The Pig and the Bridge: A Love Story

Every year, when our accountant comes to look over our taxes, she asks, “So – what’s new with the Whiteside District?” ::Sigh:: With all those “whites” and “wests” snarling together, even we get mixed up sometimes! But what it comes down to is this: A pig and a bridge fell in love. Curious? Read on.

A handy guide to the semantics of WSPD:

Westside Urban Market (“Westside”) + White Provision (“Provisions”) = Westside Provisions District (“District”)

	Westside Urban Market: It was the year 2000. Intrepid developers Michael Phillips and Katie Walker (creators of Westside Urban Market) teamed up with Bacchanalia, Taqueria, G. Gilbert, Bungalow and others, making the foray into what was then uncharted territory for retailers/restaurateurs.
	White Provision: A few years passed and plans were launched to redevelop the historic White Provision building and the surrounding acreage into mixed-use office, retail, restaurant and residential space. Under the direction of developers Chris Faussemagne, Mike Millett, and Michael Phillips, White Provision emerged as one of the leading forces on Atlanta’s Westside.
	A Footbridge: From the beginning, it was clear that WSUM & WP shared a similar aesthetic. What better way to showcase our commitment to each other than to erect a footbridge between the two properties? The bridge is an enduring symbol of the love affair between Westside Urban Market and White Provision.

Westside Provisions District: Once we had our footbridge in place, it seemed only natural to brand ourselves as one cohesive district, “Westside Provisions District.” Using the area’s history as Atlanta’s original meatpacking district as a jumping off point, WSUM owner Katie Walker collaborated with BAD Studio designer Scott Banks to create our adorable WSPD “Pig” logo. Sure, we continue to promote WSUM and WP; however, since the two go together like chocolate and peanut butter (or pigs and bridges,) we hope that when you hear of one or the other, you will also find mention of our collective identity: Westside Provisions District. The media (and our accountant!) get it wrong now and again, but we are working hard to clear up any confusion.

Read the full WSPD Story