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Hey, Decatur! This week: Three Taverns Brewery is suspending production at its 121 New Street flagship, while Muchacho opens in the old Revival space on Church Street. Voters also backed ESPLOST VII by a wide margin, and a packed weekend of holiday markets, a Christmas Carol run starting Nov. 14, and live music at Eddie's Attic is just ahead.

- News — A pastor's social media posts draw condemnation from Muslim organizations, DeKalb's CEO proposes a 120-day runway for the camping ordinance, and a CSX train hits an empty semi near two schools.
- Business — Muchacho settles into the former Revival space with nearly 7,000 square feet of outdoor space, while Three Taverns suspends production at its New Street flagship after 13 years.
- Events — From Noah Gundersen and Reverend Peyton to the Decatur Makers Holiday Market, the Holiday Pop-Up Sale (Nov. 13–15) and A Christmas Carol (Nov. 14–Dec. 27), there's plenty to fill the calendar.
- Government — Decatur's commission agenda included a $2.6 million electric fire truck lease, DeKalb advanced a $9.9 million Lithonia Park rec center contract, and school board meetings pile up on Nov. 10.
- Construction — A $2.2 million permit for the ground floor of a downtown high-rise at 120 W Ponce de Leon leads the list, alongside a second-story addition on E Tupelo St and a round of street sign and maintenance requests.

Let's dive in.

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Groups condemn Decatur pastor for social media posts 'targeting' Muslim voters and candidates
CAIR-Georgia and the Georgia Muslim Voter Project issued a statement condemning posts by Alan Smith, pastor of The Church at Decatur Heights since 1997, including an Oct. 26 post about Muslim candidates and a call to "Vote Red." The church was an official polling location on Nov. 3, and the groups said voters deserve a safe, neutral environment there.

DeKalb CEO proposes 120-day preparation period for camping ordinance
The Board of Commissioners approved the ordinance 5-2 on Oct. 27, and it requires officers to issue a warning before making an arrest. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson wrote in a letter to residents that implementation should be supported by outreach, shelter, behavioral health services and pathways to stable housing, and Commissioner Ted Terry, who voted no, said she is listening to his concerns.

Four decades in, Indigo Girls are still inspired by Atlanta's music scene
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray met at Laurel Ridge Elementary School in 1974 and took the name Indigo Girls in 1985 while at Emory University. They played a free concert in Decatur Square for about 5,500 people on the final day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Ray said Atlanta's collective-style music community continues to inspire them.

Train cuts through tractor trailer on tracks in DeKalb County
The collision happened just before 9 a.m. Thursday at the railroad crossing at North McDonough Street and West Howard Street in Decatur, less than 200 yards from a middle school and a high school. A CSX spokesperson said no one was inside the truck, the train crew was not injured, and no hazardous materials were involved.

DeKalb County voters approve ESPLOST VII by wide margin
Voters approved the measure 81.02% to 18.98% in the Nov. 3 election, and collections run from July 1, 2027, to 2032, with more than $925 million expected across three school districts. DeKalb County School District would receive about $825 million, City Schools of Decatur an estimated $58.3 million, and Atlanta Public Schools an estimated $41.5 million from DeKalb's collections.

BUSINESS

Muchacho opening third location at 129 Church Street in Downtown Decatur — Muchacho was scheduled to open on Nov. 6 in the former Revival space, a renovated 1940 Craftsman bungalow with nearly 7,000 square feet of outdoor space, joining its Reynoldstown and West Midtown locations.

Three Taverns Brewery closing flagship Decatur location after 13 years — Founder Brian Purcell announced the brewery would suspend production at its 121 New Street facility because operating there was no longer financially feasible, while the Imaginarium location in Reynoldstown and Ponce Brew Terminal on the Atlanta BeltLine remain open.

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Monday, November 9
- Kennedy's Only Hero: Joel Nelson with Joe Crespino | Decatur Library, DeKalb County Public Library
- A Fundraiser for Decatur Community Players | Waller's Coffee Shop
- Olli Soikelli and Cesar Garabini: a night of Brazilian music and acoustic swing | Waller's Coffee Shop
- Eddie's Attic Songwriters Open Mic Night (Nov. 9–Dec. 28) | Eddie's Attic

Tuesday, November 10
- Debt Clinic | Decatur Library
- Dork Diaries Posh Party Book Tour! | Little Shop of Stories
- Hops at the History Center: Heroic Gems of the Red Clay | 101 E Court Square
- You're No Better: Andrew Joseph White in conversation with Trang Thanh Tran | The Decatur Library, 315 Sycamore St

Wednesday, November 11
- Lunch and Learn: Answering the Call - The Donut Dollies | 101 E Court Square
- Noah Gundersen: Rites Of Spring Us Tour Fall 2026 at Eddie's Attic | Eddie's Attic

Thursday, November 12
- Learn Wylde - Green Time All Winter: Grow Food Indoors Until Spring | Learn Wylde
- Candlelight: Tribute to Lauryn Hill | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Jon Boorstin - The American | Georgia Center for the Book at DCPL, 215 Sycamore St
- Murray Attaway, Peter Holsapple, and Don Dixon: Trio in the Attic | Eddie's Attic
- Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band at Avon Theater with Special Guests Adrian & Meredith | Avon Theater

Friday, November 13
- Flynt Flossy and Turquoise Jeep with special guest The Buckhead Boyz | Wild Heaven Beer
- 2026 Holiday Pop-Up Sale (Nov. 13–15) | Furnish with Love
- Screen on the Square: Dog Man | Decatur Square
- The Peter Karp Band, Album Release party for Jersey Town | Eddie's Attic

Saturday, November 14
- A Christmas Carol (Nov. 14–Dec. 27) | Decatur Legacy Park
- Fonta Flora 13th Anniversary Celebration | Brick Store Pub
- The Jazz Room Atlanta | Wild Heaven Beer
- Lucy Tan and Jenna Bush Hager in Conversation | Agnes Scott College
- Decatur Makers Holiday Market | Decatur Makers
- Decatur First UMC Christmas Market (Nov. 14–15) | Decatur First UMC
- Tommy Prine w/ Delaney Ramsdell | Eddie's Attic
- S'mores in the Garden: Edgewood | Learn Wylde
- LICENSED TO ILL 40th Anniversary Listening Party | The Reading Room

Sunday, November 15
- Decatur Cemetery Walking Tour – Nov 15 | Decatur Cemetery
- Learn Wylde - Gather & Arrange Fall Floral Workshop with Nourish Botanica | Learn Wylde
- Mike Farris | Eddie's Attic
- Watercolor class | Woodlands Garden

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Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

City of Decatur
The City Commission took up several spending items on Nov. 2, though minutes aren't published yet, so outcomes aren't confirmed. The agenda included a lease financing deal for a $2.6 million electric fire pumper truck, with seven annual payments of about $444,000 starting in November 2027. Commissioners also had a contract of up to $65,000 for a fire rescue response and staffing study, paid from school zone camera revenue, and a $98,040 energy audit of 12 city buildings that staff say need roughly $6 million in upgrades, mostly aging heating and cooling systems. A $75,000 contract to bring the city website up to federal digital accessibility standards and an alcohol license for a new restaurant at the Ice House Lofts rounded out the list. Earlier that week, the Better Together Advisory Board planned to hear about the Welcoming Business Award and 2027 board recruitment, and the Safe Routes to School Committee had crossing guard and Decatur Bike Bus updates on its agenda ahead of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 18.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
At its Committee of the Whole meeting, the committee advanced a $9.9 million contract to build the Luscious Sanders Recreation Center at Lithonia Park. It also sent more than $1.4 million in Frontline Response contracts to committee, covering a 400-bed emergency shelter and warming and cooling centers for extreme weather. Another $1.75 million in affordable housing money, including $1 million for the "Revive DeKalb" blighted property program, moved forward as well. Meanwhile, a $1.3 million request to address vehicular homelessness was withdrawn, though a related resolution went to committee for review. Separately, the Planning Commission met by Zoom with a docket of residential rezonings, a proposed countywide chronic nuisance property ordinance and the Comprehensive Housing Plan on its agenda, though that agenda doesn't show how it voted.

City of Avondale Estates
The Board of Mayor and Commissioners met Nov. 4, and its agenda included a vote on adopting the 2026 Comprehensive Plan, which sets the city's long-term priorities for land use, housing and development after review by regional and state agencies. Commissioners also had a design contract change order with Dewberry for stormwater improvements, aimed at drainage and flooding problems near one intersection. The board planned to interview candidates for the Planning, Architecture, and Zoning Board, which reviews building and development requests. A work session followed to continue reviewing the draft Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget and capital program, which shapes city services and your property taxes. That work session agenda also included an update on open seats on city boards, if you've been looking for a way to get involved.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

City of Decatur
- Ice House Lofts (105 Sycamore Place) — An alcoholic beverage license is being proposed for the new restaurant Nori Yu to serve beer, wine, and liquor on its private patio.
- 750 Commerce Drive — Development plans for the property are scheduled for final review and comments by the Decatur Development Authorities.

City of Avondale Estates
- Intersection of Washington Street and Pine Street — A contract change order with Dewberry to design stormwater and drainage improvements is being proposed to address neighborhood runoff.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education | Nov-09 | key topics: Dunwoody High School stadium improvements, district-wide theater audiovisual upgrades, and Artificial Intelligence policy IFBI
- City Schools of Decatur — Winnona Park School Leadership Team | Nov-09 | key topics: principal's report, student data updates, and meeting schedule planning
- City Schools of Decatur — Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team | Nov-10 | key topics: school budget, operations, and 90-day plan
- City Schools of Decatur — Board of Education | Nov-10
- City Schools of Decatur — Pre-Work Session | Nov-10 | key topics: public board meeting participation rules, student code of conduct, and student data privacy
- City Schools of Decatur — Regular Monthly Meeting | Nov-10 | key topics: FY27 budget amendment, Enterprise Resource Planning contract, and gifted student policies
- City Schools of Decatur — Work Session | Nov-10 | key topics: FY28 budget parameters, student enrollment trends, and 2028–2029 academic calendar
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners | Nov-10, 9:00 AM | key topics: Gresham Road residential rezoning, $9.9M Lithonia Park recreation center contract, and animal restraint regulations

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- E Tupelo St. $100K single-family permit, now closed. The plan adds a second floor over the existing footprint, which is about 1,094 square feet, plus a front porch. The house will look different from the street.
- 3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave. Commercial permit for a TPO roof recover, now closed. Roofing work like this usually means some noise, and the job is finished.
- Carter Rd. $75K single-family interior renovation, now closed. The work removes non-load-bearing walls between the living, dining, and kitchen areas for a more open layout, and it includes a kitchen update.
- 120 W Ponce de Leon Ave. $2.2M assembly-use permit for the ground floor of the existing high-rise office building, now closed. It's the biggest permit on this week's list, and it puts a new public-facing use at street level downtown.

Service Requests
- Street Signs: Five reports came in for W Howard Ave, Clarion Ave, W Ponce de Leon Ave, E Howard Ave, and E Lake Dr.
- Code Violations: Two reports cover Superior Ave, and one covers McDonough St.
- Street Maintenance: You'll see three reports along the 100-198 and 316-346 blocks of N McDonough St, plus one on E Lake Dr.
- Missed Sanitation Collection: Pickups got skipped on W College Ave and Lansdowne Ave.
- Graffiti: Tags showed up on E Howard Ave and Hillyer Pl.
- City Parks and Greenspace Maintenance: Lamont Dr.
- Sidewalk Maintenance: The 159-299 block of Ansley St.
- City Facilities Maintenance: Sycamore St.

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Until next week,
Decatur Busybody

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Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.