New to Chamblee but backed by over a decade of floral artistry, we’re a true flower shop at heart— welcoming walk-ins for both life’s celebrations and quiet moments. Our design-forward creations are thoughtfully crafted and unlike anything else in Atlanta. Custom arrangements come to life before your eyes, blending modern style with timeless craftsmanship to bring beauty wherever you go. Enjoy this snippet of our Holiday collection!
Open daily. Visit or Shop our Holiday Collection online or in-store—refined, beautiful arrangements or customize as your own.
It’s Holiday Time in Chamblee!
Happy Holidays and welcome to the December issue of Chamblee City Lifestyle! As the calendar flips to its most anticipated month, Chamblee comes alive with the comforting rhythms of holiday traditions. There’s a certain magic that returns each year: the smell of pine and baking spices, the sound of familiar carols, and the collective desire to gather, celebrate, and give back. This month, we embrace the heart of the holidays by exploring what makes this season so memorable, focusing on the traditions, both old and new, that define our community.
In this spirit of cherished customs, we're thrilled to present an inspiring feature on transforming your home into a festive wonderland. Whether you lean toward classic, warm white lights or a dazzling, multi-colored spectacle, our story about how Shelter Guard Roofing and Gutters can provide a professional hand in holiday lighting that contributes to the brilliant glow that lights up our Chamblee neighborhoods.
Yet tradition isn't just about decorations, it's about connecting with community and purpose. That’s why we’re proud to introduce you to one of the newest centers of community spirit in our city: Kingdom City Church. Our article offers a look at this newly opened house of worship, exploring its mission and how it's building its own traditions of service and outreach within the Chamblee landscape.
As you prepare for your own celebrations, we hope these pages provide inspiration for both your home and your heart. December reminds us that the greatest gifts are often intangible: the time spent with loved ones, the warmth shared with neighbors, and the dedication to making our community a better place.
On behalf of the entire team at Chamblee City Lifestyle, we wish you a joyous, peaceful, and blessed holiday season. May your traditions be bright, your gatherings be warm, and your 2025 comes to an end surrounded by all the sparkle our wonderful city has to offer.
Happy Holidays!
December 2025
PUBLISHER
Kevin Parker | kevin.parker@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Tana Poncsak | tana.poncsak@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Janet Howard | janet.howard@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Natalie Fox | nataliefoxcreative@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Alyssa Kreplin | alyssakreplin@kw.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
DECEMBER 2025
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Tweeds holds a ribbon cutting ceremony with city staff and officials. Welcome to Chamblee! 2: Chamblee city staff and officials welcome Mosaic with a ribbon cutting ceremony. 3: The Harvey holds a ribbon cutting on a beautiful day in Chamblee. 4: Butch Patrick of “The Munsters” signs autographs and poses with fans at The Oddities Museum. 5: There was plenty of fun and costumes at the 2025 Chamblee & Vine Halloween Party. 6: Fans enjoy the evening and a game at the city of Chamblee’s Watch Party. 7: Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at our cover shoot taken at The Social Studio in Chamblee.
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CITY OF CHAMBLEE
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business monthly
PSA Wealth
PSA Wealth is a financial planning firm that works exclusively with growing business owners to simplify their financial lives and support confident decision-making. Their team specializes in turning complex financial strategies into clear, actionable steps and helps implement every part of the plan. PSA Wealth is built on long-term relationships rooted in trust, with a focus on helping clients grow, protect, and enjoy what they’ve worked hard to build. CRN202808-9176587
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Toca Florals
Chamblee has a beautiful new addition to its business community with the opening of Toca Florals. Located at 5071 Peachtree Blvd, this floral studio specializes in custom floral designs and luxury arrangements for all of life's special occasions. Whether planning a wedding, a corporate event, or to simply brighten someone's day, Toca Florals crafts unique and elegant creations. Bring a touch of natural beauty into your home or next event with Toca Florals.
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Hopstix
Hopstix, a longtime Chamblee favorite Asian Fusion Brewpub, is now open Mondays serving guests from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. And join the crowd for Mahjong Mondays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit hopstix.com
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Photography by Alex Alba
Photography by Kevin Parker
Photography by Tana Poncsak
ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KINGDOM CITY CHURCH
THIS LOCAL CHURCH LEADS WITH AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING LOVE BORNE OF SERVICE, SELF-SACRIFICE, AND A COMMITMENT TO THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
KINGDOM CITY CHURCH
Studies show that consistent participation in community events increases life expectancy. Perhaps it's the security found in sturdy shoulders to hold us up when we’re at our lowest, or shared voices to rejoice loudly when the cards we are dealt come up aces. Blake Odgers, Lead Pastor, believes that our longing for community speaks to what we were made for: to live our lives to the glory of God.
pain of hard things and heightens the beauty of good things,” Blake says. The church opened its doors this past September out of the auditorium at St. Pius X Catholic High School with a mission to serve as a local church in the truest image of Jesus.
They don’t claim to be perfect people, and in fact, they hone in on the innate beauty and brokenness of all human beings. Instead, they are using
“OUR GOAL IS TO BE AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHO JESUS IS.”
On the first date with his wife, Katie, he felt compelled to share his vision for his life. Planting churches is a life of service for the whole family. There isn’t a lot of money involved. You live face-to-face with the hardest parts of people’s lives, holding spiritual space in sickness and in death; Blake knew this path would deeply impact whoever he married. Fortuitously, Katie shared his convictions to offer her life as an instrument for God’s service. A wedding and the birth of their first child later, Blake and Katie found themselves called to Chamblee, ready to open Kingdom City Church. Kingdom City Church seeks to provide a sense of solace and support in Jesus’ name. Locking into a consistent ritual of community “lessens the
their calling to uplift their neighbors and the city as a whole. Inherent in the beautifully broken nature of all people is a propensity to tamp down our hard feelings with outer desires. By acting out of insecurities instead of faith, life is much more painful.
Blake acknowledges that some have found pain in other church organizations. He validates those experiences, extends overflowing compassion, and with deft intellectualism identifies how those impure power dynamics cause extreme harm. Some have not carried the responsibility of spiritual leadership well, propogating great damage. Blake intones, “What you see in the ministry of Jesus is that he always acted with justice and anger toward people trying to leverage God’s name
to hurt, manipulate, or have power over others.” At Kingdom City Church, Blake and Katie are passionately dedicated to embodying Jesus’s vision for the church and pointing to Him, not themselves, for the answers one seeks. The church is the vehicle and vessel.
Thus far, Blake and Katie have been thrilled by the members who have joined Kingdom City Church, finding kinship and friendship. “We don’t just lead the church; we’re part of it. This is our community too,” he says. The congregation is filled with people who feel their lives have been extraordinarily touched by their relationship with Jesus, and they want to extend that love outward.
Blake and Katie continuously ask themselves how they can leverage their lives for the good of Chamblee, Brookhaven, and its surrounding areas. One of their programs, Kingdom City Kids, works in partnership with parents to share the message of Jesus so each child can find their footing in faith for every step of life. Blake and Katie have a two-year-old son, and through fatherhood, Blake has discovered a tenderness and compassion that imbues his spiritual leadership with a deepened awareness of the dignity of all people. “Seeing someone and knowing that somebody loves you the way I love my kid…I’m deeply convinced that God himself loves them infinitely times that amount,” he says. Before becoming
“COME AND SEE.”
a parent, he could understand such concepts on a theological level, but now he knows these truths on an emotional level too. That depth runs through Kingdom City Church, where the communal relationships cultivated are overflowing with authenticity and truth. It's where you can share your deepest hurts, strangest fears, and most overwhelming thoughts. It’s a place that seeks to uplift your spirit through a relationship with Jesus, as Blake is utterly convinced is the way to move toward a life that glorifies our unique selves and life paths.
A phrase they often use is “come and see.” As Blake explains, “Whether it’s your first step toward Jesus or whether you’re giving him another shot, our goal is to be an accurate representation of who Jesus is.” If you’re seeking a spiritual community dedicated to service, there’s a seat waiting for you at Kingdom City Church.
ARTICLE BY
NATALIE FOX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELTER GUARD ROOFING AND GUTTERS
MERRY AND Bright
SHELTER GUARD ROOFING & GUTTERS INSTALLS
PROFESSIONAL-GRADE HOLIDAY LIGHTS TO CREATE A STUNNING SPECTACLE ON YOUR VERY OWN FRONT LAWN
There’s something inherently magical about warm, glowing holiday lights. The impact is immediate, casting a stunning ambience across homes, streets, and neighborhoods. One of the most stress-free (and safest) ways to bring that elevated holiday spirit to your home is by hiring professionals for installation and take-down. This season, Shelter Guard Roofing & Gutters is providing this spectacle-creating service; unlike other companies offering to do so, they have all the insurance policies in place to maximize Christmas cheer up on your rooftops, worry-free.
Shelter Guard Roofing & Gutters is owned and operated by James Scuka, a U.S. Army veteran, with an unwavering dedication to the Chamblee Community. For this particular service, James offers his prospective clients a lookbook of their past holiday projects to peruse, and his team can even accommodate more custom installations if desired.
“As a roofing company, it’s been a natural addition to include gutter services and holiday lights, and it’s a joy to see the finished products.”
The most-requested classic look involves warm white lights along the peaks of homes and accompanying gutters. Want an extra flourish? They recommend adding on mini bulbs scattered amongst the bushes. James and his team have the chops to do your home justice; in previous years, they were in charge of lighting Brookhaven’s 70-foot Christmas tree! Oftentimes, the team tackles Homeowners Association neighborhood projects as well, but their holiday season bread and butter is residential home lighting, and their design formula provides eye-catching results.
Three years ago, after over twenty-two years in the roofing business, James took the plunge taking on holiday lighting. That first year, he placed signs along the roads of neighborhoods he’d previously serviced, and the phone rang off the hook almost immediately. It’s a perfect pocket of time to take on these types of design projects, as most homeowners hold off on major home improvement projects during the holiday season.
Shelter Guard’s gutter cleaning services are another special component, as there’s “only a handful of established companies offering gutter cleaning here in Atlanta,” James explains. As a roofing company, it’s been a natural addition to include gutter services and holiday lights, and it’s a joy to see the finished products. This year, Shelter Guard Roofing & Gutters is offering free gutter cleaning with holiday light installations!
For those interested in hanging their own holiday lights across the roof? “Don’t do it,” James warns. “Most people just don’t have the proper equipment to do it safely. Just stick to putting lights on the bushes and wrapping tree trunks,” he says. The dangers of a fall are truly not worth the risk. Instead, hire professionals you can trust, with a proven track record.
It’s vital to James that his company continues to contribute to the community, from helping folks navigate insurance claims to all their top-notch home services. A father of two, James has been an active member of the Chamblee community for over seven years, and he’s in it for the long haul.
A Taste of Chamblee
‘A Taste of Chamblee’ hits the spot
It was a good day and area residents and guests came out in droves to get "A Taste of Chamblee." From good eats to sweet treats, everyone had a taste of delicious fare to satisfy anyone's tastebuds. And along with the food, there was music and fun for everyone!
The crowd chose food selections from a number of area restaurants including The Mad Italian, Moondog Pub & Grub, Antiguo Lobo, just to name a few. In addition to getting a taste of delicious food, young chefs from the Navigate Program were on hand with a food challenge and entertained with their superb cooking skills. A number of vendors were also on hand with unique items for a different taste of Chamblee.
Did you make it to "A Taste of Chamblee" this year? If yes, then you were there for all the fun! If not, have no fear. "A Taste of Chamblee" is an annual event, so you'll
get your chance to experience "A Taste of Chamblee" again next year. But for now, we're sharing a few images of the fun-filled and food-filled day to remind you of all the food and fun you had or all the food and fun you missed.
Until next year, you can visit your local restaurants and still get a taste of Chamblee. And fortunately for us the list of restaurants continues to grow as new restaurants open in the city. Whether you're a foodie looking for your next new savory dish or comfort food or if you're just plain hungry, there's a restaurant in Chamblee for you.
"A Taste of Chamblee" is just one of many events the city of Chamblee holds for residents and guests throughout the year. For now, we'll look forward to the event next year!
For more information about Chamblee city events, visit chambleega.com
Did you make it to ‘A Taste of Chamblee’ this year?
ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD
THE HOLIDAYS CAN MAKE US NOSTALGIC FOR OLD TRADITIONS, AND ONE OF THOSE TRADITIONS IS SENDING HOLIDAY
CARDS
My personal experience with holiday cards seems typical. I recall many years ago taking the time to pick out just the right box of cards and then I'd carve out time during the holidays to sit down with the cards, my address book, a roll of holiday stamps and a cup of tea or hot chocolate to write out the cards and address the envelopes. With each card I thought about the friends or relatives it would be going to, how I knew them, and how they'd touched my life in some way. It was a yearly holiday tradition and a part of the season like picking out a tree, shopping, baking, and decorating the house.
And then there’s the flip side – the fun of receiving cards from friends and loved ones throughout the holiday season. Opening the mailbox to a stack of green and red envelopes. Every card received was a reminder of the season and its meaning. I saw some of the kids of dear friends grow up from afar through yearly holiday cards. I saw families and beloved pets year after year evolve and grow through photos in cards, and each one received provoked a precious memory.
Many holiday cards received turned into a special holiday decoration in my home. A garland of cards strung together lined my mantle, while others were taped to a doorway welcoming those who entered the room with some holiday cheer.
But then sadly, somewhere over time, the tradition of sending holiday cards slowed and the number of cards we received dwindled. After a moving a time or two, I stopped getting as many cards, and with little time and new priorities during the holidays, I stopped sending cards as well. So is sending holiday cards, much like letter writing in general, becoming a lost art and a passé holiday tradition?
Much of it has to do with the digital age. With texts, email, and social media, we're in constant contact, and perhaps the need to send cards is seen as no longer necessary. According to an article dated December 24, 2024, in the New York Post titled, “Americans are receiving fewer Christmas cards – and most of them could care less,” by Oliver Lewis, six in 10 adults are receiving fewer Christmas cards, and the author goes on to cite a study of 2,000 U.S. adults that found that 44% hoped that the downward trend of sending and receiving holiday cards continues for the rest of Christmas 2024.
Lisa Hladish, owner of Paper Daisies in Chamblee, is a professional when it comes to cards and stationery, and with the rise of all things digital and AI, she says they are very supportive of anything paper. And for those who believe the notes are read and tossed in the trash, Lisa says that notion breaks her heart and that the notes can make an impact on the recipient’s life. They’ve seen it firsthand when guests sit on the couch with an invitation in hand because it’s made an impact in their lives. “We’re obviously big fans of handwritten stationery, notecards, wedding invitations,” she says. “We feel that they build stronger relationships, set intention, tells someone you’re thinking of them, and you’ve taken the time to sit down and write. We like to say they’re like sending little presents out to people, and that’s something that I truly believe.”
Lisa says she realizes that notes and cards can get expensive, and it’s hard to find the time with a full schedule, especially around the holidays, to sit down and write them out. She suggests ordering less and paring down your list for sending holiday cards, set a time and place to write out the cards to make it an enjoyable experience, and save time by using the computer for addressing the envelopes using address labels or mail merge and ordering stamps from usps.com rather than standing in line at the post office.
In the digital age, sending holiday cards or a personal, handwritten note is, perhaps, one of the most meaningful and impactful things we can do, and Lisa also points out that picking the right card or stationery should also be an enjoyable experience. “If you like a really modern look or a really traditional one, there are so many options now,” she says. “It really lets you brand yourself with personalized stationery. And personalized stationery can also make a unique gift for the people on your holiday gift list, and it can be great way to support local artists."
Paper Daisies specializes in stationery for big celebrations. The studio is located in Chamblee and is by appointment. For more information, visit paper-daisies.com .
Each handwritten card can be a personal and impactful gift to the recipient.
“WE LIKE TO SAY THEY’RE LIKE SENDING LITTLE PRESENTS OUT TO PEOPLE...”
AESTHETICS & WELLNESS
Select Includes:
• Facial Treatments
• Microneedling
• Dermaplane
• Chemical Peels Exclusive
Winter Simmer Magic
ARTICLE BY ARSINE KALOUSTIAN
FILL YOUR HOME WITH THE COZY SCENTS OF TART CRANBERRIES, BRIGHT CITRUS, AND WARMING SPICES
Creating stovetop potpourri is a delightful way to indulge in the scents of the festive season. This Cranberry Orange Potpourri combines sparkling notes of fresh citrus and cranberries with nostalgic spices and woodsy herbs to create a welcoming atmosphere.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 3 star anise
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2-3 cups water (plus more as needed)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine cranberries, sliced orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and rosemary in a pot. Add 2-3 cups of water, ensuring the ingredients are submerged. Simmer on low heat, allowing the aromas to release. Check the water level, adding more as needed to prevent drying out. Simmer for several hours to fill your home with the scents of the season.
This potpourri is perfect for setting the holiday mood, whether you’re preparing for a family gathering or simply want your home to smell warm and inviting.
events
DECEMBER 1ST
Chamblee Cop-N-Stuff
Chamblee Public Safety Building and Chamblee City Hall | 9:00 AM
The 4th Annual "Shop With a Cop Toy Drive" that started Nov. 1 continues through Dec. 4th. Donate new, unwrapped toys at the Chamblee Public Safety Building and Chamblee City Hall. Every toy or dollar donated helps bring joy to a local child during the holiday season. Hurry while there's still time! Visit chambleega.com.
DECEMBER 5TH
Chamblee Holiday Hoopla
Chamblee City Hall | 5:00 PM
Join the city of Chamblee as they welcome in the holiday season with the annual Chamblee Holiday Hoopla Celebration! The holiday fun starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 5. For more information, visit chambleega.com
DECEMBER 6TH
Urban Art Collective Holiday Open House
Urban Art Collective, 5655 Peachtree Road | 11:00 AM
Come shop for beautiful and unique holiday gifts and meet the local artists of Urban Art Collective! The Holiday Open House is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 6 and 7. For more information about the event and the artists of the Urban Art Collective, visit urbanartcollective5655.com
The holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol will run from Dec. 6 to Dec. 21 at the Stage Door Theatre in nearby Dunwoody. For showtimes and tickets, visit stagedoortheatrega.org
DECEMBER 10TH
Multi-course Italian Dinner and Wine Pairing Event
The Alden | 7:00 PM
Chamblee & Vine and The Alden restaurant are teaming up for a multi-course Italian dinner and wine pairing event at The Alden. Seating is limited. For more information and tickets, visit thealdenrestaurant.com and chambleeandvine.com
DECEMBER 14TH
Posada Navideña Celebration
Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta 30345 | 2:00 PM
It's a Mexican tradition with dancing, piñatas, clowns, and more! The Posada Navideña Celebration is planned for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Plaza Fiesta. So come join the fun and this Mexican tradition.
Wellness Lounge
Give us 60 minutes ...and we’ll help your nervous system exhale.
Visit The Living Room Wellness Lounge inside Nuts ‘n Berries 4274 Peachtree Rd in Brookhaven
Join us for upcoming events or drop in for a weekly reset!
DEC.
11
| 6PM | NERVOUS SYSTEM 101 WORKSHOP
Explore techniques to calm your nervous system through breath work and gentle movement. Facilitated by holistic practitioner, Dr. Hamad Shirazi. Fee: $20
DEC.
18|
6PM | IN THE STILLNESS: WINTER INTENTION CIRCLE
A guided gathering designed to look inward combining gentle movement, breath work, meditation, grounding and journaling. No experience needed. Facilitated by yoga educator, Georgia Lynn. Fee: $55
