Groundbreaking Marks Return of Mentone’s Historic Hitching Post Site

Redevelopment by Rick and Mary Gresham Barr will include an expanded home for Elevation Restaurant

Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were (l-r) Dr. Brett Johnson, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority; John Dersham, executive director of DeKalb Tourism; Rick and Mary Gresham Barr, property owners; Kevin Dunlap, Elevation owner and chef; Mentone Mayor Rob Hammond; Rodney Williams with Speaker Ledbetter’s office; and architect Joel Leonard of Leonard Design Architects.

Property owners Rick and Mary Gresham Barr joined community leaders and project partners Tuesday, September 15, to break ground on the redevelopment of the historic Hitching Post site, beginning a new chapter for a gathering place that served Mentone for more than a century.

The development, at the corner of Highway 117 and Scenic Drive, will include a larger home for Elevation, the Mentone restaurant owned by chef and restaurateur Kevin Dunlap. Additional elements will be announced as construction progresses.

The original Hitching Post building was destroyed by fire in February 2023. Through its history, the site served as a store, post office, soda fountain, venue for dances and live music, and home to generations of small businesses.

The Barrs purchased the property in fall 2025 with the goal of honoring that history and creating a place where residents and visitors could gather again.

“We’re so excited about partnering with the community to make this happen,” Rick Barr said. He described the project as an opportunity to serve Mentone through jobs, revenue, meals and a gathering place at the center of town.

For Mary Gresham Barr, the connection is even more personal. She first visited Mentone in 1969 on her way to Camp DeSoto and remembered the Hitching Post as the landmark that signaled she was nearly there. Years later, she used the same building and nearby blinking light to direct her children and guests.

“The Hitching Post has been a signpost for me since I first visited Mentone,” she said.

The design team at Leonard Design Architects consists of Hillary Sharpton, Hugh Outzen, and Joel Leonard. They devoted considerable attention to the site’s history and how the new building would pay homage to what stood there for more than 100 years.

Dunlap recalled Elevation’s modest beginnings, with a small team, basic supplies, and community support. He said the new space would give the restaurant more room for people to gather, share meals, and support area farmers.

“To be in this spot, and the fact that Mary Gresham and Rick have put this in motion,” along with support from the town and community, made the occasion especially meaningful, Dunlap said.

Mentone Mayor Rob Hammond welcomed the investment and emphasized the property’s visibility as people arrive in town.

“When you come up the mountain, this will be one of the first things you’ll see,” Hammond said. “It’ll give everybody a taste of what Mentone is going to be like.”

John Dersham, executive director of DeKalb Tourism, spoke about Mentone’s longstanding role in attracting visitors to the county. Dr. Brett Johnson, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority, said the project supports the organization’s goal of capturing more visitor spending through local businesses and amenities.

The ceremony concluded with participants turning shovels of dirt on the property, officially marking the start of the site’s next chapter.