Discovering Hidden Gems
Do you remember the last time you discovered a “new” small town? Maybe a billboard caught your eye driving down GA Highway 16 promising the best BBQ in the South or a search on your phone for “coffee near me” caused you to take that upcoming exit.
Suddenly that “quick trip” took a little longer as you chatted with the purveyor of that pulled pork or decided to browse the “made locally” store next to the cafe.
Before long, you’ve posted a picture of the town’s mural, bought an artisan-crafted gift to tuck away for the next holiday, and are looking up boutique hotels for a return visit with family or friends.
What if there was a better way to find those small towns? The founder of MoxieTowns is hoping to bridge the gap between happenstance discovery and intentional promotion of the best small towns in America.
Meet Monica and MoxieTowns
Monica Hagewood, founder of MoxieTowns and a commercial real estate advisor, brings a unique perspective to the space.
Monica started with land planning and landscape architecture, where she learned how design influences experience. Her interest in meaningful spaces led her to a career as a strategic advisor in commercial real estate, where she found that thoughtfully designed places foster both community, business activity, and viable proformas.
These elements for authentic connections she saw were embedded in small towns and main streets, but these great towns weren’t always easy to uncover. That is where the vision for MoxieTowns begins to take shape.
“Across Georgia and the U.S., there are small towns doing incredible work fostering human connection. From how they design their commerce centers to the entrepreneurs that are opening storefronts – these towns have a magic formula that is working, and I want to shine a spotlight on those elements of main street and community,” she shared in a recent meeting with Georgia Power Economic Development.
Based out of Roswell, GA, Monica combines data, local stories, and beautiful imagery to convey what qualifies as a town with moxie.
Currently, MoxieTowns has curated stories and profiles from nearly 30 towns. From Georgia, you can explore Canton, Clarkesville, Madison, Rutledge, Senoia, and Thomasville. These exceptional towns across our state “shimmer with personality” and are worthy of Monica’s distinction as a “MoxieTown”.
Connect
Monica and MoxieTowns are just getting started! Visit their page to learn more about her passion for promoting the unsung heroes that are nestled along bustling transportation networks.
You may even discover that your town is ready for Moxie.