Adventure Awaits in Downtown Bowdon, Georgia

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By Kelly Caldwell 

Adventures are great. As a kid, my dad would load us up in the truck to go see a man about a dog…We knew there wasn’t a puppy involved in the journey, but it always meant a road trip of some description. 

Maybe that’s why I have such a wanderlust as an adult and living in a small town, the sense of exploration is a must. 

Every small town across this great country has a story to tell and its worth a trip to any where at least once. 

For this day’s journey, I chose Bowdon, Georgia. It’s relatively close and numerous friends call the place home. When it was time to spend a day there for our Beyond the Lake issue, it was a pleasure to visit and explore the town that is roughly 30 minutes (depending on your driving skills and road construction of course) from Wedowee. 

Bowdon Coffee Roasters

Start your morning right by visiting Mr. Eddie and get your caffeine fix. If you are there at the right time, you can actually see coffee beans going through the roaster. Yep…It’s not just a name. Eddie actually roasts his own coffee beans in store. 

Flicker and Flame

This national candle company calls Bowdon home, and let me tell you,  Sadie Young, the owner, is just precious. She started the company as a side hustle to gift her husband a truck. Four short years later, her storefront in Bowdon is one of the city’s gems. The aesthetic is clean lines and welcoming style. I personally am obsessed with the rollerball perfumes especially the combination of Tradewinds and their all time best seller One Sixteen. 

Kudzu Creative

I love this quirky little shop probably because Susan Jennings is a dear friend that loves music as much as I do. But, first and foremost, the shop is a floral design studio. She does GORGEOUS floral work for brides, prom and just every day pick me ups. If you come in to her shop, you will leave with more than flowers. She carries my all time favorite pepper jelly, Jennifer’s Kitchen, which is based in Alabama. And for those reading that may remember when we had Southern Holiday Life Store and Decor, she also carries Ala Cart Alice soup and dip mixes. You can get your Chicken Enchilada and Shrimp Bisque locally again! 

And, y’all… She carries the best dill pickles ever!!!! I stock up whenever I am in town. 

Brush Strokes Art Studio

The Most Colorful Place in Bowdon! I can’t wait to return for a girls night to pain a door hanger here. The designs are some of the best I have seen and that credit goes to the owners Scott and Laurie Summey. The dynamic husband and wife duo create the hangers themselves and cut them in house. You just pick your design, paint it and then they put it together for you to take home a few days later. 

They also offer ceramics and great events for the kids. 

Simple Elegance

I love window shopping here. The windows are always beautiful. And, keep Connie in mind, when you are in need for a bridal gown or bridesmaid dresses. The ladies at Simple Elegance will take care of you and make you feel like the princess you want to be. 

Checker Berry Shoppe

I have been shopping at Checker Berry Shoppe for years. Love it. The original owner Mrs. Jane Eason was in the house on my visit and that just made my day. She is such a sweet lady that truly loves the Bowdon community. Eddie and Karen Henley have owned the Shoppe for some time now and the same love for community is evident. You never know what you will find at Checkerberry I can’t wait to try my coconut pecan cookies! I am also a sucker for old vinyl and the Checkerberry Shoppe always delivers. 

Messers Hardware

Who doesn’t love a good hardware store? Especially in the spring with flowers everywhere, it just makes my heart happy. Well Messer’s Hardware has been a staple in the Bowdon community for decades and they have so much there that makes it really easy not to go to a big box store for whatever you may need. Work Boots…check…Blackstone grill…yep…Carhart and more… got it. I purchased a carpenter bee trap on my visit because those pesky things are trying to take over my house! 

O’Berry’s 

The owners are so cute. Nick and Olivia O’Berry are doing their best bringing the family run, family fun restaurant style to town. The restaurant has been around for a number of years, but they relocated to the City Hall Avenue and let me just tell you. The pizza is AMAZING! My favorite is the chicken, bacon & ranch, but they have several that are worth trying. The whole menu looks scrumptious but the brick oven pizza you can’t go wrong. Next time, I want to bring the gang and go on Tuesday night for trivia. It is a different theme each week! 

West Georgia Embroidery and Tan

If you are in the market for birthday signs… senior greetings or business signs or you want something personalized, West Georgia Embroidery and Tan is the place to go. Tammy Wood can bring your vision to life. And, if you feel a little pale… she can help with that too. 

Key Farms

David and Allison Key have been dear friends to Lake Wedowee Life and the Caldwells for many years, and were actually lake neighbors at Sunset Point for a time. They both wear many hats, but a mutual passion project for them both is their farm. David grew up on this family farm and now they raise their children, Ada and Luke, there. In the spring, they have a u-pick strawberry patch, and the fall pumpkins are everywhere. They also opened Key Farms Meats & Mercantile on Maple Street in Carrollton to provide Key Farm raised beef cuts, but they carry so much more! It’s worth a little detour to visit before heading back to Lake Wedowee!