Father's Day is approaching on Sunday, June 17, and shopping for gifts especially for the Dad who has everything can be challenging. Let Historic Downtown Duluth merchants help in finding the perfect gift! The Best of Brews offers 32 craft beers in growlers on tap to go. If wine is your father's preference, the Park Cafe has a wonderful menu and a selection of specialty wines to accompany dinner or to buy for a gift. Sample some at the Wednesday wine tastings. fyi Duluth design studio is hosting a Father's Day Trunk Show this week and has brought in gifts for Dad including fine wine …

  Merchants in Historic Downtown Duluth are offering an opportunity to shop locally for holiday gifts at affordable prices. The choices include things to-do, a good meal, a nice bottle of wine, and gifts with personal touches.  The merchants are hosting a Main Street Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 11 a.m. The Churchladies and Accessorize Again consignment shops are a treasure trove for home furnishings and accessories at budget prices. Nature's Elegance in Churchladies has both ready-made florals and custom designs. Connie Holmes has been in the floral design business for …

Deborah McCart, owner of Tie Dye 4 Bakery & Kids Birthday Parties and a professional party and event planner, picked a memorable day and time for her wedding at 11 a.m. on 11/11/11 today. Engaged last Saturday to Soeren Schmidt, she is getting married just six days later on the patio of her shop in Historic Downtown Duluth. Another ceremony is planned later in Germany. Soeren arrived in the United States from Germany six years ago. Debbie and Soeren met at a business event in November 2007 at The Mark in Atlanta. Their first date was a Georgia Bulldogs game in Athens on Sept. 4, 2008.  The …

From paranormal studies performed at the New Dawn Theater to merchant sightings, Duluth lives up to its adopted motto to "Capture the Spirit of Good Living" or should we say spirits?   As a merchant on Main Street in Historic Downtown Duluth, I can tell you without reservation I share my retail space with ghosts. My first sighting happened one morning two years ago around 10:30 a.m. before opening my shop, fyi Duluth design studio. I was turning our home theater on and sensed someone was there. I looked over my shoulder and saw a thin, bearded man in a black suit coat wearing a hat sitting on…

Historic Downtown Duluth merchants are hosting a Main Street Open House and outdoor art exhibit Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in celebration of the now nine new businesses that have come to Duluth. For the first time in many years, all of the old buildings are occupied, and the merchants are very excited about the renewed spirit in downtown Duluth. "It brings a smile to my heart that the community has exceeded our expectations to participate by decorating hot air balloons, the theme of the Main Street Open House," said Community Volunteer League director and art exhibit organizer …

"The Great War ended in smoke and ruin, and the world as we knew it exists no more. The fighting continues. Organized rebels and rogue pirates prefer chaos, but the world needs peace and stability. The world needs Remnant." A post-apocalyptic world sets the cosplay universe for the Steampunk characters of Remnant, Penny Dreadful Production's creation inspired by PDP co-founder Matt Silva.  Remnant is first a fashion collection that is characterized by a short vignette story line. A social media campaign was launched to introduce the story behind the costumes while building suspense for the …

More than 100 miniature decorated hot air balloon forms have been submitted for the community art exhibit opening Saturday, Sept. 17. Historic Duluth is full of hot air (balloons), and they will be on display for all to enjoy!  Scrollsaw artisan Fred Wilson was recruited by his wife Judy, president of the Duluth Historical Society, to make the balloon replicas for the Community Volunteer League, which is spearheading the art project. Fred owns Pop's Shop Woodworking specializing in plaques, clocks, along with many other scrollsaw items. Fred's work is on display at Duluth Art Gallery. The …

The merchants on Main Street in Historic Downtown Duluth are hosting a celebration to welcome seven new businesses Saturday, Sept. 17, starting at 11 a.m.   After several years of storefront vacancies, it is time to cheer on the merchants opening in time for the Duluth Fall Festival the last weekend in September. Historic Duluth is taking off... come along for the ride!   The community is invited to join in the celebration by painting and decorating blank hot air balloon miniature replicas that will be hung throughout Historic Duluth. Once completed, the artistic hot air balloons will become …

When traffic stopped on West Lawrenceville to let a train pass, I had an opportunity to take a close look at the beautifully decorated front porches on the charming street.  As I admired the southern charm and elegance of the outdoor rooms, I started imagining people sipping iced tea and visiting with friends and family. Then I began thinking about how my sister and I would play and swing on our front porch in Indiana as little girls. Neighbors walked past our house and stopped to sit and chat with my parents. The summer evenings were spent with family and friends outside relaxing, talking, …

Taking a deep breath to persevere and enter its third year of business, the fyi Duluth design studio cooperative has spent the past three months renovating. The talented design team at the downtown Duluth business is optimistic about a new beginning.    The 150-year-old retail space, formerly Parson's Hardware at 3097 Main St., now offers state-of-the-art products and services for the home and garden. A decision was made by the fyi design team to step up instead of step out of their location. In other words, renovate or vacate. With the impending arrival of Pure Taqueria and the other new …

There was action on Main Street when a horror movie was filmed in Historic Duluth Memorial Day Weekend.    The Duluth Church Cemetery and old Methodist Church near City Hall were two locations used, while Main Street was the site of a car chase scene. Rogers Bridge Park in Duluth was also a location in the movie. Duluth is one of several cities around metro Atlanta used in the film. Everything is very hush-hush about the working title and story line. The only thing that can be said is that a downtown Duluth company is leading the art direction and has been working very hard to provide the …

Congratulations Penny Dreadful Productions (PDP) on the successful grand opening of The Boiler Room, the first American Steampunk store and studio, last Saturday (May 21) on Main Street in Historic Downtown Duluth. What a day of festivities starting with the doors opening at 10 a.m. to find Danny Hunter of Buford as the first patron in line. A Dragoncon and Steampunk fan, Danny was interested in having PDP make a Steampunk costume he conceptually designed. Danny was impressed with the store and studio and suggested that other Steampunkers must check it out. Erin Bushko, co-founder of PDP, …

STEAMPUNK:  A world-wide futuristic Victorian age movement with a sub-genre of science and speculative fiction including elements of fantasy. A blooming subculture mixing Victorian fashion and sensibilities with fantasy and imaginary technologies. Steampunk necessities include goggles, pocket watches, brass and copper clockwork, gears and steam-powered inventions that go far beyond 1800s technology. Drawing on inspiration from Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the contemporary Steampunk community is growing in popularity across the world with an estimated 60,000+ followers.   Penny Dreadful …

Spring has sprung, and it is time to think about cleaning closets and clearing the clutter that has collected over the winter months or over the years! Don't know what to do with items you no longer have use for? Want to turn your unwanted items into cash? Get ready for the next Historic Duluth Car Boot Sale Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A Car Boot Sale is an English tradition where people pack their car trunks (boots as they are called in England), park in a designated spot, and their sell wares. Similiar to an outdoor garage sale or flea market, Car Boot Sales are great places to …

If you are planning to stay home during Spring Break make Historic Duluth your Staycation Spot! Activities on and around Main Street are planned throughout the week and beyond to offer fun without traveling. Duluth History Museum "History of Me:" Thursday, April 7 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)  This class is appropriate for children ages 10-15 years, who will learn how to start a family tree. Cost of class $8. All supplies provided including a mini time capsule.  Pre- registration required.  Class will last 2 hours. 2956 Buford Hwy - Duluth. To reserve a spot, call 770-232-7584 or e-mail info@…

Get your St. Patrick's Day green on this Thursday, March 17, and celebrate on Main Street in Historic Downtown Duluth! On the menu at Chocolate Perks is a Corned Beef Reuben on Rye Bread with a suprise treat along with an Irish Cream Latte and Lucky Pot o'Gold Mint Shakes. Back by popular demand, Steverino's will be serving Corned Beef & Cabbage along with green beer! Wear a green hat and Steverino's will treat you to a free soft drink with lunch purchase. Participating merchants will be joining the fun by hosting their annual "Save Your Green" sale starting on St. Patrick's Day and offering …

Freshman Tiffany Adkins spent several months preparing to compete in the Peachtree Ridge High School Pageant. Three days before the pageant, Tiffany was accidentally hit in the eye with a lacrosse stick. "Within minutes, my eye was black and blue, and I had to go to the Emergency Room for stitches," Tiffany said. The physician who treated Tiffany said she was was very fortunate. Her eye looked much worse than the injury itself. But her shiner was serious enough to give her second thoughts about competing in the upcoming pageant. "I told my mom that I didn't want to do the pageant anymore, and…

There is no place like home when considering the location of one of life's biggest celebrations -- a wedding. If the Duluth area is home and a wedding or renewing of vows is planned for the future, consider Historic  Downtown Duluth for traditional and non-traditional venues for planning a perfect day to fit all budgets.  The Payne-Corley House, owned by Krista and Michael Ganley, is a beautiful choice for a traditional wedding. The once farm house was built around 1873 and is the oldest residence in Duluth. A perfect setting for weddings over 100 guests, the Payne-Corley House is also a nice…

The Duluth Resale Cartel is guilty of bootlegging bargains in Historic Duluth! Every downtown needs a niche, something to be known for, and six lady merchants have launched the Duluth Resale Cartel to promote Main Street as a consignment and resale destination for bargain shoppers. From high-end art and estate furniture traditionally found at Miami Circle in Buckhead and Lakewood Antiques to flea market finds, Historic Duluth has something for everyone and every budget.  With the launch of the Cartel’s Web site www.duluthresalecartel.com, bargain hunters can shop online to see the new …

In spite of the snow the show will go on... just a week later.  The Next Cool Thing trade show collaboration between the film, design, and event industries scheduled for this weekend has been changed to next weekend, Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 22, 1-4 p.m.  Witness creative history and experience the products and services available in Duluth to support film and television in Georgia. Lights, Camera, Action! Business is booming in the film industry and with the 30% tax incentive to produce movies and television shows in Georgia, we expect to see some action on Main …