Business
Business

Stadium’s table maker gives jobs to those needing 2nd chance

By Matt Kempner
May 9, 2016

The surprise isn't that the Atlanta Falcons want to add furnishings that will make the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium feel less concrete and cold. What's surprising is who will build the 120 or so hand-crafted tables that the football team has ordered.

All will be constructed by Lamon Luther, a small Douglasville company that relies on an unusual group of employees.

"Our whole workforce has been affected by homelessness and addiction," said Brian Preston, who started the business after his wife asked him to build furniture she saw on Pinterest.

Find out how Preston has found a way to profit and give people a second chance in life in my latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

Follow Matt Kempner on facebookFollow Matt Kempner on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

A long line forms outside Eats on its final day of business Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Bob Hatcher announced Oct. 3 that the restaurant would close after 32 years. (Amy Wenk/AJC)

Credit: Amy Wenk

Goodbye, Eats: Longtime customers have a final meal at Atlanta institution

“It’s an iconic place that’s going to be missed," one longtime customer said about Eats, which closed Saturday after more than three decades on Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Delta fans line up to buy vintage airline merch at this monthly event

Delta is the only airline to hold a regular sale like this. People travel from all over to attend the "Surplus Sale" every month.

Stellantis car parts facility planned for Georgia could mean quicker repairs

A new Stellantis auto parts distribution center planned for Forsyth could mean faster parts availability and shorter repair times.

The Latest

Stellantis plans to open a 422,000-square-foot Mopar Parts Distribution Center in Forsyth, about 60 miles south of Atlanta. (Courtesy of Stellantis)

Credit: Courtesy of Stellantis

Stellantis car parts facility planned for Georgia could mean quicker repairs

Why are Subarus so popular?

OPINION

Is this the Corvette of the future?

Featured

Known as a dogged investigator, Ashleigh Merchant made a name for herself in Cobb County’s tight-knit legal community by taking big swings. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Meet the lawyer who derailed Georgia’s prosecution of Donald Trump

Ashleigh Merchant was derided for digging into Fani Willis’ sex life. After the Fulton DA‘s ouster, she feels vindicated.

DeKalb’s seniors take to the streets for ‘No Kings’ rally

Among the protesters along Clairmont Road in DeKalb County was 102-year-old Suzanne Goodell, as well as dozens of residents from a nearby senior living community.

As dream matchup shapes up, Georgia Tech and Georgia are quite alike

Georgia and Georgia Tech are on parallel paths in a season that could end in the most consequential meeting between the rivals in 80 years.