George F. Baker III, a local illustrator, muralist and public speaker, is building a combination shop and gathering room called Foster inside Underground Atlanta. The address posted on the brand's Instagram account is 50 Upper Alabama Street, Suite 194.
The concept has two jobs. On the retail side, Foster plans to stock accessories, clothing and home goods made by artists. On the community side, the same room is meant to host events built around conversation and connection, so the space works as a place to gather as well as a place to buy something.
According to the brand's Instagram page, the project revolves around a simple idea: making things for people. An earlier Instagram post introducing the brand described Foster as a goods shop and event space centered on the joy of making, and pitched it as an open space where Atlanta can create, talk and connect. That same post called it an "art playground" rather than just a store.
The name carries the intent. In an October video filmed while the suite was still under renovation, Baker said his main goal is to foster community for the city, which lines up with the shop's one-word name.
That video and a separate early-October post showed construction still in progress, and no firm opening date has been announced. Foster's Instagram account has said the opening should come soon. WhatNow Atlanta reported that it was unable to reach Baker for more details before its story ran, so specifics such as hours, the first event lineup and which makers will be on the shelves have not been made public yet.
For Underground Atlanta, the shop adds an artist-led storefront on Upper Alabama Street that pairs retail with the community programming Baker has described. Until an opening date is set, the brand's Instagram page has been the place where updates on the space have appeared.
Original reporting by Emily McGinn for WhatNow Atlanta.
