DISTANCE: 29.6 MILES
Ahead of Its Time
Before Ponce City Market, there was Sears, Roebuck & Co. Established in 1926, Sears brought opportunity and life into the city, boasting 30,000 visitors on opening day. In 1930, Sears launched a farmer’s market with over 100 individual producers from counties all across Georgia. In 1979, the retail store closed but the building continued operating as a Sears regional office until 1987. The building also served as Atlanta City Hall East until 2011.
Eat, Drink, Shop, Socialize
Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood off the Atlanta Beltline, Ponce City Market is THE place to eat, drink and shop for Atlantans in the know. PCM, as it’s known locally, opened in 2014 in the renovated Sears, Roebuck & Company building, restoring its prominence as an Atlanta landmark (it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places!). A true live-workplay community, the historic building spans over two million feet and is home to retail, restaurants, offices, venues and residences.
PCM’s Central Food Hall claims to be Culinary Central for the South, and we can’t argue with the title. Home to James Beard Award-winning chefs, you’ll face decision paralysis from the endless array of options. The only cure is to try a little bit of everything! For a fabulous al fresco brunch or dinner with nightly performances by musicians and comedians, check out City Winery—an Atlanta offshoot of the famed NYC venue of the same name.
For a combination dessert and drink, head over to King of Pops Bar and order a ‘poptail’—a cocktail with a perfectly paired King of Pops pop dropped into it. We’re particularly fond of the raspberry lime pop with prosecco, or the house favorite, Bear Trap—bourbon with blackberry and lemon juices, soda and a Blackberry Ginger Lemon pop.
If you prefer a more savory drink/snack combo, you won’t want to miss Biltong Bar-Beef Jerky and Booze. “Biltong” is an all-natural, air-dried jerky made of beef, ostrich, venison or elk. It’s a traditional South African snack— something you’d find natives eating out of a paper bag while strolling the streets.
Head up to the roof for some real fun at Skyline Park. Be sure to make a reservation at 9 Mile Station to skip paying the $10 “gatekeeper elevator” fee. Grab an app and a few cocktails and take in the sunset while playing carnival games, sliding or playing putt-putt.
Finish off your day (and bank account) with the shopping excursion of your Instagram dreams. You’ll find storefronts for lots of high-end brands typically found in boutiques, like Frye (it smells so good in there) and Candlefish (also worth a sniff).