Mary Kate McGowan

Sep 10, 2024 | goodgritmag.com | Mary Kate McGowan

Words by Mary Kate McGowanWhoWho said a greasy test kitchen tucked away in a college student union is an unlikely launchpad for a full-blown chicken empire? Mark Waldo is the founder of Waldo's Chicken and Beer, a rapidly growing restaurant franchise with a unique partnership model and a strong commitment to serving local communities.

Jul 21, 2024 | goodgritmag.com | Mary Kate McGowan

Words by Mary Kate McGowanRenderings by Dean Architecture, P.A.Just as frogs leap from one lily pad to another, a restaurant in Ridgeland, Mississippi, hopes to provide the same launchpad for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A unique and heartwarming initiative is expected to unfold in 2024—The Lily Pad Café.

Mar 28, 2024 | goodgritmag.com | Mary Kate McGowan

Words by Mary Kate McGowanPhotos courtesy of SCADWho Before she founded Savannah College of Art and Design and was known as the "Oprah of higher ed," Paula Wallace was an Atlanta Public Schools elementary school teacher who sat in tiny chairs at low tables across from parents. She listened to them share their concerns, cares, and hopes for their children—all to learn more about the support they had at home and the help they needed at school.

Dec 3, 2023 | goodgritmag.com | Mary Kate McGowan

Liz Toombs designs homes to foster communityWords by Mary Kate McGowanPhotos by Erick BakerWhoA house is where you keep your belongings. A home is where you thrive. And when it comes to crafting spaces that radiate warmth, style, and camaraderie, Liz Toombs, a certified interior decorator and founder of PDR Interiors in Lexington, Kentucky, has mastered the art of creating homes for her clients.

Nov 9, 2023 | goodgritmag.com | Mary Kate McGowan

Breathing new life into a North Carolina townWords by Mary Kate McGowanLittleton, North Carolina, a one-square-mile rural town, might seem like an unlikely destination for food enthusiasts seeking an exceptional dining experience. However, as the town experiences a rebirth, one restaurant stands tall as a beacon of hope and revitalization.