In a major boost for retail and economic development in the eastern suburbs, Target has announced plans to construct its largest store in the metro Atlanta area in more than 10 years.

The 128,500-square-foot superstore will anchor the expanding Covington Town Center, a sprawling mixed-use development poised to transform the local landscape.

State’s Largest Target To Be Built in Newton County

Located off Alcovy Road near Interstate 20, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta, the new Target will join other anchors like Publix and a lineup of national chain restaurants, alongside planned housing units and hotels.

This 180-acre project, seven years in the making, represents a significant investment in Newton County and a shift back to larger-format stores for the Minneapolis-based retailer.

“This is a monumental day through solidifying recruitment and support of our partners,” said Serra P. Hall, executive director of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority. The announcement underscores efforts to curb “retail leakage” — when locals shop elsewhere — by keeping more consumer dollars in the community.

The store’s size, equivalent to more than two football fields, marks a departure from Target’s recent trend of smaller urban formats. Since 2015, the company has favored outlets under 147,000 square feet, but recent earnings reports signal a return to bigger boxes to enhance in-store experiences and digital fulfillment capabilities.

While specific features for the Covington location haven’t been detailed, similar large Targets often include expanded grocery sections, dedicated in-store shops, and partnerships with brands like Disney or Apple.

Atlanta-based Fuqua Development, in partnership with the Foxfield Company, Harry Kitchen, and the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, closed on 20 acres for the site last week. The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, injecting vitality into Covington’s growing economy.

Target’s expansion comes amid a broader retail renaissance in metro Atlanta’s suburbs, where mixed-use developments are blending shopping, dining, and living to attract families and young professionals. The last major Target opening in the region was over a decade ago, leaving a gap that this Covington store aims to fill.

Final Word

Residents and business leaders alike are optimistic about the ripple effects. “It’s exciting to see this level of investment right here in Newton County,” Hall added.

As construction timelines firm up, the community eagerly awaits the grand opening, which developers say is slated for “soon.”For more updates on local developments, stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com.

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While Atlanta will never be mistaken for Detroit, Georgia’s largest city does have an unheralded relationship with major automobile manufacturers.

In this article, we’ll cover the automakers that have invested in the Atlanta area.

Mercedes-Benz USA

Headquartered in Sandy Springs, GA, since 2018, Mercedes-Benz USA manages distribution and marketing for Mercedes-Benz and smart products in the U.S.

The company announced in 2025 plans to establish its North American headquarters in metro Atlanta, adding approximately 500 jobs and a new multimillion-dollar R&D center nearby.

Porsche Cars North America

Based in Atlanta since 2015, Porsche’s North American headquarters includes the Porsche Experience Center, featuring a 1.6-mile test track, a classic car restoration shop, and a business center.

This $100 million facility enhances Porsche’s logistics and distribution capabilities in the region.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America

Located in Ellabell, GA (near Savannah but within the broader metro Atlanta economic sphere), the Hyundai facility began producing the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in October 2024, ahead of schedule.

The plant is expected to employ 8,100 workers and represents a significant investment in Georgia’s automotive sector.

Kia Georgia, Inc.

Kia operates a major manufacturing plant in West Point, GA, approximately 80 miles southwest of Atlanta, employing around 3,000 workers.

The facility, with a $1 billion expansion, produces vehicles like the Kia Telluride and Sorento, contributing to Georgia’s automotive manufacturing hub.

Cox Automotive

Headquartered in Atlanta, Cox Automotive provides a range of services for the automotive industry, including inventory management, car acquisition and disposal, floor planning, and transportation solutions.

It supports dealerships and manufacturers nationwide from its Atlanta base.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Based in Duluth, Asbury is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S.

The company operates multiple dealerships in the metro Atlanta area under brands like Nalley Automotive Group, which represents 13 brands including Audi, Acura, BMW, Bentley, Honda, Hyundai, INFINITI, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

Jim Ellis Automotive Group

A family-owned business operating since 1971, Jim Ellis manages 21 dealerships across metro Atlanta (Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, Marietta, McDonough, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, and Union City), offering 17 brands.

It is a leader in electric vehicle sales and provides access to a private network of charging stations in the region.

Hennessy Automobile Companies

Operating since 1964, Hennessy manages 11 brands across metro Atlanta dealerships, offering new and pre-owned vehicles with a focus on customer service.

MotorCars of Atlanta

Located in Atlanta, this dealership specializes in exotic and luxury vehicles, including McLaren, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, and Koenigsegg, serving the metro Atlanta area.

ALM Automotive Group

Operating since 2004, ALM has multiple dealerships in the metro Atlanta area, including ALM Newnan, focusing on luxury and pre-owned vehicles at competitive prices.

Final Word

These companies contribute to metro Atlanta’s status as a hub for automotive manufacturing, headquarters, and retail, leveraging the region’s skilled workforce, robust infrastructure (e.g., Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Port of Savannah), and business-friendly environment.

Georgia’s automotive industry is further supported by suppliers like Yokohama Tire Corporation (Cartersville, GA) and logistics providers like Buske Logistics, which cater to the warehousing and distribution needs of these automotive giants.

Final Word

Automakers aside, Atlanta has a thriving cultural, food, sports and music scene, with venues like the Tabernacle and the Fox Theatre hosting concerts and shows throughout the year.

The city is also home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera, offering world-class performances for music lovers.

Atlanta has a lot of cool things to do and places to eat, including some of the top soul food joints and remarkable Thai food spots. Explore the city.

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As the leaves turn and the scent of pumpkin spice fills the air, Atlanta shoppers are getting a holiday gift a little early: Sam’s Club is rolling out extended weekend hours starting today, giving busy families and last-minute gift hunters more time to stock up on bulk buys without the weekday rush.

The membership warehouse giant, a staple for Atlanta’s value-driven consumers, announced the change nationwide, but it’s hitting home sweet home in the Peach State with perfect timing.

Sam’s Club Extends Hours Into Holiday Season

Beginning Sunday, October 12, all Sam’s Club locations – including the bustling clubs in Atlanta, Marietta, Lithonia, and beyond – will swing open their doors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every single day. That’s a full two-hour extension on Sundays, where stores previously shuttered at 6 p.m., and a boost for Saturday shoppers too, who can now linger until closing without watching the clock.

“Your club has extended hours! Open ’til 8pm for all members,” reads the updated listing for the flagship Atlanta location at 2901 Clairmont Road NE.

Similar notices are popping up across metro Atlanta sites, from the Athens club on Atlanta Highway to the Buford outpost, signaling a seamless rollout for Georgia members. 10 15

Steven Zapata, Sam’s Club’s director of corporate communications, confirmed the permanent shift, noting it’s designed to “give members more flexibility – especially on weekends – as warehouse clubs compete to capture more of Americans’ grocery and bulk-buy budgets.” 0 4 Axios reports the move is part of a broader strategy to woo shoppers ahead of the holiday rush, when carts overflow with turkeys, trimmings, and toys. 3

For Atlanta’s retail scene, this couldn’t come at a better moment. With Thanksgiving looming just six weeks away and Black Friday fever already brewing, the extended hours align perfectly with the city’s high-octane shopping calendar

Local mom and Sam’s Club devotee Maria Gonzalez, spotted loading up on paper goods at the Clairmont Road store Saturday morning, called it a “game-changer.”

“Weekends are chaos with kids’ soccer and tailgates – now I can hit Sam’s after brunch and still make it to the park,” she said, eyeing a pallet of holiday-themed baking supplies.

Sam’s isn’t stopping at Sundays. The retailer is also tweaking holiday operations to keep the momentum going. Warehouses that once closed at 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve will now stay lit until 8 p.m., offering extra elbow room for festive feasts and fireworks prep.

Christmas Eve will wrap up at 6 p.m., while full closures remain in place for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Gas stations at Atlanta locations, a godsend for road-tripping Atlantans, will hum along from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Plus members – those shelling out for the upgraded tier – get early-bird access starting at 8 a.m. daily, a perk that’s already drawing crowds to the tire centers and optical departments for quick pre-holiday tune-ups.

“We’re seeing more families bundling errands here,” noted a store associate at the Marietta club, where lines for Scan & Go checkout snaked through the electronics aisle.

In a city where traffic rivals the Super Bowl halftime show, these tweaks could ease the strain on Atlanta’s retail arteries.

Competitors like Costco maintain their standard 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekends, but Sam’s bold Sunday stretch positions it as the go-to for night-owl negotiators hunting deals on everything from organic turkeys to LED-lit artificial trees. With Sam’s Club’s total revenue topping $57 billion last fiscal year, the chain is clearly betting big on volume – and Atlanta’s 1.5 million-plus warehouse club members are primed to deliver. 11

Whether you’re prepping for a Falcons watch party or crossing off that endless holiday list, Sam’s Club’s longer leash on the clock means more time for what matters: scoring savings and skipping the small-talk small print.

Head to samsclub.com/club-finder to confirm your local hours and snag a membership if you haven’t already – because in Atlanta, the best deals wait for no one.

Looking to shop? Check out the best malls in Atlanta

NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, take a look at all the top deals on our Clothes Page, there are PLENTY of good deals that you don’t want to miss! Subscribe to our #ATLHaps Newsletter HERE and get the deals delivered to your inbox 🙂  

Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop. 

In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.

 Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!

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AtlantaFi.com is your pulse on the city’s shopping scene, from boutique openings to big-box booms. Got a tip? Email us at tips@atlantaretailbeat.com.

In a unanimous decision, Develop Fulton’s Board of Directors has greenlit a $149 million economic package for Hutch Development LLC, paving the way for a landmark mixed-use development poised to inject fresh investment and catalyze economic momentum along the Campbellton Road corridor in South Fulton.

Develop Fulton officials hail Sandtown Village—at 5746 Campbellton Road—as a pivotal advancement in enriching South Fulton’s residential, commercial, and leisure offerings.

Panel OKs South Fulton Development Plan for Sandtown Village

The initiative encompasses roughly 288 multifamily apartment units alongside up to 120,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

It further dedicates over 10 acres to lush greenspace, complete with preserved wetlands, scenic boardwalks, and winding nature trails.

Beyond the incentive scope, the developer plans to add 74 single-family homes and 58 townhomes, injecting an extra $60 million in private capital.

Crafted to harmonize expansion with everyday quality of life, Sandtown Village promises substantial upgrades in infrastructure and sustainability, including:

• A $5.5 million commitment to greenspace and eco-friendly features;
• $1.3 million for addressing complex terrain and wetland restoration;
• And $7 million in road improvements, highlighted by a multi-lane roundabout endorsed by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority to enhance safety and ease congestion.

“This is yet another dynamic venture in Fulton County, weaving together diverse housing options, economic momentum, and robust community alliances,” said Develop Fulton Chairman Kwanza Hall. “Sandtown Village signals a major infusion of resources that will revitalize this vital corridor, creating a vibrant hub where people live, work, and flourish amid innovative, community-centric design.”

Aligning seamlessly with Develop Fulton’s mission to promote intelligent, equitable progress across the county, the completed project is forecasted to generate 366 full-time positions, 191 part-time roles, and 1,800 construction opportunities—bolstering the local labor market and commercial ecosystem.

Financial forecasts underscore the project’s fiscal impact: The site presently yields about $18,199 in yearly ad valorem taxes. During the incentive term, it’s anticipated to surge to over $16.5 million in annual revenue, fortifying Fulton County’s budgetary resilience.

“Sandtown Village stands as a prime example of how strategic development can uplift an entire neighborhood and supercharge Fulton’s revenue streams,” said Develop Fulton Executive Director Sarah-Elizabeth Langford. “Backed by unanimous endorsement from the City of South Fulton, this endeavor fuses creative planning, stakeholder input, and critical infrastructure to reflect deep-rooted community and civic backing for its progressive blueprint.”

Final Word

From South Fulton to Cumming, Metro Atlanta’s development landscape has undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by large-scale mixed-use projects, infrastructure upgrades, and a focus on revitalizing the city’s historic core. These changes reflect a broader effort to make Downtown more vibrant, walkable, and economically robust, particularly in preparation for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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