City: Atlanta, GA

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (404) 397-8127

Description: Castleberry Hill is an up-and-coming arts and entertainment district a mile west of downtown Atlanta. Named for early Atlanta pioneer Daniel Castleberry, who owned this land in 1821, Castleberry Hill received Landmark District status from the City of Atlanta in 2006. A pie-shaped wedge bounded by Nelson, Walker, and Peters Streets and Northside Drive, the neighborhood was once a bustling industrial area with packing plants, livery stables, and warehouses. In the early 1980s, artists and other urban pioneers discovered the run-down buildings and commercial storefronts and began converting them to galleries and loft condos and apartments. Now more than a dozen art galleries and studios call Castleberry Hill home. Among those that keep regular hours are the Krause Gallery (291 Peters St., 404-522-6205, www.krausegallery.com); Marcia Wood Gallery (263 Walker St., 404-827-0030, www.marciawoodgallery.com); Wertz Contemporary (264 Peters St., 404-420-4342, www.wertzcontemporary.com), and Get This! Gallery (322 Peters St., 404-596-4451, www.getthisgallery.com). Urban Fusion (237-A Peters St., 404-653-0222, www.urbanfusionlife.com) sells over-the-top women’s clothes and flashy sports shoes. Monthly art strolls, usually on Saturday afternoon, are the best way to see all the galleries and check out the other shops and restaurants. Check the Castleberry Hill Web site for dates. As the number of galleries and residents (now over 600) known as CHillers increases, restaurants, bars, and other businesses are also taking root. Slice, a pizza joint and martini bar at 259 Peters St. (404-588-1820, www.sliceatlanta.com), has been joined by No Mas! Cantina, a gorgeous, two-level Mexican restaurant, with loads of Mexican art and handicrafts, greenery and flowing water, and a big outdoor patio made for sipping margaritas. An adjoining store of the same name sells handmade Mexican furniture and quality crafts, 180 Walker St. (404-574-5624, www.nomascantina.com). Wasabi (180 Walker St., 404-574-5680, www.wasabi.atl.com) is a minimalist sushi, wine, and sake lounge. Baltimore Crab & Seafood and the Pearl Restaurant and Lounge share 253 Peters St. (404-523-2121). The M Bar (257 Peters St., 404-523-1555, www.mbaratlanta.com), Slice, and the Elliot Street Deli & Pub (51 Elliot S., 404-523-2174, www.elliotstreet.com) are lively into the wee hours.