Outdoor seating at the “Living Room” area of Krog Street Market has no smoking allowed

Krog Street Market has a communal area outside that encourages customers to eat together, socialize, and relax in the friendly environment. According to Krog Street Market’s official smoking policy, they “provide a smoke-free environment indoors and in all the restaurants.” They discourage smoking outdoors as well. There is an increasing movement in the United States to ban smoking from public gathering areas. More and more people are not going to places simply because there is smoking allowed and they do not want to breathe in the second-hand smoke due to health concerns. Because Krog Street Market has banned smoking, more people will be excited and want to go to Krog Street Market now that they do not have to worry about breathing in second-hand smoke while they eat.

Xocolatl is a chocolate shop at Krog Street Market that participates in Fair Trade

Multiple shops at Krog Street Market participate in the global social movement known as “Fair Trade.” Fair Trade helps producers in developing countries make a living by having the consumer pay a higher price for the products. Many people in Atlanta and the United States support this movement. Therefore, by participating in it, the shops attract a more affluent and socially-conscious customer even though their goods may cost more money than a competitor.

Cost of home near Krog Street Market in August 2013 (one year before Krog Street Market opened)

Cost of home near Krog Street Market in August 2014 (same month Krog Street Market opened)

Cost of home near Krog Street Market in August 2016 (two years after Krog Street Market opened)

Krog Street Market has had a huge impact on the home prices surrounding it. As illustrated, the price of a single home one block from the market (49 Waddell Street, Atlanta, GA 30307) increased almost $130,000 in just three years thanks to the creation and building of Krog Street Market. The building of both the Beltline and Krog Street Market has contributed to Atlanta’s gentrification. As the prices of homes around the Beltline and Krog Street Market increase, only the affluent will be able to afford them. This trend of gentrification has been displacing lower-income and minority residents with higher income, white families.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

“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 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.

A sign for free alcohol inside Krog Street Market

Patrons socialize at a crowded 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

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.