Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is looking to harness the potential that the millions of visitors to the BeltLine could provide for local businesses. In partnership with the Village Market, a pilot program was launched in the summer of 2022 called the Beltline MarketPlace. Six businesses, whose owners include Black men, women, veterans, families and members of the LGBTQ+ community, set up shop in specially designed shipping containers along the Westside and Eastside trails.

“This is one of the most prominent places to be in Atlanta. Being on the BeltLine everybody can see us, and we can create a culture for our company,” Taliyah Jones, the Co-Owner and Chief Marketing Officer for Good As Burgers, told Lucie.

More than 200 businesses applied to participate in the 2022 season of the BeltLine MarketPlace, which lasts until the end of November. Good As Burgers, Cococakes by Coco, and Grady Baby Company & Apparel are housed on the Eastside Trail under Freedom Parkway. Urban Grind, PinkPothos, and Not As Famous Cookie Company are on the Westside Trail at 1089 Allene Avenue.

“You see small businesses that actually get to thrive inside of this area and not just the big chains who have the money to be able to afford the square footage and the retail space,” Ashely Carlton, owner of Not As Famous Cookie Company, explained.

Clyde Higgs, the President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., says the long-term goal is to eventually plant more businesses throughout the 22-mile loop that makes up the BeltLine.

“This is perhaps the most important project that we have been involved in from the BeltLine perspective. The opportunity to extend BeltLine resources to all communities is really what today is all about,” said Higgs at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the BeltLine MarketPlace.

The participating businesses also receive business service support and coaching.

“If you give businesses resources, access, they will accelerate, and our community will benefit because of it,” Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, The Village Market’s Founder and CEO, explained.

Dr. Hallmon says the BeltLine MarketPlace is just one step towards breaking down the more significant barriers Black-owned businesses experience compared to other minority- or White-owned businesses.

“We look forward to the day that we can open on the south and north side—when we complete the circle in Atlanta to make sure that Black businesses are represented all over 285 on the BeltLine and beyond,” said Hallmon.

Jones with Good As Burgers agrees.

“This is a big opportunity for Black businesses. This is history-making. This is not going to keep doing anything but keep growing from this point,” she told us.

The application process for the second year of the program is set to open in the spring of 2023. If you’re interested in applying you can click here https://beltline.org/the-project/economic-development-commercial-real-estate/atlanta-beltline-marketplace/ to fill out a form to be notified when the application window opens.

The BeltLine MarketPlace is part of our Lucie Series, where we shine a light on all of the good and interesting stories in our community. We are giving away one positive story every month, and we are accepting nominations. If you know of a great story that deserves to be heard, fill out the form here: https://luciecontent.com/contact