Following nearly two years of construction and several years of public-private planning, the next facet of Avondale Estates’ downtown transformation will start springing to life in coming months, per city officials. 

The first six businesses signed as tenants include restaurants and retailers local to both Avondale Estates and metro Atlanta, with offerings ranging from award-winning gelato to rooftop cocktails and oven-fired pizza. 

A popular local bookstore and modern dental office are also in the tenant mix. 

They’ll mark the first components to open at The Dale, a 24,000-square-foot, brick-built commercial development that’s taken shape at the corner of North Avondale Road and Lake Street. 

How the North Avondale Road project is expected to face and interact with Avondale's Town Green. Fabric Developers/Healey Weatherholtz Properties

The two-story, two-building complex sits between Avondale Estates’ under-construction Complete Street overhaul of the city’s main traffic corridor and the Town Green, which won the 2023 Urban Land Institute of Atlanta Award of Excellence in the Public Realm category. 

The Dale’s development team—Healey Weatherholtz Properties and Fabric Developers, in collaboration with the Avondale Estates Downtown Development Authority—designed it to be a vibrant retail and restaurant row that complements the 2-acre greenspace. 

The city’s open-air Market Pavilion space is also situated immediately to the west.

As seen in June, the easternmost corner of The Dale, nearest the city's Tudor-style village. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Stairs leading from The Dale to Town Green playscapes. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Another component of The Dale will be public restroom facilities that will be open whenever the Town Green is. The bulk of retail slots front North Avondale Road, while some second-floor spaces will be reserved for tenants such as coworking or office spaces, project leaders have said. 

“We’re thrilled to see The Dale come to life, bringing shops, dining, and services right to our beloved Town Green,” said Dave Deiters, DDA chair, in a recent announcement. 

“[We] invested in the Town Green to attract downtown development that would not only benefit residents and draw new businesses but also boost existing businesses by increasing downtown visitors,” Deiters continued. “This growth helps create a healthier balance in the city’s tax base, with the commercial district contributing more overall.”

All six new concepts are scheduled to open between late 2025 and early 2026, per city officials. Here’s a description for each, edited for length: 

Cremalosa Gelato

The decadent dessert shop is expected to open first, sometime later this fall, marking The Dale’s first active business. Expect innovative flavors, such as banana pudding and lemon coconut cake. It was formerly located on the MARTA plaza level of the Cortland Decatur East building. 

Green Coyote 
Expect bold Tex-Mex flavor with fresh ingredients and plenty of Southwest flair at this first-floor restaurant. Menu highlights: a rotating lineup of tacos from chicken tinga and fried chicken to veggie, shrimp, and a Korean cowboy taco. Margaritas will be made with house-pressed juices from Persian limes and tangy oranges, balanced with organic agave nectar. The original location is in Marietta. 

Parma Tavern 
It’s described as a refined neighborhood gathering place for Italian-inspired comfort food in a no-fuss atmosphere. The menu draws from Italian tavern classics, with pizzas crisped in a 600-degree brick oven, fresh pasta tossed in scratch-made sauces, juicy house-ground burgers, and shareable small plates. The original location is in Buford. 

Bar Top
A rooftop bar above Parma, Bar Top features a spacious covered patio overlooking the Town Green. Inside, expect a cozy bar with a fireplace and private event space. The menu features classic cocktails, mocktails, and light bites, along with a wide selection of local draft and bottled beers, and curated wines.

The Dale's planned vintage-style facade along North Avondale Road. Fabric Developers/Healey Weatherholtz Properties

The Book Bird
A cozy independent bookstore in Avondale Estates that will soon relocate to an expanded space in The Dale. Known for offering an array of books, including a special section reserved for local authors, the owners created an inviting space with comfy seating areas. Expect several book clubs, including ones focused on nonfiction, cookbooks, fantasy, romance, and one that reads banned books. Co-owners of the bookstore are Avondale residents Brittany Smith and Amie Waltzer. 

Birdi Dental
Dr. Jalpa Birdi’s new location on the upper level of the Dale will offer comprehensive dental services in a calming, contemporary setting. It’s described as a modern dental practice with a patient-first approach. 

Find more context and imagery for The Dale in the gallery above. 

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