At the intersection of James P. Brawley Drive and Cameron M. Alexander Boulevard stands a bright yellow building with deep roots in English Avenue’s history — and a renewed role in its future. Known affectionately as the “Yellow Store,” the century-old structure was once a cornerstone of neighborhood life. Now, thanks to Westside Future Fund, restoration of this community landmark is officially underway.

A Beloved Past

Long before it fell into disrepair, the Yellow Store served as a vibrant community hub. For decades, it operated as Cantrell Sodas and Sundaes — a locally owned soda shop and ice cream parlor where neighbors gathered, children lingered over root beer floats, and music drifted from the record store on the ground floor.

Owned by the Cantrell family, the building also housed a shoe store and four residential apartments above. It was more than a commercial space — it was a place of care and connection. The Cantrells were known for offering free meals during the holidays and opening their doors to neighbors in need.

This stretch of James P. Brawley Drive once pulsed with everyday activity and shared purpose. But like much of the historic Westside, it was deeply impacted by decades of systemic disinvestment. Over time, the Yellow Store became a visible symbol of that neglect — its façade fading, its storefronts shuttered, and violent crime taking hold nearby.

A Vision for Restoration

In 2019, Westside Future Fund purchased the Yellow Store for $600,000 as part of a long-term, community-guided strategy to restore neighborhood assets and honor the legacy of English Avenue. The project is rooted in the Westside Land Use Framework Plan, shaped by residents and community leaders who identified the James P. Brawley corridor — and this corner in particular — as a priority for reinvestment and stabilization.

Since that time, WFF has taken an intentional, block-by-block approach to strengthening the corridor — acquiring properties, restoring historic homes, and building new ones with a clear commitment to affordability and resident retention. At its core, this effort reflects restoration without displacement by honoring English Avenue’s history while ensuring longtime residents remain part of its future.

• Since 2021, WFF has rehabilitated or built and sold 12 homes along James P. Brawley Drive.
• The organization currently owns 40 rental units on the street, with plans for 15 additional homes within blocks of the Yellow Store.

This work is part of a broader placemaking effort across English Avenue, alongside partners such as the Atlanta Police Foundation (officer housing and the At-Promise Center), St. Mark AME Church under the leadership of Pastor Winston Taylor, and Historic Westside Gardens, which expands access to fresh food for local families.

Together, these coordinated investments are helping reestablish the corridor as a safer, more connected neighborhood — guided by community voices and grounded in long-term stewardship rather than displacement.

What’s Next for the Yellow Store

The Yellow Store project represents a $3.6 million investment, including $750,000 from the Westside TAD — a critical public-private financing tool that helps drive equitable redevelopment in historically underserved communities. Restoration work officially began this month.

When complete, the building will once again serve both residential and commercial purposes:

• The ground floor will include 3,000 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail space divided into two stalls — one focused on fresh food and the other on soft goods — along with a patio and courtyard designed as a welcoming gathering space.
• The upper floor will be restored into four high-quality, affordable apartments, returning safe and dignified housing to the heart of English Avenue.

As with all of Westside Future Fund’s work, the restoration of the Yellow Store is about honoring the people and places that shaped Atlanta’s historic Westside — and ensuring that legacy residents can continue to live, work, and thrive as their neighborhood is restored.