Dunwoody is getting a new hybrid restaurant - Takorea, a Korean / Mexican fusion eatery to replace Guthrie's

Dunwoody is getting a new restaurant.

Takorea, a Korean / Mexican fusion eatery will soon open a new location in Dunwoody.  The new Takorea is opening in place of  a shuttered Guthrie's (fried chicken), located in an outparcel of Georgetown shopping center on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.  The center is also home to Goldberg's Bagel, Starbucks, Farm Burger and Morelli's and is anchored by Kroger.

(The former Guthrie's was first, and for many years, a Dairy Queen.)

Guthrie's closed last August and there was early talk that Starbucks would take over the space to gain access to the drive-thru window.  Apparently Starbucks opted to stay put in their existing space within the center.  

I first heard talk of Takorea as long ago as December, but at the time was told the deal had "fallen apart."  A tip from a reader clued me into the fact that the deal is very much alive.

An employee at the midtown location told me the owners hope to have the new location open in August.  

The first Takorea opened in late 2011 on Juniper Street in midtown.

 Tomorrow's News Today - Atlanta is a Must Read!!!

 http://www.tonetoatl.com/2014/05/takorea-goes-otp-for-new-location.html

Dunwoody resident's response to Brad Goodchild’s “Attack on Education and Tom Taylor”

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By, Erika Harris

       Co-Chair of Georgians for Local Area School Systems and Dunwoody Resident

This election campaign cycle has been an interesting and sometimes difficult one to observe.  I’ve been proud to watch Representative Tom Taylor stay positive, refuse to engage the mud slinging & negative campaign run by Goodchild, and focus on his own past efforts, successes, and his future intentions. 

Just days before the May 20^th Primary, Brad Goodchild has put out a mailer attacking Representative Taylor for the extraordinary work he has put forth on the Independent School Resolution (HR486).  For the record, I have workedin lock step with Tom Taylor on this resolution for the past eight months.  

“My opponent spends a lot of time touting his bill for a Dunwoody school district... that never saw a vote. Why does he feel pride in this legislative non-accomplishment?”  - Brad Goodchild

I am floored by the ignorance and arrogance that Mr.Goodchild reveals in his commentary.  Both Tom Taylor and Fran Millar were extremely upfront that this effort was going to be one that would require patience and time to accomplish.  Consider that it took three years for Dunwoody to become a city through Legislative approval, something already allowed by the constitution.  How is it then that Brad Goodchild would assume that this constitutional amendment wouldn’t be vetted with equal time and consideration?

HR486 serves to amend our state constitution, ratifying an amendment from nearly 70 years ago.  If Brad Goodchild knew any of the background of education legislation in Georgia, he would know why this was not going to be a one session push through.  Further, if he understood the dynamics and complexity of rural versus metro politics, he would not be so quick to criticize Mr. Taylor’s legislation.

But Brad Goodchild does not know these things.  Why?  Simply because he has not been involved in any of the efforts to improve education in our city or our state. He has not attended information sessions, city events to learn more about improving education through legislative efforts, or shown support down at the Capitol... 

“My opponent personifies the "showing up is good enough" mentality that has brought DeKalb County schools to the brink of losing accreditation.” – Brad Goodchild

Well, if this is really the bar he is using, “showing up”, Mr. Goodchild has not even come near reaching his own bar. Let’s recap: not showing up for any educational events, not showing up for the DHA debate, not answering media phone calls…  When does he show up? 

Our children do deserve better, as Brad Goodchild points out in his letter.  They don’t deserve someone who seeks to “pad his resume” using false claims and undeserved bravado in an attempt to win an election against a proven incumbent, as Mr. Goodchild does. 

I urge everyone to show up on Tuesday the 20^th and cast their vote for Tom Taylor who stands for honesty, integrity, and accountability in more than words, but in proven leadership.

Gov. Nathan Deal speaks at State Farm groundbreaking ceremony in Dunwoody and announces commitment to fully fund improvements to the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange.

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Gov. Nathan Deal today announced a state commitment to fully fund improvements to the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange, a project of statewide significance. Deal and Georgia Department of Transportation board members approved the sale of $130 million in previously authorized bonds and the use of $81.5 million in accrued state motor fuel funds to accelerate the process of reconstructing the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange.

“We are currently utilizing all the tools that the state has available — accrued motor fuel revenues, authorized bonds, Georgia’s AAA bond rating and an improving schedule of debt payments — to facilitate major transportation projects,” said Deal. “This interchange is one of the most congested intersections in the United States, and the time has come to bring much needed relief to commuters and area businesses. Improvements to the interchange will provide important economic and quality of life benefits and will expand Georgia’s role as a major logistics hub for global commerce.

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State Farm and KDC groundbreaking ceremony in Dunwoody, GA

KDC today held a groundbreaking ceremony at Park Center, its new 17-acre master-planned project in the Perimeter Center area of Dunwoody, Georgia. State Farm will lease 585,000 square feet in the development’s first office building.

“We are honored that State Farm entrusted KDC to develop another office campus for its highly valued work force,” said Steve Van Amburgh, chief executive officer, KDC. “We plan to create an environment that offers employees direct access to residential, shopping and dining, in a pedestrian-friendly environment.” Renderings of the building design can be viewed here.  The first office building at Park Center, to be leased by State Farm, consists of a 13-story building situated on a seven-level parking structure with ground floor retail space. The Class A building is located on a nearly 4-acre site at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway, adjacent to the Dunwoody MARTA station.

“We are pleased to be part of this collaborative project as we expand to a multi-functional facility in metro Atlanta,” said Mary Crego, senior vice president, State Farm. “This is one of many changes to position State Farm to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”  The new Park Center facility will serve as part of the Atlanta hub, housing employees who will work collectively across several functions to serve customers. These functions will be staffed by a combination of new hires and existing employees. State Farm currently employs approximately 5500 people in the metro Atlanta area. In the coming years, State Farm will have approximately 8,000 employees in the metro Atlanta area.

“State Farm’s decision to expand its presence here is a testament to our state’s competitive business environment,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “One of the leading insurance providers in the nation, State Farm will benefit from Georgia’s pro-business infrastructure, and our highly skilled workforce will help the company continue to provide the highest levels of customer service to policyholders. I welcome State Farm’s expansion in Metro Atlanta and thank them for bringing thousands of additional good jobs to Georgia.”

“The KDC project and State Farm’s entry into the City of Dunwoody are game-changers for the entire north metro Atlanta region,” said Dunwoody Mayor Michael Davis. “This high quality development strengthens Dunwoody and the central Perimeter area as Atlanta’s largest office market. I’m confident State Farm will find Dunwoody’s location, amenities and proximity to superior transportation resources valuable as it seeks qualified employees from throughout the region.”

The office tower is slated for late 2016 occupancy. KDC plans to achieve LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is an internationally recognized green building  certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving overall performance and sustainability.

“This is an exciting day for KDC, as we officially break ground on the much anticipated transit-oriented development and new home for State Farm,” said Larry Wilson, KDC. “Our focus is on creating an attractive, walkable community in which employees and residents are connected to daytime and nighttime activities, with easy access to MARTA. We plan to create a true sense of place that promotes an active and thriving environment.”

In February 2014, KDC announced plans to develop a transit-oriented development in Dunwoody and State Farm’s intention to lease 585,000 square feet in the first office building.  The first phase of KDC’s development will include the 585,000 square feet of State Farm office space, 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and a 175-room hotel. At full build out, the transit-oriented development will include 2.2 million square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment, and a 175-room select service hotel. Cooper Carry & Associates is the shell building and interiors architect. Holder Construction Company is the general contractor for the project.

State Farm Parks Master Plan

Dunwoody State Senator Fran Millar & State House Representative Tom Taylor sponsoring Food Truck Thursday at Brook Run Park from 5 to 8.

Food Truck - May 15th

The weather forecast for Thursday evening as I type this is that the rain will be gone and the sun may be out for this week's Dunwoody Food Truck Thursday. This week the event is being sponsored by State Senate incumbent Fran Millar & State House incumbent Tom Taylor both of whom have done so much to make Dunwoody a better place to live.

If you haven't read this week's Dunwoody Crier, I highly recommend that you do as I really enjoyed reading the article on the Valedictorians and Salutatorians plus there are numerous informational articles and letters to the editor on the upcoming election.

Talk Back to The Crier
Vernon, can you hear me?
With primary ahead, who is Brad Goodchild?

Tuesday is the official election day but there is early voting available at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 only today & Friday from 7 am to 7 pm.

Please join us for entertainment by Marshall Coats!

Blaxican Food Truck
Hail Caesar
Ibiza Bites
On Tapa The World
Pho Sho Sandwiches & Pastries
Soup'r Noodles
Yumbii
WOW! Food Truck
Chay J's New Orleans Candies, LLC
King of Pops
Rita's Italian Ice
Yum Yum Dessert Co

Minerva Georgetown Townhome Presentation - Rezoning from Office to Residential Requested - moving through the Dunwoody rezoning process.

PDF of presentation given on May 1st