Ryan Wilson, co-founder of The Gathering Spot, sits for an interview in one of his favorite spots to eat in Midtown, BYTES restaurant. RYON HORNE / [email protected]
By Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ryan Wilson has hosted events for Stacey Abrams, T.I. and others at The Gathering Spot
Love perusing through social media to find out what your favorite influencers are up to? Get a closer glimpse into how they spend their time in Atlanta with “ATL Closeup,” a new AJC feature that explores the leisure lives of some of the city’s most notable personalities as they go from work to play mode over the course of a typical weekend —from their favorite places to dine to the little-known spots where they find retreat.
This week, we’re hanging out with Ryan Wilson, the CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot. Alongside his business partner T.K. Petersen, he has redefined networking and cultivated a hub for local executives, creatives and tastemakers like Stacey Abrams, Will Packer, Ludacris and T.I.
The 28-year-old is well-connected and attributes much of his success to the city that helped raise him. He grew up in Marietta, but ventured to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University. After graduation, it didn’t take long to draw him back home. At 24, he returned to the city to lay the groundwork for The Gathering Spot.
A 2018 A3C panel featuring Ryan Wilson and Paul Judge. Photo: DV Photography
“I don’t think there is any better city, particularly if you’re an entrepreneur of color, to start a business,” he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I moved back with a dream, and the city supported us.”
When he isn’t manning his company, the boss is carving out time to hit up some of his favorite places. Here’s where you’ll likely find him on any given weekend in Atlanta.
Finger-licking good meal
Atlanta has good food everywhere, Wilson said, but “the west side of the city has some of the hottest restaurants in town.”
Whether he has a taste for seafood at The Optimist or a drink at Barcelona Wine Bar, he always explores eateries near his home.
But Bocado is one of the places he frequents the most. You might catch him there on a Saturday with his wife for date night.
“We go back to Bocado a lot. It was one of the places we first started to go to when we moved to this area,” he said. “Bocado has these herb fries that are really good, so if you’re interested in some amazing French fries, the ones there are spectacular.”
His top dining picks:
The Optimist, 914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-477-6260. theoptimistrestaurant.com.
Barcelona Wine Bar, 240 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-589-1010, barcelonawinebar.com.
Bocado, 887 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta. 404-815-1399, bocadoatlanta.com.
Shop-til-you-drop spot
Between hosting events at The Gathering Spot and closing deals with organizations, including A3C, Wilson likes to keep a corporate casual look.
“I dress in the middle,” he explained. “I’m somewhere between a T-shirt and jeans and a suit and tie every day.”
When he needs a fit for an upscale event, he heads to Phipps Plaza. He either calls on celebrity fashion designer Miguel Wilson, owner of the Miguel Wilson Collection, or Adonis Jurell, one of the fashion designers at Saks Fifth Avenue.
For more chill happenings, he stops by The Gallery by Wish ATL.
“Wish has all the cool, street wear and attire,” he said. “They have exclusive shoes and also awesome clothes.”
His top shopping picks:
Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-261-7910, simon.com/mall/phipps-plaza.
The Gallery by Wish ATL, 447 Moreland Ave., Atlanta. 404-880-0402, wishatl.com.