Duluth Historical Society Blog

DULUTH — A daily jaunt through the Town Green with wine in a plastic cup is less likely after Duluth’s Alcohol Review Board balked at the idea.

The board decided against recommending a Savannah-inspired idea to allow people to stroll through shops while finishing a drink.

Instead, members recommended extending the benefit of leaving a restaurant with a glass to enjoy a special event at the Town Green. If the City Council follows the unanimous recommendation, any restaurant in the historic district would be allowed to sell to patrons going to the park, instead of only those that back up to the Town Green.

The option would open up to Chocolate Perks, which is located along Main Street, and any other restaurant that opens in the area. Steverino’s and Cafe Park already have the privilege, said Economic Development Manager Chris McGahee.

“They (review board members) wanted to restrict it to just the times the city has already sanctioned events where alcohol can be on Town Green,” he said. (Event-goers are also allowed to bring alcohol from home on those days.) “They made the determination that at this time Duluth was not ready, and did not need that option (every day).”

The Duluth City Council agreed Monday to authorize the Duluth Downtown Development Authority to seek architectural drawings for replacing part of the Red Clay Theater downtown.

The proposed building includes a large lobby for gatherings, a box office, restrooms, and an administrative office. The sketches, created by the Duluth architectural firm of Hill Foley Rossi & Associates, were labeled “Duluth City Playhouse.”

See rest of report here.

DULUTH — Ok Kyum Kim’s face is staid as he drags the bow across the viola’s strings.
A viola hums in a small downtown Duluth store. Inside Huthmaker Violins, a bespectacled, short Korean man with wavy, dark hair is playing.

Ok Kyum Kim - Huthmaker Violin Guy

Staff Photo: Jason Braverman
Ok Kyum Kim went to the top violin making school in the world in Italy and recently placed third in the international viola making competition, his first time entering. Kim, based in Duluth, also restores and repairs violins and works at Huthmaker.

Huthmaker is located on Main Street in Downtown Duluth.

Read the full story HERE

Gwinnett’s maligned Rexall Grill will open next week — at least for one night.

The grill, which was closed last month by the state for failure to pay sales taxes, will be the site of the Election Night party for Duluth congressional candidate Jef Fincher.

“As a long-time member of this neighborhood, Jef Fincher understands and appreciates the importance of familiar places where individuals can come together and reconnect, unwind, and get to know one another,” Fincher’s campaign said in a press release about the 41-year-old community fixture.

Linda Alley, who owns the adjoining Rexall Drugs and the name and location of the grill, said she hopes to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible under her own business license. She purchased much of the food and fixtures (on top of the ones she already owned) during a state auction last week. Fincher said those chairs and tables will be available from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. as he and supporters gather to watch election returns.
Fincher’s wife Kathy said she wanted to make sure state Rep. Brooks Coleman, who has held Saturday morning town hall meetings at the location for years, is “at home.”

At the behest of residents, the Duluth City Council on Monday agreed to look at ways to improve West Lawrenceville Street to reduce the number of trees removed.

Council members instructed City Administrator Phil McLemore to set up meetings with residents, the project engineer, an arborist and city staff to consider changes to plans for the improvements.

The improvements to the street were designed to increase pedestrian access to downtown Duluth.

Plans drawn by Wolverton & Associates, a Duluth-based engineering consulting firm, call for widening the 11-foot-wide traffic lanes to 12 feet, expanding the existing 4-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the street to 5 feet, constructing a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side, installing curb and gutter and adding storm drains.

West Lawrenceville Street resident David Cossette, who represented 23 of the 27 home and property owners on the street, appealed to the council to save as many of the trees as possible.

“West Lawrenceville Street is a historic gateway to our city that needs to be preserved and maintained,” Cossette said. “Loss of the tree canopy would be detrimental.”

Some 20 residents attended the council meeting in support of saving the trees.

Cossette said that the present plans would result in the loss of 15 to 18 60-year or older hardwoods, eight ornamental cherry trees, yard space, landscaping, and a rock retaining wall. Most of the trees would be displaced by adding the sidewalk on the south side of the street, he said.

“We’re not anti-development or against moving forward,” he said. “We just want the council to proceed in a conservative and logical way, especially in regard to preserving the trees.”

Thursday was chicken and dressing day, but Rexall Grill regulars had to fend for themselves after the state closed the legendary Duluth diner.

“It’s devastating,” Duluth Economic Development Director Chris McGahee said. “This is one of those places that is more than just a restaurant. It is one of those places the community would gather. … The place means so much more than just the food.”

Last year, the grill celebrated its 40th anniversary, and owner Linda Alley said it will celebrate more.

A few weeks ago, state officials showed up because the business was behind in paying sales tax, Alley said. On Wednesday, they came back and closed the grill.

Following are comments that were NOT in the Gwinnett Daily Post. The Duluth Historical Society neither agrees or disagrees with any of the following comments. We are just posting the thoughts of the Gwinnett Daily Post readership.

Posted by: bill Location: suwanee on Jun 25, 2010 at 03:32 PM
id been going to the rexall for years, up until the food got to expensive. i love the girls that work there . they are the main reason people go there. gail just kept raising the prices were she started losing the core of her regular customers. 8.oo for a meat and two vegs. is crazy. then two dollars for tea. dessert is nuts 2.95 for a small bowl of cobbler. she also didn’t pay all of her employees fairly.it was just 4 or 5 years ago you had a line out the door on saturdays not anymore. me and several family n friends would accidently get overcharged . not anymore ! lynda lower the overall prices 15% and everyone will start coming back ! shame on you gail !!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 25, 2010 at 03:09 PM
There is a huge difference in needing help and knowingly doing wrong for years.

Posted by: PI Location: Duluth on Jun 25, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Truth be known Mrs. Herrin has over 40 liens of public record against her all from the Georgia State Dept of Labor for non-payment of employer unemployment contributions. Last lien was filed June, 2010 and as early as 1997. This should not come as any surprise to her! Shame on you!!!

Posted by: Erin Location: Duluth on Jun 25, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Health Department didn’t have anything to do with it. Also Health Dept . scores nowadays are not what they used to be 5-10 years ago. Health Dept is just another government agency that is in business of collecting money. It has nothing to do with food safety anymore. They give bad scores to restaurants for insignificant or ridiculous reasons in order to return back for a fee of $250. Government is in bad need of revenue ,so they are using every means possible to extract money from taxpayers.

Posted by: Pat Location: Duluth on Jun 25, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Sometimes everyone needs help Ben there and done that we will try to help you. Pat

Posted by: Patron Location: Norcross on Jun 25, 2010 at 08:33 AM
I’m sure the Duluth Police Department could move their spot from across the street to the Rexall parking lot and donate all ticket proceeds to the diner. They would have that thing up and running before lunch! (but how would they be able to pay for the fancy courthouse?)

Posted by: David Location: GA on Jun 25, 2010 at 08:30 AM
All cash and voiding the sale after paying gets you in T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Don’t care much for the GA Dept of Revenue Sales & Use division, they are on a war path right now, so beware to all business owners!

Posted by: rexall worker Location: duluth on Jun 25, 2010 at 07:52 AM
The health department had nothing to do with it. We scored an A on our last inspection only this past April. Gail tried to make a payment plan on her taxes she was behind on, but the dept of revenue turned it down. She wasnt stealing, just behind, and tried to make it right. The state didnt give her a choice. And the girls that work there now dont wear short shorts or let their cleavage hang out, we are all mothers and wives trying to raise our families.

Posted by: Oh Well Location: Duluth on Jun 25, 2010 at 07:47 AM
I wonder if it was their payroll taxes or their business taxes that they didn’t pay. Because if you don’t send in payroll taxes that you’ve already deducted from your employees’ checks, you’re stealing from your employees.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lawrenceville on Jun 25, 2010 at 06:40 AM
Something just doesn’t add up with this story. The state shouldn’t close the place of there was an honest accounting issue with tax receipts. I smell a rat and I doubt it is the business owner. Governments everywhere are short on tax receipts. Could it be that are getting heavy handed with small business?

Posted by: Carrie Pruitt on Jun 25, 2010 at 05:59 AM
I worked for Gail for years, and that woman treated us like we were one of her own. She always took fantastic care of her employees, and we all love her. Shame on any of you for passing judgement. I hope anyone that has said anything negative about Gail Herrin doesn’t live in a glass house.

Posted by: Joe Location: Norcross on Jun 25, 2010 at 05:05 AM
Irresponsible comments like that are childish at best – the last time I was there the Health Certificate showed a 96 rating. I’ll be back as soon as the doors open!

Posted by: CitizenofDuluth Location: Georgia on Jun 24, 2010 at 09:26 PM
Maybe the Health Dept. played a role in the closure as well. Tell the entire story, GDP!

Posted by: Nancy Location: Duluth on Jun 24, 2010 at 06:22 PM
Nothing worse than a tax deadbeat, they just cause the rest of us to have to pay more. I love the Rexall grill but this is very disappointing. Failing to pay over sales tax is the same as stealing.

Posted by: thomas cooper Location: lilburn on Jun 24, 2010 at 05:01 PM
i remember back around 86 this place started fixin home cooked meals and all us construction homebuilder guys went there the food was jus gettin better everyday ,but the girls workin there in tigh tight shorts and the cleavage is what really brought the guys in ..

DULUTH — Downtown Duluth got a new look Monday.

A portion of the Red Clay Theatre was demolished in preparation for the widening of Ga. Highway 120, said Chris McGahee, Duluth’s economic development manager. The old portion of the building sustained damage in last year’s flood and had been closed to the public since October. The new section of the building containing the stage and seating remains intact and open.

“The 130-year-old storefronts that are just gorgeous have been hidden by the great wall of China,” McGahee said. “Now, the town’s 130-year-old historic center is now open.”
A small section of the old building, which houses the theater’s bathrooms, is still standing. The building was constructed in 1908 and is the last remaining legacy of the early rail history of Duluth, McGahee said.

Originally a cotton warehouse platform, the building was actually a series of storefronts hidden behind a brick facade. The city-owned building was scheduled to be torn down because of the impending improvements to Ga. Highway 120, McGahee said.

The debris from the demolition will be removed this week, and sod will be installed, McGahee said.

“By Friday, it should be a grassy area,” McGahee said. “This project has been needed for a long time.”

The improvements to Ga. Highway 120 include reworking the railroad crossing and installing a traffic light. The project will take about three years to complete and is funded by a voter-approved special purpose local option sales tax.

Although one lane of Main Street in front of the theater is temporarily closed, the demolition has improved visibility at the intersection, making it immediately safer for motorists, McGahee said.

See complete Gwinnett Daily Post article HERE

STRING AROUND YOUR FINGER

SPRING IS HERE

BIG PLANT SALE THIS WEEKEND

STRICKLAND HOUSE

OVER 400 PLANTS FOR YOUR CHOOSING

Perfect time and place to spring into action and make your home beautiful.

April 17th – Plant Sale – Master Gardener for Q&A – Knockout Roses, Flowering shrubs, Trees, Pass-a-long plants, and more. Also available will be handmade cedar blue bird houses and posts (with instructions). (Our bird houses on site already have two renters.) Garden gifts and vendors will be available for your pleasure. Soil Samples bags and information from Gwinnett County Extension Service.

April 20th and April 27th – Genealogy Class – 7-9PM at the Strickland House – Instructor is Leah Gilbreth Gonzalez. She is a professional genealogist and a member of Georgia Professional Genealogists and The Association of Professional Genealogists also a former employee of the Georgia Archives and a contributing writer to the Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly. Cost per session is a $15 donation to the Duluth Historical Society. Come join us and learn how to begin, and continue, your family search with accurate information. Bring pencil and notebook and any family information you already have (or any charts you have started). Pre registration required so we have enough handouts prepared for everyone. Call 770-232-7584 or email to info@duluthhistorical.org to register.

Monday I attended several workshops and learned a great deal how we can update, publicize, reach out, and ways to find funding. There was much learn and much to work on. News releases, Face Book, and You Tube just to name a few. The most important function was networking with other museums across the country.

Today, Tuesday, we were able to meet with our Congressional representatives and Senators. Senator Isakeson’s staff, Congressman Linder, Senator Chamblis’s staff and Congressman Lewis’s staff. We presented each of them with a packet about Duluth Historical Society and the Duluth History Museum. We’re on the map, folks.