Acworth's Main Street Makes A Comeback

By Hilda J. Brucker

    As you follow Cowan Road toward Downtown Acworth, you can't help but turn your head for a second glance at the antiquated remains of a three-story brick building off to the right. The vestiges of old vines trace its outside walls; its roofless state and the lack of glass in dozens of oversized windows create the impression that the airy, box-like space inside is not actually empty, but holds a chunk of blue sky in some sort of tangible form. Who doesn't love a ruin? Besides the aura of wistfulness and romance it radiates, the sight is just plain exotic in and around Atlanta, where too often, we tear things down before they have a chance to grow old.
    The building is the shell of a former flourmill, built by John Cowan in the late 1800s with money he came into during his Gold Rush days out West. Now Acworth locals are the ones who have struck it rich; the structure is scheduled for restoration and a second life as a restaurant, to open in the spring of 2006. This spirit of preservation has caught on quickly in the historic sections of 'Downtown' Acworth, which today has a friendly, small-town feel.

Revitalization
     The historic business district of Acworth is not a classic town square, but more of a corridor, as most of the shops are found on Main Street, which runs parallel to the railroad tracks. A handful of other establishments are located on cross streets within a five-block area. The town originally sprang up here on a trading route once used by the Cherokee Indians, and when the railroad came through, commerce flourished. A red caboose stands alongside the tracks today as a town landmark. Since the town was strategically located on a rail line, General Sherman burned it to the ground in 1864, and the town didn't recover for another 15 years. Most of the existing buildings in Downtown Acworth date from the late 1800s, when the town was rebuilt. Historic structures also extend beyond Main Street to the neighborhoods surrounding the business district - it's nearly impossible to make the rounds without turning the corner onto Dallas Street, just out of curiosity, to peek at the charming old houses that feature wraparound porches, wicker rockers and wrought-iron fences.
     The revitalization of the area as a shopping district, however, is a very recent development. "Five years ago, none of this was here," said Summer Lang, a server at Seasons de Provence restaurant who grew up "just across the tracks" from Acworth's business corridor and has lived in Acworth her whole life. Currently, nearly every historic storefront is occupied and attracts a steady stream of customers. Shop owner Erin Stevens pointed out that the nearest mall is not very convenient to Acworth residents and that traffic can be a hassle. "I think that era's coming back, when people want simpler times," she said. "At the same time," she added, "it's hard to support yourself with all the Wal-Marts and Targets around."
    The newly formed Downtown Acworth Merchant's Association is sponsoring a variety of activities that are part social event, part shopping trip. In the summer, the Friday Farmers Market sets up in the big parking lot next to the tracks along Main Street. And on the first Friday of each month, shops stay open till 9 p.m. Live music can be heard on the deck of the Buzz-N-Brew coffeehouse, and street performers sometimes offer additional entertainment. The downtown business corridor is also less than a mile from Lake Acworth, with its tiny swimming beach, playground, recreational facilities and summertime concerts.   

The Goods
     As you work your way down Main Street, you'll find the key word here is eclectic, and the strategy you'll want to adopt is to make at least a brief foray into every store. Few of the shop owners have opted to deal solely in one line of merchandise, often mixing in unexpected side lines. For instance, you'll find antiques inside the florist shop. And at Rennie's Interiors, where the major wares are home accessories and owner Rennie Ruppert offers interior design services, you'll find, off to the side and toward the back of the store - jewelry! Ruppert has priced her decorative accessories reasonably, because she wants her customers to have lots of beautiful things in their homes. 4823 S. Main St., 678-574-6022.
     At Divas & Dames Boutique you'll find plenty of bling, along with duds unlike the usual fare available at the mall. Fun fashion accessories range from dangly earrings to sparkly evening bags. There's a large denim department that includes skirts, jackets and jeans. Owner Shana Gould also carries Seven jeans, that trendy, celebrity-touted line with the back-pocket detailing and the flattering fit, for less-than-department-store prices. Other clothing items range from macramé shrugs to beaded gauze tunics. Though the merchandise is cutting-edge fashion, it's not necessarily geared toward teens. "I tend to target the hip 30-year-old," Gould said. Price points range from $5 to about $150. 4809 S. Main St., 678-574-4777.
     Owned by sisters Erin Stevens and Heather Haley, Top of the Morning deals in gifts, fancy paper and cards, and home accents. The front of the store, however, is a celebration of all things Irish, from ceramics to crystal to woolen scarves. 4825 S. Main St., 770-529-1125.
     Back Porch Square Antiques is a mixture of the old and the new. With 30 dealers sharing the space, the merchandise is varied: wooden furniture, jewelry, gift items, home décor and silk flowers. 4381 Senator Russell Ave., 678-453-4381.
     In the building that was originally Acworth's mercantile store, Wild Blossoms offers up an eclectic assortment of goods: china and crystal, antiques, baby gifts, home décor, lamps, upholstered chairs and silver jewelry. Manager Mary Lee Graham is not only the epitome of Southern grace and charm, she's also a fountain of information and will gladly share her knowledge of the building's history. Like the other shop proprietors on Main Street, she believes her establishment offers a unique shopping experience. "The mall doesn't affect us; we're different," she said, explaining that the merchants coordinate with each other to avoid duplication of product lines. The shop also sponsors a "Live and Learn" series of luncheons that feature Southern authors as speakers. 4819 S. Main St., 770-529-2620.
     Across from Acworth City Hall, a black awning with huge pink polka dots stands out against an otherwise nondescript brick building. It's the Pink Poodle Boutique, a tiny space overflowing with vintage fashions and accessories: clothing, hats, sunglasses, belts, and a large collection of cigar box purses. 4381 Senator RB Russell Ave., 770-529-0056.
     For the wine aficionado, a visit to The Oak Barrel is a must. A knowledgeable staff will help you choose the perfect wine for your tastes; there's also a large selection of wine-related gifts and accessories. 4843 N. Main St., 770-974-7720.
     Wind in the Willows is yet another source of amazingly affordable home accents; there's a huge selection of wrought-iron accessories including pot racks, dish holders, ornamental swags and corbels. 4845 N. Main St., 770-974-0993.
    Cote Soleil occupies the space that was once the town's movie palace. It's a treasure trove of items imported from the south of France, with a distinctive look: pottery, linens, prints, baskets, painted furniture, bath soaps and lotions. 4851 N. Main St., 678-574-7050.

The Eats
     Culinary choices in Acworth have, in the past, consisted mainly of chain restaurants and fast-food joints located in the strip malls that line Hwy. 41. The downtown area, however, has recently drawn a number of restaurateurs with their own visions and a desire to share their various gastronomic traditions, from Cajun to French to Italian.
     Henry's Louisiana Grill was one of the first establishments to call the historic district home. The menu includes classic Cajun favorites like gumbo, red beans and rice, seafood étouffée, jambalaya and bread pudding. Owner Henry Chandler is currently sponsoring a drive for hurricane relief in his home state. Dinner entrées range from $11 to $15; lunch $7 to $12. 4849 N. Main St., 770-966-1515, www.chefhenrys.com
     With its cozy sense of enclosure and bright flowers, the patio at Seasons de Provence is the perfect place to dine al fresco on a mild day. Inside the restaurant, low ceilings and exposed brick walls impart the feeling of an intimate wine cellar. The extensive wine list features 20-plus selections from around the world including Spain, France, Germany, Australia, Chile and New Zealand. California wines are refreshingly, conspicuously absent, though there's a selection from New York's Finger Lakes wine region. (There's also a full bar.) Dinner entrées run from $14 to $22; lunch from $7 to $12. 4416 Senator Russell Ave., 678-574-7188.
     The décor at Fusco's via Roma takes advantage of century-old beams and brick to recreate a rustic Italian trattoria, complete with bucolic scenes of Tuscany on the walls. Gourmet pizzas range from $7 to $12; pasta dishes from $10 to $20. Dinner entrées include meat, fish and chicken. Be sure to save room for the classic Italian desserts, including tiramisu, cannoli and gelato. 4815 S. Main St., 770-974-1110, www.fuscosviaroma.com.
     Weary shoppers will find Cott'n Eyed Joe's is the perfect place to re-energize and rest tired feet. Located right inside Back Porch Square Antiques, the coffee shop also serves sandwiches, soups, salads and pastries. It's also, surprisingly, a spot for dinner theater; the Lake City Players, a division of the Cobb Playhouse, plan to perform here regularly this season ($38 per person for the show and a meal). 4381 Senator Russell Ave., 678- 453-4381. (Cobb Playhouse: 770-565-3995, www.cobbplayhouse.com)
     Miss L's Sandwich Shop is a homey spot with lace curtains in the window and a tiny sidewalk café out front, though the deli sandwiches, homemade cookies and ice cream cones sold here are usually served to go. Local honey is also for sale. 4817 S. Main St., 770-974-4614.
     Share a pot of tea and an afternoon with a friend at Teacup Cottage. Sandwiches, salad, soup and sweets are also on the menu. 4851 N. Main St., 678-574-6011.
     At the end of Main Street's shopping district is a florist shop called House of Flowers. Even if you don't need a bouquet, pop in for a cappuccino at Buzz-N-Brew, the coffee shop just inside. (Pastries and old-fashioned fudge are other specialties here.) Enjoy the day from the side deck or carry your cup another half block to the tiny, fenced-in green space that sports a fountain and Victorian-style gazebo. 4887 N. Main St., 770-974-4614.