Around Towne
by Kara Kiefer

Nothing epitomizes Woodstock and it's "small town feel" more than the Fourth of July. The annual parade down Main Street is something not to be missed. Not because there are elaborate floats, celebrities or even a 10-story Sponge Bob balloon, but because it's filled with everything that makes Woodstock and the Towne Lake area great places to live. There are local celebrities, such as the Mayor, and Girl and Boy Scout troops who toss candy to the eagerly awaiting children. A local grocery store usually tosses ice pops, which are always a welcome treat! The Shriners do their "crazy" drive with their mini go-carts, and if we're lucky, a local high school band will perform. My children associate summer and the Fourth of July with this parade - in fact, they were out of town last year on the Fourth and requested not be gone again this year. And I think it's all because of T-14. T-14 is Woodstock Fire Department's big hook and ladder truck, which usually makes an appearance in the parade. No matter how old my children are, they still LOVE T-14. My childhood memories of summer include bike parades and running behind the mosquito fogger. The Woodstock parade and T-14 will be my children's memories and hopefully yours. See you at the parade!

What's New?

Fireworks of any kind have been illegal in the State of Georgia for years - until now. Sparklers and similar non-explosive fireworks are now legal. This is the first year sparklers have been available for purchase in Georgia after a law recently was passed by the General Assembly. While they may be legal, parental supervision is strongly urged as sparklers can burn at extremely high temperatures creating a burn and fire risk. The sale and use of most types of fireworks including firecrackers, skyrockets and cherry bombs remain illegal.

Madison Pointe at Towne Lake is a new mixed use development currently being cleared at Towne Lake Parkway and I-575. The 29-acre site will feature 40,000 square feet of shop space, plus 93 town homes above the retail shops on the first level. According to developer G.K. Johnson, the site will include a national drug store, a regional bank and at least three restaurants. The project is expected to take approximately nine months to complete.

And speaking of that part of town, it's once again "time to make the donuts." Yes, Dunkin' Donuts along with Baskin Robbins is returning to the corner of Towne Lake Parkway and I-575. A scheduled date of opening could not be confirmed at press time, but when you see the familiar line at the drive through, you will know, the time has come! The plaza also recently saw the departure of Body Design fitness center.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream will continue with its series of summer lawn concerts. The concerts will be on Monday evenings from 8 - 10:30 p.m., and they are free. In case of a rain out, the concert will be held the following Tuesday. One of the highlights is a steel drum band which will perform on Monday, July 4. The bands will offer a wide variety of music, and it will be a great family activity. Bruster's is located at 2905 Eagle Drive.

Mama's Home Cooking, a new buffet-style restaurant, has recently opened in the former location of Fazoli's on Highway 92. The eatery features home cooked meats and vegetables seven days a week. For more information, please call (706) 625-2729.

Cherokee County Automotive is proud to announce its Grand Opening. The facility, owned by Woodstock resident Alex Cooke, sells fully serviced and inspected pre-owned vehicles in a family-friendly atmosphere. Cherokee County Automotive is located at the intersection of Bells Ferry Road and Highway 92.

The Goddard School, located on Parkbrooke Circle, will hold its Grand Opening on July 5.

Kara is the Editor of The TowneLaker magazine. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and their two sons Brandon and Garrett. Send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker.com.

The school is for ages six weeks to six years old. For more information, please call (770) 516-0880.

Steak 'n Shake is coming to Woodstock! Construction has begun at their Highway 92 location, west of the Kohl's shopping center.

What's Ongoing?

The face-lift of Eagle Drive is moving along at noticeable pace, and that's the good news. The bad news is the Eagle Drive project forced the closure of Eagle Drive from Parkbrooke Circle to Rose Creek Drive through the end of July. This closure has, unfortunately, negatively affected the businesses located in the Eagle Pointe shopping center. The merchants are all still conducting business and need the community's support to get them through this rough patch. The shops can all be accessed from behind the center on Parkbrooke Drive.

Towne Lake Diner
PJ's Coffee and Wine Bar

Are you ready for something totally different? Are you ready for a place that has everything you love about coffee houses but offers something on a whole different level? Are you tired of the same old thing? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are ready for PJ's Coffee and Wine Bar.

PJ's is chain originating out of New Orleans, and this is the first Cherokee County location by owners Charles and Elaine Russell. In fact, PJ's is a family affair with daughter Jennifer serving as manager. But, it's the food you really want to hear about. PJ's is a coffee bar with a variety of fresh roasted coffees in dark, medium and decaffeinated flavors. They have specialty coffees and a large tea selection, including chai and flavored. They offer a wide variety of breakfast items such as muffins, bagels, scones, croissant sandwiches and more. Their lunch menu offers hot sandwiches such as a traditional Cuban and a roasted lamb as well as wraps and vegetarian options. They also have a drive up window.

Here's where it got interesting for me. In addition to the coffee bar, they have a tapas menu, which is served at their wine bar. If you're unfamiliar with tapas, they are small portioned appetizers or meals designed to share. This is a perfect option for lunch or dinner. The current selections include gourmet cheese and fruit, marinated mozzarella balls and tomatoes with garlic and basil, spinach and artichoke dip, plus so much more! The menu will be expanding, said Elaine, to include satay, mini chicken cordon bleu and mini beef Wellington to name a few.

The wine bar includes an impressive variety of wines from reds, whites, blush, dessert, bubblies and port. The wine menu will continue to expand. The wines complement the tapas menu nicely, and for after your meal, there's of course, coffee!

PJ's offers several tables and comfortable chairs which invite lingering. Jennifer said PJ's is developing "event" nights including Trivia night on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays Bunko on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and live music on Friday and Saturday nights, once or twice a month. Be sure to call for more details. Jennifer also mentioned they plan on doing monthly wine tastings.

PJ's is located at in the Weatherstone Promenade in Woodstock, off Highway 92 between Trickum Road and Ragsdale Road. Ordinary doesn't exist at PJ's!