KENNESAW'S DOG HOUSE CLOSES
a new Colombian restaurant opens in this location.
This is the 6th restaurant I know of in this location. It has always been a poor site for any restaurant and it is no surprise that after 1 year 10 months (9-16 to 7-18) that the Dog House is closing.
I ate there often when it was both the Boxcar Cheesecake Cafe and shortly after that TJ Bryans (same ownership and staff).
The location always had poor parking, cramped interior and back then a limited kitchen, don't know what the kitchen is like today.
In a year or so the Kennesaw Library branch will close with the opening of the large Regional Library in Acworth and for a bit the parking should be resolved. But it still remains a poor site for any restaurant.
COLOMBIAN BITES, LLC
was Registered with the Ga. Secretary of State on 5/16/18.
The owners are:
Maribel Victoria, and
Michelle Gonzales
Address Listed:
649 Phlox, Acworth, Ga 30102 (Cherokee County)
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7/9/18
KENNESAW APPROVES NEW MASSAGE PARLOR SET FOR OLD PAWN SHOP LOCATION
Work proceeds on the new massage parlor in Unit #1 at 2953 N Cobb Pky. Kennesaw.
This location is half of the old footage of the Cruchelow's Pawn Shop of 7 years ago, the other half is now used as Mae Magnifique Salon, for Hair Styling.
Residents of the area around Mack Dobbs and N. Cobb Pky may recall that 7 years ago there was a big flap about a Pawn Shop opening in the strip mall.
For those interested in the Pawn Shop fiasco you can see what went on at:
http://johncruchelow.blogspot.com/ and
http://jcruchelow.blogspot.com/
One photo shows one of the shop workers who was unhappy to find someone taking photos of the massage parlor.
KENNESAW: City Council
Meeting Agenda
July 2, 2018 6:30 PM
Council Chambers
XVII. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
GINA AULD, Finance Director
A.
Consideration for approval for a Massage Therapist license for Yuhan Liu. Ms. Liu is the owner of Make Phenomenal World LLC d/b/a Massage Now! to be located at 2953 N Cobb Parkway, Suite 1, Kennesaw, GA 30152.
The applicant has submitted the complete application with the required documentation per Ordinance Sec 22-218 and 22-219: employment history, copy of certificate of schooling, current health certificate and three character references. Background check investigation results are on file. Zoning documents provided by the Planning and Zoning department are attached regarding permitted uses for this location. A massage therapist business is allowed at this location per the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Finance Director recommends approval.
Motion by Mayor Protem Blinkhorn to approve the massage therapy license as stated, seconded by Councilmember Eaton. Vote taken, approved unanimously, 5-0. Motion carried.
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7/2/18
CITY OF KENNESAW RESPONDS TO MAYOR’S RACIAL COMMENTS
By: Bode Brooks WSBTV July 2, 2018 5:59 PM
Officials with The City of Kennesaw responded on Monday to inquiries by WSB regarding comments made by Mayor Derek Easterling at a Dunkin Donuts ribbon-cutting.
WSB has learned that the mayor’s comments were directed to Darryl Simmons, Director of Zoning and Planning. Multiple sources have told WSB that while at the ribbon cutting Mayor Easterling, who is white, said something similar to “Go stand by the chocolate donuts, where you will blend in better” to Simmons, who is black.
On Monday, the city issued the following statement:
“On Tuesday, June 26th during the ribbon cutting of a new business in the City of Kennesaw, Mayor Derek Easterling made an unintentional comment that offended some Kennesaw employees attending the event.
“The City Manager’s Office along with Human Resources swiftly called an emergency meeting to address employees’ concerns,” the statement continued. “Mayor Easterling sincerely apologized for the comment and explained it was unintentional and will never happen again. Mayor Easterling said he has always had a good working relationship with the employee addressed and he in no way intended to offend the gentleman or other city employees.”
The statement concluded, “The City of Kennesaw is committed to maintaining a professional and lawful work environment free of harassment and discrimination.”
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/city-kennesaw-responds-mayor-racial-comments/FaPwHLokZkOaVz1aQDXU1N/
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Comment: Easterling has been a so-so Mayor, not great and not terrible, but he suffers from foot in mouth syndrome and has some baggage in that department. Photo is from an appearance at a charity gala when he had the bright idea of going in drag.
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6/29/18
KENNESAW MASSAGE PARLOR SET FOR OLD PAWN SHOP LOCATION
Residents of the area around Mack Dobbs and N. Cobb Pky may recall that 7 years ago there was a big flap about a Pawn Shop opening in the strip mall. That issue came and went and other uses were found for units 1 and 2 of 2953 N Cobb Pky.
For some time unit #2 has been Mae Magnifique Salon, Hair Styling, Suite 2, 2953 N Cobb Pky and unit 1 was a Title Loan operation.
Now unit #1 will be opening as a Massage Parlor. It is set for approval Monday July 2nd before the City Council.
Kennesaw City Council - Meeting Agenda
July 2, 2018 6:30 PM
Council Chambers
XVII. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
GINA AULD, Finance Director
A. Consideration for approval for a Massage Therapist license for Yuhan Liu. Ms. Liu is the owner of Make Phenomenal World LLC d/b/a Massage Now! to be located at 2953 N Cobb Parkway, Suite 1, Kennesaw, GA 30152.
The applicant has submitted the complete application with the required documentation per Ordinance Sec 22-218 and 22-219: employment history, copy of certificate of schooling, current health certificate and three character references. Background check investigation results are on file.
Zoning documents provided by the Planning and Zoning department are attached regarding permitted uses for this location. A massage therapist business is allowed at this location per the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Finance Director recommends approval."
Uses such as this are giving Kennesaw a poor reputation. Does the City need more massage parlors? Probably not, but those many residents who put up a good fight years ago to get the Cruchelow's Pawn Shop removed probably won't be able to stop this usage.
While there is a long list of prohibited uses for this particular strip mall the closest banned business is found at item Z "Tattoo or Body Piercing Parlors or any business which principally features sexually explicit products or drug related paraphernalia".
Seems folks in that Summer Stream area can now just walk over to get their massages from Ms. Liu at Massage Now!
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For those interested in the Pawn Shop fiasco you can see what went on at:
http://johncruchelow.blogspot.com/ and
http://jcruchelow.blogspot.com/
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6/18/18
GUESS THERE IS ANOTHER COMCAST OUTAGE IN THE AREA!
Glad I fired them about 6 months ago and went to Dish Tv with Windstream as the Internet provider.
That light green lump in every other yard is a Comcrap booster or repeater. The one on my property line seems to need a lot of attention.
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6/12/18
We are working very hard to give you a great service!!! Any suggestions are more than welcome
For the history of restaurants at this location see:
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The final restaurant at the Kennesaw Marketplace Mall is now open.
Viars joins Kennesaw Council after election in May
Kennesaw’s City Council is whole again.
Its newest member, Tracey Viars, was sworn in this week and then took part in her first meeting. Viars served six years on the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority, the last three as chair. She runs a Kennesaw-based advertising and marketing company and is mother to three children.
“It was an exciting day,” Viars said after the meeting. “I’ve been waiting for a while, having worked with the DDA for several years, I was kind of excited to go the next step. I was anxious though, I can’t lie about that.”
Councilman Doc Eaton was also long looking forward to welcoming a new colleague.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to do this,” Eaton said as he pulled out the newly-minted Councilwoman Viars’ chair at the dais for her.
Viars’ assumption of the seat came in last month’s special election, which occurred after former Councilwoman Yvette Daniel resigned abruptly in January after missing 29 meetings over her two years in office, including 23 in 2017 alone.
Viars won against opponent Kemela Carlson, who works in revenue management for Delta Air Lines, with about 59 percent of the vote. Viars is set to serve out the remainder of Daniel’s term, which expires at the end of 2019.
The new council member addressed the audience Monday after sitting through her first meeting.“I’m super excited to be here,” she said. “I appreciate your faith and trust in getting me here, and know that I don’t take that lightly. It’s your city, my city, our city. I love that we’re all so passionate about it, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Kennesaw’s City Council is whole again.
Its newest member, Tracey Viars, was sworn in this week and then took part in her first meeting. Viars served six years on the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority, the last three as chair. She runs a Kennesaw-based advertising and marketing company and is mother to three children.
“It was an exciting day,” Viars said after the meeting. “I’ve been waiting for a while, having worked with the DDA for several years, I was kind of excited to go the next step. I was anxious though, I can’t lie about that.”
Councilman Doc Eaton was also long looking forward to welcoming a new colleague.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to do this,” Eaton said as he pulled out the newly-minted Councilwoman Viars’ chair at the dais for her.
Viars’ assumption of the seat came in last month’s special election, which occurred after former Councilwoman Yvette Daniel resigned abruptly in January after missing 29 meetings over her two years in office, including 23 in 2017 alone.
Viars won against opponent Kemela Carlson, who works in revenue management for Delta Air Lines, with about 59 percent of the vote. Viars is set to serve out the remainder of Daniel’s term, which expires at the end of 2019.
The new council member addressed the audience Monday after sitting through her first meeting.“I’m super excited to be here,” she said. “I appreciate your faith and trust in getting me here, and know that I don’t take that lightly. It’s your city, my city, our city. I love that we’re all so passionate about it, and I’m ready to get to work.”
That Monday meeting came just weeks after Viars’ election, but speaking after the meeting, she said she has been working hard to prepare.
“I’ve been going back and reading minutes from older meetings, having lots of conversations with different people in city staff, people involved with things coming up … I’ve just been trying to get my head around everything. I want to make informed decisions,” she said.
Viars said she plans to get out in the city and meet people.
“I’m looking forward really to getting to know people throughout the city, finding out what people want,” she said. “We have a lot of exciting development going on right now, and I’m looking forward to seeing our downtown become the best downtown it can be. Some areas in town need some more attention, and I’m looking forward to looking into that as well.”
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Kennesaw settles lawsuit with gas station developer
Ross Williams MDJ 6/7/18
A yearlong battle between residents of Kennesaw’s Ellison Lake townhome community and a developer hoping to build a gas station at the end of their street has come to an end.
The City Council voted this week to accept a settlement under which the city would use $150,000 in voter-approved sales tax funds to purchase 3.58 acres inside the development for the creation of a passive community park. The developer, meanwhile, would place a commercial business other than a gas station at the development’s entrance.
Convenience chain Speedway and Ellison Lake Partners, the developer of the 130-acre community, had plans to put a 24-hour convenience store with a filling station on undeveloped land near the entrance of Ellison Lake.
Residents fought against the proposed gas station at council meetings last year, and the city ultimately denied the request to build the gas station.
That prompted Speedway and Ellison to file suit against the city last June. The parties reached a compromise in January.
Monday’s unanimous vote to approve the settlement was the first vote cast by the council’s newest member, Councilwoman Tracey Viars, who was sworn in earlier that night.
Viars said although she was not on the council when the settlement was reached, she thinks it worked out well for residents and the developer.
“I think it was a good compromise for all the parties involved and a smart move on everybody’s part,” she said. “I think in the end, everybody gets what they want— the developer will get to develop the property, the residents at Ellison Lake will have a great asset in their neighborhood … All the way around, I think it was a good settlement for everyone involved.”
Ellison Lake residents seemed to agree. When the council made its decision, there were scattered applause from audience members. Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, Ellison Lake Homeowner Association President Joyce Yung said residents there were grateful to the city for reaching the compromise.
“Everyone here wishes to preserve the appearance, safety and lifestyle of our community,” she said. “As such, we would like to thank the mayor, the council and the city staff for their continued effort in preserving the tranquility of Ellison Lake from potential undesirable development. Addressing issues such as the one before you tonight demonstrates to everyone the city has the resources and sound judgement to protect the best interests of the citizens.”
================================
That Monday meeting came just weeks after Viars’ election, but speaking after the meeting, she said she has been working hard to prepare.
“I’ve been going back and reading minutes from older meetings, having lots of conversations with different people in city staff, people involved with things coming up … I’ve just been trying to get my head around everything. I want to make informed decisions,” she said.
Viars said she plans to get out in the city and meet people.
“I’m looking forward really to getting to know people throughout the city, finding out what people want,” she said. “We have a lot of exciting development going on right now, and I’m looking forward to seeing our downtown become the best downtown it can be. Some areas in town need some more attention, and I’m looking forward to looking into that as well.”
===========================
Ross Williams MDJ 6/7/18
A yearlong battle between residents of Kennesaw’s Ellison Lake townhome community and a developer hoping to build a gas station at the end of their street has come to an end.
The City Council voted this week to accept a settlement under which the city would use $150,000 in voter-approved sales tax funds to purchase 3.58 acres inside the development for the creation of a passive community park. The developer, meanwhile, would place a commercial business other than a gas station at the development’s entrance.
Convenience chain Speedway and Ellison Lake Partners, the developer of the 130-acre community, had plans to put a 24-hour convenience store with a filling station on undeveloped land near the entrance of Ellison Lake.
Residents fought against the proposed gas station at council meetings last year, and the city ultimately denied the request to build the gas station.
That prompted Speedway and Ellison to file suit against the city last June. The parties reached a compromise in January.
Monday’s unanimous vote to approve the settlement was the first vote cast by the council’s newest member, Councilwoman Tracey Viars, who was sworn in earlier that night.
Viars said although she was not on the council when the settlement was reached, she thinks it worked out well for residents and the developer.
“I think it was a good compromise for all the parties involved and a smart move on everybody’s part,” she said. “I think in the end, everybody gets what they want— the developer will get to develop the property, the residents at Ellison Lake will have a great asset in their neighborhood … All the way around, I think it was a good settlement for everyone involved.”
Ellison Lake residents seemed to agree. When the council made its decision, there were scattered applause from audience members. Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, Ellison Lake Homeowner Association President Joyce Yung said residents there were grateful to the city for reaching the compromise.
“Everyone here wishes to preserve the appearance, safety and lifestyle of our community,” she said. “As such, we would like to thank the mayor, the council and the city staff for their continued effort in preserving the tranquility of Ellison Lake from potential undesirable development. Addressing issues such as the one before you tonight demonstrates to everyone the city has the resources and sound judgement to protect the best interests of the citizens.”
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KENNESAW MARKETPLACE MALL
You know what it looks like today but here is that property in the mid-stage, after the slum trailer park (Castle Lake MHP) was removed but before the new stores and 55+ Senior Development were put up.
You can take a look at the entire history of that Kennesaw property with photos and comments, at: https://castlelakekennesaw.blogspot.com/
The below shows the remains of the Castle Lake Mobile Home Park. One third of this park remains, the other 2/3rds was sold off to Fuqua, Inc for the Kennesaw Marketplace Mall. The remaining park is still a slum, but worth a lot more now being next to the new mall. The CLMHP is the triangular slice in the middle of the photo. It remains in Cobb County but the new mall was added to the City of Kennesaw 2 years ago.