Marketing Director Yaw Botchey, Client Relations Manager Xavier Peoples, General Manager Melvin Simms and Owner Damien Gordon cut the ribbon for the grand opening of M Bar, alongside City of Atlanta Councilman Andre Dickens.
A crowd of Atlanta's elite joined M Bar executives Damien Gordon, Yaw Botchey, Xavier Peoples, and Melvin Simms for a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month. The ceremony celebrated the official proclamation of Aug. 5th as "M Bar Day" in the City of Atlanta.
Located in the historic Sweet Auburn Avenue community, M Bar is one of few bars in Atlanta's history to receive an official day declaration and possibly the first Black-owned establishment to do so in Atlanta's history. City of Atlanta Councilmen Andre Dickens and Clarence "C.T." Martin attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The proclamation follows a pledge released by M Bar executives to restore the historic Atlanta community. The initiative focuses on job creation, improved local professionalism and civic engagement in local politics and national social issues.
Attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
For years, the Sweet Auburn Avenue community has been a cornerstone of Black history in Atlanta. Notable landmarks like Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the nightclub Royal Peacock reside along the avenue. Today, the once heavily populated neighborhood is almost deserted and in need of revitalization.
"We have extended our house to people who are second chances," said owner Damien Gordon.
Gordon announced M Bar will create over 40 jobs to "second chances" like felons and homeless persons in the Auburn Avenue community. The effort is designed to reintegrate and reacclimate those who have fallen on bad times with the workforce.
The initiative is already underway. M Bar is reshaping Atlanta's traditional lounge experience and restoring a storied community. In a couples months, Sweet Auburn Avenue may look a lot like the its esteemed past.