Roswell has Historic Month for Business Openings

February was a month for the Roswell record books when it came to business. Ten local companies and organizations cut the ribbons and swung open the doors on new ventures inside the Roswell city limits.

Long regarded as one of the least business friendly cities in the north metro Atlanta area, Roswell seems to be in the midst of a sort of renaissance. Many believe the change in thinking is thanks in big part to the city's new partnership with the in the form of the Roswell Business Alliance (RBA), , which serves as the collective voice for local businesses. The organization received partial funding and affirmation from the city last October to make increasing the economic viability of businesses within Roswell its mission, beginning Jan. 1.

So far, in three short months, they've been met with appreciation from both city leaders and local businesses.

"The entrepreneurial spirit is blossoming in Roswell as we roll into spring and that can be seen through what's going on in the city and the Roswell Business Alliance right now," said Steve Stroud, executive director for the RBA.

According to the organization, the RBA signed up 22 new businesses as RBA members and helped open 10 business ventures during February alone. It's a record number of openings, never before seen in the Roswell business community, according to Stroud.

The newly opened businesses include:

• Feb. 1 - ABRA Auto Body & Glass
• Feb. 10 - Dollar Tree
• Feb. 10 - Green Basements & Remodeling
• Feb. 10 - Chateau de Nails
• Feb. 10 -
• Feb. 10 - Sports Clips
• Feb. 17 - Viazza Coffee Roasters
• Feb. 17 - J & M Precious Metals
• Feb. 23 - Renal Care Partners
• Feb. 29 -

"We don’t have an overall goal in number of businesses to open, our goal is just to be an ombudsman; to keep existing businesses in the city, get new businesses to move here and get them all networked and connected," said Stroud.

The RBA is only halfway through its first six months of contracted partnership with the city. They go back to the city for extension and partial funding prior to approval of the FY 2013 budget.