Gilly Brew Bar — Restaurant in Stone Mountain

Earlier this year, during the winter months we stopped by for breakfast and coffee. We live in the area and try to shop local year round. The winter experience was good. This time, during the summer, it wasn’t so friendly. As a senior citizen, I ambulate with a service dog. I realize that many people are adverse to them, but business operators usually are congenial and know that the law requires admittance as long as the service dog is well behaved. Mine is well trained and quiet. When we walked in the door, a young man serving behind the bar said rather gruffly that dogs were not allowed. My service dog was well marked in his vest. The male barista was informed of the service dog by the female barista and said, “oh.” The female barista took our orders. When my husband asked to order food, he was told the kitchen was closed. Another customer arrived and was told that quiche and other items that had apparently been prepared in advance were available. It was clear that they did not want our business, so we left with coffee and a drink. I share this story because I know that Stone Mountain businesses on Main Street are struggling. We only wanted to stop for a little refreshment after a walk in the park. I once commented to a woman who remarked about the hostility of some retailers regarding service dogs that one always has a choice to spend money elsewhere. If local clerks working at local establishments or owners make the decision that they don’t need the dollars of someone who needs a service dog, that’s certainly their prerogative. I received the message loud and clear. You have quite enough business and do not need mine. However, if a business owner reads this and realizes that people who live in the area would patronize their establishment year round if welcomed, that would be a good business strategy. My solicitations to the friendly barista who was congenial. However, it is time to update employees about the reception of owners with service dogs. The law says they are permitted even when not vested and the only question permitted is what is the dog trained to do. That is considered rude by some owners, but such is life. It is not permitted for the disabled to be grilled about his or her medical history. Some disabilities, such as blindness can be apparent. However, there are many others, such as partial sight impairment, seizures, balance issues and a host of other medical issues for which service dogs are trained to help their handlers. Retailers — let your employees know that they should be courteous and welcoming if this is something that matters to you. If not, we understand and will look elsewhere to do business. Meanwhile, we wish...

Oh lord, I was over the moon to visit this place again. It left an incredible impression on me and I immediately went back with my dad and had already made plans to visit with my friend soon after. I had raved about it to a few people and so I write this not to be rude or critical, but because i think it can be helpful if the owner takes them to heart. I want this place to succeed and so im gonna be real!!!

Unfortunately, my second visit let me down and I don't really have plans to visit again.

When you are a new business, I believe in doing WHATEVER it takes to make your place work and that means dotting your i's and crossing your t's.

I walked in with this immediate excitement of finally returning and sharing it with my dad, who's as much a coffee connoisseur as I am. Immediately, my feelings fell flat with the lackluster and unenthusiastic customer service. I would go so far as to say there was an air of arrogance which immediately took away from the pure/authentic vibes I initially picked up on. I was so let down.

There were two or three other customers who had were already sitting down and so I'm pretty sure they already had their drinks.

Anyway, there was no wait to order our drinks and we literally waited 15 minutes for a drip coffee; the most simple drink you can get besides an espresso. Why on earth it took that long, I have no idea. Yes, it's specialty coffee and only someone who appreciates specialty coffee would choose to go to a place like Gilly, so please don't say, its because I'm probably not used to waiting for a hand-crafted coffee, cuz that has nothing to do with it in this case.

It just didn't feel friendly, humble, or pure as the i originally thought it to be. I'm not sure if I should be sad that it's not at all what I thought it to be or "happy" I atleast know the "truth" of the place :/

(On a side note, I've lived in NYC, Tokyo, and London, and so I've experienced my fair share of hand-crafted coffee shops, and this place DID stand out to me for its authenticity. It REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME during my first visit. I've also worked as a barista in over 6 different cafes and restaurants, so I write this review with having experienced the service-side of things. If you want your business to succeed, you need...

If it seems like Gilly is operating in a class of its own, that’s because it absolutely is.

I made the drive out to Stone Mountain from in town to visit their original location today, and wow was it the right choice. First off, the house is stunning. It’s across from active rail tracks (seriously active - the porch even rumbles when trains go by!), the town center, and the end of the Stone Mountain path.

You can order downstairs inside when you come in, or find a table and order from the menus to have food and drink brought straight to you, and you can also see what’s in stock that way. The menus are split since food and drink is run separately - the Birded Bird runs the food menu and it’s solid brunch fair with mostly-vegan lunch options. Big ups for the tasty plant based burger on the pretzel bun!

Their drink menu is off the charts interesting. Tea elixirs, playful seasonal coffee creations, served in to go options and fancy glassware. I’m gonna be back to try the rest of the frankly extensive list.

There’s inside and outside seating, including some hammocks! They’re fully up and running again, so the restroom is available too. I brought a book, but lots of folks were doing work on laptops, happy to escape their own houses.

All of this and not to mention how historically awesome it is that this old plantation house is now black owned and run. So come on out, walk through Stone Mountain park a bit (for free, from this side!), then walk over to Gilly to just...