Q: What’s on top of Ponce City Market?
A: It is known as The Roof at PCM and hosts distinct areas: Skyline Park, Nine Mile Station, RFD Social and Rooftop Terrace.
Covering 80,000 square feet, there is a lot to see and do.
“According to history, the spring discovered by Ponce de Leon brought many travelers and it only made sense to build an amusement park,” said Founder/Owner/Operator of Slater Hospitality, Mandy Slater. “Later the park was torn down and a few years later a Sears distribution building was built.”
Kelvin and Mandy Slater were selling their small restaurant chain they had started in Atlanta, but were looking for something else to do.
“Traveling to New York, Italy, Austin and some other cities we loved the rooftop idea and knew that Atlanta did not have a true rooftop – not like you’d find say in New York City,” said Mandy.
While they knew nothing about having a rooftop or beer garden business, they were interested in the restaurant space. The timing was perfect as they learned about the rooftop opportunity at PCM.
To reach “The Roof” guests ride up an old Sears freight elevator.
The Skyline Park features an “old coney island style amusement park that the developer thought would be a really good nod to history,” she said.
The concept was created around the park and as guests came to them with requests, they continued to add other entertainment options.
“Nine Mile Station gets its name from the streetcar that used to bring people to the area to visit the spring and the park before the building was here,” she said. The beer garden is at the far west end of the roof.
RFD offers a bar/lounge area, private event space, meeting rooms and at the very top is 12 Cocktail and Social Club.
The current theme on the roof is “Winter Dreamland.”
Head to the Rooftop Terrace to “skate in the sky” or reserve igloos with your family or friends.
New this year is mini faux fur golf. “Come in your faux fur and play 18 holes of golf,” said Slater.
For families with young ones, a celebration and countdown from 10 a.m. to noon known as “New Year’s Noon” including fun activities and entertainment will take place. At noon, families will release a biodegradable balloon celebrating the year together.
Attending a recent Christmas party, Lori Harrison Aunapu said, “I can’t wait to come back here and walk around to see what else is here - No heels, LOL.”
On the east entrance to the Food Hall, you will see a huge neon sign that says ROOF.
Entrance cost: $10 per adult, $7 for kids under 12 and kids under 3 are free. See the website for details and activity costs.
Address is 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue, N.E., Atlanta. For more information, visit poncecityroof.com.
New to town or simply have a question about this place we call home? Email your requests to atlactualfact@gmail.com
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