Podcast 291 – Discover Dunwoody’s Website Makeover and Club World Cup Comes to Atlanta – Mark Galvin
Dunwoody just got a digital upgrade. Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody joins to show off their new website, designed to make finding events, booking hotels, and exploring the city way easier. It’s brighter, faster, and loaded with fresh content including blogs, local guides, and a search tool that actually works.
Mark breaks down how hotel taxes fund the whole thing and why that matters for both residents and visitors. Plus, he talks about Dunwoody’s growing social media game, fueled by a young, creative team putting local spots in the spotlight.
This Sunday, June 23, Dunwoody hosts “Viva la Copa” at Ashford Lane from noon to 11 p.m. It’s a free event with Club World Cup matches on the big screen, live music, food vendors, games, and local soccer guests. Discover Dunwoody and Passion Soccer Academy are teaming up to support Hispanic youth through soccer programs and tourism. It’s the kind of event that brings the whole community together.
New Website, Who Dis? Discover Dunwoody’s Online Overhaul
Discover Dunwoody has a brand-new look online, and honestly, it’s kinda fire. What’s Up Dunwoody podcast host Matt Weber sits down with Mark Galvin, one of the visionaries behind Discover Dunwoody, to talk all things web, food, and soccer. The episode kicks off with Mark debuting the fresh and user-friendly redesign of Discover Dunwoody’s website. Gone are the days of clunky layouts and buried event listings. Now you can easily search for Dunwoody's top events, find hotel deals, and plan your next staycation (or real vacation) with just a few clicks.
The biggest glow-up? That slick new search bar. Looking for info on Dunwoody's Fourth of July Parade? One search and boom, there it is. Blog content is easier to access, events are front and center, and everything pops with vibrant color and those signature branding bubbles. Fun fact: those bubbles on the “D” actually represent people migrating into Dunwoody. So, yes, it’s literally built on the energy of people moving to Dunwoody.
Mark also gives props to Ashley Rossolillo, the creative powerhouse on the Discover Dunwoody team who made this overhaul possible. Big local love for her.
High Street’s Heating Up: Hampton Social, Rosetta Bakery & More
Let’s talk food, because Dunwoody is straight-up thriving. One of the hottest openings is Hampton Social at High Street, and it’s got everyone buzzing. Two floors, totally Instagrammable, and a whole vibe. From its rooftop views to seafood-forward menu, it's the kind of place that puts Dunwoody on the “must visit” list for ATL brunch-goers and date night crews.
Other big names coming to High Street include:
Rosetta Bakery: Already a huge hit in Miami, this bakery brings European pastry perfection.
Varuni Napoli: This pizzeria is serious about Neapolitan pies and will give Dunwoody North and Georgetown pizza-lovers something new to obsess over.
Putt Shack & Agave Bandido: Already on the scene, these spots keep the nightlife and family fun going strong.
Oh, and winter is going to be extra lit at High Street with a built-in skating rink. Yes, you read that right. Ice. Skating. In. Dunwoody.
Stone Age Korean BBQ and Dunwoody’s Foodie Explosion
High Street isn’t the only hot zone. Just around the corner, Ashford Place is bringing its A-game with Stone Age Korean BBQ. Think table-side grilling, melt-in-your-mouth steak, and all the interactive vibes. Perfect for date nights, group hangs, or impressing your in-laws with something different.
Matt and Mark chat about Dunwoody's coffee boom, too. If you're living in Dunwoody and need a morning jolt, you've got options:
Valor Coffee near Dunwoody Village has been popping off.
Summit Coffee is serving that cozy community feel.
Ark Coffeehaus has made Tilly Mill Road and southeast Dunwoody relevant again.
And now, Lucky Goat Coffee is moving in near the new Burger King on Chamblee Dunwoody, right next to Georgetown. This Florida-based chain is opening its first Georgia location here, and the buzz is real. Add Wa'haka Mexican Grill and Desi District to that same strip, and you’ve got a mini foodie empire forming in Georgetown.
Inside the Discover Dunwoody Structure: It’s All About That Hotel Tax
Ever wondered how Discover Dunwoody operates? Turns out, it’s not city-owned. Mark breaks it down: Discover Dunwoody is funded entirely through hotel occupancy taxes. That 8% tax you pay when you stay in a Dunwoody hotel? Here's where it goes:
3.5% goes directly to Discover Dunwoody
1.5% to the city’s general fund
3% funds tourism-related infrastructure (like sidewalks, bridges, etc.)
So yes, when you're booking hotels in Dunwoody, you're literally funding the vibe. Discover Dunwoody isn’t under direct city control either. Instead, they report to an independent board, making them more nimble when it comes to marketing, branding, and partnerships.
Mark also shouts out Create Dunwoody, a younger org funded in part by Discover Dunwoody and the city’s economic development arm. Their goal? Bring more arts, culture, and creative community energy to the area. They’re growing fast and aim to become financially independent soon.
Get Hyped for the Club World Cup + Messi Madness
If you thought the Super Bowl was big, wait until the World Cup hits North America. Before that though, Atlanta is hosting the Club World Cup in summer 2025, and it’s gonna be insane.
Mark drops some serious knowledge: Atlanta will host group stage games (June 16, 19, 22), round of 16 (June 29, July 1), and even a quarterfinal on July 5. Club teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Inter Miami (yes, with Messi) are coming. For the uninitiated, this is not a drill. These are the world's most elite club teams.
To tie it all back to Dunwoody, Discover Dunwoody is teaming up with Passion Soccer, the Argentina Consulate, and Create Dunwoody for a huge viewing party at Ashford Lane on June 22. They'll be streaming games and hyping up soccer culture. Plus, if you book a room at a Dunwoody hotel through this custom link (https://dis-dun.me/futbol), part of the proceeds go to Passion Soccer, a nonprofit backed by Pope Francis and Argentinian footballer José Almaraz. It supports youth sports programs to keep kids off the streets.
Trolley Tours, Baby: Birthday Edition
One of the most wholesome parts of the episode? Matt Weber leading the Discover Dunwoody trolley tour on his birthday. Yep, host Matt chose to celebrate his big day by giving back, guiding locals and visitors through Dunwoody's best spots. Think stops at Spruill Center, Farm Burger, Politan Row, Agave Bandito, Putt Shack, and more. There’s food, drinks, and lots of laughs. And it's not just a bus ride. This tour is full-on immersive.
Even better, his wife joined in the fun. Big husband points.
Trolley tours happen monthly and they always sell out. If you're thinking about moving to Dunwoody or just want a hyper-local experience, this is a solid place to start.
The Real MVP: Dunwoody’s Growing Content Game
Discover Dunwoody’s social media presence is leveling up fast, and it’s not just a coincidence. Mark credits a steady pipeline of young creative talent, often hired out of their summer intern programs, for keeping the brand fresh and fun.
Places like CT Taqueria now call Discover Dunwoody asking to be featured. They know the power of an Instagram reel or a TikTok trend. And Mark? He’s the unsung star, always behind the camera, often making a cameo via his now-famous right arm.
The city’s content strategy is working. Living in Dunwoody feels more exciting than ever, and for people moving to Dunwoody, this kind of social media visibility is exactly what they’re looking for.
Final Thoughts & How to Plug In
This episode is more than a list of openings. It’s a love letter to Dunwoody in its glow-up era. From the High Street boom to the World Cup buzz, and Discover Dunwoody's tech upgrade to its trolley tours, there’s never been a more exciting time to be in 30338.
Explore the new Discover Dunwoody website: https://discoverdunwoody.com
Book a hotel and support Passion Soccer: https://dis-dun.me/futbol
Follow Discover Dunwoody on Instagram and TikTok for all the latest food, events, and hot spots.
And of course, hit up the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast feed for more episodes like this. Whether you’re living in Dunwoody, thinking about moving to Dunwoody, or just wanna sound cool at brunch, this is where the local tea gets spilled.
