Residence Inn by Marriott (marriott.com/atlri) at Peachtree and 17th Street in Midtown has completed an extensive renovation and enhancement of its 160 suites and public areas. The new studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites offer guests spacious accommodations as well as a fully equipped kitchen with full-sized refrigerator. Business travelers can take advantage of extensive workspaces, and complimentary high-speed Internet access.
SunTrust has launched an Innovation Branch at its headquarters building on Peachtree Street in Downtown. The branch, which will be used to test new concepts for the bank, has automated safety deposit boxes that allows customers to access their deposit box using their debit card, pin number and hand scan. There are also teller connected video ATMs to help customers with transactions.
Fanfundr, a tech startup that allows fans to crowdfund live performances from favorite acts, has launched a fiscal sponsorship campaign in partnership with C4 Atlanta, a local nonprofit for arts services. The company is using C4’s Arts Force crowdfunding website to raise $20,000 in donations towards the development of a mobile platform, available for free on any computer, smart phone or tablet. Fanfundr uses the crowdfunding model to give performers an easier way to book shows with guaranteed attendance. Those interested in learning more about Fanfundr and supporting the project can visit force.c4atlanta.org/campaigns/fanfundr.
Beauty retailer and spa Bluemercury (bluemercury.com) will open its first Atlanta location at Buckhead Market Place, 37 West Paces Ferry this month. The full service spa will offer oxygen facials, glycolic peels, waxing and microdermabrasion. The store will also carry Bluemercury’s skincare line, M-61.
Mama Bath + Body (loveyourmama.com) has moved from its original Decatur location to a new storefront in Avondale Estates and has announced a new location at Krog Street Market in Inman Park later this summer. Owner Emilie Sennebogen Bryant said not only are the storefronts expanding, but the wholesale business for her handmade soaps and candles has grown to more than 80 stores in 26 states. The Avondale store at 112 Avondale Road will have its grand opening event on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gray Miller West Gallery (graymillerwest.com) has opened at 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. in the Old Fourth Ward. The first exhibit continues through June 5 featuring the work of Clay Hood. The trio behind the gallery are long-time Atlanta art scene players September Gray, Nic Miller and Vance West.
Starting fall 2014, Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business will offer courses for the Flexible (Flex) MBA program at its Buckhead Center located at Tower Place 200. The college’s part-time MBA is ranked No. 25 in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek and No. 29 by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about the program, visit flex.robinson.gsu.edu.
Community & Southern Holdings (mycsbonline.com), the holding company of Community & Southern Bank (CSB), has acquired Verity Capital Group, the holding company of Verity Bank, after receiving all shareholder and regulatory approvals. With the addition of the two Verity Bank branches in Winder and Cornelia, Georgia, CSB’s footprint will expand to 40 branches across metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
