Business

Taking Care of Business

Published

5 years ago

July 6, 2019

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

SWGC Chairman Weare Gratwick (left) and PCBA's President Lisa Proctor

Local groups help businesses come and grow

With more than 2,300 businesses, including some of metro Atlanta’s top firms and the regional headquarters of national and international companies, the Peachtree Corners/Norcross area is in the top 10 economic engines in metro Atlanta.

So says the chairman of the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce (SWGC), one of two local organizations devoted to keep that engine roaring. SWGC works to build a healthy economy and improve quality of life in the tri-cities area of Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake and Norcross.

“The chamber was founded on the ABC’s,” SWGC Chairman Weare Gratwick said. “Advocate, Build and Connect.”

The other organization, the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA), was launched with five key initiatives, including giving businesses a unified voice and making it easier for the business community to interact with the city, said Lisa Proctor, the group’s president and executive founding member. Most of Peachtree Corners’ businesses are small, with 50 employees or less, Proctor said.

“We realize they don’t have all the resources the Fortune 500 companies have, so we are building networking and member opportunities that will bring those resources in,” she said. “We are trying to build real relationships, rather than just that drive-by networking event.”

Both of these organizations began in 2012, the same year Peachtree Corners was incorporated. The city born of technology says its robust business community is one of the reasons it can offer a full-service government that charges no property taxes — residential or commercial.

PCBA and SWGC are working to keep it that way.

Jason West, program manager of the Gwinnett County Environmental Heritage Center, as Button Gwinnett in celebration of the county’s bicentennial, spoke at First Friday at the Hilton with SWGC members. (Photo by SWGC member Bruce Johnson)

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

SWGC Chairman Weare Gratwick is regional president-Atlanta of Colony Bank and Mayor Pro Tem on the Peachtree Corners City Council. He’s been a city resident for 24 years.

Except for its paid director of sales and member services, Beth Coffey, the chamber is a volunteer organization with currently about 170 member companies.

Its 23-member Board of Directors meets quarterly. A dozen of those members serve on an executive committee that meets monthly with Gratwick and Coffey.

The chairman is especially proud of the group’s continuity of leadership. Every one of its past chairs, who serve one-year terms, has remained involved on a past chairs board.

SWGC promotes area businesses, represents them at government meetings and brings them together in a variety of ways.

Weekly Connect Over Coffee meetings are informal networking sessions where businesses can learn about each other.

“First Friday Breakfast” meetings usually draw about 50 to 100 people and feature speakers that have included Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks; Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash; and Jason West, program manager of the Gwinnett County Environmental Heritage Center, who spoke to the chamber as Button Gwinnett in celebration of the county’s bicentennial.

July’s First Friday will be a Mayors’ Panel, featuring the mayors of all three cities in the SWGC region.

Twice a year the chamber provides a leadership program “for business owners and lower- or mid-level rising stars” in small to mid-sized companies, Gratwick said. “We want to fill those gaps where companies may not provide those services directly,” he said.

SWGC provides an avenue for volunteering, supports community programs and has aided a variety of school programs such as, along with PCBA, the Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners’ Career Exploration Night for high school seniors.

Through its Project Curb Appeal, the chamber has taken on two medians on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard — from Holcomb Bridge Road to Paul Duke STEM High School — for more maintenance and beautification than the county can provide.

“We would like to expand that program north on Peachtree Industrial through Berkeley Lake,” Gratwick said. “We’re filling needs in business and the community and helping support our local schools.”

PCBA Board and Committee members, from left, include Jeff Fairchild, Siobhan Seidner, Laura McMichael, Sharon Knox-Tucker, Lisa Proctor, Allison Reinert, Janice Crosby, Maria Chininis and Darrell Creedon.
(Courtesy of Peachtree
Corners Business Association)

Peachtree Corners Business Association

PCBA President Lisa Proctor is the president and CEO of executive search and consulting services firm Sanford Rose Associates — Lake Lanier Islands. She’s lived in Peachtree Corners for more than 25 years.

PCBA is all-volunteer, with about 200 member companies and 575 company representative members across metro Atlanta. In addition to connecting its members, the group recommends member businesses to others and seeks to promote integrity — all through networking meetings, social events, member education and a speaker series.

Steven Carse, CEO of King of Pops, was the featured speaker at a PCBA event. From left are Lisa Proctor, Sharon Knox-Tucker, Steven Carse, Allison Reinert and Darrell Creedon. (Courtesy of Peachtree Corners Business Association.)

One recent speaker was Steven Carse who co-founded the King of Pops frozen treats business with his brother Nick in 2010 after he was laid off from his corporate job during the Great Recession.

PCBA also supports community activities and charitable organizations.
“We’re not a civic organization, but this is a great way for a lot of us to be involved with our community,” Proctor said. “At least once a month we hand out a check to one of our local scholarship recipients or local 501C3s that need support.”

PCBA keeps metrics on membership trends, including why businesses close or move out of the city. “We’re not going to solve every problem in the world, but … we want the group to be accessible and for companies to feel comfortable, so we understand the resources they need,” Proctor said.

One of those problems led to a new program called the PCBA Lunch Club, which was launched in May. Proctor knows of one restaurant whose owner said sales dropped by more than $3,000 a week after the city’s new Town Center opened in April, with Farm Burger, Marlow’s Tavern and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill among its current and “opening soon” tenants.

Through the Lunch Club, PCBA member restaurants are filling empty seats by offering discounts to fellow PCBA members and their guests, Proctor said.

“We have to be Switzerland,” Proctor said. “We cannot play favorites with any of the businesses.

“Everyone’s so excited about the new Town Center, and that’s good,” she said. “We’re making sure that we are listening to the established restaurants and (working on) what we can do to encourage people not to forget them.” ■

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Business

Kendra Scott Opens New Store At The Forum

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is celebrating the opening of its newest store in Peachtree Corners the weekend of May 10 at The Forum.

Upon opening, the 2,263 square foot store will display Kendra Scott’s current collections. The store will also showcase the brand’s unique Color Bar, offering shoppers an interactive experience to create customized jewelry in minutes and leave with it in hand.

Worn by celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Camila Cabello, Mindy Kaling, Zendaya and Kelly Clarkson, Kendra Scott’s collections are known for their custom-created stone shapes, genuine materials and design details.

This will be Kendra Scott’s first store in Gwinnett County, which joins five other retail locations in Georgia.

The brand will continue to show its support for the community through partnerships with non-profits and local businesses. For the grand opening weekend, Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners will host various non-profits for Kendra Gives Back events, donating a percentage of proceeds directly back to the causes.

Kendra Scott hosts more than 10,000 Kendra Gives Back events in retail stores annually and looks forward to establishing relationships and connecting with the Gwinnett County community.

“We’re excited to continue introducing the community to new brands, bites and events at The Forum as part of our vision to create downtown Peachtree Corners. Kendra Scott will be a welcome addition, providing our guests a top-notch experience to shop its unique offerings in person,” said Charlotte Hinton, The Forum marketing manager.

Doors will open on Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. with celebrations throughout the weekend, including giveback events, gifts with purchase and giveaways. RSVP for more details here.

Upcoming events:

Friday, May 10 from 10-12 p.m. – Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners is partnering with The Forum for a VIP event. Supporters who spend $100 will receive a special jewelry gift with purchase.* Guests will also enjoy refreshments from Giulia, The Italian Bakery.
Friday, May 10 from 5-7 p.m. – Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners is partnering with the Norcross High School Cheer Team and donating 20% of proceeds. Supporters who spend $100 will receive a special gift with purchase* Guests can also receive a custom embroidered bow from Quiet Hours Embroidery with purchase.
Saturday, May 11 from 4-6 p.m. – Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners is partnering with Spectrum Autism Support Group and donating 20% of proceeds. Supporters who spend $100 will receive a special gift with purchase.* Guests will also enjoy complimentary cotton candy from Wonder Soirée with every purchase.
Sunday, May 12 from 12-2 p.m. – Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners is celebrating the Community of Motherhood. Supporters who spend $100 will receive a special gift with purchase.* Guests will also receive a complimentary Mother’s Day bouquet of flowers from Nancy’s Flower Truck.

*One per person while supplies last.

Kendra Scott Peachtree Corners is located at 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 710 in Peachtree Corners at The Forum. For companywide updates and product details, follow @kendrascott on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Business

BRACK: Peachtree Corners to lose Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Published

3 weeks ago

April 19, 2024

Courtesy of Elliott Brack's Gwinnett Forum

Scottt Gottuso and Geoffrey Wilson. Photo provided.

Peachtree Corners will soon lose one of its most iconic, popular and tasty businesses.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier, run by Geoffrey Wilson and Scott Gottuso, has been told by Peachtree Forum landlords, North American Properties and Nuveen Real Estate, that its lease will not be renewed. The last day of business will be July 25.

Meanwhile, Peachtree Forum is getting several new stores. They include Kendra Scott, Sucre, and The NOW Massage. Previously announced were Alloy Personal Training, Cookie Fix, Gallery Anderson Smith, Giulia, Lovesac, Nando’s Peri-Peri and Stretchlab. Wilson adds: “We are not in their big picture.”

Wilson has operated Peterbrooke at the Peachtree Forum for 14 years and Gottuso has been there nine years. They have made the chocolatier profitable and doubled sales. Wilson says: “We turned it around through community involvement and made relationships. We worked with the schools, gave donations, did a lot in the community, and made a difference. We produce most everything we sell in the shop, so it’s labor intensive. We make European-style chocolate treats from scratch from the very best ingredients, package it, make gift baskets, and also sell a lot of gelato.”

Key items include truffles, hand-made caramels, cherry cordials, chocolate-covered cookies and pretzels and strawberries hand-dipped in their own blend of chocolates. (They are all good!) One of Wilson’s and Gottuso’s most iconic products is chocolate popcorn. Once you try it, regular popcorn is tasteless. “We sell a lot of it.” Wilson adds: “Gelato sales have carried us in the summertime, since there are not many chocolate holidays in the summer.”

Peterbrooke now has five employees, and would like to have 10, but it is difficult to hire people with the skills in chocolatiering. A key part of its business is corporate companies, such as Delta Air Lines and Capital Insight. The Peachtree Corners’ Peterbrooke has corporate customers as far away as Cleveland, Ohio.

The operators were surprised when the Forum owners did not renew its five year lease. “The big decisions were made in Charlotte or Cincinnati, not locally,” Wilson feels. “We were no longer in their big picture. They want new and glitzy, shiny, fancy and trendy.”

The operators plan to start their own chocolate company, to be called “Scoffrey,” and initially sell online, plus have pop-up locations during holidays, and possibly have a booth in other merchants’ stores on occasions.

“Whatever we do would look different. We might rent a space somewhere close by so that people can still have the good chocolate experience with us, but we won’t have a regular audience walking by.”

Another element: the price of chocolate futures has spiked this year, with a bad crop production year. Wilson says: “That is key to our business and a huge cost increase. That doesn’t help.”

Wilson adds that the forced closing of the Peterbrooke location “is something like the death of a friend. But you go to the funeral and to the wake, and in six months or a year, It won’t be so bad.”

Have a comment? Send to: elliott@elliottbrack

Written by Elliott Brack

This material is presented with permission from Elliott Brack’s GwinnettForum, an online site published Tuesdays and Fridays. To become better informed about Gwinnett, subscribe (at no cost) at GwinnettForum

Business

North American Properties Revitalizes Avenue East Cobb

Published

3 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

North American Properties (NAP) has revamped the Avenue East Cobb shopping center in Marietta, boosting its appeal to suburban residents.

The Andrews Brothers performing at Avenue East Cobb via Instagram @avenueeastcobb

North American Properties (NAP) has revamped the Avenue East Cobb shopping center in Marietta, boosting its appeal to suburban residents seeking a more urban lifestyle. Now, it’s being honored as part of the Atlanta Business Chronicle‘s “Best in Atlanta Real Estate” coverage.

NAP is known for transforming properties like Atlantic Station, Colony Square and The Forum.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the redevelopment involved demolishing part of the main building to build a public plaza with a stage surrounded by restaurant patios.

A new concierge facility was also added, including a canopy for drop-offs. Additionally, smaller retail buildings were created for standalone tenants. The business mix was updated to include names like Warby Parker, Lululemon and Peach State Pizza.

NAP also increased community engagement by partnering with at least 10 local organizations for social events. These efforts have proven successful. Over the last two years, Avenue East Cobb has seen a 36% increase in sales per square foot thanks to a major rise in foot traffic.

More news from North American Properties can be found here.