The Vinings Business Association last week announced the formation of four new councils at its monthly meeting March 2 at Social Vinings restaurant.

The councils were formed “to promote Vinings as a destination for shopping, dining, tourism, residing and doing business,” its mission statement partly reads. They are: hospitality/restaurant/hotel, retail/shopping, history/education and business/services.

The councils were formed after members discussed the idea at the association’s January meeting. Why?

“To help the members here get involved in the community. People are asking how to get involved and what I can do. We want to make it easier on businesses,” said president-elect Glenn Christian, who covered for president Bill Borden, who was in Alaska at the Iditarod race.

Representatives of three of the four councils spoke at the meeting.

Terri Hilderhoff of Paces Properties/Vinings Jubilee shopping center is co-chairing the retail/shopping council.

“The Vinings Jubilee has 34 current retail tenants,” Ms. Hilderhoff said.

“My job, as retail/shopping council chair, is to promote the retail side of Vinings.”

The hospitality/restaurant/hotel council is chaired by Frank Smith, co-owner of SOHO Atlanta restaurant, and Clay Walker with the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Vinings hotel.

The business and services council, which includes real estate, is chaired by accountant John Cole and attorney Robert Meyring.

“Cobb commissioners set the boundaries for the Vinings Village and Vinings proper [in January],” Cole said. “We want to work with the local organizations to maintain and collaborate with them on plans to … promote businesses in Vinings.”

The education/history council, which includes local schools, is chaired by Gillian Greer with the Vinings Historic Preservation Society and Patrick Stafford with Chick-fil-A.

“Regardless of what your business is known for in Vinings, the reason Vinings has its charm is its history,” Ms. Greer said. “We want to make Vinings the quaint place it is. Gen. [William] Sherman stayed in Vinings for 11 days and saw Atlanta for the first time from Vinings Mountain. As part of the council, I’ll keep you updated on Vinings history.”