A Day in the Life of a Westside Restaurant Owner
Jacob Hunter, co-owner of The Daily, starts his day early. He leaves his home in the Candler Park and Lake Claire area around 7:30 a.m., aiming to arrive at the cafe’s Westside location on Trabert Avenue before 8 a.m. This 10- to 15-minute drive is just the beginning of his daily routine, which often involves navigating the challenges of Atlanta’s ever-changing landscape.
In 2022, Hunter and his partners, Michael and Melody Shemtov, returned to their hometown of Atlanta from Charleston. They chose to settle near Inman Park to be close to their children’s school. Since then, The Daily has expanded to include two more locations in Inman Park and Buckhead. However, managing all three locations comes with its own set of challenges.
Hunter doesn’t always spend his mornings at The Daily in Inman Park. Sometimes, he finds himself commuting six miles to the Westside or even 13 miles to the Buckhead location. While he isn’t involved in the day-to-day operations at The Daily, he does make regular visits to each location as needed.
At the Trabert Avenue location, manager Shay Raynor handles most of the daily tasks. Hunter relies on Raynor to keep things running smoothly while he focuses on other aspects of the business. His commute can vary depending on traffic, but he has developed a few back roads that help him avoid the worst congestion.
One of his preferred routes involves taking DeKalb all the way to Marietta and then turning onto Howell Mill Road. If he takes the Connector, he exits at 17th Street and travels west down some of the most heavily trafficked roads in the area. While the morning commute is usually manageable, the return trip in the afternoon can be more challenging.
Due to his children’s school schedule, Hunter often leaves the Trabert Avenue location around 1 p.m. By that time, the travel from Berkeley Park to Inman Park and Lake Claire can take between 30 to 40 minutes. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the future of the area.
Navigating the Challenges of Development
The congestion between Chattahoochee Avenue and the Marietta Street Artery is a direct result of the development happening on the Westside. Hunter acknowledges that construction can be frustrating, but he sees it as part of the city’s growth. He believes that these changes will ultimately benefit the community.
For Hunter, the key to managing the challenges of the area is having a flexible approach. All of The Daily locations close at 3 p.m., which helps reduce the impact of traffic during peak hours. Additionally, the majority of the cafe’s suppliers are local, ensuring that ingredient and supply deliveries remain reliable despite the lack of proper infrastructure.
Baked goods for all three locations are prepared in Inman Park, while tortillas for The Daily’s popular breakfast burritos are sourced from Poco Loco in Kirkwood. Coffee deliveries come from a rotation of local roasters, further supporting the local economy.
Community and Visibility
Despite being located within a block of busy Howell Mill Road, the Trabert Avenue location doesn’t see as much foot traffic as the other locations. Hunter estimates that around 40 percent of the Westside location’s patrons live in the neighborhood. The post-church crowd on Sundays brings in a significant number of weekend customers, and there are also several loyal regulars who have been dining at The Daily since its opening.
Without an anchor business on the street, such as a gym or a grocery store like Kroger, operating on Trabert Avenue has been challenging. Hunter is hopeful that the arrival of the new portion of the Beltline this summer will bring increased foot traffic and more visibility to The Daily and its neighbors, Floral Park Market and Monday Night Brewing.
While Hunter doesn’t believe the success of the Westside location should rely solely on the Beltline, he acknowledges that an anchor business would help create a more walkable neighborhood. That’s why he and his team have remained committed to the area, especially with the upcoming developments on the horizon.
