Why Georgia is in the middle of a redistricting redo and what happens next
If the word “redistricting” is giving you deja vu, you’re remembering correctly. Georgia just drew new district maps in 2021, but in October, a federal judge threw out those maps, calling them racially discriminatory, and instructed Georgia lawmakers to draw new ones. On Wednesday, the legislature convened for a special session to draw the new district maps. To help you understand what’s happening, here are some of your redistricting questions, answered.
Dos Burros, from the Fishmonger team, slings tacos and margs on the BeltLine
Fresh off a Michelin nod, the Fishmonger team launches a new restaurant on November 30—one that came to fruition in just three weeks. Dos Burros, or “two donkeys” in Spanish, replaces Lady Ha next to Rina on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail. It'll serve tacos, burritos, nachos, and ceviche, alongside margaritas and 20-plus beers on tap.
The New Brownies’ Book celebrates Black children and families with joy, creativity, and love
“Designed for all children, but especially for ours.” Thus read the inscription on the front page of the Brownies’ Book, a children’s periodical dreamt up by former Atlanta University professor W.E.B. Du Bois and read in homes across the country from 1920 to 1921. Now, Emory professor Dr. Karida L. Brown and her husband, artist Charly Palmer, have created a new iteration with a lusciously updated design that remains true to Du Bois’s original concept.
The Morning After to give off Slutty Vegan vibes with a spin on breakfast
Pinky Cole is hard at work on her newest restaurant, a breakfast spot called the Morning After. Located in the former Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand (881 Marietta Street) on the Westside, the Morning After promises the same cheeky branding of its sister spot with a vegan take on the first meal of the day.
How WERD became the first Black-owned radio station in the U.S.
From Black-owned financial institutions and restaurants to Ebenezer Baptist Church, the NAACP, and the legendary Royal Peacock nightclub, Atlanta’s Black history makers have always made their way to Auburn Avenue. So it should be no surprise that, tucked away in a small brick building on that iconic street, is the site of the first Black-owned radio station in the United States, WERD.
What life is like on a Stockbridge Christmas tree farm
When Susie Grant went to the National Christmas Tree Association convention in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1986, she was one of the few female farmers there. She ran a small farm in Mississippi at the time. In the exhibit hall, she met a father and son from Stockbridge, who were demonstrating a revolutionary tree trimmer they had invented. “I just walked by and started talking about the trimmer,” says Susie. She and the son, Allen Grant, have been together ever since. Today they own Yule Forest in Stockbridge, and Christmas trees remain an inextricable part of their lives.
Tin Lizzy’s team to open family-friendly arcade in East Cobb
Tin Pin Game Bar, an extension of the Tin Lizzy’s brand, is slated to open early next year in East Cobb. Adjacent to Tin Lizzy’s at the Avenue, Tin Pin Game Bar will be a retro arcade with a focus on pinball. It’ll feature the Tin Lizzy’s menu of Tex-Mex fare “with some surprises,” director of operations Jay Clarke says.
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Here’s what we know about plans for the Amsterdam Walk redevelopment
Wedged between Monroe Drive and Piedmont Park, Amsterdam Walk is a quirky commercial area populated by about two-dozen small businesses. The BeltLine-adjacent shopping center is slated for a major overhaul by Atlanta developer Portman Holdings. Here are renderings for the project and what we know so far.
Owners of Michelin-recommended Poor Hendrix announce plans for a new sandwich shop
Husband-and-wife team Aaron and Jamie Russell recently announced that the Velvet Hippo in Avondale Estates by the end of the year. The 400-square-foot space will feature a concise menu of sandwiches, salads, and soups in the eclectic style the Russells are known for, along with cocktails, beer, and wine.
Is Atlanta ready to love Georgia Tech basketball again?
New Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Damon Stoudamire thinks so—and aims to prove it by doing what his recent predecessors could not: winning with consistency.
Tulip & Tea by Asha Gomez is now open in Conyers
Two-time James Beard Award nominee Asha Gomez has shifted her focus from cooking to entertaining. The Cardamom Hill founder moved to Conyers and opened Tulip & Tea, a retail, education, and high tea space. There, she sells floral arrangements on a weekly subscription basis, offers cooking and floral design classes, and serves an elaborate high tea on Fridays and Saturdays.
JoJo’s Beloved expands with a dance floor, additional bars, and a new cocktail menu
In December, JoJo's will debut a major expansion, adding a dance floor, DJ booth, and additional bars and seating, essentially doubling in capacity. With the expansion comes a brand-new cocktail list developed by director of operations Benton Bourgeois and bar manager Qwesha Byrd.
How Atlantans celebrate Diwali
Known as the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali is a time when worshippers light clay lamps to celebrate the inner glow that repels spiritual darkness. Celebrations are rooted in traditions of oral storytelling and joyful revelry, including mounds of decadent treats, festive finery, and fireworks. For many, it represents their faith in the goodness of humanity.
Cupcakin’ brings key lime pie and Madagascar bourbon vanilla treats to Midtown
Come December, Colony Square visitors will have more dessert options to choose from. Cupcakin’ Bake Shop is opening an 1,100-square-foot shop and to-go window next to King of Pops in the courtyard. A California-based company, Cupcakin’ brings cupcakes, cakes, and cookies to the mixed-use development.
