We’re back with our Inside Atlanta series: Every week, we sit down with influential locals to talk about what Atlanta means to them. Today we are in conversation with John Stephenson, Jr., president and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame and Chik-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta. Named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40” and “Atlanta’s 100 Most Influential Atlanta” lists, Stephenson, a UGA alumnus and self-proclaimed family man who hails from Troutman Sanders, is proud of the growth and success the Hall of Fame has experienced it, especially in such a short time (the attraction just opened in August 2015).
“As proud as I am of those personal accolades, they are no match for the awards and publicity the Hall of Fame project has received from the hundreds of men and women who worked so hard to build this spectacular new attraction. »Today we have a tour of The Big Peach led by Stephenson himself.
I live in… Sandy Springs, between Brookhaven and Chastain. It is quiet, but we can reach all parts of the city easily. Born and raised here, I never considered living anywhere else. Atlanta is a great place to be a kid, a young professional, build a career, raise a family, and even retire. Atlanta really has it all.
I wish people knew… what our city has to offer! I wish people were more proud of this amazing city. We don’t need to minimize our greatness or take it for granted. The vibrant area around Centennial Olympic Park has a collection of world-class attractions that rival any city in the country, all within walking distance of each other, hotels and restaurants. Atlantans should plan a stay and get excited!
You can meet me … at a local park or go out to dinner with my family.
It’s dinner time, I’m heading to… Taqueria del Sol, it’s a quick but excellent lunch or dinner every time. [For] special occasions: Rathbun’s; sushi: Sushi Nami; customer dinner: Bone’s; ethnic: Nan; old school: Taxco or Jalisco; Getaway: Last Resort Grill in Athens.
The clock strikes 5 o’clock, I’m drinking… A cold beer. The brick store in Decatur is great and the STATS center is a great place to watch a sporting event.
If I had to stay in a hotel, I would check into… The Omni Hotel at CNN Center – it’s a great location close to all the downtown attractions and sports venues. Ideal for after a game, concert or cationic stay.
Atlanta’s best kept secret is… A playground right off the runway at DeKalb Peachtree Airport, if you have kids (or are just a kid at heart). Children can play and watch the planes take off and land all day. Also, there is a little restaurant called Downwind that has great burgers.
When I play as a tourist, I go to… the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience, of course! After that, the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium are always popular with outsiders. The Atlanta History Center, the Atlanta Zoo, and Stone Mountain are also great places to take the family.
I put on the sweat… [Chasing] my children! Sometimes I walk 9 or 18 holes on one of the many golf courses around me and I like to call that “exercise.”
I love spending my money at… Bass Pro Shop. I challenge anyone to come in and not buy something (even if you don’t need it). Kane Boutique in Midtown has great gifts, and if I need to be healthy (which is always the case) Veda Juice in Peachtree Hills.
Savanna Sturkie Story. You can contact the expert Atlanta Travel, Kate Parham Kordsmeier on Twitter @KPKords or by email at [email protected]. Do not forget to Like us on Facebook.
