Around Towne
by Cherryl Greenman

What's New

Remember to go back to the polls on September 10. In a very important local race, incumbent Emily Lemcke will be in a run-off against challenger Mike Byrd for the County Commission Chair since no candidate for this office received more than 50% of the votes in the August primary.

We are happy to report that the 1904 House in downtown Woodstock is open for business. The new owners, Jeanie and Norman Johansen, are very excited, and their son-in-law, Darren Mellow, with several years experience as a chef in New York, will be their chef. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and a Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information, call (770) 926-1904.

T-Mobile, a cellular phone company, has occupied the space recently vacated by Paradise Smoothie in the Towne Lake Square Shopping Center. The store offers Voicestream cellular phones and service plans, Dish Network, and a wireless Internet access service for laptops called Boingo.

My Place, too, the new ladies consignment store in the Shops at Eagle Pointe, recently held its Grand Opening. This store carries many brand name items including St. John, Jones of New York and the Gap. They are open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call (770) 592-8779.

Jungle Jim Developmental Gymnastic and Movement Education, Inc. also held a Grand Opening recently. The event was a huge success for owner Angela Hopkins and included a purple gorilla, face painting, a moonwalk and live children's music. Jungle Jim is located in the Southpointe at Towne Lake Shopping Center behind McDonald's. To enroll your child in one of the classes, call (678) 494-9944.

The residents of Towne Lake Hills East and West can now access Towne Lake Parkway without pulling their hair out. The much-needed stoplight at the entrance is now operational.

Coming Soon

Scheduled to open soon is the Hurricane Bay car wash located behind Bruster's Ice Cream. The large lighthouse is said to really work and will "light the way" for you to come wash your car in the touch-less car wash or the coin operated self-serve units.

Does your pooch or kitty need a little pampering? If so, check out Groomingdale's Pet Spa located in the Towne Lake Promenade Shopping Center, adjacent to Starbucks. The spa will feature traditional grooming services for your furry friends as well as teeth brushing and nail filing.

The Towne Lake Promenade will also become the new home of dentist, Tim Byrd. Dr. Byrd plans to have his facilities open and ready for patients in early October.

A new Mediterranean/Greek style restaurant, Cedars Taverna, is coming soon to the Shops at Eagle Pointe in the space vacated by New York Deli. The restaurant will be a full-service restaurant, with take-out available. They are scheduled to open in late September or early October.

What's On Going?

If you were curious about the floor plans of the Georgetowne at Towne Lake, contemporary town homes located on the corner of Rose Creek Drive and Grove Park Lane, the dry wall is up and you can now take a tour of the units. These maintenance-free units feature 3 bedrooms and private patios.

Cherryl is the Editor of The TowneLaker magazine. She lives in the Towne Lake area with her son Dale and daughter Lori.

The floor plans for the Ravines are now in full swing. This four-story condominium unit will have secure parking for their tenants and feature 800 — 1,200 square feet of living space. Plans to start the clearing are set for November or December with construction scheduled for January.

The property at Eagle Drive and Rose Creek Drive is in the final grading stage. The owner said the property is ready to be purchased either as a total package or separate parcels.

Grading at Crossing Shopping Center, which faces Towne Lake Parkway adjacent to Bullock's is well under way. The property will be home to a Publix as its anchor tenant at the rear of the property and Washington Mutual Bank in the out parcel, which will be flanked by Chili's and Longhorn Steakhouse.

The Landscape Home Depot Center, located on Parkway 575, is scheduled to open in early September. Grading for the Camping Time RV Center just north of the Landscape Center continues as they prepare the site for construction.

Kinkos and three new restaurants are in the plans for the new shopping center just east of Noonday Creek on Highway 92 across from Arby's. A free standing Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins also is scheduled, as well as a QT Station.

Several patrons of Fresco's, located at the Shops at Eagle Pointe, have reported that the restaurant's doors have closed. Word is, the space is now available for rent.

Towne Lake Diner
Song's Garden
By Kara Kiefer

f you've been craving fresh, made-to-order Chinese Take-out, Song's Garden is the place for you! Song's Garden is located in the Publix shopping center and is owned by Song Dong and his wife, May Song who both originate from China. The restaurant features either take-out or counter service. There are four tables in the restaurant if you would like to eat your meal there. The best and most unique part about Song's is that the food is cooked to order. There is nothing waiting in warming bins: it's all fresh, hot, quick, and the menu is quite varied. For lunch, they offer a choice of 38 items, which include several traditional favorites such as Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sesame Chicken (one of their specialties), and Kung Pao Chicken. There are also several beef and seafood entrees as well as vegetarian choices. Lunch comes with vegetable fried rice or white rice and soup or a drink. The dinner menu is extensive and includes a Special Diet menu, which features no fat, sugar, or cornstarch. The menu also offers family dinners as well as special combination plates.

The restaurant, will celebrate its' one-year anniversary in September. The Towne Lake location is the third restaurant for Song and May. They have had establishments in New York and still own a restaurant in Minnesota.

During our visit, both Song and May were very courteous and eager to please. We went there for lunch and tried the hot and sour soup, which was thick, very tasty, and had the perfect amount of heat. We also tried the won-ton soup, which had a flavorful broth and large, tasty won tons. Our entrees were large portions, enough for take-home of the take-out! And, of course, it was all steaming hot and fresh. They also offer a children's menu, which comes with either rice or French fries.