Before opening his first boutique in Atlanta in 2007, Sid Mashburn had already worked with the greats of American menswear. His career began in 1980s New York, where he became J.Crew’s first-ever men’s designer, creating the brand’s original signature piece: the Barn Jacket. Stints at Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Lands’ End followed.

For his inaugural store, Mashburn looked to the archives, crafting a space that echoed old-school men’s specialty shops—a cross between a museum and an English gentleman’s club. His collection of well-cut classics—polo shirts, straight-leg jeans, crisp dress shirts, and jackets tailored with the simplicity of Caraceni and the polish of Zegna—quickly gained a cult following.

In 2010, Mashburn and his wife, Ann, introduced a womenswear line. Since then, they’ve expanded to five more stores across the country, with more on the way. Here, Mashburn, known as Georgia’s Ralph Lauren, shares his favorite places to eat, sleep, and shop in the city where it all began.

BUFORD HIGHWAY

Our version of New York’s Chinatown, Spanish Harlem, and Flushing all consolidated into one magnificent stretch of strip malls. There are so many restaurants to try along Buford Highway, but we love the pho at Nam Phuong, the tacos at El Rey del Taco, the Korean food at Stone Bowl, and the dim sum at Canton House.

JOHNNY’S HIDEAWAY

An old-school, after-hours bar with a dance floor that only recently caved to the smoking ban … it’s still enforced just as lightly as the “no drinks on the dance floor” rule. A fun last stop of the night. (johnnyshideaway.com)

LA GROTTA RISTORANTE ITALIANO

One of the hardest tables to get in town. A classic Italian restaurant, La Grotta boasts servers in white jackets and the best veal piccata I’ve ever had. The dining room has great energy but ask for the patio. (lagrottaatlanta.com)

OK CAFE

My go-to for breakfast. They are pros at making you feel taken care of. (okcafe.com)

TAQUERIA DEL SOL AND STAR PROVISIONS

Both of these restaurants influenced our decision to open our first store right between them. Star has since moved down the street. Its chef and owner, Annie Quatrano, is a bit of a nut for detail—she sees food like we see flecks of color in a Harris Tweed. By day, they serve takeout and fantastic sandwiches; by night, they become a fine-dining restaurant. Taqueria is simple, fresh, and so delicious that Ann and I eat it for lunch every single day of the week. She orders a fish taco, and I always get the George. It’s not on the menu, but it’s a must—a cup of charro beans, turnip greens, and rice. (taqueriadelsol.com; starprovisions.com)

ELLA GURU RECORD SHOP

The best record shop in Atlanta! (instagram.com)

SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS

Can I call it the Brimfield Market of the south? This antiques show happens monthly at an expo center near the airport. The characters that come in are just as interesting as the stuff on sale. Ann and I have furnished our stores (and home!) with plenty of pieces from Scott’s. (scottantiquemarket.com)

CYCLORAMA: the big picture AT THE ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER

A circular Civil War experience—not to be confused with Shakespeare’s theatre in the round. Visitors are surrounded by a 50-foot-tall painting of the Battle of Atlanta. The museum relocated to the Atlanta History Center a few years ago. It’s right around the corner from our house, so I’m probably due for a visit soon. If you like history (or giant artworks), this is as cool as it gets. (atlantahistorycenter.com)

MUSEUM OF DESIGN ATLANTA

MODA is under-appreciated in Atlanta. Most people visit the High Museum across the street and call it a day, but I think it’s worth checking out. I still think about a Paul Rand exhibit that Ann and I saw there 10 years ago. (museumofdesign.org)

NOGUCHI PLAYSCAPE

Our youngest child was six when we moved to Atlanta and still loved running around here. The Olmsted brothers, who designed Piedmont Park, brought a bit of Japanese simplicity to its stately, meandering grounds with this playground created by Isamu Noguchi. (piedmontpark.org)

ATLANTA BELTLINE

For some exercise. The beltine is an epic walking and biking trail where I always run into every person I know in town. The stretch closest to us is home to the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, featuring both hard and clay courts, as well as the Bobby Jones Golf Course, which has a nine-hole course. Both facilities offer equipment rentals. (bitsygrant.agapetennisacademy.com; bobbyjonesgc.com)

Atlanta BOTANICAL GARDEN

This is a cool place for a walk next to Piedmont Park. I like the lizard house. (atlantabg.org)