What Now brought Atlanta’s hospitality and retail communities together on Wednesday, August 12, for an afternoon of networking and relationship-building at the company’s Accelerate Event. Held at Peachtree Sporting Club, located at 207 Peachtree Rd NE, 3rd Floor, the gathering brought together 65 attendees representing 44 businesses. Mariah Medley, Director of Events, hosted, and Caleb Spivak, What Now Media CEO and Founder, served as co-host.
Of the attendees, nearly 50 represented 32 operator businesses or brands that What Now works with, while 16 attendees represented 12 partner companies. The mix included restaurant owners, operators, chefs, entrepreneurs, and retail operators, mingling with executives from companies providing services and solutions pertinent to their industries.
The Accelerate goal event gave Atlanta F&B figures an opportunity to connect with one another, meet potential business partners, and learn about companies and services that can support their businesses.
Hospitality & Retail Attendees
Michael Rentz, Director of Marketing for American Dive, Peachtree Sporting Club, Aire Rooftop Lounge, and Red Phone Booth, represented the Atlanta hospitality concept community. The businesses span dining, nightlife, and entertainment, with Peachtree Sporting Club serving as the gracious host venue for the Accelerate event.
Wes Jones, Co-Founder of Honeysuckle Gelato, attended, representing the growing dessert company. Jones and his partners launched the business as a food truck in 2011, and today, Honeysuckle has locations across the Southeast, with additional expansion underway.
Owner Ché Houston represented Ché René Macarons, an Atlanta-based mobile and e-commerce macaron boutique. The company offers more than 40 flavors and provides macarons for corporate events, private events, gifting, wholesale, and retail. Its current Studio House Atlanta pop-up is located at 75 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Suite 100.
Dough in the Box Donuts was represented by co-owner Dannia Balestena and Downtown Store Manager Brandon McClung. The Atlanta-based company operates locations in Marietta, Downtown Austell, South Fulton, and South Downtown Atlanta, and serves a large variety of doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches.
Ben Thomas, Owner; Keith Kemmerer, Co-Owner; and Jennifer Martin, Co-Owner, attended, representing Crave Social Eatery and Altitude Trampoline Park in Peachtree City. The venue is a massive entertainment hub with jump pads, mini golf, and more, plus an F&B component.
Owner Jonie Paden and Operations Manager Erika Smothers represented Bayou Brew Coffee Co. The Louisiana-inspired concept centers on roasted coffee, chicory coffee, espresso drinks, and fresh beignets, and will be opening soon at 2830 Macedonia Road, Suite C, in Powder Springs.
Bizarre Coffee Company was represented by Owner Sabrina Kaylor and Social Media Manager Elleanna Garcia. The brand, which began in 2020, describes itself as “coffee for the weird” and has locations in Canton, Woodstock, and Roswell, and plans to expand into Downtown Acworth at 4415 Cherokee Street.
Sharon Sabin, Owner of Pure Hair + Artistry, attended, representing the salon concept that’s heading to The Avenue Peachtree City, at 310 City Circle. The business has a flagship in Charleston, and Sabin has over 20 years of experience as a hairdresser.
Colmado was represented by Owner Heather Smith and shop manager and stylist Mo Johnson. Located at 655 Highland Avenue NE, Suite 104, the Atlanta salon is expanding the concept beyond hair services to include a retail wine shop.
Marcus Fernandez, Owner of Zarate Tiki Co., attended, representing the Filipino-inspired food and beverage concept, which draws on his Filipino roots and combines island-inspired cuisine and drinks. The concept, located at 493B Flat Shoals Avenue SE, also offers mobile catering and event services.
Co-owners Darrin Richards and Veronica Richards represented Cafe 1485, located at 1485 GA-34 in Newnan. The business is planning a relocation to a larger space within the same complex.
Chêne Gear was represented by Atlanta Store Manager Julianne Bugg, Assistant Store Manager for the Atlanta location Trysten Carter, and Senior Sales Consultant Trice Moore. A Memphis-based outdoor brand, it’s expanding into Atlanta soon with a store at 2391 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 203.
JETSET Pilates was represented by Franchise Co-Owner Nick Celeste and Multi-Unit Jetset Owner Stefan Bolka. The boutique fitness brand uses reformer-based Pilates classes and is continuing to expand its Atlanta-area footprint, including plans involving Midtown and Buford.
Lisa White, Owner of White Howard Brands, attended, representing the Atlanta-based design business at 3619 S Fulton Ave., Suite 200. White Howard Brands helps businesses create functional, professionally designed spaces through furniture selection, space planning, workplace consulting, project management, delivery, and installation.
Co-owners Jessena Waldo and Michael Waldo represented Divinely Elegant Vines in Austell and Sandy Springs. The company operates a wine tasting room focused on curated tastings, flights, and bottle service, along with wine club membership, events, and nationwide shipping.
Co-owners Tri Duong and Celine Arthur attended, representing An’s Sushi. The forthcoming sushi concept, from the team behind Anh’s Kitchen, is planned for 811 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2, in Midtown.
LaToya Franklin, Owner of Miss Conduck, attended, representing the dining concept she runs with her mother, located at 357 Edgewood Ave. SE. The vibrant destination is centered on Caribbean food, music, and community.
Cyrei Daniels, Owner of Sweet Me Good, represented the fast-casual concept at 321 Edgewood Ave. SE. Known for its oversized, handcrafted cinnamon rolls, the bakery offers flavors such as classic, sweet potato, and peach cobbler, along with other pastries, desserts, and beverages.
AMP Up1 Hospitality owner Jessica Rooks attended, representing Your 3rd Spot and The Looking Glass, social dining and entertainment destinations. Following the success of Your 3rd Spot, AMP Up1 is preparing to bring The Looking Glass to The CTR in 2027.
Matthew Foster, Owner of Phew’s Pies, attended, representing the Atlanta pizza concept. Known for handmade 12-inch pizzas with Atlanta-inspired flavors, the brand has continued operating through pickup, pop-ups, and catering, while further developing its brick-and-mortar growth.
Alan Raines, Owner of El Tesoro, attended, representing the Atlanta taqueria. The concept is known for fresh tortillas, tacos, mulitas, aguas frescas, and extensive mezcal offerings, and has three locations in the metro area.
PVOLVE was represented by Owner Anne Anderson and Studio Manager Julia Wreyford. The fitness brand is known for functional, low-impact resistance training and specialized equipment. Anderson is bringing PVOLVE to Alpharetta, with a late 2026 opening target.
Nicolas Perez, Owner of Aegle Health Club, attended on behalf of the physician-led wellness concept, planned for West Midtown at 1737 Ellsworth Industrial Ave., Suite G. Aegle will combine performance training, recovery, and longevity-focused wellness with a science-driven approach, and is currently scheduled to open in Spring 2027.
Slick City Action Park was represented by Co-Franchisee Mehtab Wasi and Co-Franchisee/COO Chase Nelson. The indoor action park concept just opened this summer at 2840 East-West Connector, Suite 200 in Austell, marking the brand’s entry into Georgia.
Kemi Bennings, Owner of Carrot Dog, attended, representing the plant-based fast-food concept, which opened its first permanent brick-and-mortar location at Pittsburgh Yards. Founded in 2019, Carrot Dog puts a vegan spin on the classic American hot dog.
Brooke Qilafi, Co-owner of Fiorenza Italian and a public relations professional, represented the newly opened Tuscan-inspired restaurant at 11500 Webb Bridge Way in Alpharetta. Fiorenza focuses on Italian dining with house-made pastas, handcrafted cocktails, and Italian wines, with indoor, patio, and private dining available.
Of her experience at the Accelerate event, Qilafi said, “I left with several new connections and a potential new client. I think [What Now] did a great job of getting a solid number of people there, and the right people. Definitely one of the best networking events I have been to in a while.”
Alexis Aleshire-Kinsey, Co-owner at Fork U Concepts, represented the hospitality group behind Cotto Modern Italian, 2850 Paces Ferry Road SE. The family-owned company has built a diverse restaurant portfolio that also includes Taqueria Tsunami, Silla Del Toro, Forno Vero, Southern Prospect and West Park Sports Club.
Jordan Hallmark attended, representing CTR Food Works, at 190 Marietta St. NW. The new food hall inside the reimagined former CNN Center opened earlier this year and brings together 11 chef-driven dining concepts and a central bar.
Yusef Walker, Co-owner of Dolo’s Pizza, attended, representing the concept. Dolo’s combines New York-style pizza with Caribbean flavors, including toppings and preparations inspired by Caribbean cuisine, and is relocating within Underground Atlanta.
Co-owners Todd Ginsberg and Josh Kim represented Ida’s Kitchen Counter at 185 Mitchell St. SW. The fast-casual concept is part of the ongoing restaurant development in South Downtown Atlanta, described as a diner-style spot with breakfast, lunch, and coffee.
Casa Coya / Pisco Latin Kitchen / Mambo’s Cafe were represented by co-owners Joseph Rosales and Paul Rosales, along with Chef Renzo Kuong. The group is developing a Latin American dining concept connected to the Rosales family’s existing restaurant experience, at 955 Memorial Dr. SE.
Melanie Forehand, Chef at The Pub @ EAV, attended, representing the East Atlanta Village restaurant, 469 Flat Shoals Ave. SE. The pub-style concept is part of the neighborhood’s independent dining and nightlife community. Read What Now Atlanta’s coverage of The Pub @ EAV.
Partner Attendees
Corey Geary, PAM at Human Interest, attended representing the company’s retirement-plan services. Human Interest helps small and midsize businesses offer 401(k) retirement benefits to their workforce.
Timothy Cummings and Molly Kitchen, both Key Account Representatives with Ecolab, represented the company’s chemical and pest-management services. Ecolab works with restaurants and other businesses on sanitation, food safety, pest elimination, and related operational needs.
Charles Schuster, Owner of Encompass Interactive, attended, representing the company’s audio/visual services. The business provides AV technology and production solutions for events, venues and commercial environments.
Stephen Sigmund, Owner of Green Pine, represented the waste-management company. Green Pine provides recycling and waste services designed to help businesses manage their commercial waste streams.
Scott Wiederhold and Teresa Wiederhold, both Senior Relationship Managers, represented Global Payments and Genius Point of Sale. The company provides payment processing and point-of-sale technology for businesses, including restaurant and hospitality operators.
Joy Wright, Account Executive at inKind, attended, representing the guest-acquisition platform. inKind connects diners with restaurants through its consumer platform while providing participating restaurants with tools intended to drive new and repeat customers.
Derek Ward, Corporate Sales representative for Prudential Overall Supply, represented the company’s linen and uniform services. Prudential Overall Supply provides uniforms, linens, facility services, and related programs for businesses.
Kassidy Olson, Account Executive, and Don Pirone, Area Sales Manager, represented SpotOn. The company provides point-of-sale, payments, restaurant-management, and related technology designed to help hospitality businesses operate and grow.
Gary Woodward, EVP at Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, attended, representing JLL. The commercial real estate company provides services including leasing, property management, investment and development support for businesses and real estate owners.
Ryan Bee and Philip Bugner, both Territory Managers at US Foods, represented the broadline food distributor. US Foods supplies restaurants and other foodservice operators with ingredients, equipment and operational resources.
Scott Buckland, Owner of Home Team Training & Consulting, attended, representing the training and consulting company. The business provides training modules and coaching resources designed to help organizations develop their teams and improve business performance.
Linda Ramos, Install Manager at CLP, was also present, representing the company at the event.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2026. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
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