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| Ellis "Da" Millsaps |
Last Summer I set out to do an
investigative piece on Porterdale businesses. I went to every
downtown business except the dance studio which wasn't open when I
did my canvassing. My method was to give them a simple questionnaire
to return to me by text.
Two businesses answered my questions
on the spot, Milazzo's and the kayak store. The rest of the businesses
apparently have no need of more business because none of them
returned the questionnaire.
(Seriously, I must have been doing
something wrong. Let's look at it from the business owners
perspective....
A slovenly unshaven old man comes in
unannounced to tell you he's giving you free advertising in a
publication you've never heard of. There must be a catch. He wants
you to answer a questionnaire, but does he have a questionnaire? No,
the geezer starts writing questions in a raggedy composition
notebook.)
Christina Millazzo, owner of
Millazzo's Ristorante, who does know both me and TPC said there's nothing she
doesn't like about Porterdale. If you know anything about fine dining
east of Atlanta, there's no need to tell you what she sells.
Ryan Roth, the personable young man who
runs the kayak shop, took time to write the following for me.
“Nomadic Flow Outfitters is
Atlanta’s premier paddlesports retailer! We handle everything
paddlesports related. We provide a full retail store carrying the
best gear in the industry as well as offering kayak/ paddle board
rentals, shuttle services, kayaking lessons and guided tours. So
whether you are looking to start kayaking or a seasoned expert we
have the gear and adventures right for you. Hours Wednesday- Friday
11 a.m.- 8 p.m.. Saturday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.. Sunday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m..”
As to Porterdale, he says that in two
years Porterdale will be the new Little Five Points. This interests
me. Let's think about it.
Thirty years ago when I first came to
Porterdale I had never seen people living in such squalor. and I had
worked six months for DFACS in Fannin County, part of Lyndon
Johnson's Appalachian poverty belt, visiting its poorest residents.
Some lived without electricity or
running water. After visiting one house, the barefoot teenaged girl
who answered the door had had her mother deliver me a message
proposing marriage and telling me’ you are the purtest [sic] man I
ever laid my eyes on.’ I wish I had saved it.
Porterdale now as compared to then is
Fifth Avenue, But Little Five Points? I decided to ask the mayor.
Arlene said it was a possibility, that
big things were about to happen. She couldn't tell me now but agreed
that when it came down I could break that news in the Piedmont
Chronicles.
To be continued...