We checked in recently with Jim Hardy who currently serves as the president of the Piedmont Heights Civic Association. He and his wife, Shelley, live at the top of the cul-de-sac of Rockridge Place, a quiet enclave of semi-detached townhomes just off Rock Springs Road near Monroe Drive. The couple have been homeowners in Piedmont Heights since 2005. We asked Jim a few questions to get to know him better.

Shelley Riden & Jim Hardy of Rockridge Place in Piedmont Heights with sister pups Calliope and Penelope

What do you love most about Piedmont Heights?

It has a neighborly, small town feeling. We’ve got residential single family homes, apartments, grocery stores, restaurants and local businesses - all within walking distance.

What was the first concert you attended?

I don’t recall, but when I was at the University of Alabama, I booked The Tams for a fraternity social.

If you could choose anyone in the world to have as a dinner guest, who would lit be?

I’d invite the leaders of both political parties to see if they could discover, on a personal level, common ground. In my experience, once people learn a little bit about each other, cooperation becomes easier.

What are you most grateful for?

My family. Especially my soulmate, best friend, and wife Shelley who has beaten cancer four times. And my two daughters, my son, and four grandkids.

What are you reading right now?

The Kybalion, a spiritual text. But I also enjoy anything by John Grisham or David Baldacci.

Where do you hope to travel once we can again?

Either Thailand or Germany. I served in the Air Force and was stationed in both countries. But Shelley hasn’t been to either yet.

Thanks to PHCA Board Member Helen Kacur for volunteering to interview Jim and write this Resident Spotlight!

Heritage Preparatory School recently purchased Rock Spring Presbyterian Church (including its Loudermilk Center building). In addition, it purchased the entire Hedgewood Homes development adjacent to the church – the three homes recently built and the rest of the property where an additional six homes were slated to be added next.

As a Landmark Historic Site, the church facade will be preserved by Heritage School, along with the sanctuary and the History Room. Three other rooms in the building will be reconfigured for classroom use for Upper School students.

The Loudermilk Center will become Founders Hall and will be used as a student center.

One of the new homes recently completed by Hedgewood Homes will be converted into a visual arts center with student gallery space, teaching areas, and a pottery studio. The specific use for the other two homes is still being decided.

The existing driveway into the church will also be eliminated in lieu of the new road originally planned for the Hedgewood development. Great idea, as that intersection at Montgomery Ferry and Piedmont Road isn’t the safest; the new driveway is better located to provide a safer experience for Heritage School’s high school drivers and others.

Heritage School will also be installing a large water retention system on the property to alleviate the flooding issues that have been plaguing Allen Rd. and Piedmont Way. More detailed planning is underway for this solution, and permitting will be required before installation can begin, so keep your fingers crossed for April or May.

Heritage School has been an outstanding neighbor for many years and a conscientious steward in their relationship with Morningside Baptist Church, another historic landmark in Piedmont Heights and where their Lower & Middle School classrooms reside. We’re delighted to see this positive outcome for this historic Piedmont Heights landmark after the Rock Spring Presbyterian Church congregation voted to close its ministry in late 2019. Thank you to the leadership of Heritage School, particularly its president, Matt Skinner, for making this possible!

Smith's Olde Bar Pet-friendly outdoor heated patio. NEW food menu with online ordering for to-go orders. Soul cover band every Friday night.  Open from 3pm Friday–Sunday Open from 5pm Monday–Thursday Check out the latest at Smith's Olde Bar! Thanks to Smith's for supporting Piedmont Heights as one of our newest Annual Impact Sponsors! $50 Gift Card Giveaway from Smith's Olde Bar More details coming soon on Facebook and Instagram! Virtual Yappy Hour Thursday, Feb 11 @ 6pm Limited spots available! RSVP by Tuesday, Feb. 9, for this free event! Come paw-ty with your Piedmont Heights neighbors (and your pets!) in this virtual BYOB happy hour!  Thanks to Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital for sponsoring this fun gathering! Super Bowl Sunday! Piedmont Heights is ready to help you enjoy the big game on Sunday, whether you've got your hopes on the Chiefs or the Bucs – or even just the commercials or the halftime show! Smith's Olde Bar Woof's Sports Bar The Buttery ATL Ansley Wine Merchant Sweetwater Brewery And so many more food & beverage options!   Welcome Indie Studios, Victory Concepts, and more to Armour Yards! Check it out. Sweetwater Brewery: Now open for lunch on Fridays starting at noon. Give them a visit. Spalding Nix Artist Talks: Check the schedule to hear from these talented artists.  Goodbye, Red Snapper: After 34 years, we bid farewell to this local seafood restaurant.   Our friends at The Buttery ATL are on a roll with TONS of new, exciting things! To name a few... King Cakes for Mardi Gras Super Bowl menu Nightly Special Hot Dinners to go!  Let's Celebrate Love Valentine's menu Extended hours - open earlier and later. Oh, and breakfast sandwiches coming soon! Heart Tarts FoodSmith Lisa Dwyer is making Heart Tarts for Valentine's Day. Perfect for your special someone! A light butter cookie filled with pillowy whipped cream cheese and decorated with fresh flowers, chocolate, gold-dusted berries, chocolate wafers, and sprinkles. Place your order online.  Atlanta BeltLine Updates With the recent rainy weather, the Atlanta BeltLine section that runs under Montgomery Ferry and between Flagler Ave and Ansley Golf is now set to open mid-February. See more Construction Updates on their website.

If you're buying a new home that needs some renovations, check out the info below from Tina Seiler, a Casting Director with a new real estate/home renovation show filming in Atlanta.

The show is looking for people who are getting ready to close on or have recently moved into a home needing some renovation. The home buyers will receive the guidance of an expert real estate broker who has extensive experience in building instant equity by helping to make smart renovation choices.

Smith's Olde Bar is a Piedmont Heights institution. Founded in 1994 in a historic building - the oldest shopping center in all of Atlanta, actually! - Smith's is constantly evolving to serve its neighbors. Check out just a few happenings going on over at your local neighborhood watering hole. Plus, online ordering for takeout food orders!

Open for Business!

Go visit Smith's during their hours of operation!

• Monday – Thursday: Opens at 5pm
• Friday – Sunday: Opens at 3pm

Heated, Pet-Friendly Patio

Have you seen their revamped patio? They have even more updates planned, but it's a great spot for hanging out with your pooch while you watch the game – especially with the outdoor heaters!

Food Orders for Takeout

Dinner's easy – order online or  give them a ring to place your takeout order: 404-875-1522. You can pick up straight from the patio. Did we mention the patio heaters? :)

Friday Soul Night & Daily Specials

Every Friday night, enjoy no cover charge with soul music from Edgewood Heavy! Plus, there are specials every day of the week - check out on Facebook to stay in the loop. 

If you're into #ShopLocal, #SupportLocal, and #EatLocal, then you're in luck! Fresh Harvest has you covered with fresh produce from local, sustainable Georgia farmers. Plus, they also have meats, seafood, prepared meals, yogurt, cheese, and other artisan goods. 

Even better, they deliver right to your doorstep! Check out Fresh Harvest.

Mention "Piedmont Heights" when you join to save $20 off your first Fresh Harvest basket delivery!

Already, neighbors from Ansley Forest Apts, Flagler Ave, and more are enjoying the bounty and convenience of Fresh Harvest!

"Nothing beats the flavor and freshness of organically grown produce that hasn't been shipped across the country (or even over an ocean)! I love supporting my Georgia farmers—and I didn't even have to wake up early on the weekend to get the best selection and still #SupportLocal, thanks to Fresh Harvest."
—Fresh Harvest customer in Piedmont Heights 

Since 2012, Fresh Harvest has been a small group of friends creating an ethical food hub in Georgia. Join the Harvest, and save $20 on your first delivery box when you mention "Piedmont Heights."

A special thank you to our 2021 Impact Sponsor ShelfGenie Atlanta! 

As many of us continue to be home more, maybe you're feeling the need to make the most of the cabinets in your kitchen, office, bathroom, and other areas of your home. 

If you need help from the pros, give Julie VanLeuven, owner of ShelfGenie Atlanta, a call! 770-380-1994 or email her at jvanleuven@shelfgenie.com to schedule a Free Consultation. 

Special Offer for Piedmont Heights residents: Save 50% on installation with purchase of 4+ Glide-Out shelves. Be sure to mention Piedmont Heights when you speak with Julie.

ShelfGenie's drawer solutions are custom-built to fit your space exactly – no renovation needed! It's a great time to love where you live even more with extra functionality.

You can also check out ShelfGenie's blog posts for great tips and design inspiration!

• 7 Pantry Trends in 2021
• Small Living Solutions (9 Hacks for Small Homes)
• Reorganize Your Bathroom with These Organization Hacks
• Save Kitchen Space With These 11 Tips

Last but not least, ShelfGenie Atlanta is hiring! Learn more about their Design Consultants to see if this part-time position might be a great fit for you. 

The PHCA Board of Directors proudly bestows the 2020 Jean Johnson Award to our neighbor Jim Hardy.

Jim and his wife, Shelley, moved to Piedmont Heights in 2005. In 2013, he joined the PHCA Board of Directors where he has served on the Transportation, Planning, and Security committees. Jim was instrumental in securing the License Plate Reader cameras for our neighborhood in 2018. For the past two years, he has navigated many important issues as the president of PHCA, and he begins a new term now in 2021.

His service is not limited to Piedmont Heights; Jim has also made a positive impact throughout our Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU-F) where he serves as the Public Safety Chair. In addition, he is a liaison to the Atlanta Planning & Advisory Board (APAB).

Jim’s community service with Piedmont Heights and the broader Atlanta area bookends a full career in military counterintelligence, police investigations, insurance crime, and security training. He is a former Protective Security Advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, based in Atlanta.

Thank you, Jim, for your friendship and your continued support and stewardship of our special neighborhood, our “Small Town in a Big City!”

About the Jean Johnson Award

Jean Johnson moved to Rock Springs Rd. in Piedmont Heights in 1972. She joined the Piedmont Heights Civic Association in 1983 and served on its Board of Directors for 35 years. She chaired and served on many committees and task forces, never seeking high post nor personal recognition. She was always the calm voice of experience and reason, never excited nor angry, led by example, and offered wise counsel. Her dedication to community extended far beyond our neighborhood. She served for many years as Piedmont Heights’ representative to Neighborhood Planning Unit F, garnering much public recognition. In 2016, she received an Atlanta Planning & Advisory Board Award for the City of Atlanta’s “Neighborhoods Matter” program.

Jean was at heart a teacher. Her professional career in Atlanta included three major educational organizations: the Southern Regional Education Board, the Southern Education Foundation, and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, retiring in 2000. Jean never married, but the many friends she made in Piedmont Heights became her loving family.

In 2013, to recognize her long service to our neighborhood, the PHCA Board created and awarded her the “Jean Johnson Award,” which has since been awarded annually to a PHCA Board Member for outstanding service. When asked about the highlights of her life, Jean responded without hesitation, friends made and her years of service to Piedmont Heights.

Jean passed away in February 2020, but we continue to honor her memory and her legacy through this special award as other Piedmont Heights neighbors make their mark on our beloved community.

A special thanks to Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital, one of our newest Annual Community Sponsors!

What makes Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital different from other veterinarian clinics or hospitals?

For almost two decades, Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital has been serving the Garden Hills, Buckhead, Piedmont Heights, Brookhaven, and surrounding in-town metro Atlanta community with exceptional veterinary services for dogs and cats and the people who love them.

We offer the high-end medical services of a specialty hospital, including ultrasound, chemotherapy, and surgery, but in a smaller and more intimate setting where everyone knows your name. We have ten doctors on staff, offering specialized and urgent care.

We have a lifecycle approach to care, with specialized consideration for your animal’s life stage and unique needs. Our spectrum of care starts with new puppy or kitten protocols through to individualized hospice treatment. We offer a convenient portal for clients to access their pet’s medical records and place reorders for meds. We have an on-site pharmacy.

While our building and the technology we use is state-of-the-art, our atmosphere is warm and neighborly. We are proud to be a family-owned independent veterinary practice, so we may practice medicine without the restrictive policies of a franchise.

We strive for 30-minute appointments and a better experience for both pet and pet owner.

We have great people in our staff family, and we have a happy culture. We love what we do—we are all pet owners and are passionate about animals.

Our Mission: To positively affect our clients’ lives by taking extraordinary care of their animal family members.

Our personalized service and focus on preventative education and treatment enable us to follow the golden rule in treating both you and your pet like family. We want what is in the long-term best interest for your animal and our mission is to give your pet the longest and best life possible.

The result is optimized health for the animal and an optimized experience between pet and pet parent.

At Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital, it’s all about you!

Thanks to Loveless Melvin for creating this amazing, inspiring video that showcases our Beautify PiHiATL - Piedmont Heights 2020 Traffic Box Art created by Charity Hamidullah and Angie Jerez!

You can see more pictures and read more about the project on our Art in Piedmont Heights page.