Woodstock Visitors Center Reopens Following Renovations

WOODSTOCK, GA — Woodstock Office of Economic Development staff members welcomed state and local officials to the city's Visitors Center to celebrate the completion of renovations at the Historic Dean's Store.

The Woodstock Visitors Center has occupied the space on Main Street since 2001 under a rental agreement with Alice Dean Felton, the daughter of the store’s sole proprietor. When Felton passed away last year, the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority purchased the store.

Members of the Woodstock DDA and officials from the Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division as well as members of Woodstock City Council and Main Street Woodstock enjoyed brief presentations by the city’s economic development team on different aspects of the renovation.

Georgia Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Kevin Langston and Woodstock Tourism Manager Kyle Bennett cut the ribbon in front of the store to officially reopen the visitors center to the public. The project included upgrading the restroom and adding a second restroom. The plaster was removed and the brick walls were exposed. A wall was constructed creating more defined and useful spaces.

One of those spaces is a seating area with a modern sofa and mid-century style chairs. A local artist, Madison Beaulieu, was commissioned to create whimsical portraits of the mismatched vintage chairs belonging to the men who meet in the store that had been in the visitors center for years. Local craftsman Ben Richter of The Woodstock Wood Stock constructed custom brochure racks and retail fixtures.

The space includes a new gallery area utilizing one of the original antique drug store cases. Temporary exhibits relating to local history and art are planned. The first exhibit by Preservation Woodstock focused on the Hubbard Family. In April, Preservation Woodstock will present an exhibit entitled “Happy Birthday, Dean’s Store” as the store celebrates its 112th birthday. In October, the organization will have an exhibit on the historical churches of Woodstock, and area scenes and other works by local painter Chase King will be on display in May.

For more information, visit the city's website or contact Stacy Brown at 770-592-6056 or sbrown@woodstockga.gov.

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Images via Woodstock Department of Economic Development