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About Funwoody

Drive through any neighborhood in Dunwoody and you will see kids riding bikes, neighbors chatting; an idyllic Atlanta suburb.  The missing factor was a place for the community to gather together.  In 2019, David Abes strolled through Dunwoody Village, and set out to make a major change.  His vision to revitalize downtown Dunwoody started by centering five unique dining concepts around the expansive courtyard. Featuring festivals, live music, and watch parties on the outdoor big screen, Funwoody Restaurants is established as the favorite gathering spot for Dunwoody, and all of Atlanta.  

David Abes

David Abes

OWNER/OPERATOR

David has lived in Atlanta since he was 5 years old. After attending Arizona State University, he moved back to Atlanta in 1991.  Starting his restaurant career at the age of 16, he went on to work for Morrison's Corporation in their casual dining division with L & N Seafood & Silver Spoon.  David was the General Manager of the Atlanta Fish Market during the Olympics.  He moved on to become the Director of Operations for Here To Serve Restaurants for 14 years, growing the company from 3 to 14 restaurants.

Following Here To Serve, David became the Regional Director of Operations for LDV Hospitality, then COO for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group overseeing 9 restaurants in Georgia and 4 in South Florida.  His lifetime of experience inspired him to start Dash Hospitality Group, now a leader in hospitality management and consulting.  The ability to revitalize distressed businesses led to his legacy project in Dunwoody. In 2020, David stood in the nearly empty corridor of Dunwoody Village and had a vision for a center of gravity for Dunwoody.  His plan to create a vibrant hub of restaurants centered around an open and inviting courtyard quickly sprang to life.  In November of 2021, Bar{n} booze {n} bites, a neighborhood whiskey & wine bar opened along with a stationary food truck, dubbed The Funwoody Food Truck.  Morty's Meat & Supply, which opened in December of 2022 is already a neighborhood staple. His final full concept, is Message in a Bottle  opened in late 2023, and is already customer favorite.  In Spring of 2025, Good Vibes: Ice Cream Shop & Soda Pop filled the sweet tooth of neighborhood. April 2026, DASH opened it's newest concept: {S}table: Comfort Food {n} Cocktails - a modern southern comfort space! 

Despite his multifaceted job and busy schedule, he is a family man at heart.  His wife, Julie, is an integral part of the business, managing social media. They have a daughter Amanda, who is an Occupational Therapist, and son Mitchell who is a recent graduate of  the University of Maryland, and working as his Brand Manager at Funwoody.  Mitchell's diagnosis of Type One Diabetes at the age of 2 has made David a passionate supporter of  BreakthroughT1D (formerly JDRF), as well as The Atlanta Community Food Bank. 

David Abes

Phil Handley

CHIEF COOK & BOTTLE WASHER

As a hospitality professional with over 37 years of experience, there isn't much Phil hasn't done in restaurants. He started in hospitality working for a caterer at age 13 in Jacksonville, FL, then at Mayport Naval Air Station for Change of Command.  Phil graduated from New England Culinary Institute, Florida State University School of Hospitality and is a certified sommelier.  His  career has progressed in to becoming a beverage, bar, and operations expert throughout greater Atlanta. Phil has successfully opened restaurants ranging from neighborhood taquerias and luxurious French brasseries to scratch cooking concession stands in major athletic stadiums.Phil maintains his passion for the industry by mentoring and coaching all levels of hospitality employees. His infectious love of food and beverage comes through as soon as he speaks to employees and guests alike.   For fun, Phil likes to host guerilla wine dinners, play poker, enjoy live music, garden and hike. Phil volunteers with Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture.

camron

Camron Woods

CULINARY DIRECTOR

As a culinary professional with over 25 years of experience, there isn't much Camron doesn't love about cooking. From luxury resorts to small country inns and fine dining restaurants, he loves to share his passion for food with guests and colleagues alike. He started his career in 1995 working as a dishwasher at 17. As luck would have it, it just happened to be at an award-winning inn and restaurant near his home outside of Charleston, SC.

Camron quickly realized cooking was not only a passion but a career path. He completed an apprenticeship at the acclaimed Woodlands Resort and Inn, then rose through the ranks to executive sous chef. In 2003, Camron was recruited by Four Season's Hotels in Atlanta and later the Bahamas. In 2007 he moved west to Southern California and opened The Grand del Mar Resort as well as a free-standing restaurant in La Jolla, California before moving slightly up the coast to Orange County as part of the opening team for The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Camron then spent 5 years overseeing the culinary operations of two properties with Omni Hotels in San Antonio, Texas before moving back to Atlanta to be closer to family. 

Camron enjoys his free time doing nearly anything outdoors. While gardening, fishing and bird hunting are among his favorite hobbies away from the kitchen, it seems they all lead back to food.

Mitchell Headshot

MITCHELL ABES

BRAND MANAGER

Mitchell was born & raised in the Atlanta suburbs. Being the son of David Abes, Mitchell spent many childhood days following his father around in kitchens and experiencing the multifaceted hospitality industry around the city. At 16, he got his first job at the former Davinici's Donuts location in Dunwoody Village. Following graduation from North Springs Charter High School in 2018, he attended the University of Maryland, College Park, studying strategic marketing and Public Relations. During his time in college, he worked remotely with Via Failla PR, helping support and manage Chattahoochee Food Works Food Hall's social media. He also interned with United Distributors in 2021, learning best practices of all sides of the beverage industry. After earning his B.A.  In Spring of 2022, Mitchell returned to Atlanta and worked at Eagle Rock Disturbing Company as a member of the Sales-Technology and On-Premise Sales Teams furthering his understanding of the B2B functions between restaurants and the beverages served. 


As of Summer 2024, Mitchell represents DASH Hospitality Group and their main venture at Funwoody as their Brand Manager. He is all about growing the brand's marketing/development, social media strategy and sales output, uplifting the Funwoody brand to the town and beyond. As a Type One Diabetic diagnosed at the age of two, Mitchell and the Abes family are committed to finding a cure and supporting Breakthrough T1D (formally JDRF). In Mitchell's free time, he enjoys making Spotify playlists, going on walks through Atlanta's Beltline, and listening to live music. 


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