Community
Aging in the Perfect Place — Peachtree Corners
Once Lori and Bob Howard’s kids moved out, the couple decided they needed to trade in their 5,000-square-foot Peachtree Corners home for a smaller one.
But finding their perfect place wasn’t easy. The Howards had specific requirements: a master bedroom suite on the first floor and a full basement that Bob could finish. And they wanted to stay in Peachtree Corners because they’d lived in the area for decades and really liked it.
“We’ve got a lot of friends here,” Bob Howard said. “We’re involved with a lot of activities here in the city of Peachtree Corners. I particularly like that it’s a mix of residential [neighborhoods] with some more urban areas. It’s just a very nice community.”
A new home for a new phase of life
The Howards looked at houses for sale all over the place. At one point, Lori Howard said, they even dropped fliers in the mailboxes of houses that weren’t on the market but looked like likely prospects, asking that if the owners ever decided to sell, they give the Howards a call. The couple checked out more than 30 homes before they located one that fit the bill. “A first-floor master with a basement was nearly impossible to find,” Lori Howard said.
They finally settled on a house in the Forest Hills subdivision, which Lori Howard describes as “kind of an empty nester community” of cluster homes. The house wasn’t perfect, they said, but it offered nearly everything they needed. “We got this house because it was going to be our retirement home,” Bob Howard said.
Like other retirees who are long-time residents of Peachtree Corners, the Howards plan to stay put as they grow older.
The aging population
Other Peachtree Corners residents appear to be making the same decision. U.S. Census estimates show that while the population of the city has increased by 8 percent to 9 percent over the past five years, the number of residents aged 65 or older has increased by nearly half.
During the five years from 2013 to 1017, the portion of
Some older residents say it’s easy to understand why they’ve grown attached to Peachtree Corners.
“This is my community,” said Henry Wischusen, a 66-year-old who grew up near Boston, moved to Gwinnett County in 1979 and then settled in 1993 in the area that later would become Peachtree Corners.
“I am an avid cyclist,” he said. “We have a wonderful bike lane right there on [Ga.] 141. I love the convenience of the stores and the new town center. I love the wooded walks we have, the wild animals. I really like
Some retirement options
Wischusen liked living in Peachtree Corners so much that he brought his parents up from their retirement home in Florida when they needed looking after. His father has since died, but his 99-year-old his mother lives nearby in Village Place, one of several assisted living facilities existing or planned in the community.
She moved there when she could no longer get around in his home, he said. “She likes it that her family is available to her,” he said.
Now he and his wife are thinking of bringing her parents to the area. “I am definitely aging in place,” Wischusen said.
So is Paulette Couch. “I do plan to stay,” she said.
When her family moved in 35 years ago, their house was new and the community seemed “really far out” from the city, she said. But they settled in and raised a family there. Now her children and their families live in neighboring communities, she said, and her neighbors on her cul-de-sac haven’t changed.
“I love Peachtree Corners. I love how it’s grown,” the 68-year-old said. “It’s grown into something really wonderful. … I love where I am. This is just a wonderful, wonderful neighborhood.”
The home of their dreams
The Howards seem to agree. It took a bit of work, but they found the house they wanted and remade it to fit their dreams.
For safety, they had state-of-the-art security installed in every window and door, as well as three cameras positioned in the front and back. “The subdivision is known for its strong neighborhood watch organization,” Lori Howard said. “We took this into account when we chose our cluster home with a first-floor master on a full basement.”
Bob Howard, a retired engineer, did much of the renovation work himself. When they were done, they had an additional bathroom, a new deck, a waterfall out back, a remodeled kitchen and a finished basement that included a theater room, a workshop and a bar made with Honduran mahogany that Bob’s dad had collected during World War II, according to Lori Howard.
“We found this house that needed a total renovation,” Lori Howard said. “We’ve renovated everything in this house and it’s fabulous.”
And they plan to stay put and enjoy it. ■
Sequel Coffee Co., a new specialty coffee brand, is set to open its flagship location in Peachtree Corners in the summer of 2025.
The new coffee shop will open alongside shared workspace provider, Roam, at Town Center and will feature a convenient drive-thru complemented by an inviting in-shop experience.
Premium coffee and locally sourced offerings
Committed to delivering an elevated coffee experience, Sequel Coffee Co. will serve freshly brewed coffee and handcrafted espresso beverages with responsibly sourced beans from Valor, a local metro Atlanta roaster.
The food menu will feature a curated selection of locally sourced café favorites and convenient grab-and-go options from local vendors Two Chefs and A Seasonal Affair.
Guests can expect a variety of delicious offerings, including breakfast sandwiches, quiche and freshly baked pastries, as well as yogurt parfaits, homemade granola bars and protein-packed power bites for on-the-go fuel.
In addition, rotating seasonal flavors and limited-time menu items will offer new and exciting food and beverage options throughout the year.
Strengthening community connections in Peachtree Corners
A concept created by Roam, the hospitality-focused work and meeting space, Sequel Coffee Co. is built on the belief that coffee is more than just a morning ritual — it’s a catalyst for creativity, productivity, community and connection.
Sequel’s tagline, “start your story strong,” reflects its mission to inspire the potential in every day by championing stories, embracing moments and thoughtfully crafting coffee.
Sequel seeks to become an integral part of the Peachtree Corners community by fostering meaningful interactions through hospitality-driven experiences. With a brand philosophy centered on people, purpose and belonging, the company aims to inspire customers through delicious coffee and intentional service.
Bringing Sequel Coffee Co. to you
Ahead of its brick-and-mortar opening this summer, Sequel Coffee Co. is currently serving the community through its mobile coffee cart, offering a full-service espresso bar and trained baristas for offsite events.
Ideal for corporate offices, networking events, school functions and private gatherings, the mobile cart provides an opportunity to enjoy Sequel’s signature coffee experience in any setting — before the shop even opens its doors.
To book Sequel’s mobile coffee cart, visit sequelcoffeeco.com/mobile-coffee-cart.
Career opportunities
Sequel is also currently hiring a Shop Manager to lead daily operations and cultivate an inviting experience for customers. Interested applicants can learn more about the position and apply at sequelcoffeeco.com/shop-manager-job-listing.
About Sequel Coffee Co.
Sequel Coffee Co. is dedicated to inspiring potential in every day through thoughtfully crafted coffee and warm hospitality.
Offering handcrafted espresso beverages, freshly brewed coffee and a curated menu of café favorites — along with a convenient drive-thru and cozy café space — Sequel aims to create a welcoming spot for guests to fuel their day and transform the daily coffee routine.
For updates and opening announcements, follow @sequelcoffeeco on Instagram or visit sequelcoffeeco.com.
About Roam
Roam is a comprehensive workplace solution offering co-working memberships, private offices and meeting space for professionals and businesses of sizes.
Opening in Peachtree Corners at 3847 Medlock Bridge Road in summer 2025, Roam provides flexible and inspiring environments to help individuals and teams accomplish their best work. Now leasing private offices and pre-booking meetings and events.
Learn more at meetatroam.com.
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