Atlanta
Going Green
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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VIRGINIA HIGHLAND. Eco Bella is completely dedicated to the preservation of the environment and does its part by selling organic products. It's not just a food store, though. You can buy bedding, towels, yoga-wear, and baby clothes – and feel good about doing so. The positive impact on the environment and on your health comes from the use of cotton that has been grown in soil deemed pesticide-free for at least three years.
DOWNTOWN. It's an idea that strikes you as obvious the minute you hear about it. Flexcar allows you the convenience of having a car in the city without the hassles of ownership (and parking, gas, maintenance, etc.). The cars, owned by Flexcar, are parked all around the city – there are currently 76 and counting in Atlanta. You simply reserve use of one online or by phone and pay an hourly fee (that includes gas) for its use. Painstakingly maintained, the cars are perfect for city-dwellers who don't always need a vehicle and who want to minimize their greenhouse gas footprint.
If you're searching for an Atlanta restaurant that offers a health-conscious menu to match your health-conscious lifestyle, then Lov'n It Live can ably provide what you're craving. The vegan menu features lasagna, tostados, sage burgers, and tacos, all prepared with organically grown vegetables produced by local farmers. The menu varies based on the season, but the selection is always fresh because of it.
DECATUR. Oakhurst Community Garden not only dedicates itself to showing visitors the glory of Mother Earth, but it also teaches visitors how to get personally involved in preserving the environment. The center boasts ten attractions that emphasize environmental awareness, personal responsibility, and the benefits of community. Visiting is a great experience for kids, and Oakhurst even offers classes for adults.
BUCKHEAD. Being environmentally conscious is a way of life at Patagonia (the company known for its outdoor gear and apparel), but that doesn't mean the selection of products is reduced in any way. Shoppers are pleasantly surprised by the selection of dress clothes, sportswear, footwear, backpacks, and accessories they can buy while supporting a cause we can all get behind – the environment. In addition to recycling, investing in technology, and monitoring the waste it produces, the company donates 1% of all sales to environmental causes.
DRUID HILLS. Like any growing, sprawling city, Atlanta struggles with traffic congestion and air pollution. Super-fast growth, however, has only exacerbated the issue. The Regional Action to Improve Livability (R.A.I.L.) campaign seeks to improve the impact of traffic issues by advocating rail transportation. The efforts have already raised local awareness of what in the city is accessible by rail, and the campaign contributes to the preservation of greenspaces as well.
LITTLE FIVE POINTS. Sevananda, a prominent consumer-owned cooperative, has become one of Atlanta's most cherished "natural" resources. From organic produce to nutritious baked goods, the store brings the best of healthy living to the city. You can even order products online and have them delivered to your home, or take a class focusing on healthy cooking or reading and understanding food labels.
SWEET AUBURN. In 1918, this market was just a tent on the corner of a downtown street, but after finding a permanent (and brick) home on Edgewood, Sweet Auburn Curb Market has been a local favorite ever since. All of the produce, flowers, baked goods, and meats are delivered daily from local vendors, ensuring freshness and quality. Plus, restaurants like Smoothie Blender, Afro Dish, and Tilapia Express showcase their unique flavors at the market. Bring cash; some vendors don't accept plastic.
LITTLE FIVE POINTS. What could be better during a business trip, or even on a weekend getaway, than treating yourself to a massage or makeover? At Sweetgrass, the answer is, absolutely nothing. In part, this is because the spa uses only the best personal care lines to make your visit incredibly relaxing. It also means that the spa avoids using products made with synthetics and unnecessary chemicals. If you have doubts, then either the Steaming Stones or Little Five Points massage treatment will surely change your mind.
EMORY. Emory University is a beacon of higher learning in the South – so much so that many people refer to it as a member of the "Kudzu League" (the South's version of the Ivy League). The Piedmont Project is one of the university's many programs for promoting environmental sustainability. The project makes use of faculty workshops, undergraduate and graduate student classes, and outreach efforts to educate the community and create an ongoing dialogue. They're out there, and you're proud of them. You're behind their cause and supporting them every chance you get. These environmentally-conscious businesses do their part to preserve the world around us. They include restaurants that use only organic, local produce. They're hotels with green roofs or solar panels. They're shops that deal in fair trade goods or that promote recycling. They deserve a pat on the back – and our patronage – for their globally conscious efforts!
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They're out there, and you're proud of them. You're behind their cause and supporting them every chance you get. These environmentally-conscious businesses do their part to preserve the world around us. They include restaurants that use only organic, local produce. They're hotels with green roofs or solar panels. They're shops that deal in fair trade goods or that promote recycling. They deserve a pat on the back – and our patronage – for their globally conscious efforts!
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