Dunwoody Reporter Article.
Dunwoody residents and officials are hopeful a new Walmart store will bring an economic boost to the east side of their city. A Walmart neighborhood market, which is a smaller, grocery-focused store, is slated to be built on Winters Chapel Road. The store will be on the Gwinnett County line, with the building sitting in Gwinnett and much of the parking lot in Dunwoody.
Though it won’t technically be in Dunwoody, many believe that the Walmart store will be a great benefit for the eastern portion of the city. Max Lehmann, a commercial real estate agent who lives in the area, said the proposed store “signals new life.” “I’ve talked to neighbors about it,” Lehmann said. “I’m just delighted to see a name brand store in this center. This center has struggled for 12 years to get a good combination.” Lehmann said the neighborhood market would address the “food desert” in the area. “People in that area can’t walk and get food,” Lehmann said.
Michael Tuller, Dunwoody’s community development director, said Dunwoody and Gwinnett County officials have met to discuss the area and what could be done to attract commercial development.
“It’s showing its age and needs something like a Walmart … to really kind of reinvent that area,” Tuller said. “We hope it happens.” Tuller said the area is underutilized. “There really should be a higher-end kind of establishment in that corridor,” Tuller said. “We’re hoping it’s really going to incentivize leasing new commercial in that area with its proximity to Walmart.” Tuller said the two governments were trying to focus on the area that falls between them. “You had two different jurisdictions vying for control,” Tuller said. “That’s why it didn’t have a lot of definition in the past.” Officials are also pleased that the store will be filling a vacancy in an existing shopping center.
“I’m very happy that this is going in,” said City Councilman John Heneghan. “Commercial development to revitalize commercial areas that are already in place is a huge priority for me.”
On Nov. 15, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved a buffer reduction on the site, said Bryan Lackey, acting director of planning and development for Gwinnett County. Walmart will now go through a plan review process to make sure they address things like building codes, site consideration and landscaping, Lackey said. “If they’ve met all their codes and regulations, we’d be glad to issue them a building permit for that project,” Lackey said. Lackey said Gwinnett and Dunwoody had a positive experience working on this development. “It’s a good example of how two jurisdictions can come together to benefit a neighborhood,” Lackey said. “It was good to see there weren’t any hang-ups between the jurisdictions on moving that forward.”
–Melissa Weinman
Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11:
Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military
veterans and active service members. Applebee’s is again offering a free
meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s
Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 
Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11.
Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice
of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on
November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in
from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans
and active duty military simply show proof of military service. 
Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14:
The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held
on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral
Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any
person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a
veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves,
you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation
Monday dinner. For more information visit 
Famous Dave’s – Friday Nov. 11th. Free or discounted meals on Veterans Day. Offer varies by location, please check the 
Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11.
Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on
Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military
personnel. Get 10 Free Wings – Boneless or Regular, drink purchase
required. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active
duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military
service. For more information, visit, 
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011:
McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s
Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to
choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide
proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick &
Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also,
Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more
information visit: 
Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11.
Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering
active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola
product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is
available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of
identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform
Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings
Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American
Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more
information, visit, 
Subway – Free Six Inch Sub, November 11, 2011. Select
SUBWAY® Restaurants will offer a FREE six inch sub or flatbread to
military veterans on Veteran’s Day. This offer is valid only on November
11, 2011 at participating local SUBWAY® restaurants, Military ID or
proof of service required. Note: SUBWAY® Restaurants are franchises, so
this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead for
participation and times.
Texas Roadhouse – free lunch, Friday, Nov. 11 (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.).
Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in
the free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces.
Offer good for All veterans – including all active, retired or former
U.S. military. ID Required. See the 
Fee Free Day at National Parks.
To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken
Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would
not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13,
2011. 
In
the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485
(and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US
and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on
November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to
both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is
limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this
promotion and reservations must be made directly through the
participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit 
Sam’s
Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of
charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in
need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while
supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of
military service may be required. For more information, visit 
Amazon.com – Free MP3 album download “Veterans Day Honor”
This free downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the
military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon now
through Veteran’s Day to 