downtown roswell, "virginia highland north"? (Atlanta, Alpharetta: apartment, rental)

[bryantm3]

i was in downtown roswell for new year's eve and it was really kicking. went in this bar called inc., and honestly it feels like downtown roswell is an "in-town" neighbourhood now. of course i don't think it's come as far as va-hi, but i heard several people there who are calling it the 'new virginia highland' or 'virginia highland north'. i'm referring to the section on canton street, right north of where it crosses highway 9.

by the way, here was a map i posted of a good route through roswell to check out the historic district on another thread:

Roswell Rd to Alpharetta St - Google Maps

but yeah, saturday night until around 3 there are places open and full of people. high class, too. what do y'all think?

[BobKovacs]

But....but....but....Roswell CAN'T be hip and cool- it's OTP!!! Only in-town neighborhoods are hip and cool.....lol

[roxyrn]

Recent openings include Slate (the outdoor space will be fantastic come warmer weather) which features burgers, mac & cheeses, salads. Roswell Provisions a coffee, cheese, charcuterie, bakery type of place and Table and Main with great Southern inspired food with another great outdoor space. Next up is a steak house by the Salt people. Just keeps getting better food wise.

[aries4118]

ohmygodloveroswell'scantonstreet...

[rackensack]

The Canton Street restaurant district does seem to have achieved critical mass as a new "scene". I lived between Va-Hi and L5P for several years in the 80s and 90s so I think I'm qualified to say that it's a different sort of scene, though. For most people, downtown Roswell is still a destination, not where they live -- a lot more of the Va-Hi businesses' customers were and are within walking distance of home, whether they walked there or not. The north metro area also doesn't (yet) have the cultural, educational, and other business establishments in close proximity that Va-Hi does -- Emory, Ga Tech, and GSU are all within a couple of miles, for many years there were multiple independent movie theaters nearby (the LeFont chain, the Toco Hills theater, etc.), bookstores (Atlanta Book Exchange, Small Press Books, Toco Hills), and live music venues, etc.

Perhaps most importantly, the downtown Roswell area doesn't have the rental housing stock that the Va-Hi district and surrounding areas do -- there aren't the classic early 20th century apartment buildings that appeal to the young and hip like you find between Highland and Briarcliff or just south of Ponce.

Ultimately, all that may not matter as much these days -- there's a greater awareness of and interest in food and wine among the suburban types than there was twenty-five years ago, so the Roswell scene may not need the same type of demographic that Va-Hi had in order to be successful and viable over time.

I'm really gratified, though, that my adopted home has become the hot new place to eat. I don't get over there as often as I'd like, having three young picky eaters to contend with most nights, but I'm glad it's there and go whenever I can.

[cqholt]

A friend had a wedding at Founders Hall and I was suprised when I saw this area of Roswell. It was nice, but nowhere comparable to Virginia-Highlands, Decatur, or L5P. It was more on par with downtown Norcross and serves its target audience. It was a single street and should not be compared to an entire district. There is no way I will ever go back because it is such a far drive from Kirkwood. At least the 3 in-town neighborhoods mentioned above are served well by MARTA, don't drink and drive.

[koko339]

I don't know if "Virginia Highland North" is a perfect comparison, but it's at least somewhat appropriate. It's buzzy, popular with the moneyed set. If anything I would say Va-Hi is turning more into Canton Street than the other way around. It went from quasi-bohemian vibe in the '70s to more of a chichi feeling.

[ATLTJL]

I'd say it's more like VaHi for an older crowd.

Roswell is nice, you'll see people in their 50s drinking wine, and young couples partying, but I really don't think you see many people under 30, and definitely hardly anyone if anyone at all under 25.

It's a bit more sophisticated just in that you're pretty much assured there aren't going to be any rowdy drunk college kids trying to pick up women....though maybe a bit of a singles scene will develop? I'm also pretty sure they roll the carpet up earlier in Roswell, but I've never actually stayed past dinner. Does it hop until 2am?

This is just the most recent in the "Decaturization of Atlanta." Forgot who coined that phrase on this board, but it's accurate. Look for other historic downtowns to emulate this moving forward.

[10 feet tall]

LOL. No not VaHi at all. There are maybe a couple of streets in downtown Roswell that give off a cool vibe, but there is not a good stock of older homes with character and charm in the surrounding community. They've all been torn down and replaced but generic newer homes like the rest of suburban north ATL. Not that there is anything wrong with that, to each his own. I hope that Roswell can keep it up and really turn the area into something unique. With the rolling hills, bluffs and the river, Roswell has some really nice scenery to take advantage of.

[ATL Golfer]

Dresden in Faux Brookhaven is becoming Va Highland North. Roswell could be in another state if it was located west of downtown. I will say though, downtown Roswell is a pretty cool little area.