If you have out-of-town company and you're taking them out to dinner, where is the one place you would take them? If you said Canton Street in Roswell, you would have plenty of company.
It is a street that has found charm and appeal that makes it a place where people want to be. The restaurants, pubs, art galleries and shops that make up a quarter-mile of the Historic District seem to have hit on just the right recipe for trendiness.
As far as Mayor Jere Wood is concerned, Canton Street is better than the Chamber of Commerce.
"It is the city's best selling point, no question," he said. "It is the best generator of businesses. It's where things are happening. We hope to expand that model in the Groveway District to the Square and Highway 9."
The city recently cut the ribbon for the new streetscape on Ga. 9 (Atlanta Street), and at the ceremony the city Transportation Director Steve Acenbrak boasted since the project began four years ago, 10 new businesses had located in empty storefronts along the road.
But Canton Street boasts nine new business openings since February. Realtors monitor the properties on Canton because when they become available, they go quickly. Property values have proven to be well nigh recession-proof.
Of course, Canton Street is really more than one street. It is a warren of side streets such as Goulding Place, Plum Street and Cherry Way that provide more retail and residential space in the area.
Michael Curling's company New Kent Capital is among the most active investors in Canton Street owning several properties. Renovating the old properties is no small expense, but the rewards have made the efforts worthwhile.
A big part of Canton Street's success has been its pedestrian atmosphere. People don't mind parking and then walking up and down the street, Curling said.
"It definitely contributes to the charm of Canton and the people who live in the district add to the mix. They are fiercely loyal to the shops on Canton," he said.
Curling's Roswell High School friend Ryan Pernice realized a dream when he came back home to open his own restaurant on Canton called Table and Main.
"If you wanted Park Avenue in Roswell, Canton Street is it," Pernice said. "This is an amazing vibrant community. You see it happening on the street and it is a really cool feeling. There is a cafeteria effect of people walking up and down choosing this shop or that.
"And every new business brings more capital and development. And that raises the lowest common denominator [on Canton.]"
His popular restaurant is only 10 months old, but Pernice says Table and Main already fits right in with the regulars.
"It's like we've been here forever," Pernice said.
Among the newest businesses on Canton Street the attraction ranged from "love at first sight," to biding one's time.
For Cheryl Taylor and Laurie Clarke it was a bit of both. They opened Taylor Clarke Bridals, in one of the classic addresses on the north end at 1175 Canton Street, in what is called The Perry House, built in the 1880s.
But they had been working on Canton Street for 15 years.
"The real estate lady took me all over Atlanta, but when we crossed the Chattahoochee and came up Canton, that was it," Taylor said. "We waited a long time for the right place to open our own shop."
Clarke is equally charmed by their building, but also by the closeness of the business community on Canton.
"Everyone refers their customers to other shops on Canton. There is real sense of community here," Clarke said.
Jenna Cao couldn't resist the charm of Canton either. She has the successful Chateau de Nails in Crabapple, but she kept an eye out for a spot on Canton to open Chateau de Nails II.
"I always knew if I opened a second business it would be here," Cao said. "It's pretty popping around here. And when this building [at 1159 Canton] became available – I just went, 'oooh.' I feel like the area chose me too."
Oli + ve is a unique new shop on Canton specializing in selling olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Started by Suzanne Davidson and Deborah Hardee, it is a curious business. But one that seems to have plenty of satisfied customers who leave carrying sacks of virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
They also have pasta, rubs, spices and herbs. But it is the 10- to 18-year-old balsamic vinegar poured over ice cream that piques customers' taste buds.
Davidson said it was the foot traffic along Canton that appealed to them.
"Day in and day out, people are passing by. It almost has a European feel. People just enjoy being outdoors and going shop to shop," Davidson said.
Like fine wines, aged balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil are best sampled. And to do that, the palate must be educated. Thus, a dozen or more varieties of olive oil are offered for the tasting.
"We want to educate people to what is on the label versus what is in the bottle," Davidson said. "We love to see people's reaction after trying it for the first time. They keep coming back."
At Little Alley Steak, people know what they are getting. Hicham Ashari and his partner Fikret Kovac just opened their third eatery on Canton Street. Little Alley Steak is a white tablecloth, upscale restaurant on Canton that follows his gastro-pub Salt Factory (formerly Red Salt) and Inc. Table Food, a Mexican pub.
"I've been in this business 16 years," Ashari said. "To me, this street is the heart and history of Roswell and old Atlanta."
With its galleries, antique stores and other shops, he says it is an ideal place to dine and shop – or shop and dine.
"This street has an originality you can't find just anywhere. Why a steak house? It was a concept that was needed. Canton needs a good steak place that is not corporate-owned, "he said.
Already it has been voted among the top four steak places in Atlanta along with McKendrick's, Bones and Hal's.
The mayor said Canton Street is the best thing going for Roswell right now, culturally and business-wise.
"The biggest problem we have on Canton Street is there is not enough parking. And that's a good problem to have, because it means a lot of people want to go there," Wood said.
"Simply put, Canton Street is the economic engine of Roswell," he said.
Labels: canton street, downtown roswell, Roswell, Salt
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Brian Vanderhoff @ 1:49 PM
