Adriana Park is the type of businesswoman we need in 2025: a vulnerable straight shooter with intelligent wit and a communal heart. She’s bold, unapologetically authentic, and a significant asset to the Decatur business community. She has spent the last year pouring her all into revamping the beloved cafe, Pastries A Go Go while focusing on business choices that engender joy instead of getting bogged down by the growing pains of new ownership. Previously a restaurant group manager, Park was ready to invest, expand, and reach new levels of prosperity. She has achieved those aims and then some. The key to her successful transition was working undercover at the cafe for four months before her takeover. She met the guests casually and worked in every position, which helped her hone in on the best changes to utilize. Park baked pastries during the 4 a.m. shift and slung plates as a line cook. Stepping into staff positions from back to front alongside the previous owner imbued her with a sense of what guests love most about Pastries A Go Go.
Park pours her energy into what brings her happiness. A particularly on-brand example was this past Christmas: she went on a holiday decorating marathon, covering the walls with wrapping paper, putting up maximalist reindeer balloons, and in essence “aggressively decorating” every inch. At the time, she felt silly going so overboard, but it was joyful for her. This vibrancy and commitment to authentic expression worked wonders. December turned into a surprisingly profitable month for her, and she still hears from guests how happy those decorations made them. She recalls watching people stroll by the cafe, stare through the windows, and walk through the front door as if magnetically pulled. “If you’re happy doing it and it brings a guest through the door, who cares if you’re not the best at Instagram?” Park refuses to put on a forced performance; her growth arises from tapping into her strengths and contributing to causes she cares about. From supporting the fire department’s blood drives with free cookies for donors to implementing guerilla marketing tactics like handing out biscuits around town, she has organically built out her customer base in a way that’s true to her personality and values.
Park co-founded the legendary Decatur International Festival in 2023; over 7,500 people showed up this past year. Throughout the process, she insisted she didn’t know what she was doing, but she kept putting one foot in front of the other, and it was an epic success. This year, she’s passing it off to others who can benefit from the opportunity. She’s currently in the planning stages for 2026’s festival for the World Cup. Park leans into what is fun, brings connections, and attracts “people who eat” to her space. Her community of regulars is dense and diverse. The “Romeos” - an acronym for Retired Old Men Eating Out - come in every Wednesday without fail. She’s witnessed countless friendships forged across divides, amidst life transitions and heartbreaks. Park has ingratiated herself with her guests to an inspiring degree, and the familiarity and kinship are tangible. When you step into the golden glow of Pastries A Go Go, you can’t help but melt into its atmospheric warmth. Butter-yellow walls with hand-painted flowers envelop you, an apt demonstration of the special something Park pours into every corner of this labor of love. Come for the bountiful breakfast, stay for the bold vibes and bright connections.