Is there life after The Walking Dead?
That’s the question this spring
Written by JEFFREY WARD
What happens in Senoia when “The Walking Dead” wall and windmill come down? Most residents say it’ll keep going strong. Photo used for illustration by Jackie Kennedy.
Now that the hit show “The Walking Dead”is in its farewell season, the essential question is posed: Will there be life in Senoia beyond the hit TV show?
Even the casual observer can’t ignore the cars backed up for a half mile on Rockaway Road at rush hour – and that’s just one sign pointing to the fact that Senoia is very much alive, well and growing rapidly.
Visitors and Senoians alike need only look at the growing residential development east of downtown on Seavy Street, the commercial development along Highway 16, and the recent grand opening of the new shopping center on the northwest side of the intersection of Highways 85 and 16.
To ease parking for locals and visitors alike, Travis Street, which borders the old train tracks and fronts the location of the popular Saturday Farmers Market, is now paved with extra parking spaces. In addition, the formerly unpaved parking lot at the corner of Johnson and Main streets has been paved over and lined for parking.
Plus, the City of Senoia recently renovated sidewalks in front of restaurants Fuego Mar and Nic & Norman’s to provide guests an al fresco dining experience.
Longtime Senoians may remember when they drove across the old wooden viaduct spanning the railroad tracks that led into downtown Senoia. They might have rummaged through the cluttered aisles of the Hutchinson Hardware Store and noticed too many vacant lots and empty storefronts. Senoia, two decades ago, appeared to be headed for ghost town status.
What reversed that trend?
There are a number of factors beyond the most visible, The Walking Dead (TWD) series, that contributed to Senoia’s renaissance. From a marketing perspective, Senoia has had a lot to boost it in recent years. Prior to TWD, Southern Living constructed not one – but two – of its Idea Houses here, bringing loads of attention from throughout the Southeast.
Because of lucrative Georgia State tax incentives offered to the filming industry, many motion pictures had been filmed in and around Senoia, as memorialized by the numerous bronze plaques embedded in the downtown sidewalks. “Fried Green Tomatoes” was filmed way back in 1991, a precursor of what was ahead. And then came the mega-hit, zombie-infused TWD, and boom! Visibility and interest in Senoia skyrocketed.
With major filming of TWD ending this past March, some question if there’s life in Senoia after The Walking Dead. We posed that question to a few locals who have their fingers on the pulse of the community, which some call “the little town that could.”
Suzanne Helfman
The Senoia Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has responsibility for almost everything that happens within the city’s historic district, and the heartbeat of the DDA in recent years has been Suzanne Helfman, who joined this pivotal group in 2003 and served as its chairperson from 2007 until recently.
She gives her take on Senoia – past, present and future:
“Regarding the question, ‘Is there life after The Walking Dead?,’ it’s a resounding ‘Yes!’ There was life before The Walking Dead. There was a renaissance in this town about 2007-08 when the principals of the Riverwood studios saw an opportunity to change downtown and bought properties with the purpose of restoration. They engaged the architectural firm of Historical Concepts in Peachtree City and built modern yet historical brownstones on the Gin property south of the tracks. Those became the Southern Living Idea Homes that created even more interest in Senoia.
“In the present, I think even after they close production of The Walking Dead here in Senoia, that attraction will continue.
“The purview of the DDA is protecting the historical integrity of the historic district, and I think we have done that. Any building that needs to be modified must present plans to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval.
“In the future, there will be a turnover of merchants due to other opportunities or situations, but we don’t seem to miss a beat when that happens. We are still a thriving little town as far as commerce goes.”
Julie Brown
If there is a local expert on The Walking Dead, it surely would be Julie Brown, owner of Georgia Touring Company, which conducts TWD, historical homes and ghost tours. Her take?
“Yes, there absolutely will be life after The Walking Dead,” says Brown. “We were a growing community before The Walking Dead. And as far as tourism, there will be residual tourism for years to come. There will be plenty of future movies and productions that will bring tourism from all over the United States. We have a world-wide attention span, as you can see on the wall map back there. Those pins indicate that we have tourists from every continent on earth, and they will continue to visit for years to come.”
Maureen Schuyler
In order to understand where a community is heading in the future, it is paramount to know where it began and how it developed. Few are as well acquainted with the history of Senoia as Maureen Schuyler, director of the Senoia Area Historical Society and Museum.
The museum, housed at 6 Couch Street, recently underwent significant renovations with the rebuilding of its four chimneys and extension of the commemorative brick walkway out front.
Schuyler gives her take on life in Senoia after TWD:
“Yes, Senoia has zombies, but it also has a rich and storied history. Residents and visitors to Senoia are fortunate to have access to a museum dedicated solely to the history and heritage of our town. When you visit the museum, you’ll be greeted by a friendly tour guide, or you can browse leisurely through the five rooms of history and artifacts with a self-guided tour brochure. And should you be missing the Walking Dead experience, be sure to check out our extensive Walking Dead memorabilia.
“Yes, Senoia will always have zombies, but it will always have a rich and storied history as well.”
Donna Obrien
Donna Obrien, who volunteers at the Senoia Visitors Center, offers her take on the question:
“I am confident that Senoia will continue to thrive after The Walking Dead wraps filming this spring. The movie industry has been filming here for decades, and I don’t see that going away anytime soon.
“Senoia has a lot to offer outside of The Walking Dead. We have shops and restaurants that attract people from all over. The City recently extended the entertainment district past the railroad tracks, which might attract even more businesses and visitors into the downtown area.”
William “Dub” Pearman
Mayor William “Dub” Pearman weighs in on the essential question:
“The city of Senoia, especially its downtown historic district, has a unique character that was evident long before The Walking Dead. So, while we have certainly welcomed the cast, crew members and visitors interested in the show, there will be life after The Walking Dead.
“Our historic town center has become a destination for visitors throughout the metropolitan area for specialized shopping and dining experiences. The business owners and staff members can become like family members. The Walking Dead brought an incredible number of visitors into town, but they keep returning for Senoia’s character. They love seeing the older homes and churches. They like visiting with residents and shop owners like they’re neighbors. They love seeing a two-block parade for Christmas, or Homecoming, or Memorial Day, or for whenever we feel like having a parade!
“They love seeing portions of Main Street closed off for car traffic on some Friday evenings for Alive After Five. They love going to the Farmers Market on Saturday morning to see friends and vendors. They love these things because of the people making these things happen. It’s not one person; it is many making it a community.
“So, yes, we will miss our friends after the production of The Walking Dead is complete; however, it will only add to our vast history.” NCM
