – 4 p.m., celebrates Southern craftsmanship at its finest, showcasing hand-picked collections of beautifully crafted jewelry, home goods, gourmet food, pottery, hand blown glass, sculpture, furniture, and clothing, and explores southern based creativity that enriches lives. Southern Makers will also hold other events gathered around this weekend, including: a 5-star dinner cook-off under the stars at Pepper Place on 2nd Ave., urban dancing, a Beer Garden, demonstrations and workshops, and a Rock and Relax After Party at Avondale Brewing located only 14 minutes from The Retreat at Mountain Brook. This year’s media partner for Southern Makers is Garden and Gun Magazine , so be sure and follow up with the print publication and online to see if you make it in to the photo gallery for this festive event! Next up is Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival, named one of 2017’s 50 Film Festivals “Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine. In its 19th year, Sidewalk Film Festival, is a celebration of new independent cinema, featuring filmmakers from across the country and around the world, who have come to screen their work. With multiple venues located within Birmingham’s Historic Theatre District, spontaneity rules the schedule. Weekend passes for the Aug. 25-27 weekend, range from $30-$285. Sidewalk is also partnering with Arc Stories to present Projections: A Live Storytelling Event on Aug. 26, for only $15. If you’re looking for something fun to do, traveling from The Retreat at Mountain Brook to The Historic Lyric Theatre in 20 minutes, is your route to weekend fun. Read more about Birmingham’s Historic Theater District here, in one of our favorite Southern Blogs, Style Blueprint. And lastly, if you love to eat but can never can decide where to go because of two different cravings, Birmingham’s new niche restaurant might hold the satisfying key to your heart. The Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar recently opened at the Summit, and touts a concept to please sushi and burger lovers. Not only do they offer more “normal” assortments of meals, they offer the first creation of both sushi and burger – the “Burgushi.” If for some reason you can’t make up your mind, try a bento box to sample a mini-burger along with your choice of sushi roll and three tasty side items. A short 20 min. drive from The Retreat at Mountain Brook, Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar is definitely worth exploring!
Tour, Apply, Dine on our dime. Here’s how.
If you’ve been actively seeking a spacious apartment living in Birmingham Alabama here’s a chance to break through the summer searching chaos. We’ve made it easy as 1, 2, 3 to enjoy a more pleasurable Apartment hunting experience. Get started by following these 3 steps: Step 1. Visit The Retreat at Mountain Brook for a personal tour of our 3 BR apartment homes. Step 2. Complete your rental application for one of our beautiful 3 BR homes and sign your lease within 3 days. Step 3. Receive $300 off your first month’s rent and Dinner on us at one of 3 Mountain Brook restaurants. As promised it’s easy as 1, 2, 3 to enjoy a pleasurable apartment hunting experience. Get $300 off 1st month’s rent & dinner at 1 of 3 Mountain Brook restaurants for each guest who signs a 3 bedroom lease with us before July 31st when you follow these steps. ***Please note this offer applies to 3BR apartments only. Each guest must fully complete steps 1 & 2 before the offer for FREE dinner and $300 off 1st month’s rent can be redeemed. One offer per lease agreement. “Available three bedrooms can be found in any of our three neighborhood villages.” The Brookshire Townhome 3BR | 2.5 Baths $1699 | 1,900 SQFT. The Winsford 3BR | 2 Baths $1305 – 1345 | 1,450 SQFT. The Beaumont Townhome 3BR | 2.5 Baths $1650 | 1,670 SQFT. All of our apartment units are pet friendly and include an abundance of community based amenities including a community garden, Dog Park, saltwater pools and family friendly events just to name a few. A complete list of amenities can be found here. (link to amenities page) Click to view the Power of 3 Promo page to discover all the details.
A Guide to Living Minimal with Pets
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” -William Morris I used this quote in my last post but I feel that it holds the same truth and value in this post. I was thinking about it a bit and there are a lot of reasons that I have a dog. Some people only need one, which is great too, but I really love for everything in my home to be multitaskers. My dog isn’t just a companion; she has irreplaceable value. I remember when my husband worked 4 hours from Las Vegas and we only got to see each other on the weekends for a year. At first I had no problem being home alone at night but all of the sudden every noise that the wind caused would set me on edge. And every time I was sure someone was breaking into my house. What kept me calm and soothed my worries was having my 45 lbs. A-type labradoodle start sleeping next to my bed. I knew that if anyone was actually coming into the house she would start barking and do her best to protect the home. And it’s a bit funny because I originally got her because, 1, I fell in love with her for no apparent reason at the pet store and, 2, she is a high energy dog that was a perfect companion for my long distance running. (This is Lexy and Caramel’s spot in the house. They know that they can go here and not get bothered if it gets too hectic.) Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better subject to approach in regards to minimalism. Pets are a true reflection on how we approach things. They are so wonderful because they require very little but can bring more joy and life into our living spaces. But there is a known secret about pets that many may not consider. Hold on. This is a bit of a truth bomb. Pets don’t need much. In fact Pets need very little to not only survive but thrive. Consider these needs: They need their own space and a place to sleep. Kennel, dog bed, etc. While kennels may be a bit on an investment and take up a lot of space this ensures that have their own space that they can go when they need to and mimics a den like environment. This may not be necessary if you choose another training method for your dog other than kennel training. Food (and bowls). Another bulky item but something that should be manageable and easy to place somewhere tucked away in the kitchen and out of site. Supplements: supplemental treats for hair, skin, nail, and bone growth or for teeth health. Buy as needed Grooming: Soap/Conditioner, Brush, Nail Clippers (Do it yourself! It’s easy!) Toys: I only have 1 or 2 for each dog at a time. I’m not really into the whole dog toys covered in drool laying all over the floor in my living space look. I would definitely have more when they were puppies but only keep one out and the rest in a basket. Collar/Leash/Harness. This is a must for dog walks or runs. It is up to you to find what works best. Some owners prefer a harness where others do just fine with a leash. Once you find what works get rid of what does not! Medical supplies. This widely differs from pet to pet. I am definitely not an expert but all I can say is use your best judgement on finding what works….and then get rid of the rest! Additional needs: These needs depend on the weather. I don’t really need weather gear for my pets due to the warm weather conditions and little rain. But I would invest in more weather gear for running if I lived in either a colder or rainier climate. (All I bring when I take that dogs for a walk. Well not the whole roll of baggies. I’ll tuck one or two into my workout pants. If I am going for a run I’ll grab my armband too.) Then consider these wants: Some may argue that this isn’t a need but I disagree. When training my puppy I would give them pieces of food that worked perfectly since they were the perfect size the go through a handful of during a training session. To me personally, treats is an extra. I will buy these once in a while but once they are gone I don’t feel the need to keep them stocked in my pantry. Extra toys. If they are a puppy then this really is more important to have but other than that I keep it minimal. Extra of anything. While the above needs are important we don’t necessarily need two of them. But, have not fear, I have a tip that could help with that below. Pro Tip: I have a small enclosed basket in my entryway that houses all my dog stuff. For both doggies too! I realized that I had a little bit of everything around my house but when I put them all in one spot I found I didn’t need a good amount of it. I either had an extra leash or toys or old collars that I no longer needed. To be honest I could probably stand to go through it again. What I like about it is that I can fit EVERYTHING into one spot. There is even enough room for the dog bowls if I really wanted to put them in there for some reason. When you limit space for your dog’s stuff then you can be more choosey about what you decide to keep for them. The trick is not to stuff it. If it’s stuffed then it will be hard to see what is in there and hard to decide what should stay or go. (If this
Melt into Summer at this Trendy Neighborhood Eatery
One of the best things about summer is getting the chance to spend the extra long days with family and friends. Usually this involves relaxing by the pool, around the table or even at a local hang out site. If you’re looking to discover a new go-to-spot in the Avondale Neighborhood we’d like to suggest adding Melt to your list. When you first enter the restaurant it feels more like stepping into a beachside eatery. From the high back, full gloss, wooden booths to rustic cement floors and assorted retro décor. The laid back vibe makes this vibrant spot the perfect place to hunker down and stay awhile. The constant hustle and bustle feels more like people are stopping in for a bite between excursions rather than breaking during their corporate lunch hour. When we sat down with co-owner Paget Pizitz, it quickly became clear why Melt is such a neat place to hang out. The incredibly innovative history behind this public hot spot is what we believe has set a foundation to make it special. “Behind this exceptional eatery is nothing short of sheer passion.” Paget, started her career as a recruiter for the fashion industry, and later broke out to create a very successful dating service, which later sold to a company in Atlanta. A born entrepreneur, with a passion for making human connections, she now had a new venture in mind. Just like that, Paget approached her business partner Harriet Despinakis to start a restaurant. Harriet, who co-founded Ocean and 5 Point Public House, never thought she would be back in a restaurant, much less a food truck. She wasn’t convinced a restaurant was the best move at the time and Paget was able to convinced her to start a food truck instead. All along, Paget’s ultimate vision was to develop a neighborhood eatery but agreed it was clever to start small in order to get to know the community. When Paget walked around observing the area and its residents she knew they had to be part of the Avondale district in a larger capacity. At the time, the heart of the area was a vacant garage called Ted’s Gas station. The garage sat empty for four years and was the 3rd restaurant to open in Avondale once this dynamic duo finalized renovations. Their extraordinary vision saw past the dilapidated station and today, guests can marvel at the converted garage as they sip local brew along with the best pulled pork nachos you ever put in your mouth. These ladies sever food by the mantra “Classic Food with a Modern Twist” and have been slinging cheese since February 2011. Stop by for a drink. Stop by to play a board game. Stop by for both. Either way, you’ll wish you done it sooner.
