Newspaper Page Text
BUSINESS
THURSDAY, MAY 17-23, 2018 • Page 13
Stratford-on-Avondale—new eatery embraces city’s Tudor theme
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Veteran restaurateur James
Maggard often names his
establishments to honor their
locale. He continued that
tradition when he opened The
Stratford Bar and Restaurant
in Avondale Estates on the
first day of 2018.
Just as one of his other
DeKalb County restaurants,
Local 7 in Tucker, is named
to reflect the areas railroad
heritage and the tracks that
run by the building, The
Stratford’s name honors its
surroundings.
“Avondale Estates takes
its name from Stratford-on-
Avon in England and borrows
such touches as Tudor-
inspired architecture. We
continued that theme in this
restaurant,” Maggard said of
the establishment now in the
building formerly occupied
by Pallookaville.
British inspiration doesn’t
stop with the name. The bar
has an extensive collection
of British and Irish beers,
and the menu includes such
items as fish and chips and
shepherds pie, echoing the
fare of the ubiquitous pubs of
the British Isles. Saturday and
Sunday brunch features such
British touches as bangers
(sausages) and white and
black pudding.
Maggard said he especially
recommends the deli roast
beef sandwich. “It’s high-
quality rare roast beef with
sauteed red peppers, greens
and provolone cheese, served
on an onion roll that’s made
with Vidalia onions—so it’s a
little bit England and a little
bit Georgia.”
Other items on the menu
are clearly inspired by other
corners of the world such as
south of the border offerings
tacos, nachos and quesadillas.
Some items, including the
Brunswick stew and the
pimento cheese spread
remind diners they are still
in the South. Maggard said
he sometimes tweaks the
menu to reflect customer
preferences and he’s open
to customer suggestions on
brands of beer and wine.
Maggard said he was
introduced to the hospitality
industry as he worked in
bars and restaurants to help
meet expenses while he was
in college. “I really enjoyed
the social aspects of it as well
as learning about such places
from a business standpoint.
After college, I worked in
the corporate world, but
after a while I realized I was
better suited to running a
restaurant,” he said.
While continuing to
manage special events at
Local 7, Maggard works day-
to-day at the Stratford. He
commented that experience
in the industry has taught
him that making a restaurant
operate smoothly and
successfully take diligence. “A
restaurant runs on pennies
and nickels, not on dollars,”
he said. “You have to keep
your eye on even the smallest
details. You have to hire
reliable staff and work closely
with them every day.”
Maggard’s partner at the
Stratford, Andy Anselmo,
first worked with him at Local
7. “Now he’s a managing
partner. That’s how we do
things. We take good people,
develop them and let them
grow with us.”
He said plans are under
way for a barbecue restaurant
to open in Tucker before the
end of the year. “We’ll do the
same thing there. People who
are already with us will have
the opportunity to continue
growing their careers as we
grow our businesses.”
Maggard said he chose
Avondale Estates because,
like Tucker, it has a strong,
cohesive community that’s on
the move. “Both cities are in a
rapid growth phase. The local
government and residents
are excited about the cities’
growth and they support new
businesses coming in. Here in
Avondale Estates we’ve gotten
great support from the start.
City government, the business
community and those who
live and work here have all
been really supportive. Police
officers and firefighters are in
here every day.”
The lunch menu, he said,
offers simple inexpensive fare
created with area workers on
lunch break in mind. “Soups,
sandwiches, salads and other
quick items—that customers
can mix and match—are
offered to get diners in, out
and back to work,” Maggard
continued.
Although the parking lot
seems small, there’s plenty
of parking, according the
Maggard. “The municipal
buildings are right down the
street city officials are happy
to allow our customers to
park there, especially after
they close for business each
James Maggard says he likes opening restaurants in strong, cohesive communities such as Avondale Estates.
day. That’s another example of Like the former tenant, The area available to be rented for
how they’re working with us.” Stratford makes its upstairs special events.
City Schools of Decatur
Budget for Fiscal Year 2019
July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019
General Fund
Special Funds
Nutrition Fund
Capital Funds
ESTIMATED REVENUES
Local Taxes
$
32,087,672
$
5,000,000
Local Other
2,958,640
$
1,636,750
State General
28,364,039
State Other
$
836,562
44,000
Federal
1,384,293
665,000
171,065
Transfers from Other Funds
251,739
General Fund Balance Obligated
8,578,057
Capital Fund Balance Restricted
20,326,908
Total Revenues
$
71,988,408
s
2,472,594
s
2,345,750
$
25,497,973
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES
Instruction
s
47,244,039
s
2,143,526
$
750,000
Pupil Services
3,402,529
209,816
Improvement of Instructional Services
1,177,406
16,407
Instructional Staff Training
8,000
Educational Media Services
1,306,513
Federal Grant Administration
75,675
General Administration
1,358,287
School Administration
5,525,406
345,000
Support Services - Business
581,126
Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services
6,167,935
25,000
Student Transportation Service
1,377,424
19,170
87,500
Support Services - Central
2,113,181
105,000
Other Support Services
109,500
School Nutrition Program
1,066,665
s
2,345,750
Community Services Operations
Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services
21,850,000
Transfers to Other Funds
251,739
Debt Service
306,658
2,335,473
Total Expenditures
s
71,988,408
s
2,472,594
s
2,345,750
$
25,497,973
The Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at
6:30 PM at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2018. The meeting will be held in the
Board Room of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue.