Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Acworth

What if you threw a big party and no one showed up? That's what happened to a business owner in Acworth when she held a 10-year anniversary celebration. She's blaming the no-shows on the postal service.

"We were so excited we had been here in Acworth for 10 years. We had food, drinks, decorations, we were doing some big giveaways," said Rhonda Brummett, owner of Celestial Jewelers.

Brummett says the store had a 9th anniversary party last year. She says hundreds of people showed up, the store made tens of thousands of dollars in sales, and she was expecting this year to be even better.

Brummett says for the 10th anniversary celebration she spent about $1,000 on the set-up and 1,000 promotional cards that she says were mailed to her clients.

But she says no one knew about the party because no one received an invitation.

"I was very disheartened. I reached out to a lot of my clients, and they had no idea," said Brummett.

Brummett believes those invitations are somewhere with all the other mail that is missing because of the problems with the Atlanta GA Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto. That's the facility that was built to streamline the process.

USPS updates Atlanta mail delays

Missing, delayed mail woes continue

Hard questions for the postal officials after complaints of mail being delayed or missing. Georgia's U.S. senators are now demanding answers from the USPS.

FOX 5 reached out to the US Postal Service to ask for an update on the problems.

A spokesperson for the USPS sent a statement that reads in part:

"Operations are improving as we continue to make significant investments in the Atlanta area, including new sorting machines, upgraded facilities and more efficient transportation, that will help ensure our organization can provide reliable delivery services for years to come."

As a small business owner, Brummett does not have a big advertising budget, so she relies on the mail system as the best way to get the word out about special promotions.

"We have over 12,000 people in our database, I can't just pick up the phone and call them," said Brummett.

She says she knows other small businesses are in the same boat.

"I think there's going to be a lot of other businesses struggling because we can't get the word out," said Brummett.

Compass Self Strage - entrance - Acworth GA

Compass Self Storage - back - Acworth GA

Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, proudly announces the opening of their brand new state-of-the-art, Class A self storage center located at 848 Seven Hills Connector in Acworth, Georgia. This location has over 70,000 net rentable square feet and represents the company’s 18th location in the state of Georgia.

The newest Compass Self Storage location offers smart lock units on every unit. Customers can use an app on their smartphone (or a key fob) to access the smart lock on their unit, and they never have to remember to bring a key. They can also securely provide access to designated family or contacts that may need to visit the unit.

Compass Self Storage in Acworth offers all climate-controlled units and features a covered loading bay area to help customers load and unload during any type of weather. This storage center also has individual unit access control, 24-hour digital surveillance, a full line of boxes and packing supplies and offers truck rental right on site.

“Our newly constructed storage center in Acworth, Georgia leverages the latest access technology to help our customers access their secure units effortlessly. We believe this will, just like offering truck rental and moving and packing supplies on site – will help improve the moving and storing experience for our customers. We are excited to expand our service area in Atlanta to include Acworth, where we see opportunity to help the growing number of residents and commercial businesses,” stated Todd Amsdell, President and CEO.

Compass Self Storage offers a full line of moving and packing supplies, as well as moving service options. Compass Self Storage strives to make the storage experience streamlined and stress free by employing knowledgeable team members who help guide the customer through the entire process. Compass Self Storage has over 100 locations nationwide.

The above-mentioned development was completed by separate affiliates of Amsdell Group, LLC and Compass Self Storage, LLC. The Amsdell family of companies (Amsdell Companies) is headquartered in Cleveland, OH. Amsdell draws its roots from the family owned construction company founded in 1928 and has since been active in several billions of dollars’ worth of real estate ventures with a primary focus on self storage. As industry pioneers, Amsdell has owned and operated over 500 storage centers under various trade names in over 27 states. With over 85 years of doing business, the Amsdell team has extensive experience in property acquisition, construction and property management. Please visit www.amsdellcompanies.com and www.compassselfstorage.com for more information.

ACWORTH, Ga. - Government workers in Cherokee County are working together to help make sure families have access to food and other basic supplies. Twenty-five workers from seven different departments worked together to build a Little Free Food Pantry in an underserved community, just in time for the holiday season.

"We care a lot about this county," EMA Director Daniel Westbrook said.

Cherokee County employees from fire and emergency services, community development, the sheriff's office, human resources, and more all came together as part of a leadership class. Part of the program involved a community service project.

"We had a few different suggestions, and I made the suggestion that we create and place a pantry. It's called a Little Free Food Pantry, and it's an outside pantry that you can put donations in," HR Director Kathy Lambert said.

After the team picked a project, they had to find the best place to put it. They worked with MUST Ministries to identify a location.

"It's a big county, and we have a lot of people inside the county, so we wanted to pick a good location that was going to have a benefit from the pantry." said Kevin Lanier, the deputy chief of operations for the Cherokee County Fire Department. "We loaded up in the car, we went around town, we visited several locations we thought might be a good place."

Ultimately, they landed on the Greater Church on Bells Ferry Road in Acworth. Each person on the team used their skills to make it happen. Like Paul Laney, the director of building and development services for the county.

"I got a pantry donated that we could kind of work on as a group to finish putting it together." he said, "We painted it, roofed it, detailed it, put signs on it and stuff - so just kind of put it all together that way.

After working together to build it, they went to set it up, and one team member learned of an even deeper connection to the project.

"We pull up, and I realize not only is this where this food pantry is, I had actually gone to this church as a child and I had no idea. And it was kind of emotional just to see it from an adult's perspective. Seeing this food pantry and the help it was going to bring to this community, and knowing the area … that was a really big deal." Tiffany Ball from the sheriff's office said.

They want this pantry to be a place where anyone can get help.

"This pantry is available 24/7. And so you have someone who might not be willing to knock on the door, but they don't have to with this pantry. They can walk by and get a meal to feed their family or themselves," Lanier said.

"It's a great time, and we have a lot of people in that area who are in need right now, it's starting to get cold outside and we've got Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas, and we're hoping people can get food and things for their family so they can have a great holiday meal," Lambert said.

It's a project for this group that shows that even when they're not serving their community at work, they're still working to support everyone's needs.

"We want to just find every way possible to serve our citizens and make sure they have all of their needs met. Sometimes that's difficult, but we want to do it as steadfastly as we can." Westbrook said.

"I hope Cherokee County citizens know they're surrounded by a community that genuinely does care about them," Ball said.

The National Weather Service, has escalated the flood watch to a flood warning in Acworth in Cobb County. The following creeks are experiencing flooding: Noonday Creek near Noonday Creek above Chastain Meadows Pkwy, and Allatoona Creek at Stilesboro Road.

What is the difference between a watch and a warning?

The National Weather Service describes the difference between a “watch” and a “warning” as follows:

“As the event becomes imminent, a watch will normally be upgraded to either a warning or an advisory (which indicates an 80% or greater probability of occurence).

“A Warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. “

“An Advisory indicates conditions pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.”

What is in the warning?

Here is the complete text of the flood warning (it repeats, but we decided to include the complete text):

Flood Warning

National Weather Service Peachtree City GA

1044 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

…The National Weather Service in Peachtree City GA has issued a

Flood Warning for the following rivers in Georgia…

Allatoona Creek at Stilesboro Road near Acworth affecting Cobb

County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional information is available at weather.gov/atlanta.

The next statement will be issued this evening at 1045 PM EST.

&&

GAC067-100345-

/O.NEW.KFFC.FL.W.0014.240109T1544Z-000000T0000Z/

/MAHG1.1.ER.240109T1222Z.240109T1500Z.000000T0000Z.UU/

1044 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS MORNING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…

* WHAT…Minor flooding is occurring.

* WHERE…Allatoona Creek at Stilesboro Road near Acworth.

* WHEN…From this morning until further notice.

* IMPACTS…At 13.0 feet, Flood Stage is reached. Minor flooding

begins in the woodlands and fields near the creek upstream and

downstream from the gage on Stilesboro Road.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…

– At 10:15 AM EST Tuesday the stage was 13.7 feet.

– Recent Activity…The maximum river stage in the 24 hours

ending at 10:15 AM EST Tuesday was 13.7 feet.

– Forecast…No forecast is available for this location.

– Flood stage is 13.0 feet.

– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of

13.8 feet on 05/03/2021.

– http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

LAT…LON 3396 8467 3396 8474 3405 8474 3405 8468

3399 8465

$$

Flood Warning

National Weather Service Peachtree City GA

1025 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

…The National Weather Service in Peachtree City GA has issued a

Flood Warning for the following rivers in Georgia…

Noonday Creek near Noonday Creek above Chastain Meadows Pkwy

Marietta affecting Cobb County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional information is available at weather.gov/atlanta.

The next statement will be issued this evening at 1030 PM EST.

&&

GAC067-100330-

/O.NEW.KFFC.FL.W.0011.240109T1525Z-000000T0000Z/

/NBSG1.1.ER.240109T1513Z.240109T1515Z.000000T0000Z.UU/

1025 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS MORNING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…

* WHAT…Minor flooding is occurring.

* WHERE…Noonday Creek near Noonday Creek above Chastain Meadows

Pkwy Marietta.

* WHEN…From this morning until further notice.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…

– At 10:15 AM EST Tuesday the stage was 11.0 feet.

– Recent Activity…The maximum river stage in the 24 hours

ending at 10:15 AM EST Tuesday was 11.0 feet.

– Forecast…No forecast is available for this location.

– Flood stage is 11.0 feet.

– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of

11.2 feet on 09/17/2020.

– http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

LAT…LON 3405 8459 3403 8450 3397 8454 3400 8463

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.

Read all the Cobb County Courier climate and weather coverage by following this link.

Back in June, the owners of the hip, antique store said the landlord evicted them with 60 days notice to make space for a multi-purpose building.

ACWORTH, Ga. — A popular Acworth antique shop that was forced to relocate has now found a new spot. Back in June, the owners of what was then called Two LiRu Antiques & Decor said the landlord evicted them with 60 days' notice to make space for a multi-purpose building.

Now, it's got a new name and a new space -- not entirely by choice, according to owners Lisa Mack and Ryan Blankenberger.

"We miss everything that was, and now we're looking forward to everything is is going to be," Mack said.

They were forced to move out of a 10,000-square-foot location in the heart of Main Street, where they had been located for 10 years. They were able to find a spot down the road, consolidating all their special gems into a 1,700-square-foot location that was formerly a salon.

"There was a wall here, we took out the sinks, replaced tile, replaced the ceilings, I did all the paint," Blankenberger recalled.

Their hip antique store is now called Acworth Vintage and Vinyl. They made it through the pandemic, and now, they’re surviving that eviction.

"It was pretty horrible, to be honest," Mack said. "We’re still not really over it. We did a lot of growing there and I really felt like we were bringing something to the community, and we’re hearing all the time people say there’s hardly any traffic down there because we do believe we’re bringing business to the city."

Back in June, they say they were given a sixty days notice to move out in order to build a multi-purpose building instead. Twenty percent of their memorabilia, vinyl records, clothing, jewelry, coins, etc., were able to make it inside the new building, with the rest waiting in storage.

They said they're looking for a potential second spot in Acworth.

“We both worked here before we moved here, so we have embraced it as our home," Mack added. "Honestly, it was sad. The departure was very sad for us. We put our blood, sweat, and tears into that. But we’ll do no less here. Doesn’t matter how big or small it is. We’re excited to be amongst our community and do good stuff”

Their old location sits empty right now and appears to be getting remodeled inside. While they lost the old space, they gained new customers.

Mack and Blankenberger hope these customers will spread the word and take advantage of their Christmas sales and live bands some weekends, including this one.

"It’ll be about five or six local bands," Blankenberger said. "We’re going to be out in the parking lot. I think this is a great new chapter for us and for Acworth."