Urban Enterprises

I had an early morning business meeting today in John's Creek area and an associate mentioned that we should go try one of our recent Office Building Distribution Clients, First Watch.  The name was somewhat intriguing as I was hoping for a yummy breakfast so  I figured I would give it a try.  First Watch is located in the John's Creek Village shopping center near the LA Fitness and it's really a bustling place.  They took over the J Christopher's location and although the name is different, the food, ambience and hours are similar, and in some instances better!  Breakfast for me is somewhat of a luxury as I don't always have time to have it.  First Watch did not disappoint!  

A recent Wednesday night found us in Sandy Springs looking for some place different to eat.  The thought of some Persian food sounded tempting, so four of us decided to give Mirage a try.  The night was especially mild which is quite surprising in late November, so we were able to eat outside.  Their  patio was quiet and surrounded by beautiful flowers, making for a very nice ambiance. We placed our order with some suggestions made by the waiter and were quickly rewarded with some wonderful, warm bread brought to our table along with a plate of herbs, radishes, walnuts, feta cheese and butter.  It really hit the spot and made our mouths water for the rest if the meal.  We ordered  an eggplant appetizer with grilled onions and whey  that was amazing!  We followed that with Lamb and Shrimp Kebabs.  They were cooked to perfection with the perfect amount of spice.  Oh, don't forget to try the rice- we loved the rice with fruit as a nice compliment to the kebabs. Between the great food, the relaxing atmosphere and great service, we knew that we would return.

Mirage is a great place for a quiet dinner or a nice lunch, and they even have a separate room for luncheons and private parties.  It really was a good find...maybe you'll check it out too!  In November, we did an office building distribution for Mirage. Are you in the Perimeter Area? Did you receive their coupons?

If you have any questions  about the menu or party room you can call them at:  404-843-8300.   They are very nice and helpful! ~Jill

Worldwide brand recognition is something all business owners strive to achieve. There are very few proprietary concepts in business these days, so how does a business stand out among its competitors? By developing a brand that is memorable and identifiable by even a toddler who cannot read, businesses create universal brand recognition.

According to the American Marketing Association dictionary, a brand is a “name, terms, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.” The Italians were among the first to use brands, in the form of watermarks on paper in the 1200s according to John Colapinto’s New Yorker magazine article “Famous Names."

Appropriate and repetitive branding may result in higher sales for a company and higher brand awareness. This is why it is very important for a company to ensure that their brand and logo are easy to read, easy to understand, and marketed often. Some successful brands just known by their logo are Apple Computer's Apple logo and McDonalds' golden arches.

At Urban Enterprises we believe that using our Office Building Distribution service multiple times a year will not only drive customers into a restaurant, but it also allows for a restaurant’s brand or logo to be viewed by tens of thousands of people multiple times a day. This results in memory recall at a later time when a customer chooses to dine at a certain restaurant because he or she was previously exposed to the brand. Our clients typically see a 5%-12% return per distribution, and they often report that customers come in and state, “I came in because of a coupon I received at work, but I forgot the coupon." This is one great example of how seeing your brand drives customers to your restaurant.

Urban Enterprises’ success is based on REACH, FREQUENCY, and EFFECTIVENESS. By utilizing Urban Enterprises' Distribution Services, your audience is reached on a person-to-person level while receiving the promotional pieces during prime decision-making time.  By performing multiple distributions, we are able to maximize exposure and increase returns as studies (and our 30+ year experience) prove that it takes numerous exposures to a brand before a customer responds.  As effectiveness of any promotion is directly affected by the call to action, we encourage clients to provide strong offers and incentives.  Return on investment is highest when reach, frequency, and effectiveness of the offer are all maximized. Contact Starr Cumming for pricing or to schedule a distribution.
~Starr

Saturday night rolled around, and we were trying to think of a dinner spot with great beer and casual food. We'd heard great comments about Gordon Biersch in Buckhead after working with them on our Office Building Distribution, so we decided to give it a try.  Not only did everyone in our group love the beer, but the food was delicious also.  The physical space is very large and you can actually see the beer being made.  Our server said that the signature beers are all made in house and available every day.  The huge metal drums containing the delicious libations make for a nice backdrop.  My co-worker Kelly was so impressed by the space, that she's hosting her 10 year high school reunion there later this fall! The huge flat screen TVs feature every game and create a fun atmosphere for that type of gathering. So, check out the Gordon Biersch in Buckhead tucked away off Piedmont Road or the Midtown location on Peachtree in Midtown.  And don't forget to raise a beer to Gordon Biersch!
~Jill~

Lunchtime rolls around in the Akers Mill Shopping Center area of Marietta and you're seeing many people head over to The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.  They are setting the bar really high with delicious bagels, sandwiches, a great coffee bar and much more.  the Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. feels that the "true secret" to great bagels is in the water.  They treat the water in the same way NYC does, and the bagels taste authentic and great!  There are many flavors and my favorite is sesame which is topped with an abundance of sesame seeds making it taste yummy, nutty and delicious. The Urban Promotions Specialists have distributed 5,000 coupons in the Cumberland area. I was happy to use my Urban coupon for six free bagels with the purchase of 1 dozen, and I've already been back two other times to buy more sans coupon.  This is the first Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. in Atlanta, but they are planning to open more soon.  Stop by and check it out and maybe they'll be coming to your business area or neighborhood soon! ~Jill

While sitting at my desk today eating my MIni Tuna Pita Sandwich from My Friend's Place at Akers Mill Shopping Center, I began to reflect on Urban's long relationship with MFP and one of my favorite sandwiches that they serve!  As unbelievable as it seems, our company  helped market the first My Friend's Place in Sandy Springs over 30 years ago.  I would wander into offices with MFP coupons and the first thing I would be asked is "who's your friend?"  Now, with 15 locations in Atlanta, I still return for their  Tuna Sandwich.  It never has too much mayonnaise  and always tastes yummy.  I've been told that the founder Dave invented a way to take all the water out of the tuna which improves the consistency and taste.  Our relationship has come full circle with My Friend's Place.  There are new management and marketing people with some great ideas about getting the word out .  They have hired us once again to help build the brand's awareness in the office and business communities around Atlanta.  Look for us spreading the MFP coupons and catering information in your offices in mid to late September.  When you use your coupons at any of the locations don't forget to snag some of those "homemade" chocolate chip cookies to take back to the office or home.  I bet that you can't make them as good as our friends at MFP do!
~Jill

One of my very favorite Atlanta restaurants is celebrating their Grand Opening of a new location next week! Marlow's Tavern recently opened in Dunwoody and is featuring a week of Grand Opening Events beginning Monday August 27th. Join their insiders club to get great deals, discounts and all the inside scoop on the opening night events. Whether you're looking for a fun happy hour spot, a nice dinner celebration, or late night drinks and tavern bites, Marlow's will not disappoint. Might I suggest the delicious Ahi Tuna Poke for an appetizer? You can't go wrong with any of the Tavern Burgers or the infamous Fish Tacos. I've yet to meet a Marlow's dish I didn't like. And how about their signature cocktails? Try the BLT Bloody Mary that is made with bacon vodka, or their house classic Pomegranate Martini- YUM! Top the night off with their Warm Tollhouse Pie, a sweet and salty dessert sensation. See you at Marlow's!

~Kelly

Taki Japanese Steakhouse has been a client of Urban Enterprises since 2011. We love going out in the Perimeter office community and distributing great offers for Taki. If you have not eaten there you must try it for lunch or dinner. The food and décor is top notch. They offer Sushi & Hibachi on their menu, so there is something for everyone.

Taki is somewhat hidden away on the Northeast end of the Perimeter Village Shopping center a.k.a the Wal-Mart shopping center off of Ashford Dunwoody Road. They are next door to the Hobby Lobby. Once you turn on to Ashbury Square NE off of Ashford Dunwoody take the 3rd entrance on your left into the shopping center. Taki is located on a very quite end of the shopping center, so the outdoor dining area is a great experience. You definitely do not feel as though you are in a shopping center restaurant. Once inside you will feel as though you are in a 5-Star restaurant. The furniture that owner Eddie Li choose is amazing. The leather chairs are beautiful and comfortable. One of my favorite things to get for lunch at Taki is the Bento Box. It is delicious and a great value. A Bento Box is a Japanese style lunch box, but a step up from your school days lunch box. It is a great way sample a few different Japanese cuisines. It is also quite a work of Art. Taki serves their Bento Box with fresh vegetables, steamed rice, sushi roll, fresh fruit, salad and soup.

Taki also has a great private dining room. This room can also used for a business meeting. You can hold your meeting in the morning and then serve your attendees a scrumptious Japanese lunch. You will feel more like you are in a Fortune 100 boardroom than a private dining space in a restaurant. Taki can also handle a private Hibachi room for lunch or dinner up to 20 people.

If you would like a $2 off coupon on a Bento Box at lunch please email me and I will send you one.

~Starr

Sunday evening, my boyfriend and I decided to have and early dinner at Uncle Maddio's near Cumberland Mall. I was very pleased to see the 5 people in front of us in line all were using coupons that our wonderful ladies had distributed! I ordered the 9 inch personal pizza on whole wheat dough with mozzarella and goat cheeses, tomato basil sauce, roasted garlic and roma tomatoes. He had the traditional crust with mozzarella cheese, tomato basil sauces, home made Italian sausage, pepperoni and roma tomatoes. It was neat getting to watch the pizza makers put toppings on in front of us, much like a build your own burrito or sandwich joint. 

I have been noticing a new Sandwich concept all over Atlanta and I thought that I would share some info about it with you!  There's nothing like sandwiches to fill your tummy and we all have our own ideas on what should go on them!  At Which Wich, the choices are limitless...they have over 50 Wiches (sandwiches) and over 50 Bowls (salads) for you to choose from and adapt to your liking.  Everything is made right there and the minute you walk in, you know that it's fresh and yummy!

The just out of the oven cookies smell great and they even hand dip their milk shakes.  So check it out...there are already 8 Which Wiches in Atlanta and coming soon to Duluth and the Emory area!  The Urban team just began working with them so if you're lucky our ladies may be bringing Which Wich coupons to your offices soon!


Why don't you let us know what your favorite Which Wich sandwich combination is and we'll pass it on to the powers that be!


~Jill