The local leaders of Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, a chain of pizza restaurants, said they’re bringing the unique eatery to Buckhead and Sandy Springs to introduce residents to its “revolutionary” pies.
“Mister O1 is a revolutionary pizzeria founded by internationally acclaimed chef Renato Viola, whose extraordinary talent earned him an O1 Visa for artistic ability,” Miguel Blatt and Daniel Scala, who along with Brandon Weitz are Mister O1’s Georgia partners, said in an email. “With a commitment to quality and consistency, Mister O1 crafts artisanal, thin-crust pizzas using premium ingredients—imported from Italy or locally sourced—and a signature 72-hour dough fermentation process. The result is a light, flavorful, and truly extraordinary pizza experience.”
Mister O1 opened its first Georgia location in Sandy Springs, in the former General Muir space, on March 11. It will open its second location in the Prominence Apartment development in early June. Based in Miami, Mister O1 will have 29 locations nationwide once the Buckhead restaurant opens, with most in Florida but some in Texas. It was included in Michelin’s “Recommended” Miami restaurants list in 2022.
Blatt and Scala said they plan to open more metro Atlanta locations in middle to late 2025.
“Mister O1’s expansion into Atlanta’s Sandy Springs and Buckhead was driven by a mix of strategic growth, community appeal, and a passion for bringing our unique pizza experience to new audiences,” they said. “Atlanta’s vibrant food scene, strong sense of community, and appreciation for high-quality, artisanal cuisine made it a natural next step for us.”
Blatt and Scala added that they chose Georgia and metro Atlanta because of its recent growth, which has attracted “a diverse and food-savvy population.”
When asked why they chose Sandy Springs and Buckhead as their first Georgia locations, they said, “Sandy Springs is a thriving, family friendly community with a strong dining culture, making it the perfect place to establish a presence. Buckhead is known for its upscale lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, and appreciation for top-tier culinary experiences—an ideal match for our brand.”
Also, Blatt previously lived in Atlanta, and was excited to return to the city.
“Our move into Atlanta represents more than just expansion—it’s about sharing our passion for great pizza, artful craftsmanship, and a welcoming experience with new communities,” Blatt and Scala said. “We can’t wait to be a part of the Atlanta food scene and create a place where people come together over great food.”
Mister O1 offers pizza-cooking classes in its Miami and Dallas locations, and the Georgia partners said one of the new Atlanta locations will present those classes soon. Blatt and Scala said you can follow their social media channels to get details once they’re released.For more information on Mister O1, visit www.mistero1.com.
If you need proof that the city of Sandy Springs caters to senior citizens, you only need to look at its events calendar.
On back-to-back nights in November, the city hosted concerts with Judy Collins and Johnny Mathis, singers whose heydays came in the 1960s and 1970s. Both are in their 80s but still touring. However, Mayor Rusty Paul, a senior himself, said the city actually tries to appeal to a broad demographic, and those concerts are two of many events that cater to all audiences.
“We’ve got Graham Nash coming and the Village People coming,” he said, referring to concerts featuring Nash, the founding member of the bands the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash, and the Village People, a popular disco era band coming to town April 6 and 12, respectively. “So we try to provide a wide range of events here at City Hall.”
In Paul’s defense, the city also hosts events for all other age groups. They include a series of Broadway plays and musicals, a July 4 fireworks show preceded by a band’s concert, a lantern parade and a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday affair dedicated to the late Atlanta civil rights leader. Paul pointed out the city’s outdoor monthly Concerts by the Springs series that runs in May through September at the Heritage Green amphitheater as another senior favorite.
“We try to strike a balance across all demographic groups, but as you’ve noted, particularly in the cultural and entertainment space and recreation, we’ve hosted a lot of events that would appeal to the senior demographics,” he said. “With recreation, we host some events, such as tennis matches for seniors who might not be as nimble as they used to be.”
Prioritizing seniors is a no-brainer based on the city’s population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s website, Sandy Springs had an estimated population of 107,763 in July 2022. Residents 65 and older accounted for 14.2% of the population, the second highest age group (individuals under 18 make up 18.8%).
According to information from Sandy Springs, the city has 11 senior living facilities: seven assisted living ones, two independent living ones, and two retirement communities.
The city was founded in 2005 after a group, led by Eva Galambos, pushed for cityhood. According to the Sandy Springs website, the cityhood push started in 1966, when the city of Atlanta tried to annex the Sandy Springs community then in unincorporated Fulton County, into the city. In the more recent years leading up to 2005, the residents said they wanted to form a city of Sandy Springs so their tax dollars would be spent more wisely after seeing them go for decades to Fulton, which sometimes allocated those funds to other parts of the county.
Galambos was elected as Sandy Springs’ first mayor, and Paul took her place following his election in November 2013. She died in 2015. Since becoming a city, Sandy Springs has caught the attention of at least two national organizations for being friendly to both seniors and the younger crowd.
In 2022, TerraBella Senior Living, a company that owns affordable senior living developments, including one in Roswell, listed Sandy Springs as the best city to retire in Georgia. In its review of the city, TerraBella mentioned Sandy Springs’ greenery, homes and other benefits, such as annual events.
In January, Go Banking Rates ranked the city as No. 6 among the 50 Best Places for the Young and Wealthy to Live. The article said Sandy Springs has 22.6% of households with residents ages 25-44 earning $150,000, with a household median income of $93,303. Other categories mentioned in the article were its livability score is 73 out of 100, a mark based on property values, crime rates, and other data. Sandy Springs’ property crime and violent crime rates are 16.9 and 1.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, respectively.
“We try to make everybody feel welcome and at home and comfortable here,” Paul said. “… Our goal was to make the city the best place for any age group, but we definitely want our senior citizens to be comfortable retiring here, aging in place.”
He added that the city has always been senior-friendly when it comes to taxes and related living expenses.
“We have never raised the millage rate since we founded the city,” Paul said. “For 20 years the taxes have been low, and they’ve been predictable. Property taxes from the school district and county take a huge bite out of that fixed income, and we don’t want to force people with a fixed income to leave.”
He also said as a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s board of directors, he stays on top of any senior-related news from a city and metro-area standpoint.
But the city isn’t the only business that caters to seniors. In 1999, Fulton opened the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, named after an advocate for increasing the county’s senior population activities. It’s one of four senior facilities and the only one in north Fulton. Any Fulton resident 55 and older can use the complexes.
The Benson Center, at 43,000 square feet, is the largest known day facility for senior adults, 55 and older, in the nation, said Andre Gregory, program manager for the Fulton Department of Senior Services.
“It’s very important to provide services and programs for seniors throughout the county,” said Erica Miller, public affairs manager with the Fulton Department of External Affairs. “I would say that our entire board of commissioners has continued to allocate funding every year for senior services. So that level of commitment to keep services in place and provide services that will help them is important.”
The Benson and other complexes offer two major programs, with the first including life enrichment: arts, computers, educational series such as how to prevent falls, deal with preexisting conditions and other related issues. The second program is health and wellness with everything from aquatics to land fitness.
“We were at one time the only facility in the nation that offered an Aquabike program, which is kind of like a spin class,” Miller said. “In addition to that, we provide meals at a nominal fee. That is probably on Friday the most used program because we serve fish. It’s a running joke that we have Fish Friday. In addition to that, we do special events such as a themed party.”
Sabrina Hudson, multipurpose facility manager for the Fulton Department of Senior Services, said the county also hosts health fairs and community days in which partners from local grocery stores and theaters to offer free or discounted services.
“We also have a hair salon, where we try to make this place a one-stop shop for medical and hair needs,” she said, later adding that the county also hosts speed dating events.
Gregory said the county partners with Grady Memorial Hospital to offer exams paid for by Medicare.
“We know [senior citizens is] the fastest growing demographic across the county, and if the county can support healthy aging and avoid premature institutionalization, meaning going into a nursing home earlier than normal, this is a way for us to keep health in place,” said Ladisa Onyiliogwu, director of the Fulton Department of Senior Services.
From a business perspective, the city caters to seniors in its own way. Adam Forrand, president and CEO of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber, said many of its members are 55 and older. Though the chamber has no senior-only events listed on its events webpage, most of them are for all adults.
“Certainly in a community of our caliber and size, it’s important for residents to know one can age in place,” Forrand said. “If you want to be a long-term resident even into your twilight years, there are sustainable and vibrant organizations like our members I just mentioned to allow you to stay in Sandy Springs and age in place. That’s part of the vibrancy of our community, having multiple generations in our community that we can all benefit from.
“Depending on your individual circumstances, if you’re an older working professional who may be working past your retirement age, you’re contributing to the economic vibrancy of the community as well. That may be through a member business or non-member business. We want that. We welcome that and continue to support that.”
The Sandy Springs Society is another organization that doesn’t limit its membership to seniors but does serve them well. The city’s largest nonprofit was founded in 1988, and its mission is to support other charities in the city. Since its inception, it has raised $5 million.
Though the society’s current fundraisers are mainly its two shopping events, the Elegant Elf Marketplace and Tossed Out Treasures, its biggest campaign was the 2004 fundraiser regarding turtle statues. Called the Town Turtles of Sandy Springs, the project involved 75 statues of turtles dressed in different outfits. Each turtle was sold at auction for between $4,000 and $20,000.
About $750,000 was raised, and more than $500,00 went to purchase the Heritage amphitheater, said Beth Robertson, the society’s current president. At that time, the lawn was owned by Heritage Sandy Springs, a history-related nonprofit. But after Heritage closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city bought its properties and now runs the Concerts by the Springs series. The “sandy springs” for which the city was named are located on the former Heritage property.
The society also published a cookbook, “Savor Sandy Springs,” in 2022 as another fundraiser. The organization is in the process of giving out annual grants to the top nonprofits that apply for them. Robertson said this year 52 organizations have applied, down three from 2024, when 42 grantees got $370,000.
Gail Jokerst, the society’s 2021-22 president, said the group has more than 300 members ranging from the 40s to the 90s.
“Our 90-year-olds are just as active as our 40-year-olds,” she said. “… People think with this name Sandy Springs Society, we’re a social group, but our focus is not parties, dinners, and galas.”
Gail Jokerst, the society’s 2021-22 president and current civic affairs liaison, said several of the city’s nonprofits were founded by society members.
One such member, Jan Paul, Rusty’s wife, is also the chair of the Sandy Springs Civic Roundtable, an organization comprised of the city’s nonprofits, but is not a founder. The roundtable recently launched Springboard Sandy Springs, which serves as a search engine for nonprofits. Jan Paul said the city is also handing out grants and is in the middle of its application process. The deadline to submit an application was Feb. 11. First-time recipients/new programs can receive up to $25,000, and the rest can get up to $12,000.
For Rusty Paul, ensuring that Sandy Springs’ residents, including seniors, feel safe is another city focus.
“As a result of our focus on public safety, we have a community where our seniors can get out and walk and do so without fear,” he said. “That’s important to everyone but specifically to our seniors. We want everybody to feel safe, but particularly to seniors who may be more fearful of that. When you have a health issue, you want the fire department and ambulance to be there as quickly as possible, and we put a lot of focus on that.”
Rusty Paul also mentioned the city’s recent purchase of two vehicles to be used to stop crime. The community paramedic, on board since November, is a SUV that “will respond on low acuity calls instead of sending a fire truck or ambulance,” and the medical response unit (MRU), added in March, will be used as an extra ambulance in case the city’s regular ambulances are delayed.
Jill Binkley never imagined that her breast cancer diagnosis would lead her to create a sanctuary for thousands of other women. More than two decades ago, after undergoing surgery, she found herself struggling with pain and immobility in her arm. Each time she asked her doctors for guidance, she was met with silence. It was as if the medical world had nothing to offer her beyond treatment of the disease itself. Frustrated but determined, Jill decided to take control of her own recovery. What began as a personal journey soon turned into something much bigger—TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.
Located in Sandy Springs, TurningPoint has since become a godsend for breast cancer survivors. Lois Rusco, the executive director, has witnessed firsthand the difference the organization makes. She recently told SandySprings.com a staggering fact: although 80% of breast cancer patients need physical therapy, only 20% are referred by their doctors. The gap is immense, but TurningPoint is working tirelessly to close it.
For patients, the challenges don’t end when the cancer is gone. Imagine coming home from surgery expecting to rebuild your life, only to realize you can’t raise your arm to brush your hair or pick up your child. This is the reality for many, but thanks to TurningPoint, they don’t have to face it alone.
The nonprofit offers a comprehensive range of services, from physical therapy and oncology-specific exercise programs to nutritional guidance and counseling. The results are astounding—within ten weeks, patients report an average pain reduction of 186%.
TurningPoint’s impact extends beyond Sandy Springs. In 2023, a new satellite facility opened in downtown Atlanta, focusing on serving historically underserved communities. Partnering with major hospitals like Grady and Emory Winship Cancer Institute, TurningPoint ensures that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of recovery. The organization never turns anyone away, and for those in need, donations cover the cost of treatment. At the Atlanta clinic alone, 58% of patients receive full financial assistance.
Rusco recalls one patient who was on the verge of making an impossible decision: “I was trying to decide between putting food on the table or getting treatment for my recovery from surgery.” Thanks to TurningPoint, she didn’t have to choose.
In 2024 alone, TurningPoint provided nearly 3,000 patients with over 5,900 appointments. While many patients visit in person, the nonprofit also offers virtual services, allowing individuals from all over to access care. The vast majority of appointments—88%—are dedicated to physical therapy and lymphedema treatment, helping patients regain their strength and mobility.
Rusco describes the transformation she witnesses every day. Women arrive feeling defeated, fearful of what the future holds. They sit in the waiting room with tears in their eyes, wondering how they will ever feel normal again. But after weeks of therapy, they walk out standing tall, confident, and grateful for a safe space where they are understood, supported, and empowered. And it’s not just the patients who benefit—TurningPoint extends support to their families, spouses, children, and caregivers, recognizing that cancer affects everyone in its wake.
With demand steadily increasing, TurningPoint is looking to the future. Their Sandy Springs facility, currently at 3,200 square feet, is already outgrowing its space. They are currently searching for a larger space in the community where they can put plans in motion, with the goal of adding two more treatment rooms and a larger gym. Meanwhile, the Atlanta clinic, currently operating three days a week, may soon extend its hours.
Funding such ambitious growth requires the community’s help. Every year, TurningPoint hosts multiple fundraising events to sustain its programs. The Pink Affair is the largest, a lively gala featuring dinner, dancing, an open bar, and both live and silent auctions. Other key events include the Strength to Survive Golf Event in June at Fairways of Canton, the TurningPoint Pickleball Tournament in September at ITA Atlanta, and the Toys for Tots TurningPoint Golf Tournament in December at the Echelon Golf Club in Alpharetta.
With a dedicated team of 300 volunteers, TurningPoint continues to change lives, but there is always a need for more hands and hearts. For those looking to make a difference, whether through volunteering or donating, supporting TurningPoint means giving someone the chance to reclaim their life.
For more information about TurningPoint and ways to contribute, visit their website or contact their Sandy Springs or Atlanta locations.
Tender, tasty, Persian kebabs of lamb, kosher Latin American non-dairy cuisine, Omakase-style sushi. In fact, food conceived from countries as different as Greece, Italy, China, Portugal, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, France, India, Mexico, Malaysia and more.
Hungry and adventurous yet?
Then it’s time to start sampling the more than 120 independent eateries along what has now been dubbed Restaurant Row in Sandy Springs. The 10-mile-long smorgasbord of culinary delights peppers the Roswell Road corridor around which the City of Sandy Springs extends.
That could sustain an appetite for weeks without needing to have return visits. But according to those who have sampled many of the Sandy Springs restaurants, there might be reason to repeat some of those visits.
“I don’t believe that we have any restaurants in Sandy Springs with a Michelin designation,” said Jennifer Cruce, executive director of Visit Sandy Springs, “although Food Terminal’s garlic noodles (which has a location in Sandy Springs) got a mention in a Michelin article.”
If one takes a brief look at restaurant reviews, however, it’s obvious that many customers think Michelin mentions might be worth it.
Michelin, of course, is the heralded reviewer of restaurants around the world and publisher of guidebooks that report on those reviews. Nearly 100 years ago, in 1926, the single-star ratings were launched, followed by two- and three-star ratings 10 years later.
Unlike restaurant reviewers who are famous and often recognized and openly welcomed at restaurants they review, Michelin depends on anonymous inspectors who repeatedly eat at the restaurants at different times of day. Those inspectors recommend the coveted stars but also award a Bib Gourmand to restaurants that serve high-quality food at reasonable prices. Green stars are sometimes given to restaurants that prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
To merit a star, restaurants must meet five criteria. They must use high-quality ingredients, demonstrate mastery of culinary techniques, create a harmonious combination of flavors, and maintain consistency across the entire menu over time. The restaurant must also showcase the chef’s personality through the food.
Value for the money and a “wow factor” are also considered.
Other factors, such as the restaurant’s decor, table settings, ambiance, and service, are not considered when awarding Michelin stars.
Restaurants sometimes receive recommendations, earning them recognition in the guides even if they haven’t received a star or Bib Gourmand.
In the 2024 guide, nine Atlanta-area restaurants received a one-star rating.
But as Cruce noted, Food Terminal at 6550 Aria Boulevard in Sandy Springs received a recommendation for its street food from various regions of the Far East. Its concept reflects Malaysia’s diverse culinary cuisine, drawing influence from India, and the provinces of Guang Zhou, Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka.
The garlic noodles that attracted Michelin’s attention are served in a huge bowl. The thin wheat noodles – all made in-house – are tossed in a garlic sauce, along with spinach and mushrooms.
While other Sandy Springs restaurants might not yet have garnered Michelin attention, many have been recommended for Michelin praise by their customers. Among those are The Select at 6405 Blue Stone Road, Suite 200, Casi Cielo at 6125 Roswell Road and Rumi’s at 6112 Roswell Road.
For a directory and map showing restaurants along Restaurant Row, go to: https://www.restaurantrowsandysprings.com/
Bon appetit!
When the world came to a standstill in March 2020, Jennifer Barnes, Sonia Simon, and Erin Olivier refused to sit idly by. Instead, they turned the chaos of a global pandemic into an opportunity to uplift their Sandy Springs neighbors. What began as a small gesture of kindness—a plan to help feed ten families for 2 weeks—has grown into a lifeline for hundreds in the community, known as Solidarity Sandy Springs.
In just under two weeks after Atlanta’s Covid shutdown, Barnes, Simon, and Olivier had assembled a team of 15 volunteers, sourced enough food to feed 60 families, and set up a temporary pantry in a local restaurant. On their first day of operation, the demand outstripped their supply, leaving 30 families still waiting in line when the food ran out. Determined to help, the group rallied overnight and returned the next day with enough food for 105 families. Thus, Solidarity Sandy Springs was born.
Nearly five years later, this grassroots effort has grown into a well-organized operation that supports an average of 750-800 shoppers every week, each feeding 4-5 family members. In 2024 alone, the organization distributed over an astounding 1.2 million pounds of food.
Located at 6315 Roswell Road, behind the Sandy Springs Trader Joe’s, the pantry emphasizes health-conscious offerings, ensuring there are 10-15 items of fresh produce weekly. The only requirement to shop? Proof of residence or employment in Sandy Springs.
The pantry is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For emergencies outside of those hours, a structure on-site—donated by a local Girl Scout troop—provides 24/7 access to essential items.
Stories of Transformation
Beyond providing food, Solidarity Sandy Springs is a beacon of hope for individuals facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. One of these heartwarming stories involves a homeless man who turned his life around with the organization’s support. He was a regular shopper at the pantry whom they knew well by name, and one day he asked them for help. They were able to help him secure temporary housing and a job at a nearby country club. He purchased a bicycle for transportation. Today, he works full-time at a large grocery store, has his own home, and volunteers regularly at the pantry—completing the circle of giving. Barnes relays that Solidarity has several steady volunteers who are former shoppers.
“These stories are what keep us going,” says Barnes. “Seeing people’s lives improve is the ultimate reward.”
Expanding Their Mission
While the pantry remains the heart of Solidarity Sandy Springs, the organization has branched out to address other community needs. They host events such as children’s shopping days, where kids can select holiday gifts for their families. Barnes loves to see the joy the children get from giving as well as receiving.
Solidarity Sandy Springs runs 2 monthly pop-ups, at the Dorothy Benson Complex, a multi-purpose center for seniors, and the Sterling Place Apartments, HUD subsidized housing. “When we reached out to Sterling Place, we learned their greatest need was cleaning supplies,” Barnes recalls. “So, for Valentine’s Day, we delivered bags of cleaning products.”
Solidarity also provides back-to-school backpacks and has partnered with one local hospital to offer health screenings. Barnes dreams of larger health initiatives but acknowledges that their primary focus will always be food.
The Power of Community
For Barnes, the rewards go beyond the tangible. “Knowing we’ve lifted a load for people, taken away stress, and created joy—that’s what it’s all about,” she says. “That, and making lives better… not only for shoppers, but also for volunteers.” Barnes says she loves seeing the meaningful impact that volunteering has on people because, after all, our communities are dependent upon everyone pitching in where they can.
Solidarity Sandy Springs is proof of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and determination. As Barnes puts it, “Just say “Yes”, people are built for more. They want to help.” She adds, “If you set it up, people are into it.”
Whether by donating food, volunteering time, or simply spreading the word, Solidarity Sandy Springs invites everyone to join in making a difference. Together, they are creating lasting change within our community.
Every week, thousands of travelers go in and out of the three MARTA rail stations in Sandy Springs or board the MARTA bus routes that connect with the rail. Some of these many passengers are among the 100,000-plus local residents. Others come to shop in Sandy Springs’ bountiful retail stores, eat in its numerous restaurants, access highly ranked healthcare, attend various entertainment offerings, work, or just visit friends and family.
While it’s not unusual to hear complaints about vehicular traffic and clogged intersections, especially around major streets like Roswell Road, public transportation alternatives for getting to and from and around the city’s 38.52 square miles are often overlooked.
Many Sandy Springs residents who fly out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, of course, know that the northernmost MARTA rail station on the Red Line is the North Springs Station. Boarding it for the ride to the airport is a breeze. Since the route begins at the station, there are always seats available. And riders can sit back and read or listen to music or podcasts on their earphones without needing to pay attention to the numerous stops until the final destination at the airport.
Located at 7010 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, the station sits east of GA 400 and west of Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Local customers use the station entrance off Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, while customers who live north of the station take GA 400 and use the flyover ramp to the station. According to MARTA, there are 2,378 parking spaces available, most in covered deck parking. Under 24 hours of parking is free; over 24 hours is $8 per day, including the first day. A cashier’s office is located at the station.
Those who aren’t traveling by car can access the North Springs Station via various bus routes, including 85 Roswell, 87 Roswell Road/Sandy Springs, 140 North Point Parkway, 14 Haynes Bridge Road/Milton, 143 Windward Park & Ride and 185 Alpharetta.
The Sandy Springs Station is located at 1101 Mount Vernon Highway, at the intersection of Abernathy Road/Perimeter Center West and Mount Vernon Highway. The parking deck has 1,050 spaces, and is free for less than 24 hours. Unlike the North Springs Station, the cost per day is only $5. Again, a cashier’s office is located at the station.
The Sandy Springs Station also has bus connections, including MARTA’s route 148 Mount Vernon Highway. This weekday peak-only route operates East/West from Sandy Springs Station to RiverEdge Office Park along Mt. Vernon Hwy., Johnson Ferry Rd., Powers Ferry Rd., New Northside Dr., Interstate N. Pkwy., to Riveredge Pkwy. Notably, the route provides access to Sandy Springs City Hall and Fulton County School Administrative Center.
Both the North Springs Station and the Sandy Springs Station opened in 2000, while the Medical Center Station opened in 1996.
MARTA’s Medical Center Station is located at 5711 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road at Lake Hearn Drive. There are only 200 parking spaces at this station, and no overnight parking is available. However, it has local (MARTA 825 John Ferry Rd), regional and shuttle bus connections allowing people from afar to travel to the important three hospitals: Northside, Emory St. Joseph’s and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite – not to mention the numerous medical offices nearby.
In addition to the MARTA bus routes, the Sandy Springs and Medical Center MARTA Stations partner with Xpress, operated by the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, which gives commuters throughout the metro region another option for getting around town. Xpress has 27 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties and carries more than 1.8 million passenger trips annually.
Separately from the MARTA bus routes that connect with its rail service, the company also provides Route 5 to Sandy Springs. This route operates North/South between Dunwoody and Lindbergh Stations along Hammond Drive, Glenridge Drive, Roswell Road and Piedmont Road, allowing access to Sandy Springs City Hall, Perimeter Mall, The Prado Shopping Center, Chastain Square and Lindbergh Plaza.
To facilitate travel between MARTA’s bus routes and its rail, the transportation service uses a long-term use card that allows the loading of various and multiple fare products. They can be registered for balance protection and can be retained for future use and reloading. The cost of the Breeze Card is $2 in addition to the cost of a fare or pass. Each Breeze card and ticket comes with four transfers. That means you can change bus routes or switch from bus to train, and vice versa, without costing extra. The cards can be purchased at a MARTA Ride Store, from one of MARTA’s Breeze vending machines or can be ordered online by going to breezecard.com
Notably, Xpress accepts Breeze cards, cash and payment on smart phones using the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app.
So, if you want to ditch the car and save on the expensive gas, buy a Breeze card and hop a ride on a bus or train. It can take you far.
In the heart of Sandy Springs, a dedicated group of individuals works tirelessly to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of our community. The Sandy Springs Conservancy (SSC), led by Chairman Jack Misiura, is committed to connecting residents with nature and each other while conserving natural resources and enhancing the beauty of our environment. Their efforts have brought to life some of the city’s most cherished spaces, including Morgan Falls Overlook Park, Abernathy Greenway Parks, Lost Corner Nature Preserve, and City Green, and they have ambitious plans for the future.
One of SSC’s most ambitious efforts is the Springway, a 31.4-mile trail system designed to connect parks and green spaces throughout Sandy Springs. SSC partnered with the City of Sandy Springs, the Path Foundation, and Kaizen Collaborative to create the trail plan. Phase 1 is currently under construction. This initial phase makes a big splash featuring a trail that loops through Morgan Falls Overlook Park and Orkin Lake to Roswell Road, with a scenic boardwalk over the lake as a highlight. Expected to be completed by the end of 2024, this phase marks the beginning of a transformative journey for the city’s outdoor spaces.
Micro Project Program
SSC offers grants of up to $5,000 for volunteer groups to create and implement projects enhancing parks, trails, and green spaces in Sandy Springs. When asked about one of his favorite projects, Misiura fondly recalls a scout group’s creation of a fruit tree orchard at Lost Corner Nature Preserve. Other completed projects include installing natural wood benches along the Overlook Trail at Morgan Falls Park, adding new steps and making trail improvements on the lake trail at Morgan Falls Park, and planting native azaleas at Lost Corner Preserve. Projects, chosen based on their potential community impact, must be completed within a year. To apply or get more information, click here.
Trail Blazers Walks
Every second Saturday morning of the month, SSC sponsors the popular Trail Blazers Walks, guided tours through Sandy Springs’ parks, trails, and green spaces. Led by experts in local flora, fauna, and history, these walks offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with community members and explore the area’s natural beauty.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
SSC provides numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals. Outdoor enthusiasts can help at SSC booths during farmers markets or festivals, assist with Trail Blazers Walks, or participate in park cleanups and maintenance. Those preferring indoor activities can help out at the annual invitation-only Thought Leaders Dinner, the major fundraising event for the SSC. Volunteers are welcome to join various committees within the organization to assist with Fundraising, Communications, or Opportunities and Projects. The SSC always encourages suggestions from the public for improving Sandy Springs’ parks and green spaces!
Future Projects
While the Springway trail system is a monumental undertaking, SSC continues to identify and assist with the planning of new greenspace projects. One exciting upcoming project is Old Riverside Park. Currently undeveloped, this riverfront land will soon feature woodland trails, a riverside pavilion, a nature-themed playground,and a pollinator garden. The city is set to begin construction of the new park within the next 12 months.
The citizens and visitors to Sandy Springs owe an abundance of gratitude to those in the SSC who have worked so hard to provide for the amazing amenities and enhancements to our city’s natural resources. There is no doubt that through their work, tremendous value has been added to our community. For more information about SSC’s projects, calendar of events, volunteer opportunities, or to make suggestions, visit their website at www.SandySpringsConservancy.org.
Sandy Springs residents are lucky to have one of the most extensive and healthiest industries in all of Georgia: the healthcare industry. In addition to housing three major, highly rated hospitals, Sandy Springs is home to numerous medical laboratories and doctors’ offices that employ thousands of people.
According to Ashley-Grace Jaberi of Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, the best estimate for the number of healthcare industry workers in Sandy Springs, provided by BusinessWise, is approximately 12,400.
The enormous hospital complex concentrated around Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road did not go unnoticed by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). The MARTA Medical Center Station, which cost $22.9 million, opened on June 8, 1996. According to a MARTA spokeswoman, the station “was built to provide convenient transit access and connectivity to the many medical facilities and job centers in the area such as Northside Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Children’s Healthcare Scottish Rite Hospital.”
She added, “The closest rail stations are Dunwoody Station to the North and Buckhead Station to the South.”
According to the Fulton County Board of Health, there are 22 community health and hospital systems in the greater Atlanta metro area, including the cities of Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta and Sandy Springs. Notably, 40 percent of the hospital beds available in the Atlanta metropolitan area are located in Sandy Springs, thanks to its three major, top-ranked hospitals.
Founded in 1880, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital is Atlanta’s first faith-based and its longest-serving hospital. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy. St. Joe’s, as Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital is often called, is a 410-bed adult acute-care facility recognized as one of the top specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. It employs over 2,100 staff members and nearly 1,100 physicians.
The hospital trains physicians from around the world in robotic cardiothoracic surgery and is the only American Heart Association Mitral Valve Reference Center in Georgia. It is known for its expert physicians and specialty services including oncology, heart and vascular, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology.
The U.S. News and World Report ranked Emory Saint Joseph’s as the number two hospital in Georgia and metro Atlanta for the eighth consecutive year. It is also the first community hospital and one of only two hospitals in the world to achieve its seventh consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, for excellence in nursing. The ANCC also awarded the hospital Magnet with Distinction, a new distinction recognizing the highest performing organizations, making Emory Saint Joseph’s the first hospital in the world to receive this honor.
Northside Hospital Atlanta (although located in Sandy Springs) is the largest hospital in Georgia by number of beds. It has a net patient revenue of nearly $2.8 billion, making it one of the top 50 hospitals in the country. It has 13,000 employees and 2,400 physicians, including its adjacent medical office buildings. System-wide, it has more than 30,000 employees and 3,800 physicians.
Fondly and jokingly referred to as the “baby factory” due to its extensive maternity practice, Northside Hospital is renowned for much more than just its maternity services.
The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (NHCI) is one of the top two community cancer programs in the United States. It is the largest and most comprehensive cancer hospital network in the state of Georgia, and its cancer research program is one of the largest community-based oncology/hematology programs in the country.
Northside Hospital’s Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program delivers among the best survival rates in the U.S. for bone marrow transplants. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the Southeast.
The Northside Hospital Stroke Center has been designated an Advanced Primary Stroke Care Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission. Moreover, the Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute is Georgia’s leader in joint replacement surgery and the industry leader in innovative rapid recovery protocols. According to Northside’s website, the hospital features the only dedicated surgery center in the nation specifically designed for outpatient joint replacement surgery.
Not willing to settle on its previous accolades, Northside Hospital recently launched a major marketing campaign to present its mission and share its stories across the Atlanta region. According to the hospital, two years of the pandemic have necessitated a different tone, one that reflects how people are feeling and coping. Entitled “Look To Northside,” the campaign anchors a media and storytelling program that is progressive, forward-focused and community-oriented.
Not to be outdone by the area hospitals dedicated to adults, Children’s Healthcare has also been expanding to serve the Sandy Springs area since it moved to its location in July 1976. It is now a nationally ranked, freestanding 319-bed pediatric acute care hospital affiliated with the Emory University School of Medicine and the Morehouse School of Medicine, as a member of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) system. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens and young adults aged zero to 21.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is nationally ranked in 10 pediatric specialties. It operates as both a children’s general medical and surgical facility and serves as a teaching hospital.
The hospital features a state verified level II pediatric trauma center, one of only two in Georgia. Its regional pediatric intensive-care unit and neonatal intensive care units serve the region. It is also known for providing neurosciences, orthopedics, and inpatient rehabilitation.
Sandy Springs residents driving in the area may have noticed that Children’s Healthcare also has a rooftop helipad dedicated to critical pediatric transport.
Nationwide, overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. Each year, approximately 1.8 million job openings are projected on average across these occupations, driven by employment growth and the need to replace workers who depart from these fields.
That projection paints a rosy picture for the healthcare industry in Sandy Springs, served by its own Marta Station and located around the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road.
In its 10th year, Orbit Arts Academy is one of several live performance theater troupes in Sandy Springs that is not only providing residents and visitors with exciting entertainment, it is also training new generations of thespians, musicians and dancers.
“We started with a handful of kids and now we’re teaching over 400,” said Shane Simmons, musical director and accompanist who has been with Orbit for nine years. “We cater to young people ages six through 20,” split between several “companies” and classes based on the children’s ages.
“This is for people who want to take part in all aspects of performing arts,” he said. That includes theater arts education, and training in film and television, tap and ballet, voice, and piano.”
In the fall, the children work on their skills, and in the spring, each company performs a musical. In the summer, there are more shows and camps “for kids who love to work.”
On Feb. 10, the non-profit Academy just held its Orbit Theatrical Gala, complete with a theatrical production and silent auction to raise funds for operational expenses, production expenses, outreach and scholarships.
Another non-profit theater company and arts academy in Sandy Springs is Act3 Productions, a 76-seat theater located at 6285 Roswell Road. The organization offers a variety of musicals, dramas, improvisations and original productions performed by professional and amateur actors of all ages. Its goal is to expose young people to drama, dance, music, visual arts, technical production both onstage and behind the scenes.
A semi-professional theater company, Act3’s mission “prides itself in offering local artists a professional-level experience through compensation for their work and opportunities to interact with industry professionals,” according to its website. Another goal is to “build a sustainable and vibrant cultural presence and continue to contribute to making Sandy Springs a vital destination for the arts.”
Although its first performance was in January 2010, because of the Covid pandemic, Act3 considers itself to be in its 10 season.
In February, it is offering “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” and in March, “Lend Me a Tenor.” More importantly, in the next 30 days, it will be announcing its lineup for the next season, according to Mary Sorrel, executive director.
According to Act3’s website, patrons can now bring their own wine bottles to their shows. “We’ll have cups for purchase at concessions,” it says, as well as “a cooler for white wines and corkscrews.” Sorrel said it’s the only theater in Sandy Springs that offers this option.
The City Springs Theatre Company, formed in 2017 by Sandy Springs residents, performs musical theater productions and offers arts education programs in affiliation with the City of Sandy Springs in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
In 2018, City Springs Theatre Company launched a conservatory program dedicated to training the next generation of performers and technicians in musical theatre. The conservatory offers private lessons, a pre-professional company, summer musicals for high school and middle school students, and it participates in the Junior Theater Festival. The pre-professional company trains students ages 12 to 18 who are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
In its short history, the City Springs Theatre Company has served more than 174,000 patrons and 135,000 students through main stage musicals and educational programs.
And that number is certain to grow. In March, the organization will stage Walt Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” in Byers Theatre. In May, it will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” and in from July 12 to Aug. 18, it will showcase “Jersey Boys”.
Some people complain about traffic congestion. Others do something about it. The City of Sandy Springs appears to be in the latter category.
A year short of celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sandy Springs can brag that its population has grown to 108,601, making it the state’s sixth largest city, and the second largest city in the metropolitan area. According to a U-Haul International study released a year ago, Sandy Springs is the No. 25 growth city in the country. Between 2000 and 2022, the population jumped by more than 20,000.
That has meant new houses, new condos, new apartment complexes, and more retail options to serve the growing community. And yes, it meant more cars.
There are more than 315 miles of roadways in the Sandy Springs local street network. Some of have become congested over the years.
But the city is in the midst of widening roads, and planning for the future. Since the beginning of this decade, Sandy Springs has been encouraging the public to participate in open house meetings to discuss and learn about proposed improvements to ease traffic congestion in the city.
As far back as 2009, the city started concentrating on several notable traffic problem areas.
Four years ago, it was focused on Hammond Drive from Roswell Road to Glenridge Drive. The city noted that this portion of Hammond Drive lacked sidewalks and marked crosswalks, as well as insufficiently providing for MARTA — all of which led to an increase in neighborhood cut-through traffic, negatively impacting adjacent roadways.
According to the city, based on traffic data collected in 2019, Hammond Drive between Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive carried approximately 17,500 vehicles a day, a higher volume of traffic than the capacity of the two-lane roadway.
To further exacerbate the traffic problem, the city understood that the area of Hammond Drive between Boylston Drive and Glenridge Drive is the narrowest section of Hammond.
In 2022, the city approved continuation of preliminary work on Hammond Drive between Boylston Road and Glenridge Road, to the tune of nearly $3 million.
Then earlier this year the city council agreed to request $2 million from the State Road and Tollway Authority to complete financing of the Boylston/Hammond intersection. The funding would be in the form of a $1.1 million low-interest loan and a $900,000 grant. According to the city council, to be eligible for this funding, projects must enhance movement as well as drive economic development.
The city already has $3.5 million from its capital improvement funds, but the project is expected to cost $5.5 million, to cover the installation of sidewalks and paths and the readjustment of the intersection. The city expects construction to start this summer.
Public Works Director Marty Martin said, “The project will continue to spur economic development by creating a safer transportation environment.” The project includes the widening of Hammond Drive to four lanes. He added that the proposed sidewalk and pathways would contribute to the city’s goal to make the city better for pedestrians as well as bike riders.
Martin said that the city will know whether it will obtain the requested funds by early this summer.
Then, last August, Sandy Springs residents were apprised of the city’s Powers Ferry Transportation Study whose purpose is to improve pedestrian, bicycle, transit and vehicular travel in an area that “straddles I-285 at Northside Drive and serves as the western gateway” to the city, a report stated. “The area is home to a regional employment center and residential neighborhoods, is served by small scale retail, and provides access to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.”
According to the report, the study will develop an implementation plan “to move projects and strategies forward. It will further evaluate these improvements and determine the feasibility and costs association with implementation.”
The nine-month study that launched in May last year is supposed to be completed this spring. Throughout the study process, residents have been encouraged to share ideas and provide feedback on the proposed transportation improvements in the area. An open house for the public is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Residents and business owners may come to complain, but the city plans to take those complaints into account as it moves the city forward, both literally and figuratively.
As the second annual Dine Like a Local program opened in Sandy Springs on Jan. 2, already the foodie affair appeared to be pulling in more people than last year’s inaugural event. As of Jan. 3, 272 signups were counted, compared to 188 on the same date last year, according to Jennifer Cruce, executive director of Visit Sandy Springs, which sponsors the program. A total of 1,406 signups were made last year. The program runs through March 31.
Several improvements were made for this year’s Dine Like a Local which encourages both Sandy Springs residents, the wider Atlanta community and visitors from out of town to sample the two dozen restaurants that are participating in this year’s passport program.
Cruce said the whole process has been simplified this year. Diners sign up online to receive a free digital Dine Like a Local passport. Then passport holders can visit any of the participating restaurants and check in at each stop for a chance to win a number of prizes throughout the duration of the program, including restaurant gift card giveaways.
Last year the check-in process included a promo code that restaurants had to provide. “This year, people check-in on their phones via GPS. It’s much easier,” said Cruce. “Every two weeks, a $25 gift card to one of the participating restaurants” is given out. Each month, passport holders can win other gifts such as picnic baskets full of branded merchandise.
There are no visas required, nor are the passports actually stamped. When the holders visit a participating restaurant, they must click the check-in button to earn points. According to the instructions, “Your visit to any participating restaurant will only count for points once a month, so make sure to diversify your palate!”
There are three separate giveaways to choose from: bi-weekly, monthly and the one-time grand prize giveaway, which is a Yeti Roadie cooler stuffed with prizes. Passport holders “can buy multiple entries into each giveaway, and the more entries, the better chance to win.”
Three winners will be selected at random every other week to receive the $25 gift card.
As much as Visit Sandy Springs wants to tempt residents to eat out more often, Cruce notes that the organizers are very much focused on the hotels in the area. “You can’t attract people to the area without a good dining scene,” she said. “This introduces people to the restaurants they never tried before.” Her group has distributed postcards with QR codes to hotels to give out to patrons. “It helps our reputation locally and regionally as having a dining scene.”
Also, when dining patrons post pictures or reviews on social media, it “helps to build excitement about a new place to go,” said Cruce, who has worked at Visit Sandy Springs for nine years. She pointed out that she has seen a lot of changes in Sandy Springs since she started. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
She added, “Sandy Springs has one of the best restaurant scenes in the metro area. We hope residents and visitors will come out to experience all this great food this city has to offer.”
The restaurants that have returned to the program from last year include Banana Leaf Thai + Bar, Big B’s Fish Joint, Breadwinner Café, Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café, Cubanos ATL, Food Terminal, it Giallo Osteria & Bar, Just Love Coffee Café, McDaniel’s QN2, O’Reilly’s Public House, Sunnyside Pizzeria, The General Muir, The Select, Tre Vele and Under the Cork Tree.
New this year are Baraonda, Cupanion’s, Fuego Mundo, Mutation Brewing Co, Okiboru, Ray’s on the River, SabaRaba’s, Strive Foods, Zafron and Zambawango.
The Dine Like a Local campaign is presented in partnership with the Economic Development Department of the City of Sandy Springs. For more information, visit https://www.visitsandysprings.org/dine-like-a-local/
Cutlines:
Food photos from General Muir, Norifish, The General Muir and The Select
The City of Sandy Springs has done a great job of utilizing the City Green outside of Sandy Springs city hall and the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. In warmer months, the City Green and surrounding pedestrian areas are filled with concert-goers, festivals, and families enjoying the open greenspace.
This year the city has come up with a great way for Sandy Springs families and visitors to enjoy the City Green when the weather gets cooler. Skate City is a 5,000 square feet ice skating rink that has been constructed in front of the outdoor stage on the City Green.
The new Skate City rink will be open from November 24 through January 21, 2024. In addition to the rink, the Skate City complex includes a skate rental building, a concession stand, and an outdoor biergarten. Th concession stand will offer snacks, candy, pretzels, and hot dogs, plus hot chocolate, coffee, and an assortment of adult beverages.
The rink is open until 10 pm, and operating hours will be expanded when the kids are out of school for winter break between December 18 and January 2, 2024. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets online, which include a specific admission time. Capacity is limited, and online reservations will be prioritized.
Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for children 2-10 years old. The price is for one hour of skating and includes skate rental. Group rates are also available.
Visit https://citysprings.com/skate to find out more and purchase your tickets.
Sandy Springs has been chosen for a new and innovative business concept that blends health with shared workspace. Called Wello Works, its creators coined the phrase “where wellness meets coworking.” This U.S. prototype will open in Fountain Oaks Shopping Center on Roswell Road in February.
The man behind the business model is Australian native Tony de Leede, who is no stranger to Sandy Springs. He first moved to Sandy Springs in 1981 and opened his first Australian Body Works fitness center in the Chastain area, although its headquarters was in Sandy Springs. “So, this is a bit of a homecoming for me,” he said. He recalled that he came to Atlanta to work for a friend on what he thought would be a temporary basis. “I came for two weeks and stayed 20 years,” he laughed.
In June 2000, his 22-club chain with the kangaroo logo was acquired by L.A. Fitness Sports Clubs. But the serial entrepreneur kept creating new business ventures, even after he returned to Australia. In fact, that country’s culture is even responsible for the new venture’s name. In the country Down Under, to take a smoking break is to take a “smoko.” Hence, to take a wellness break is to take a “wello.”
According to de Leede, only 20 percent of the population is really dedicated to exercising. The other 80 percent hesitate to go to fitness centers because they are afraid, intimidated or just uncomfortable that the instructor or other participants will look at them.
The idea behind Wello Works is that healthy movement can be had in small bites, of maybe 10, 20 or 30 minutes. “That’s better than nothing. I say between one hour and 10 minutes is good. My goal is to try to cater to that 80 percent.”
Not far from the new Wello Works are four fitness facilities, including one focused on boxing. In the same shopping center is a bridge club that caters to those in their 60s or 70s. “That socialization makes their day,” he said. According to de Leede, loneliness is a major killer, with suicide high in the 70-age group. “Their partners have died, and digital devices have driven us to loneliness.”
What he, along with his Atlanta-based daughter Nicole de Leede Harmon, are offering to the Sandy Springs community “is critical to people’s ongoing life.”
According to de Leede, there are five pillars of wellness: what you eat, how you move, getting sleep, socialization and head space or mental wellbeing.
There are two major aspects of Wello Works: wellness and coworking. For the latter, customers will have a choice of permanent desks with locking offices, or more communal spaces where people can bring in their computers to work. Boardrooms and “quiet areas” will also be available. Free coffee and mineral water will be available to both, as well as access to a variety of wellness options.
These include an extensive array of meditation pods, hydromassage, wellness pods, hot and cold therapy, infrared saunas and LED light therapy. The amenities are designed to help people feel good while they are working and growing their businesses.
Two-thirds of the 10,300-square-foot property upstairs on the south side of Fountain Oaks is planned for workspace.
De Leede said that his daughter, who will primarily be running the business, has a marketing background. And “she’s a bit too much like me,” so they often have “robust conversations about the business.”
Their biggest challenge is to “explain what we are and what we do.” To surmount that obstacle, the father-daughter team plan to use the “try before you buy or test drive” marketing tools. Pricing for customers will have a large range, although a “founder’s price” will start at $19 per week.
To reach the target audience, Harmon plans to use visual marketing with videos, as well as YouTube and Google advertising. She intends to “tease the market” in the next few weeks with the help of partnering influencers.
Looking longer term, de Leede believes the model center can be duplicated elsewhere. “It’s a scalable model for suburbs around the world.”
Certainly, the concept of workspace has changed over the last few years, partly as a result of the Covid pandemic, which forced many people to work from home, but also limited their need for socialization. De Leede predicted that restaurants where people have brought their computers to work, but oftentimes purchased little food or drink, will start limiting how long people can occupy those tables.
“The world is changing rapidly,” he said. And he anticipates that Wello Works will fit the needs of that new world.