PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK HEAGNEY

IN GOOD SPIRITS

Aaron Mattison, who operates Ponce City Market’s Bar Vegan (barveganatl.com), proves how a passion for hospitality can positively impact the community.

Where are you from originally, and what led you to Atlanta?
I am originally from Memphis. I came to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College and my time here was instrumental in shaping the person I am today. I learned so much about myself and created an incredible network in the city, so when I had the opportunity to come back after grad school, it was an easy ‘yes’ for me.

How did the idea for Bar Vegan come to fruition?
Bar Vegan is the brainchild of Pinky Cole. She is so passionate about creating vegan dining options that are accessible, inspired and different.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK HEAGNEY

When we first connected, we began to imagine how her passion for vegan cuisine and the success of Slutty Vegan could translate to sit-down dining. I was really excited about creating a truly unique space and experience for our guests, and the concept for Bar Vegan began to materialize organically from there.

What do you think surprises people most about the Bar Vegan experience?
People are hands down most surprised by the food. It is vegan cuisine created for anyone who loves food, period. The options are diverse, well executed and delight even the pickiest of eaters, including nonvegans.

What is your favorite food and drink pairing at Bar Vegan?
My go-to order is the spaghetti and meatballs, a kale Caesar and a spicy margarita.

Tell us more about your latest concepts, Excuse My French and The James Room Buckhead.
Excuse My French is a pop-up bar experience located inside Citizen Supply at Ponce City Market. The team at Citizen Supply was excited to begin welcoming guests back to their store and wanted to create an exciting and enticing way to do that.

The James Room is a beloved staple on the BeltLine with a craft cocktail menu, curated sounds and incredible ambiance. We are incredibly excited to bring these fundamentals to a new audience in Buckhead.

What is your secret to successfully juggling so many projects at once?
Passion and really great teams. I absolutely love the process of creating, and my background in consulting lends itself very well to multitasking at a high level. But the true key is having a team of incredible people who are experts in what they do and bring an unparalleled level of passion and enthusiasm to the table.

What is your proudest professional moment?
I am incredibly proud to have created jobs for over 100 people during the pandemic. Many of these people are still part of our team today.

How are you involved in the Atlanta community?
I owe so much of my personal and professional success to the community here in Atlanta and do my very best to pour back into it in ways big and small on a regular basis. My experience at Morehouse College was incredibly impactful in my life and I am very passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of young men there. I also believe strongly in the mission of the Pinky Cole Foundation and am glad to support their work whenever possible.

Outside of work, where can we find you?
I love to travel, attend sporting events, and find hidden gems with great interiors and interesting cocktails.

What is up next for you?
I’m really excited about the many doors of opportunity that are opening throughout the city right now and all the possibilities they hold. There are so many neighborhoods (West Midtown, for example) ripe with potential that are growing and expanding. The horizon is endless.

PHOTO BY PATRICK HEAGNEY

SMOOTH MOVES

Managing a restaurant is no easy feat (we’ve all seen The Bear, right?). As Aaron Mattison explains, “My role is to ensure that we run well operationally and fiscally, that our team members feel excited to come to work each day, and that our customers have an excellent experience.” Here, The Atlantan shares his daily routine that balances productivity with self-care in order to motivate others and be the best version of himself.

PHOTO BY EDUARDO CANO/UNSPLASH

6 AM

“My day begins with a workout with my trainer, Will, from Finao Fit.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF KALE ME CRAZY

7:30 AM

“Before heading to the office, I grab an acai bowl and fresh juice from Kale Me Crazy Buckhead.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMESTOWN

9 AM

“I arrive at Industrious at Ponce City Market to start my meetings and appointments for the day.”

PHOTO BY CALEB JONES

12:30 PM

“After a busy morning, I am usually ready for lunch and will take a lunch meeting at Drawbar at The Interlock to multitask.”

PHOTO BY MALIDATE VAN/PEXELS

7 PM

“I’ll head to Pasha for dinner. They have a delicious salmon platter and always great vibes.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAR VEGAN ATL

5 PM

“Before wrapping up the bulk of my workday, I’ll stop by Bar Vegan to check in with the team and ensure we are on track for any private events happening in the evening.”

PHOTO BY DILLON SHOOK/UNSPLASH

9 PM

“I review my calendar for the next day while I relax and unwind with my favorite shiatsu foot massager.”

VIBE CHECK

PORTRAIT BY JACOB ALLINSON

Our stylish Man to Know reveals the essential items that take him from work to workout without missing a beat.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“My backpack is my lifesaver. It holds all of my essentials and stands the test of time and durability.” Louis Vuitton backpack, us.louisvuitton.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“These items are a staple in my wardrobe. They have an elevated yet casual feel and transition perfectly from day to night.” John Elliott Villain hoodie and Escobar sweatpants, johnelliott.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“[This is] my absolute favorite way to refresh and rehydrate aft er a workout. They’re only around seasonally, so I enjoy them daily in the summer.” Kale Me Crazy watermelon juice, kalemecrazy.net

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“This combo piece of equipment allows me to get a great workout with maximum efficiency. It supports my cardio health and strength, and also is a great stress reliever.” Everlast Powercore dual bag and stand, dickssportinggoods.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“This is an essential piece of tech that allows me to get all my work done on the go without carrying around too many devices.” iPad Pro, apple.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS

“These notebooks are my go-to, and I keep one on me at all times for organizing, brainstorming and note-taking.” Moleskine classic notebook, moleskine.com