Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1530620
74 maconmagazine.com | December 2024/January 2025 Autumn Van Gunten and Cedric Smith didn't need to start a retail store – they were plenty busy. The creative couple had moved to Macon from Savannah just before the pandemic, with Smith working as an in-demand painter and Van Gunten running a social media management company, Socially Yours Group (which, in full disclosure, runs the MM social accounts). They loved being in Macon, but couldn't always find the bespoke goods that they loved purchasing themselves – so they decided to sell them. Operating out of a renovated historic storefront in Billingslea Commons, a name that is a nod to the longtime property owner and local Civil Rights icon Albert Billingslea, Van Gunten and Smith worked with NewTown Loans to bring their dream to life. Visiting on a lazy Sunday, patrons wandered in to browse after eating at H&H next door and mused about buying early Christmas gifts. Van Gunten sat on her laptop on a cozy couch in the store, wondering about getting a Jimmy Carter-themed sweatshirt restocked that had flown off the shelves. Smith was acting as cashier before grabbing a spray bottle to tend to the live plants that sit in the window. They both paused their productive hum to sit down with us and explain their vision for a more creative Macon. In this series, we turn to the passionate Maconites, those who call this vibrant city home, to curate their very own guides to experiencing Downtown Macon. Whether you are a resident seeking to rediscover your city or a curious visitor eager to immerse yourself in the local culture, these guides will open doors to new ideas and lasting memories. Discover what defines Downtown Macon: from feeling the energy of our bustling streets and exploring historic landmarks to savoring the mouthwatering cuisine and engaging with the vibrant arts and music scene. We'll let the insiders share more. M y M a c o n I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H N E W T O W N M A C O N I N S I D E R G U I D E S T O D O W N T O W N M A C O N INTERVIEW BY JULIA MORRISON | PHOTO BY DSTO MOORE WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND RABBIT HOLE? WHO DO YOU THINK IT'S FOR? Autumn: When we moved here from Savannah, we weren't really finding the things that bring us a lot of joy and love. We kept traveling back there or to Atlanta, searching or online shopping. Bringing the store to life was just bringing the products we love that we figured Macon would also love. We try to buy from small makers we know around the world. The inspiration comes from the creativity of the makers. I have some incense holders right behind you. She – the designer – just got off maternity leave. I know that about her. It's for anybody who's looking for really quality, interesting pieces. We want this to be a one-stop shop for gifting. Gift giving should be thoughtful, but this is a place where you can come in and don't have to put much into asking, "Oh, should I get…?" It's easy. We want to support local, but above all our goal is to carry products nobody else is carrying. We try to keep everything really original. HOW DO YOU ENVISION RABBIT HOLE AS BEING PART OF THE GREATER COMMUNITY IN MACON? Cedric: I never thought about how it fits into Macon, but more that we're doing something different to add to Macon. That's the whole reason for the store. We will make it a little bit more community- based by having workshops. That's why the chairs are in here. We're having a few friends of mine from Savannah and Atlanta come in here as professionals for little sharings, whether it's bartending, or culinary, or even crafting or other arts. Autumn: We'd love to get bartenders in for mocktail or cocktail nights. We have a whole bunch of ideas. We're still trying to figure out how the store moves, and how the community fits into it. But the community wants more from the store. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE STORE? Cedric: Funny – a bigger aspect for me is really the people coming in. As an artist, I'm always isolated in my studio. People come in from all walks of life, and you end up finding out there's six degrees of separation. People were in today from Savannah. They were just visiting. I started naming people and they said, "Oh yeah, I know them!" That's the kind of stuff I like. You hope to make it inviting to come in here, because a lot of people go next door to H&H. They don't even know the store is here until they smell the incense or something. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S STARTING TO BE A CULTURAL RESURGENCE ON THIS BLOCK, BILLINGSLEA COMMONS ON FORSYTH STREET? Cedric: My thing is, I don't think people still notice this area at all. There's not enough walking traffic yet.