New retail experience invites the community to shop small, shop local and support women entrepreneurs
Avalon, the $1 billion mixed-use community in Alpharetta, will debut its inaugural Holiday Market with an incredible lineup of 11 local and women-owned businesses this holiday season. Opening Nov. 22 as part of Avalon’s 2020 Holiday Experience, the six-week pop-up market gives entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to bring their concepts to life at one of the top retail destinations in the South.
Avalon’s Holiday Market will take shape in a 9,000-square-foot retail space at the prominent intersection of Avalon Boulevard and 1st Street, where it neighbors Tesla, Apple and Rumi’s Kitchen. South African craft cocktail and beef jerky restaurant Biltong Bar will operate a holiday bar in the market, serving up seasonal libations.
The market’s one-of-a-kind mix of makers and merchants includes:
INDIEHOUSE modern fragrance bar, an interactive modern fragrance bar featuring high-end clean beauty fragrances unlike anything in the market. Owner Carrie Hadley invites shoppers to experience the store’s curated collection of artisan fragrances that can’t be found anywhere else in Atlanta, as well as discover the opportunity to blend their own custom scent in her downtown Alpharetta store. At Avalon, be sure to shop spa moisturizing candles, curated gift sets, and you can even gift one of INDIEHOUSE’s workshop experiences.
“This brand new concept that I had been working on for years, the INDIEHOUSE modern fragrance bar brick-and-mortar store, was just opening when the pandemic hit and the world drastically changed,” said Hadley. “While this was a major setback, Avalon’s Holiday Market is the ideal opportunity to increase our exposure in the community and truly grow our business. We’re honored to be among the empowering collection of women-owned brands at the market, and can’t wait to soak up the holiday magic at Avalon this season.”
Humans Before Handles, a Black-owned, global jewelry brand by entrepreneur and social media influencer Ashley Sims (@theaestheticgirl) with values rooted in simple times and great style. Known for celebrating diverse styles from across the world, Humans Before Handles’ curated jewelry collection is an accessory dreamland that has a little bit of everything. At Avalon, be sure to shop trendy, statement earrings and the exclusive Black Lives Matter line.
Glad & Young, a design studio founded by Anna Zietz and Erica Verges produces handmade, fun-loving leather goods that are exciting to own and as empowering as the person who carries them. Glad & Young currently operates out of a design studio in Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, where the sustainably-driven design process can be experienced firsthand. At Avalon, guests can shop everything from colorful and functional leather backpacks and accessories, as well as place custom orders.
Hawkins & Clover, a boutique, contemporary gift shop inspired by founder Erika Audrey’s experience traveling through Europe. Hawkins & Clover features vendors from all over, with a special focus on women-owned, sustainable businesses. For thoughtful gift-giving, Avalon shoppers can enjoy a selection of luxury stocking stuffers, cashmere blend blanket scarves, candles and more.
Jennifer Balcos Gallery, a luxury art gallery owned by Jennifer Balcos that features a collection of contemporary, handmade works from 25 Atlanta artists, including abstract paintings, sculptures, photography and street art. At the market, Avalon’s shoppers will love the irresistible oil paintings by Stephanie Wheeler, as well as festive holiday art from the gallery’s local artists.
Just Add Honey, a loose leaf tea company that takes a new twist to a southern tea tradition by combining fresh, fun and sophisticated flavors from around the world. Founded by Brandi Shelton with a vision to make thoughtfully blended teas more accessible, shoppers at Avalon’s holiday market should keep an eye out for Just Add Honey’s custom blends and exclusive holiday gift sets.
Cappai Designs, a one-stop-shop for handmade entertainment pieces that are equally decorative and functional. Inspired by owner Sandie Cappai’s love for cooking and entertaining, Cappai Designs features a lineup of cutting boards, serving trays and lazy susans made from durable porcelain, granite and marble tile. At Avalon, holiday shoppers should be sure to shop the selection of 200 year-old charcuterie planks harvested from South Georgia, as well as take advantage of personalizing any item.
Lil’ Miss Leather, a Black-owned accessory line founded by Tamia Miller that combines a passion for all things unconventional, edgy and bold. Lil’ Miss Leather’s meticulously crafted leather accessories blend unique colors, textures and patterns to create original products. In addition to the Southwest-esque accessories and leather goods, Avalon’s holiday market guests should also shop the eclectic home goods line, which includes terrariums and crystals.
Coton Colors, a family-owned business dedicated to never missing an opportunity to celebrate life’s little moments with style. Designed to be thoughtful, functional and inspirational, Coton Colors will bring a variety of giftable items to Avalon’s holiday market, including ornaments, vases, seasonal decor and more.
Happy Everything, an imaginative and creative shop that exists to spread happiness by connecting its passionate community of collectors to thoughtful products. Founder Laura Johnson started Happy Everything after creating a versatile decorative platter featuring removable seasonable attachments. Since, the brand has grown to also include cheerful mugs, stemware, maps and more, which will all be featured at Avalon’s holiday market.
Gussied Up, an upscale pet boutique owned by Beth Simpson that features unique gifts and accessories for pets and their owners. Gussied Up offers a selection of handmade products, such as collars and bandanas, as well as fun gifts you can’t find at your everyday store. At Avalon, be sure to shop Gussied Up’s festive holiday products, fun toys and more.
“After a challenging year, we’re honored to have the opportunity to give 11 inspiring, women-owned businesses a platform where they can thrive, while also inviting the community to discover a brand new retail experience during the holidays,” said Adam Schwegman, partner and senior vice president of leasing at North American Properties (NAP), Avalon’s developer and management company.
Due to the pandemic, NAP has reimagined Avalon’s Holiday Experience to include more events with smaller gatherings for the community. Guests are welcome to experience the holiday traditions they have come to know and love at Avalon, such as special moments with Santa and Avalon on Ice, as well as new merry moments along the Boulevard, including a 12-day light and fireworks show, rooftop happy hours and pop-up concerts. For more information about Avalon’s 2020 Holiday Experience, visit: www.experienceavalon.com.
Earlier this year, NAP launched Better Together, its COVID-19 response program designed to make NAP’s properties safe for the community’s return. As part of this, NAP has deployed a series of preventative measures that include increasing sanitation procedures in all common areas and on high touch surfaces; and posting signage and decals throughout the property to reinforce best practices. The full list of safety precautions taken can be found here:www.experienceavalon.com/
For more information about Avalon, visit its website, Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter profile.
About Avalon
Avalon is a new experience in the timeless art of living well. In the heart of Alpharetta, an affluent suburb north of Atlanta, this sustainably designed, 86-acre community features more than 500,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen all premium theater, conference center and full-service hotel, Class A office, single-family residences and luxury rental homes. Avalon infuses resort-level hospitality throughout a walkable, seamlessly connected community of shopping, dining, entertainment, living and working. It’s more than just another place to go, it’s a place to be — a hub of activity that delivers the luxury of the modern South. At 2.4 million square feet and more than $1 billion, Avalon has disrupted the industry, defining a new standard for retail-driven mixed-use development.
About North American Properties
Founded in 1954, North American Properties is a privately held, multi-regional real estate operating and development company that has acquired, developed and managed more than $7 billion of mixed-use, retail, multifamily and office properties across the United States. Rooted in its purpose-driven approach to development, North American Properties is creating great places that connect people to each other; cities to their souls; partners to opportunities; and individuals to experiences that move them. Headquartered in Cincinnati, with offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Fort Myers, Florida, the company has developed 22 million square feet of commercial space and 19,000 residential units in 15 states and 67 cities. In the past three years, North American Properties has launched 36 projects totaling $2.2 billion in total capitalization. In metro Atlanta, North American Properties led the turnaround of Atlantic Station and the ground up development of Avalon. Currently, the company’s mixed-use pipeline includes: Colony Square in Midtown Atlanta, Newport on the Levee in Newport, Kentucky and Riverton in the New York metro area.
