Northeast Plaza
another universe at the edge of the Atlanta universeCut into the side of Buford Highway, Northeast Plaza is a massive strip mall. With over 70 shops it features a range of goods, services and dining options not found anywhere else in Atlanta.
It's home to several restaurants and clubs and takes on a completely different character after hours.
Where in Atlanta…
An impression...
Field notes
Vast
Walking Northeast Plaza end to end several times, I can't escape the vastness of the space. The variety of stores, atmospheric impressions, and activities make the space seem expansive beyond its concrete edges.
Desolate
The vastness of Northeast Plaza and the large amount of vacant store fronts give it an air of desolation. The feeling varies from place to place in relation to the time. For instance, the area around Clinica Union is almost excruciatingly desolate after the clinic has closed.
Bustling
The large variety of shops ensures that something is happening in one space or another within Northeast Plaza at any given time: traffic jams in front Mercado Del Pueblo in the mid-afternoon; the early-morning workout crowd at Bodyplex; queues of cars in drive-throughs at anytime; long-waits at the self-serve carwash on the weekends; revelers exiting Atlanta Peach Ballroom, Pool House and Funtime Bowl in the late-evening.
car sales
An informal car dealership has sprung up on the south end of the parking lot, in front of El Rey de Todos. Several trucks and cars with handwritten for sale signs are perused by several men.
shouting
"Fuck you n***a!" a man screams into his phone while walking through the breezeway. The conversation abruptly turns cordial.
naked mannequins
Two columns of female mannequins, completely denuded, stand two-deep in the store front of Brookhammer Casual. The store is closing and everything is $5
live catfish/live tilapia
In Mercado Del Pueblo's crisp, clean tanks, fish swim in crystal water under bright lights
urine
The odor of urine is strongest at dusk by the Atlanta Peach Ballroom. Late night revelers evacuate their bladders on the sidewalk
fabric softener
In front of the laundromat the scent of fabric softener can be smelled three rows deep into the parking lot
by the numbers
graphs as they relate to the quantative data gathered about stores
Empty – Occupied
Occupied: 57
85%Empty: 10
15%Independents – Chains
Independents: 41
77%Chains: 17
23%By Type (generic)
Goods: 23
36%Services(personal): 20
31%Services(food): 14
22%Other: 7
11%quantitative representations of data gathered by type and kind
Notes en sum
In this row you will find totals for the amount of qualitative meta tags identified in the space. They have been organized by category: Impressions, Observations and Activities, respectively.
Impressions
3
Amount of impressions noted in space.
Observations
10
Amount of observations(general) noted in space.
Activities
8
Amount of activities observed and noted in space.
Numbers as they relate to distances, travel and parking
MARTA
2
The Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station is about two miles away. It's actually closer on foot (1.5 miles).
Bus Stops
4
There are four bus stops adjacent to Northeast Plaza on Buford Highway.
Bikes?
0
No way. There are no bike racks at Northeast Plaza. While still quite dangerous, driving is the safest means of traveling on Buford Highway.
Drive Thru
3
Drive-thru means never having to leave your car. There are three choices for the motorist cum diner: Wendy's, Taco Bell, and Popeye's.
Numerical odds and ends
Solamente
4
The amount of stores with signage only en español.
For Sale
9
The amount of cars parked in front of El Rey De Todos with sale information – some handwritten – in their windows. 02/13/09
Men:Women
2:1
Ratio Male:Female of Passersby on Friday 03/06/09.
Talk to me
0
Nope! Lots of talking around me, but after 4 visits, no one-on-one conversation or even pleasantries exchanged.
Buffets
3
The amount of buffets available at lunchtime: King Buffet, Ryan's, and Panahar.