For a town that didn’t start serving alcohol by the glass until the 1990s, downtown Norcross feels unexpectedly progressive these days.
“I was surprised at the vibe Peachtree Street has,” said music and fashion photographer Perry Julien. Julien’s photos of Led Zeppelin, U2 and Courtney Love hang from the walls of 45 South Café, a coffee shop, beer-and-wine bar, music venue and all-around gathering hub for the area.
“It’s not what you’d think Norcross would be. 45 South has the intown feel of Carroll Street Café. There are really cool people here.”
Tucked discreetly behind the international businesses and strip malls that line busy Buford Highway in Gwinnett County, downtown Norcross is a lively but laid-back sidewalk community. Yellow and purple winter flowers pop out of wrought iron planters along the streets, and small speakers hidden in tree beds play Sting and Sheryl Crow as couples and young families sip coffee and cocktails at the handful of restaurants that pull tables and chairs outdoors.
All conversations have to pause as the Amtrak and cargo lines roar down the track that cuts Norcross through its downtown artery. The city was founded around the rails that used to haul hot, weary city folks to the Brunswick Hotel, billed as “Atlanta’s Favorite Summer Resort,” which was built in 1870 and torn down after World War II.
A popular draw now at 45 South is the monthly painting class where guests are treated to a glass of wine and an art lesson that ends with a completed canvas to take home and hang on the wall.
“I have people who never painted before in their lives,” said Minute Masterpiece owner, instructor and SCAD graduate Margaret Poplin.”I believe anyone can do this. I break it down and walk people slowly through it, teaching them how to paint with their arms instead of their hands, and how to mix and match colors.”
Many new ventures are bringing bursts of color to Norcross. A construction project to develop and spruce up Cemetery Street will connect some of downtown’s style and character to Buford Highway by early summer, in time for the city’s car shows, concerts, fireworks, ghost tours and Art Fest.
And along with the popular Taste of Britain shop, a new jewelry showroom has added a different layer to Norcross' unique worldliness. Anna Balkan's splashy, contemporary jewelry is worn by celebrities and models. Her gallery opened last year at 51 S. Peachtree St.
Balkan’s necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings are sold around the world as well as in 400 stores in 37 states. Norcross, she said, is the right place for her showroom to anchor because its regal, old-world feel is a good fit for her designs and for the workshops for women she leads .
“Norcross has a very special energy,” Balkan said. “It’s a je ne sais quoi feeling. It’s warm and welcoming, but all the words people use to describe it – old, little, secret, charming – they just don’t work. You have to come here and walk the streets and eat the food."
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