Location of the Beltline Near Krog Street Market

Map of Krog Street Market showing close proximity to the Atlanta Beltline

Map of Krog Street Market showing close proximity to the Atlanta Beltline

Krog Street Market is extremely close to the beginning and end of the Beltline. Because the market is adjacent to the Beltline, residents of various neighborhoods on the Beltline can take it to the market without using a car. Parking is limited at the market because there is a major lack of spots. The Beltline helps more consumers have access to Krog Street Market. With more consumers coming the market, the more money the market can make. Krog Street Market also gets publicity because whenever the Beltline discusses expanding, it is expanding right next to the market.

Bathrooms at Krog Street Market

The way to the bathrooms splits into two separate hallways--one for men, one for women

The way to the bathrooms splits into two separate hallways–one for men, one for women

Bathrooms at Krog Street Market are divided by gender into men and women. There are no unisex bathrooms at the market at this time. This comes at a controversial time in American politics where the fight for bathroom equality is becoming a major concern. Transgender people feel that they should be able to use the bathroom of the sex they identify with while opponents to this say that they should be forced to use the bathroom of the sex they were born with. Multiple places solve this issue by having unisex bathrooms. Krog Street Market does not do this.

Built Environment Description 3–Krog Street Market

Krog Street Market capitalizes on several political trends. The politics of Atlanta and the United States can be felt on, inside, and around Krog Street Market. Some of these political impacts go unnoticed by consumers of the market. However, others can be felt and obviously be seen.

At Krog Street Market, the bathrooms are divided by gender. The developers made this decision over unisex bathrooms. In the United States today, there is a debate concerning gender when it comes to the bathrooms. However, Krog Street Market does not address this at all. While I was at the market, I did not see any problems with people using the bathrooms.

The location of the Beltline is critical for Krog Street Market. Many customers enter the market from the Beltline. Krog Street Market is also located at the Beltline’s start (or end, depending on how you look at it). Therefore, Krog Street Market’s proximity to the Beltline plays a critical role both politically and economically.

Krog Street Market has had enormous effects on the costs of housing nearby. Because of the market being built, houses near it have increased in value by thousands of dollars. This gentrification is good for Krog Street Market because it puts the market in a nicer neighborhood. However, now only wealthy people are able to afford these houses.

Within the market, many stores use Fair Trade. This political practice is supported by many Atlantans, as well as people across the globe. Even though Fair Trade products cost more money, stores continue to use their products to attract consumers who support this business practice.

At the market, no smoking is allowed outside in the eating area. This comes as the United States is slowly moving towards a non-smoking environment. While making the market a no-smoking area may turn away some smokers, more people will be encouraged to come knowing they will be without the discomfort of second-hand smoke.

Overall, the effects of politics are visible to visitors of Krog Street Market. Some of these political impacts are good for the market, while others could be considered not-so-good. However, through all of the politics that have impacted Krog Street Market, the result is a welcoming environment and a culture of community.

Political Commercial Analysis

The commercial I chose to analyze is one that is paid for by the National Rife Association (NRA) opposing Hillary Clinton. The advertisement can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e6xtGFYS8w

In the commercial, a woman is asleep in her bed when she hears someone break into her house. Panicked, she runs to a box. She opens it and finds nothings. She panics more and tries to call the police, but can’t do it in time. The person presumably breaking in enters her room. The commercial then cuts to police outside the woman’s home with the phrase “Don’t let Hillary leave you defenseless” on the screen with the NRA logo next to it.

This commercial is targeting a good number of people. First, it is obviously targeting women because that’s who is in the commercial. A frightened woman is presumably hurt and robbed because she didn’t have a gun because Hillary Clinton took way her gun. That’s what the commercial is trying to communicate. The NRA has to target women because I’m sure they don’t have to target men simply because more men probably support the NRA than women do. Secondly, the commercial targets people who are anti-Hillary. While this commercial does not endorse Donald Trump or any other candidate, it tells people who they should not vote for her; she will leave them “defenseless.” Finally, this commercial targets second amendment supporters. People who support the right to carry a weapon and own a gun in their home will support this advertisement because they either support the NRA, are members of the NRA, or are both. By showing these visuals in the commercial, the NRA makes this group of people scared that they will lose their guns and because of that they’ll get hurt.

This commercial reaches out to their target audiences effectively because of the visuals. I think the commercial does a good job in showing what they needed to show and makes the viewer understand their viewpoint.

 

Ballot for Sandy Springs, GA

Below is what will be on the ballot in my hometown of Sandy Springs, GA (District 6 for U.S. Congress and Georgia Senate, District 52 for Georgia House). It includes national, state, and local candidates, as well as some proposed constitutional amendments and special voting issues.

CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE

For President of the United States:

Donald J. Trump (President) and Michael Pence (Vice President)—Republican

Hilary Clinton (President) and Tim Kaine (Vice President)—Democrat

Gary Johnson (President) and Bill Weld (Vice President)—Libertarian

For United States Senate

Johnny Isakson (Incumbent)—Republican

Jim Barksdale—Democrat

Allen Buckley—Libertarian

For Public Service Commissioner

Tim Echols (Incumbent)—Republican

Eric Hoskins—Libertarian

For U.S. Representative in 115th Congress from the 6th Congressional District of Georgia

Tom Price (Incumbent)—Republican

Rodney Stooksbury—Democrat

For State Senator From 6th District

Hunter Hill (Incumbent)—Republican

Jaha Howard—Democrat

For State Representative in the General Assembly From 52nd District

Deborah Silcox—Republican

For District Attorney for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit

Paul Howard, Jr. (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Clerk of Superior Court

Lewis L. Pittman—Republican

Cathelene “Tina” Robinson (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Sheriff

Ben Coward—Republican

Theodore “Ted” Jackson (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Surveyor

William Daniel III (Incumbent)—Republican

Arnaud D. Huguet—Democrat

For Solicitor-General of State Court of Fulton County

Keith Gammage—Democrat

For Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

Preston D. Mason (Incumbent)

Alan O. Toney (Incumbent)

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow additional penalties for criminal cases in which a person is adjudged guilty of keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, pandering, pandering by compulsion, solicitation of sodomy, masturbation for hire, trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, or sexual exploitation of children and to all assessments on adult entertainment establishments to fund the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited children Fund to pay for care and rehabilitative and social services for individuals in this state who have been or may be sexually exposed?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to abolish the existing Judicial Qualifications Commission; require the General Assembly to create and provide by general law for the composition, manner of appointment, and governance of a new Judicial Qualifications Commission, with such commission having the power to discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of judges; require the Judicial Qualifications Commission to have procedures that provide for due process of law and review by the Supreme Court of its advisory opinions; and all the Judicial Qualifications Commission to be open to the public in some manner?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the proceeds of excise taxes on the sale of fireworks or consumer fireworks be dedicated to the funding of trauma care, firefighter equipping and training, and local public safety purposes?”

Yes

No

SPECIAL ELECTION

Shall Fulton County, Georgia be authorized to grant a Freeport Exemption to E-Commerce goods stored in fulfillment centers from taxation?

Yes

No

Shall an additional .75 percent sales tax be collected in that part of Fulton Country, Georgia, outside of the City of Atlanta, for five years for the purpose of transportation improvements and congestion reduction?

Yes

No

Menu Boards at Krog Street Market

Customers at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream use their big menu boards to decide what flavor to get

Customers at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream use their big menu boards to decide what flavor to get

A man looks at a menu board inside Krog Street Market to decide what he should order

A man looks at a menu board inside Krog Street Market to decide what he should order

Most restaurants at Krog Street Market have their menus posted above their counter making it clearly visible what they have to offer patrons. If a restaurant does not have a giant menu board, then they have a small paper menu available to browse. No restaurant at Krog Street Market hides its menu making it easy to understand what each restaurant has to serve. By having big menu boards, also, it encourages people to stroll by each restaurant. By doing that, customers can consider all options at the market instead of only a select few.

Disability Features at Krog Street Market

A man in a wheelchair eats at Krog Street Market

A man in a wheelchair eats at Krog Street Market

The front of Krog Street Market shows a ramp leading up to its entrance making it wheelchair-accessible

The front of Krog Street Market shows a ramp leading up to its entrance making it wheelchair-accessible

The market is accessible for disabled people as evidenced by the picture. Outside of the market, there is a large ramp for people who are wheelchair-bound to use. However, the benches attached to the picnic tables are immovable, meaning that a disabled person in a wheelchair would be forced to sit at the end of the table. However, they can move a chair from the individual seating and pull up comfortably (like in the picture). Also, most restaurants have low enough counters so disabled people could talk with workers and receive their food comfortably. By making sure disabled people feel welcome, the market creates a culture and an environment where everyone is welcome and no one is discriminated against.

Seating at Krog Street Market

"Family-style" seating located outside Krog Street Market encourages socialization

“Family-style” seating located outside Krog Street Market encourages socialization

Long tables inside Krog Street Market encourage patrons to sit together

Long tables inside Krog Street Market encourage patrons to sit together

Long tables inside Krog Street Market fill up quickly and people who were once strangers bond over having two similarities: eating good food and enjoying being at Krog Street Market

Long tables inside Krog Street Market fill up quickly and people who were once strangers bond over having two similarities: eating good food and enjoying being at Krog Street Market

Most seating at Krog Street Market is in “family-style.” In other words, the market has picnic tables that can probably seat around 15-20 people at each. The picnic tables promote socialization with patrons eating at the market. Because people sit in such close quarters, this encourages them to talk to each other, comment on each other’s food, and so forth. Also by having picnic tables as seating, Krog Street Market is encouraging its customers to bring many people. If the market were entirely tables with just four tables around them, it would be difficult to bring big parties because one would have to ensure there would be enough tables and then they would have to move the tables and chairs. Now, a large party can comfortably sit together at a picnic table with no worry. However, if someone does not like the idea of sitting so close to people, there are tall chairs located on a counter attached to a wall. There are also individual seating around tables (four chairs per table), and some restaurants have their own seating. Overall, the seating in Krog Street Market creates a culture of socialization and friendliness.

Alcohol at Krog Street Market

A sign for free alcohol inside Krog Street Market

A sign for free alcohol inside Krog Street Market

Patrons socialize at a crowded bar inside Krog Street Market

Patrons socialize at a crowded bar inside Krog Street Market

People drinking at a bar inside Krog Street Market

People drinking at a bar inside Krog Street Market

People drink, talk, and eat at a bar connected to a restaurant inside Krog Street Market

People drink, talk, and eat at a bar connected to a restaurant inside Krog Street Market

Alcohol and the sale of alcohol play a significant role at Krog Street Market. As soon as you walk into the market, there is immediately a bar where guests can sit down and drink. The market also smells like alcohol as soon as you walk into it. You must walk around, passing the different restaurants before the smell dissipates. Multiple restaurants are open, and their bar faces outwards so patrons can feel a part of the restaurant while also feeling part of the market as a whole. Alcohol at Krog Street Market is a big seller, but also promotes socialization amongst customers and visitors.

Interview with Slean at Krog Street Market

Slean, an employee at Fred's Meat & Bread

Slean, an employee at Fred’s Meat & Bread

Slean is a worker at Fred’s Meat & Bread located inside Krog Street Market. I spoke with Slean about his views on Krog Street Market, and his perspective working behind the counter.

Me: What’s the busiest times for Fred’s Meat & Bread?

Slean: Um…I would say on weekends, probably 11:30 am-2:30 pm. On weekdays probably 7:30 pm-9 pm.

Me: What types of people eat here? What types of people have you observed visiting the market?

Slean: Oh I see all types. Business people, neighborhood people, young, old, single people, families, couples, everything. Everyone comes here. There’s a huge demographic. I think Inman Park has a huge influence on the fact that all types of people eat here. The neighborhood use to be “hipstery,” but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. Now everyone, all types of people live in Inman Park and come to the market.

Me: Does the Beltline impact business?

Slean: Yes, for sure. I mean it’s a traffic way for people. Right over there, that’s the beginning and end of the Beltline, so people are starting and ending there. That’s huge not only for the market but for the city, too.

Me: How do you attract new customers?

Slean: We make great food, and we’re incredibly nice. We have great customer service and have a close attention to detail.