FSR November 2022

Welcome

Dreams of a 15-Minute City LAST MONTH, I VISITED A FRIEND in Arlington, Massachusetts—about 10 miles northwest of Boston. I hesitate to call it a suburb because the word brings to mind sprawling communities with homes and businesses stretched far and wide. In these places, walkability is scant, and a car clocks in just after food and shelter in the hierarchy of needs. But then again, I grew up in the Southeast, not New England with its carless, colonial roots. e suburbs have many faces, and I admit I found myself jealous of Arling ton where a trip to the grocery store, hardware store, dry cleaners, local bakery, and any number of restaurants was just a short walk away. Places like this—part city, part town, part suburb—are sometimes referred to as 15-minute cities because just about everything you might need can be reached within 15 minutes. Atlanta-based real estate consul tant Edie Weintraub, who works with restaurants and other small busi nesses, is particularly fond of this term, even though it hasn’t caught hold in the U.S. the way it has in the densely-packed countries of Europe. But that could be changing. “I feel like ultimately, we’re headed in that direc tion,” Weintraub said in an interview for this month’s feature on suburban sprawl ( PAGE 42 ). “If you can be cognizant in designing cities and spaces that give the folks what they need without them having to go to another market, I feel like that’s going to help you survive and thrive.” Restaurants and other retailers might not be city planners, but they have a hand in shaping the future of communities. Take Roots Southern Table as an example. e Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch was instrumen tal in attracting and supporting co-owners Tom Foley and chef Tiffany Derry as they brought the restaurant to fruition. Now, both their business and the city are reaping the benefits of Roots’ presence in an otherwise sleepy town. And the suburban revolution extends beyond revitalized downtowns; it’s also happening in more spread-out communities where malls are being supplanted by mixed-use developments. ese projects may be new builds, but they take the 15-minute (or less) mentality into consid eration. And with fewer workers commuting to the office, it could be easier than ever for restaurants to find success in such developments. e day after flying home from Boston, I found myself briefly annoyed as I piled into my car and drove to work. Along the way, I daydreamed of walking a few blocks to the office or hopping on a commuter bike path. But then I passed a renovated strip mall that’s now home to apartments, restaurants, a yoga studio, and a hair salon, with a library and Target just across the street. I also spotted a few areas where construction crews were extending bike lanes. Durham, North Carolina, might never have Arling ton’s tightly packed grid layout, but that doesn’t mean it can’t become a 15-minute city. And clearly, the area’s restaurants are already onboard.

Nicole@FSRmagazine.com FSRmag @FSRmagazine

On the Cover This month’s cover featuring chef Thomas Harvey was shot by Michael Butcher . Originally from New Zealand and now based in the D.C. area, Butcher specializes in food, event, cityscape, and lifestyle photography. His work has appeared in Northern Virginia and Mid dleburg Life magazines among other titles. To learn more about Butcher, visit butcherphotography.com or follow him on Instagram at @butcherphotography .

NICOLE: LIBBY M C GOWAN / COVER: BUTCHER PHOTOGRAPHY

Nicole Duncan ED I TOR

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FSRMAGAZINE .COM

NOVEMBER 2022