Interview by Brad Abernathy
Meet Kristen Redmon! Kristen is the Main Street Manager for Gainesville and works for the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Gainesville. Kristen and I first met through working with the Placemaking Collaborative, where Gainesville was one of three cities in Georgia to be in the Collaborative’s inaugural class.
Kristen is a high energy, optimistic person who has never met a stranger in downtown Gainesville. She has the perfect role in our community. She is a self professed “foodie,” who loves to travel. She also is a “Bird Killer” – a two birds with one stone person. Her personal motto revolves around efficiency. She says, “efficiency is a word that bugs me and inspires me at the same time. I need to know what I can do on my way to doing the next thing.”
Thank you, Kristen, for spending a few minutes with me at Inman Perk and letting all of us see a fun glimpse into your life here in Hall County.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I work on the square and in downtown Gainesville. I grew up on the square. I participated in summer camps downtown as a child and as a camp counselor for our Park and Rec Department. I am a graduate of Chestatee High School and the University of North Georgia, where I earned a degree in Biology.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County?
A: “Eat at Thai! Chicken curry and definitely the mangos and rice dessert.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would love to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “During part of the year I love The Holiday with Jude Law and Jack Black. The rest of the time I love Pride and Prejudice.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and I am a huge fan of Darius Rucker.”
Q: Who is one of the most interesting people you have met in Hall County?
A: “Connie Rock. The stories of her international travels are incredible. And Julie Bowmar. Julie is like me but happier. She gives energy and encouragement and can relate to anyone.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “I am not sure who would have lunch with me, but we would have it together at the Chicago World’s Fair in the early 1900’s.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I have a scratch off map. I want to travel and I am a huge foodie.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “This community is just large enough you can still discover great things, places, and people. And, it is small enough so that you can see people you know anywhere.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “I miss two. Elmos Pizza is one. And no offense to where we are sitting in Inman Perk, but I miss Coffee Shop of Horrors.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I’ll be here with my husband Ty Redmon. I hope to also be a mom.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Memories. Connecting. Relationships..”
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Hall County?
A: “Alycea Hylton. She moved here about 14 to 15 years ago. She has a true passion for our community.”
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: “Hugh Grant.”
Q: If you had a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? A Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: “A Housekeeper.”
Q: What do most people not know about you?
A: “I love making balloon animals.”
Thank you so much for following our community project, The Faces of Hall County!  If you would like to nominate someone for this project please email Brad Abernathy at rbradabernathy@gmail.com.