Business

County Leader Predicts Continued Prosperity for Southwest Gwinnett

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2022

Arlinda Smith Broady

Gwinnett Chamber President Nick Masino cited a diverse population, quality workforce, and desirable quality of life as factors that attract businesses.

Although Nick Masino, president and CEO of The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, isn’t shy about being a graduate of The Ohio State University, he’s proven many times over that Georgia stays on his mind — especially Gwinnett County.

His role in the Chamber has helped Gwinnett achieve five-star accreditation from the US Chamber. This achievement is bestowed upon organizations that rank among the top 1% nationwide for best business practices.

That means that Masino and the Chamber are good at their job of touting the outstanding economic development opportunities in the state and the county. Masino never tires of explaining why Gwinnett County is expected to double its population in the next 20 years.

He also shares how area leaders are working to make sure the growth is beneficial to those who live here now and those who will eventually call this part of the world their home.

Masino spoke at the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday breakfast in December to give an overview of the successes already taking place in the region and a forward look at the developments on the horizon.

Photos below by Bruce Johnson.

Path to community service

Masino kind of fell into community development 25 years ago when he got a notice that a rezoning plan was being discussed for property across from his home in Suwanee. He attended the meeting and realized how important resident voices are in the building of a neighborhood — and an entire city. Instead of just showing up for controversial topics of discussion, he began attending every meeting to learn more about his community.

“I didn’t have an axe to grind, and I was interested in running for office,” Masino said. “When they realized that, they asked me to apply for a position on the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.

That led to a stint as the youngest mayor in the state’s history — the record has since been broken — and his circuitous route to his current position heading the largest individual civil service organization in the country.

“I just got engaged in the community. I loved my time serving as mayor of the city of Suwanee. I did it for eight years,” Masino said. I’m proud we had 15 acres of parkland when I started, and we had 350 when I left. There was no identifiable downtown and we built one in the town center.”

When asked about future trends for 2023 and beyond that will impact Southwest Gwinnett, he mentioned the Intuitive Surgical headquarters move to Peachtree Corners. “It’s going to affect this area; it’s going to flow over into Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. It’s a big deal,” he said.

Award recognizes government efforts

Masino added that in November, Intuitive, Gwinnett County Government, City of Peachtree Corners and Partnership Gwinnett received the Large Community Deal of the Year Award at the Georgia Economic Developers Association Annual Awards.

The Deal of the Year Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in new business expansion or relocation that have significant community support and meet economic development goals.

Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and a pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, announced in 2021 that its expansion in the city of Peachtree Corners would include a $500 million capital investment and 1,200 new jobs. The company expects the campus expansion, which includes new construction and renovations with engineering, manufacturing, office and training space totaling more than 750,000 square feet, will finish in the next few years, according to a press release.

“This project has a meaningful impact on our community,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson in a written statement. “It positively benefits and supports our diverse residents and educational institutions, as well as fosters innovation that changes the world.”

Intuitive currently employs approximately 180 professionals and plans to hire for a variety of high-paying jobs, as well as collaborate with local elementary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions to support curriculum in artificial intelligence and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Partnership Gwinnett managed the project in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Gwinnett County Government, City of Peachtree Corners and Georgia Power.

Partnership Gwinnett, a public/private initiative, drives economic prosperity by attracting, expanding and retaining quality businesses; aligning and developing diverse talent while contributing to the exceptional quality of life in Gwinnett County. Since 2007, the organization has contributed to more than 32,000 new jobs and $3.7 billion in capital investment.

Southwest Gwinnett benefits businesses

“Why did they choose Peachtree Corners?” Masino put the question to the audience.

He pointed out two major factors that keep businesses coming to Southwest Gwinnett:

The area already had proven successful for Intuitive for about a decade. Great relationships with local and state government, a compatible work force and a robust community with good schools and an exceptional quality of life demonstrated how expanding the operation would be a wise decision.

The area has diversity. “We are in the Census estimates of this year as the fifth most diverse county in the United States,” said Masino. Although the population isn’t quite at a million people, it’s a mix of many races and ethnicities.

“When we go to recruit, retain and expand businesses outside of Gwinnett, outside of the region, outside the state and outside of the country, we say if you bring your business here, or if you want to try a new division, you want to hire at a new product or service and you want to test it here, we’re what the rest of the United States will be in 20 years. And if you’re successful today, you have a chance to be relevant the next 20 years.”

With about a quarter of the residents having been born outside the U.S., Gwinnett has many languages, customs and points of view that are compatible with an international outlook.

Although he didn’t bring a crystal ball with him, Masino predicted that Southwest Gwinnett will continue to prosper and set an economic example for the rest of the region as well as the rest of the country.

Related Topics:Nick Masino Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

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Arlinda Smith Broady

Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.

Business

BRACK: Peachtree Corners to lose Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Published

2 hours 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 days 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, Avalon 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.

Business

North American Properties Secures 3 New Brands for The Forum

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

North American Properties (NAP) and Nuveen Real Estate announced three new businesses are planting flags at The Forum Peachtree Corners.

Sucré – A Sweet Boutique

North American Properties (NAP) and Nuveen Real Estate announced three new businesses coming to The Forum Peachtree Corners (The Forum). The new brands include Kendra Scott, Sucré, and The NOW Massage.

“We’re excited to keep expanding our merchandising mix with more experiential concepts that motivate guests to extend their time on property. In addition to these new leases, several tenants are on track to open over the next few months, and we can’t wait to see the impact,” said Brooke Massey, director of leasing at NAP.

Here are the latest deals to be signed at The Forum:

Kendra Scott – Known for its plethora of accessories and customizable Color Bar experience, jewelry brand Kendra Scott blends classic designs with modern sophistication. Kendra Scott jewelry celebrates individuality and self-expression.

The growing brand has also donated over $50 million to local, national and international causes since its launch in 2010. The 2,284-square-foot space, situated next to Lovesac, opens later this spring, marking the retailer’s fourth location in the NAP portfolio.

Sucré – Founded in New Orleans, Sucré is a gourmet patisserie known for its macarons, gelato and other handmade, French-inspired desserts.

The sweet boutique will occupy a 1,718-square-foot space on the north end of the property and is slated to open later this year. Georgia is the brand’s first out-of-state venture, with The Forum being its third metro Atlanta location and eighth overall.

The NOW Massage – This brand is helping people discover the healing benefits of massage therapy.

The customizable menu offers guests three signature massage styles and a variety of exclusive enhancements like Deep Tissue, Herbal Heat Therapy, Hemp Calm Balm, Gua Sha, Gliding Cupping and more. Located near Mojito’s, the 2,414-square-foot massage boutique debuts late summer.

These businesses join:

Alloy Personal Training (opening this month),
Cookie Fix (open),
Gallery Anderson Smith (opening this month),
Giulia (opening this spring),
Lovesac (open),
Nando’s Peri-Peri (coming winter 2024), and
Stretchlab (open).

Since acquiring the property in March 2022, NAP has executed 39 deals with new, existing and temporary tenants alike.

To stay up to date on the latest happenings at The Forum, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit theforumpeachtree.com.