The City of Snellville unveiled new branding for the Snellville Entertainment District (SED) this week. The walkable area surrounding The Grove at Towne Center and in certain areas of downtown Snellville allows for outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed businesses in the district.
The SED was created in 2020 in anticipation of the downtown transformation of The Grove, a $100 million mixed used public-private partnership that includes tenants like Crooked Can Brewery and food hall as well as The Grove Taqueria and Parkside District’s second location. The project was developed by Casto and MidCity in partnership with the City of Snellville Downtown Development Authority. In addition to the brewery and anchor restaurants, The Grove includes the Tomlin apartments, the Elizabeth H. Williams Library, Thrive Co-Working, and other shops and restaurants.
Patrons of local businesses in the district can buy and consume alcoholic beverages outside in The Grove as well as in portions of the Greenway Trail and other adjacent areas in downtown.
Beverages must be purchased from appropriately licensed businesses and consumed from containers identified by restaurant staff with a SED branded sticker. Alcoholic beverages bought from any other vendor are prohibited from being consumed in the entertainment district.
The SED logo, by Joel Hoffman, a private designer, was created using colors found in The Grove, most notably taking inspiration from the bright chairs around the lawn surrounding the Grove pavilion where concerts and movie nights are hosted. The logo also incorporates the unique design of the pavilion which mirrors the stand of trees preserved as part of the outdoor space of The Grove. The tree save area is an homage to Snellville’s history as a gathering place for doing business and building community, traditions that continue in a new way today. Decades ago, the area that is now The Grove was a tree-filled space where residents and travelers alike would meet.
In addition to marking beverage containers, the branding will be incorporated into informational signage around downtown that identifies the boundaries of the Snellville Entertainment District.
Crooked Can Brewery and food hall, The Grove Taqueria and Parkside District are expected to open in the coming months along with Dumpling Master restaurant. Visitors to downtown Snellville can expect to raise a glass (outdoors) just in time for fall in Downtown Snellville.
Porter is new member of Lilburn CID
A new member of the board of the Lilburn Community Improvement District is Cole Porter, president and owner of Porter Steel Inc. It is a structural steel and miscellaneous metals subcontractor with facilities in Lilburn and Athens that serves construction projects across the Southeast.
A Georgia native and graduate of the University of Georgia, under his leadership Porter Steel has grown significantly while upholding its mission to “change lives and lead by example.” Porter also serves on the executive board of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors of the Associated Builders and Contractor of Georgia. His company’s Porter Family Foundation supports local causes.
Pinnacle Financial Partners opens Duluth office
Pinnacle Financial Partners of Nashville, Tenn. has officially opened its newest full-service office in unincorporated Duluth, further expanding its footprint in metro Atlanta. Located at 1960 Satellite Boulevard, Suite 1300, the new office enhances Pinnacle’s financial service capabilities while reinforcing its long-term commitment to local economic growth and community engagement.
The expansion into Gwinnett aligns with Pinnacle’s broader strategy of growing in high-opportunity markets, driven by access to top-tier talent and a strong client base. Gwinnett provides an ideal environment for the firm’s relationship-focused banking model.
Susan Hampton, area manager for Pinnacle Financial Partners, says: “Our Duluth team has already built strong connections with clients and neighbors, and this grand opening is a celebration of those relationships. We’re honored to be part of this community and look forward to continuing to serve with the care and partnership Pinnacle is known for.”
The new location will offer a full range of financial services for businesses and individuals, further supporting Pinnacle’s award-winning reputation for client satisfaction. Earlier this year, Pinnacle was named the No. 1 Best Place to Work in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, reflecting its culture of service, trust, and community investment. To learn more about Pinnacle Financial Partners, visit PNFP.com.
CFNEG ranks second in Georgia in revenue
The Atlanta Business Chronicle released its 2025 ranking of Georgia Community Foundations by total revenue. Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia ranked second in the state, with $32.3 million in total revenue driven by $23 million in new money. In addition, CFNEG’s focus on community impact resulted in $18 million in grants out to support our local non-profits.
As CFNEG continues building on this strong momentum and prepare to close the year, it welcomed Norma Marquez as its new director of development and fundholder relations. She brings 20 years of leadership experience in business development, workforce strategy and operations management. Most recently, she served with Pinnacle Financial Partners of Nashville, Tenn., as they officially opened its newest full-service office in unincorporated Duluth.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Norma serves as Co-Chair of the Cultivating Hispanic Leadership Institute through the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, helping prepare the next generation of Hispanic civic and business leaders. She also sits on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Workforce Development Board, shaping regional strategies for talent growth and economic advancement, and volunteers with HOPE (Hispanic Organization Promoting Education) to empower Latino youth toward academic and career success.
