Around Towne
by Cherryl Greenman

What's New

Publix at Towne Lake Parkway held their Grand Opening in late September, giving away 25 bags of groceries to the first 25 people who visited their store. Store Manager Stephen Wilder has worked for Publix for more than 20 years. This Publix, like its sister store Publix at Rose Creek, is the anchor tenant of their center. Additional businesses planned for the center include Washington Mutual, Planet Tan and Southeastern Dry Cleaning.

Also celebrating their Grand Opening recently was Moe's Southwest Grill located in Woodstock on Highway 92. Susie and Gary Mason are the managers and partners in this restaurant. They offer fresh burritos, tacos, fajitas and more, using no animal fat or lard. Moe's offers catering for groups from four to four hundred. Susie and Gary are planning to open additional restaurants in Canton and Cartersville next year. For more information, call (770) 517-MOE4.

Comic Books, ETC located in the South Pointe center on Parkside Lane will hold their Grand Opening on Saturday, October 4 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Comic book artists Cully Hammer (Batman: Tenses, Warren Ellis' Red) and Dexter Vines (Batman: Tenses, Superman/Batman Weapon X) will be on hand to sign autographs from 1 - 4 p.m. In addition, Comic Books, ETC will be holding a huge back issue and toy/statue sale, as well as loads of freebies and cool prizes. For more information, call (770) 592-4747.

The spaces previously occupied by Real Fitness PTC (Personal Training Club) and the Mail Pack and Ship, Inc. in the Publix at Rose Creek center have been combined and leased to Family Tradition restaurant. Owner Jim Dixon said, "We serve family type meals like you would find at a church social." Scheduled to open early November, this is their second restaurant the original Family Tradition is located in Hickory Flat.

A Daughter's Dream has expanded to include The Tuscany Tea Room which is located in a house behind the main tearoom. "This new section will allow women a new place to have lunch and showers, etc," said Kim Kozak of Daughter's Dream.

A new Crafts Barn will be opened at Mill Street and Towne Lake Parkway soon. The owners Jackie and Gordon Hull are relocating their Crafts Barn from the Vinings area. The shop is scheduled to open in mid-October.

Dr. Mike Magliocco, an Optometric Physician, has scheduled to open Towne Lake Family Eye Clinic (not affiliated with Dr. Steve Keith's Towne Lake Eye Associates) in mid-October. The eye clinic will be located at 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Building 700, Suite 120. For more information, call (770) 591-3511.

Sylvan Learning Center moved into their new location in the South Pointe center (formerly occupied by Kid's Hour). Director of Education Diane Settlemoir said they were very happy for the extra room they now have for teaching.

What's Ongoing

The Express Oil Change located across the street from the Amoco/BP and Eckerds at the corner of Parkbrooke Circle and Parkside Drive is scheduled to open in mid-October.

The property on Bells Ferry Road across from Countryside Villas recently has been cleared, and construction is scheduled to begin in early 2004. Developer Tony Avarillo plans to build 94 single-family detached homes, similar to Mirramont on Bells Ferry Road.

Commissioner Ilona Sanders announced that the Greenspace Project adjacent to Wyngate is progressing. The trails are laid out and stones are being placed. Two bridges are under construction, and the site selection for the pavilions is currently being performed by the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Authority. The District Manager of Lake Allatoona Corps of Engineer at Cherokee Mills has agreed to donate 90 additional acres contiguous to this site, pending an environmental study. Sanders said this would ultimately be Phase II of the park.

Chinese food often satisfies several cravings at once. You can get your spicy, sweet and salty fixes in one tasty meal. The newest place for fellow Chinese food cravers is the Golden Cafe located in the Towne Lake Village Center on Rose Creek Drive, next to The TowneLaker magazine.

Towne Lake Diner
Golden Cafe
by Kara Kiefer

The Golden Cafe will satisfy both traditionalists and adventurists as far as Chinese cuisine is concerned. Traditional favorites such as Sweet and Sour Pork, Sesame Chicken and Mongolian Beef are abundant. But, for the Adventurist, there are dishes such as Mussels with Black Bean Sauce, Empress Shrimp and Curry Chicken. Variety is definitely the spice of this restaurant's life with multiple choices in appetizers, soup, meat and vegetable dishes. One item worth mentioning - all chicken dishes are created with only white meat. You can taste the difference. There are also several choices of "Spa Cuisine" if you're in the mood for something lighter.

Lunch is served every day except Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Not only does the menu have 35 regular lunch entrees to choose from, but any of the regular entrees can be made into a lunch special. And the hot and sour soup? Perfection in a bowl.

The owner, Gua Lu, brought Golden Cafe to Towne Lake in July. He has two other Golden Cafe restaurants in the Atlanta area and is opening a fourth in Smyrna. The Towne Lake area appealed to him because he saw a need for a nice, sit down Chinese restaurant. Golden Cafe will happily deliver your meal, but it's worth the time to stay. The renovated interior is welcoming with soft lighting and music. There are special touches throughout, including linen table cloths. There are also wine and beer selections to compliment your meal.

With the holidays right around the corner, Golden Cafe caters both on site and off site for business or personal functions.

And what about the littlest Chinese Food Cravers? They have a children's menu, and if you mention this article through the month of October, your kids eats free! Nice atmosphere, great food AND the kids eat free? I'll see you at Golden Cafe!