He enjoys keeping Dunwoody looking neat and clean

From the Reporter Dunwoody Newspaper | April 7, 2012
by Melissa Weinman

In the mid-1980s, Bill Grant was driving through Dunwoody with his then-teenage daughter when a particularly scruffy patch of land at the intersection of Ashford-Dunwoody and Mount Vernon roads caught his attention.

“I saw the triangle down there and said, ‘it’s just a mess, I wish someone would fix that,’” Grant said.

His daughter shot back, “why don’t you?” Grant said.

Grant, a Dunwoody builder and a board member of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, decided there was no reason why he shouldn’t go out and clean up the intersection himself.

And with that, Dunwoody’s Adopt-A-Spot program was born.

Before Dunwoody was a city, Grant became the unofficial coordinator of a loosely-organized effort to beautify some of the community’s busiest intersections.

“Somehow this became my project,” Grant said. “People would call me up and say, ‘I want to take care of an island or spot.’”

At one point, Grant said, state officials even called him to talk about the changes they were planning to make to the Ashford-Dunwoody triangle he had landscaped.

When Dunwoody became a city, the city government officially took over the effort and named it Adopt-A-Spot. Through the Adopt-A-Spot program, businesses or civic groups sign an agreement with the city to maintain a stretch of right of way. Each sponsor gets to display a sign in their spot, recognizing that they maintain it.

Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith said a map on the city’s website shows spots that are available for people to “adopt.”

“Most of them are at visible, prominent locations,” he said. “It’s a combination of geography and where there’s actually space to do landscaping without impeding flow of traffic.”

Smith said the volunteer intersection maintenance is a benefit to the city.

“Any additional maintenance of the right of way provides cost relief to the city. It would be cost prohibitive for the city to adequately maintain all the rights of way,” Smith said.

Grant has been looking after several intersections in Dunwoody for about 25 years. Currently, he takes care of five in the Dunwoody Village area.

“It’s exceptionally rewarding to me,” he said.

Grant said keeping up with his spots doesn’t take much money or effort. And he said he enjoys doing it because people really seem to appreciate it.

“I have people I’ve never seen in my life walk into my office and thank me,” Grant said. “It’s fun to do stuff when you feel like other people are recognizing and appreciating it.”

Grant has plans to keep improving the intersection that started everything. On the right of way where Ashford-Dunwoody and Mount Vernon meet, he said he would like to join with neighbors in the area to buy some benches and an American flag.

Grant’s original motivation to just get out there and fix something also spawned another Dunwoody institution. Soon after he started maintaining the triangle at Ashford-Dunwoody and Mount Vernon, someone suggested he put Christmas lights onto the large holly bush that used to grow at the intersection to make it festive for the holiday season.

“It turned into Light Up Dunwoody,” Grant said, referring to the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony. “It took on a life of its own.”

Dunwoody Beverage Open for Business

"We're celebrating!" say Dunwoody Beverage shop owners Ketan and Tanuj Patel. You are cordially invited to celebrate with them at their new business, Dunwoody Beverage 1418 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody, GA 30338, 770.698.9363.

They have a huge range of not only wine, but also spirits, beer and other alcoholic beverages, so whether you are purchasing for yourself or a large party/function, you will be able to order everything from one store. Whether it's a fine bottle of wine, Vodka, Kentucky Bourbon, Old Malt Scotch, or French Champagne, they guarantee to have consistently low prices. One of the best things about Dunwoody Beverage is customer service. The staff really knows what they are talking about when it comes to wine and liquor and the team is passionate and enthusiastic about what they sell and how they sell it.

The photo, above, is from their recent ribbon cutting, held by the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce. Pictured L to R: Heyward Wescott, Paula Owens, MJ Thomas, Glen Fuse, Tanuj Patel, Jay Patel, Rus Misch, Ketan Patel, Ritea Patel, Mike Davis, Bill Mulcahy, Debbie Fuse, Bob Dallas

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend...

Dunwoody Diamonds USA Grand Opening was held Dec. 2-3, 2011.  Bruce LeVell, owner, welcome customers, friends, and family at the Ribbon Cutting, sponsored by the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce.  LeVell remarked he is delighted to be in Dunwoody. Saying he has many customers in Dunwoody, he knows this will be “an awesome experience”.  His previous store was in Lawrenceville.  LeVell said that working with the community will be a priority, as they have always been very civic minded and believe in working with their neighbors.  Dunwoody City Councilman, Denny Shortal welcomed Dunwoody Diamonds USA on behalf of the City, saying they are “great people”. 

Dunwoody Diamonds USA is located at 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 500, Dunwoody, GA 30338, in the Ashford Place Shopping Center.  Contact: (770) 671-8488, www.dunwoodydiamondsusa.com.


Pictured above (L to R): Danielle Mitchell, Gene Callaway Bob Dallas, Derrick Corbitt, Leah LeVell, Kyle LeVell, Sharon LeVell, Bruce LeVell, Arvind Sardar, Bill Grant, Chairman of the Board, Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, Peggy Grant, Denny Shortal, Jeff Boedeker, Doug McKendrick, Teresa Rodden, Alka Sardar, and  Tom Greathouse.

Community & Southern Bank Opens Dunwoody Branch

Smiles all around as Community & Southern Bank cut the ribbon on their newest branch on Friday, November 18, 2011.
Bank officials expressed their excitement about opening their first branch in Dunwoody and said they look forward to growing their network, providing services and being a strong community partner.  C&S Bank is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody RD, Dunwoody, GA 30338 (678) 293-1554.

The Bank joined the Chamber at  the President Partner level.

Pictured (l to r): Leslie Hammond, Chris Ensley, Hanes Hilliard, Ray Skinner, Emanuel Galosson, Bill Mulcahy, Chamber Executive Board member Bob Dallas, Shera Zimmerman, Chamber Chairman Bill Grant, Mayor Ken Wright, Councilman Denny Shortal, Charity Olaron, Councilman Doug Thompson, Chamber Executive Director, Debbie Fuse.

Dunwoody Has A Winner...

Budget Blinds of North Atlanta, serving the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody communities, announced that Dunwoody local Laura Stevenson is the winner of the Budget Blinds $1,000 Window Treatment Makeover Giveaway. Stevenson was presented a $1,000 Budget Blinds gift certificate at the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce by Karen Clay, owner of Budget Blinds of North Atlanta.

Dunwoody Prep: Ribbon-cutting and sculpture dedication

The faculty and staff of Dunwoody Prep held  a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony to celebrate the recent expansion of the school's Dunwoody Village-based campus.   In keeping with founder/director Jane Newman's focus on development of the "whole child," Dunwoody prep has expanded its facilities to include:
• A 2,500 sq. ft. gymnasium, featuring a special rubber running area, carpeted work space and custom children's and handicap-accessible restrooms
• An expanded outdoor toddler play-area and garden, featuring brick enclosure wall and handicap/wheelchair-accessible ramp.
The expansion efforts represent more than $250,000 worth of facilities improvements.
 
Dunwoody Prep - 5943 Chamblee Dunwoody Road - in Dunwoody Village - Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

The Chamber Celebrates the Grand Opening of Nancy's Hallmark

Nancy’s Hallmark Shop, 4494 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, 770.936.0820 recently held a ribbon cutting. The store was filled with customers who welcomed Nancy’s Hallmark Shop back to the neighborhood. “Come shop!” said Prakash Morjaria, owner of Nancy’s Hallmark. “We appreciate everyone and the support they are showing us. I know Dunwoody is the right city for us and I look forward to meeting my customers and expanding!”

Denny Shortal, Dunwoody Mayor Pro-Tem said, “Business such as Nancy’s are an important ‘cog in the wheel’ for Dunwoody.” Shortal reminds residents to do business in Dunwoody, first! 

Nancy’s Hallmark is a Hallmark Gold Crown® store-a nationwide network of specialty retail stores where consumers can find just the right cards, gifts, wrap and more to celebrate milestones as well as everyday moments. The stores also offer products for decorating and entertaining – along with ideas for how to use them.

Harbor Freight Tools - Grand Opening AND Grand Donation!


 

Holding the Ribbon, from left: Aaron Schnelle, District Manager, Ron Thompson, Store Manager, Ken Wright, Dunwoody Mayor, Bill Grant, Chair, Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, Paula Owens, Treasurer, Dunwoody Chamber, Bob Dallas, Exec. Committee, Dunwoody Chamber, Emily McIntyre, Young Professionals of Dunwoody [Chamber], Debbie Fuse, Chamber Executive Director and Michael Starling, Business Development Director, City of Dunwoody.

On behalf of Harbor Freight Tools, Ron Thompson, Store Manager expressed the desire to become part of the community and demonstrated that desire by donating $1000+ worth of tools and supplies to Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

Bill Grant presented Aaron Schnelle, District Manager and Mr. Thompson, their Dunwoody Chamber Membership Card and emphasized that the store, which will employ 15-20, is a most welcome addition to the community.

Larrie Del Martin, Habitat for Humanity President and CEO accepting the donation.

A Hot Summer Day Could Not Exhaust the Excitement of 2 Dunwoody Businesses!

On July 12th Canvas By U! held a Grand Re-Opening

Cutting the ribbon, with an enthusiastic crowd, on the front row are from left:  Debbie Fuse, Chamber Executive Director, Paula Owens, Bank of North Georgia, Board Member, Stacy Abston, Owner, Bill Grant, Bill Grant Homes, Chair of the Chamber Board, Bob Dallas, Casey, Gilson, PC, Board Member and Brent Morris, Peachtree Benefit Group, Board Member. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Ward)

Also representing the Chamber at the Ribbon Cutting were, Dr. Maggie Ehrlich, GA Perimeter College, Board Member, Mike Irvin, Morgan Keegan, Co-Chair, Chamber Ambassadors, Emily McIntyre, Ashford Advisors, YPODs, Glen Fuse, Dunwoody Chamber Membership Development, and Debi Shendelman, Chamber Assistant Director.

Later in the day The Chamber was pleased to welcome Dunwoody Pediatrics a 33-year-old Dunwoody institution, to their new home on Dunwoody Village Parkway.  Staff, Patients, and Friends turned out to help with the Ribbon Cutting.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association and The Crier for an outstanding 4th of July Parade.  We were glad to be part of it!

Always Best Care Senior Services, which held a Ribbon Cutting at Plantation South. Taylor Grout (with scissors) is the owner.

• Edible Arrangements on their Grand Opening
• 

Curves of Dunwoody on their Grand Re-Opening

Thanks to:

• SDOC Publishing Internet Solutions for designing and troubleshooting our new website.
   
• Zohar Shiff, Shiff USA and Andy Sampson, SAAI, Inc. for keeping our Technology up and running.
   
• Bulldog Movers for storing all of our “once a year” items all year!

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