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Atlanta / Business / Development / Events / Food & Drink / Restaurants2 Min Read
This week Chick-fil-A is opening a new restaurant on North Decatur Road in Decatur and giving customers a chance to win free food for a year. The new location at 650 Decatur Village Way will bring about 90 jobs to the corridor and join a thriving food scene anchored by strong retail development just off Interstate 285.
To celebrate, all participating Atlanta-area Chick-fil-A restaurants are giving away a free chicken biscuit during breakfast hours up to 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 23. There is no purchase necessary, one per customer.
At the new Decatur location, the first 100 eligible adults in line when the doors open on Thursday, Jan. 25 will win free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals made up of a Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium drink — for a whole year. The new eatery is the brainchild of franchise owner Rodney Johnson, who will also ask that patrons donate children’s books to a local youth organization during the festivities.
The location is expecting people to arrive a day or so in advance, so they are providing organized games, prizes, and a block party in the evening with lip sync battle and more activities.
The North Decatur Chick-fil-A restaurant is the last of four local locations to open in the first month o f 2018. On Jan. 11, the North Druid Hills restaurant reopened, along with Braselton’s first location and just last week on Jan. 18, a Vine City location opened near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Combined, the four restaurants awarded to customers more than $120,000 in free food and have brought upwards of 400 new jobs to the metro area.
In February, a Northridge restaurant is going to reopen as well. The expansion is part of an effort to build 140 stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants around the United States.
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We all know Sheree Whitfield is an expert in branding, from her She By Sheree outfit to her mansion in Sandy Springs, she knows how to get the juice out of the moment.
She’s back on the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” for the 200th episode after taking a hiatus a couple of seasons ago. Ironically, that’s when she uttered the most-repeated phrase of the whole RHOA franchise.
Here is that moment and how it has taken on a life of its own.
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If you ever wanted to open up your own restaurant and bar, this one in the Smyrna Vinings Area comes with a patio. It’s a short drive away from the Atlanta Braves new stadium, SunTrust Park as well as Cumberland Market.
The listing says it is 3,600 square feet and has a “Stunning $850,000 Buildout with high ceilings.” The full-service kitchen is up to code and the dining room sits about 100 guests.
The spot is available for a long-term lease with options to renew at $8,200 all in per month. Sales from 2016, the most recent data available, shows that revenue hit nearly $2 million and paid management staff almost $150,000.
For more information check out Shumacher.com.
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And then there were 20. That’s the number of cities that have made the shortlist to be the site of Amazon’s second world headquarters. Atlanta joins cities such as Austin, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Toronto and Washington, D.C., the company said Thursday.
As we reported earlier, Amazon, the world’s No. 1 online retailer, is poised to move to the next phase of its hunt for the best HQ2 city: Tax incentives.
“Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough – all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity,” Holly Sullivan, an executive with Amazon Public Policy, said in a statement. “Through this process we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation.”
Texas is said to be offering some tax incentives on par with Georgia’s $1 billion on the table. The stakes are high: Amazon said it will invest up to $5 billion in the local economy and create 50,000 jobs for the city it chooses.
The Inc. quoted Jeremy Bodenhamer, who runs a $13 million shipping and logistics firm,: “We believe they will select Atlanta,”he was quoted as saying. He cited the area’s deep well of tech talent as well as the region’s reputation as harboring people with top logistical knowledge (UPS as well as Lockheed is based here) a top reason.
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After two days of freezing temperatures, the mercury will rise Thursday to about 41 degrees, still too cold to run outside in your bathing suit but much better than it has been earlier this week.
Many employers let their workers stay home for a second consecutive day as roads in some parts of town remained ice-covered. The National Weather Service said warned commuters that if they had to drive, be careful.
“Due to snowfall that has occurred, roads will remain icy and treacherous as temperatures remain below freezing the remainder of today through Thursday morning.”
A wind chill advisory remains in effect for metro Atlanta until 10:00 a.m. Temperatures will begin to warm up this afternoon. If you must be outside, please dress in layers to stay warm. pic.twitter.com/0vpOA6eXcC
— City of Atlanta, GA (@Cityofatlanta) January 18, 2018
Going into Friday and the weekend, things are going to warm considerably. A high of 70 degrees is forecast for Sunday.
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If you’re looking for a new place to down some brews and spirits, City Tap Kitchen & Craft is set to open in Midtown on Sunday, Feb. 3 2019, AtlantaFi has learned.
The much-anticipated gastropub located in Midtown at 848 Peachtreet St NE will host a Super 53 watch party in collaboration with NFL Hall of Fame Players, and NFL Hall of Fame Players and NFL Legends will be there to mix, mingle and talk football with guests throughout the game.
Read more: 53 Atlanta events happening for Super Bowl 53
City Tap will open in the former space of Gordon Biersch, which closed in 2017. The address is 848 Peachtree St. NE.
City Tap brewery coming to Midtown Atlanta
City Tap is a national brand that sprang up in Philadelphia in 2010. Today City Tap has breweries in Philadelphia’s University City and Logan Square, Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter and Dupont developments, Boston’s Fort Point and Nashville’s Sobro location.
In addition to the new Atlanta location, a City Tap Kitchen & Craft is also slated for Chicago’s Fulton district in 2019.
“To properly represent the evolution of craft beer, we use our taps to show just how diverse craft beer can be, highlighting strong local brews, celebrating the success of long-standing regional partners, and enjoying centuries-old European traditions as well,” Andy Farrell, brand director at City Tap, said in a press release. “It’s fun to see the story of craft unfold across a dynamic beer list.”
Gettles to serve as executive chef at City Tap

Executive Chef Greg Gettles will helm City Tap, overseeing a food menu full of tempting dishes, like Elote “Street Corn” Dip with jalapeño, chili powder, cotija, cilantro, and chips; Ten-Spice Wings with blue cheese ranch and crisp vegetables; Corn and Crab Hushpuppies with citrus remoulade and honey-thyme butter.
City Tap’s formula for success lies in its wide, open bar, a huge selection of taps, a readable draft list and an unintimidating cuisine that appeals to local tastes.
When it comes to its brew list, City Tap says this: “Every beer is categorized by style and given a detailed flavor description so you know exactly what you’re drinking. We also provide you with the beer’s brewery of origin and proper pour size.”
Read more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points
Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY
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People around Atlanta woke up Wednesday to a white wonderland: SNOW! That means road conditions were treacherous and will be more most of the day.
Forecasters said freezing temperatures and wind chills would remain in the single digits in metro Atlanta for most of the day.
The City of Atlanta has opened three warming centers for those in need of a warm place to stay. Central Park Recreation Center Grant Park Recreation Center Old Adamsville Recreation Center Anyone in need of a ride to one of these facilities can call 404-546-2710.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms posted on Twitter, “The sun is out but temperatures are still below freezing. Our @ATLPublicWorks crews have 17 salt spreaders throughout the city & will be treating roads around the clock. Please continue to stay off the road and report icy conditions to @coa311.”
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Art / Atlanta / Casting Calls / Entertainment / Movies2 Min Read
The Blaxploitation classic “Superfly” is getting a remake for the big screen and will be filming in Atlanta. The 1972 crime drama was directed by celebrity photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks and featured Ron O’Neal in the title role.
Sony has bumped up the film’s release date to June 2018, significantly picking up the pace on production.
The movie tells the story of Youngblood Priest (O’Neal), an cocaine pusher who is struggling with the duality of trying to get out of the drug business while supporting his lavish lifestyle by earning clean money.
The new film will be set in the modern world with several famous faces in key roles. , Director X will helm the director’s chair for the remake with Trevor Jackson confirmed to star as Youngblood Priest, according to Deadline.
“Straight Outta Compton” star Jason Mitchell will play the buddy role as Eddie, “along with Lex Scott Davis as Georgia, Andrea Londo as Cynthia, Jacob Ming-Trent (Showtime’s White Famous) as Fat Freddy, and Omar Chapparo as Adalberto,” Deadline reports.
This is what producers are looking for:
- 1. African American STANDIN for our LEAD CHARACTER
– MALE
– HEIGHT 6’1 to 6’4
– WITH LONGER HAIR (at least 2 ” or longer)
– Medium/Average Build
– medium to lighter skin tone
– clean shaven or scruffy or short beard
– Must be available to be a regular Standin on the movie
working almost every day, M-F with a few Saturdays.
– will start tomorrow if available or starting Thursday is ok - 1. African American PHOTO DOUBLE
– MALE
– HEIGHT 5’11 to 6’1
– with SHORT DREADS or BRAIDS
– Average build
– medium to darker skin tone
– clean shaven (or some scruff ok) - NOTES:
1. Standin , theater, or set EXPERIENCE
IS a PLUS but NOT MANDATORYPay rate:
Standin: $140 for 12 hrs with OT after that on each day
Double: $80 for 8 with OT after thatPLEASE SUBMIT TO: projects1@tscasting.com
and
SUBJECT LINE: put
“TALL STANDIN” (for #1)
or
“DOUBLE” (for #2)PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS:
CURRENT, CLEAR, PHOTOS !!!
(one of from shoulders up and one from the knees up)Then please List the following:
First and Last NAME
PHONE NUMBER (s)
CITY & STATE (where you will be coming from!)
Email address
AGE
Height
Weight
and
If you have any standin , theater, or set experience, please list or attach a resumeYou MUST be local to the greater Atlanta area, or willing to work as a local hire.
- 1. African American STANDIN for our LEAD CHARACTER
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Restaurants / Things To Do2 Min Read
East Lake’s best new restaurant, Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters, has launched a brunch menu as of Sunday, May 26. Heavily influenced by the Southern cuisine found in Southern Louisiana, Mary Hoopa will bring to the ATL such Cajun delights as classic Beignets, a variety of oysters,“Nashville” Hot Fried Oysters with b&b pickles and white bread.
Other faves you’ll want to try include th ePork Belly Hash with potato, calabrese chile and collard greens and Buttermilk Pancakes with bacon jam and topped with a fried egg.
Now Serving In East Atlanta: Mary Hoopa’s Brunch Menu
In the mood for a drink? You’ll love the boozy punch offered along with traditional Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters is the latest concept from Chef Robert Phalen, who helmed the kitchen at Atlanta’s One Eared Stag. The eatery’s namesake, Mary Hoopa, was the beloved family friend and caretaker of Phalen’s mother-in-law and known for her yard-to-table recipes.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 until 3:00 p.m. Mary Hoopa’s is located at 2371 Hosea L. Williams Dr. Building 1, Atlanta, GA, 30317
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Read more: Here are Atlanta’s best brunch spots
One of ATL’s best-kept secrets: M Bar has an R&B Brunch every Sunday
Here are some of the best new restaurants in Atlanta for 2019
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Atlanta / Business / Development / Food & Drink / Restaurants1 Min Read
Hodgepodge Coffeehouse, a popular East Atlanta establishment, has announced plans to open a second location in the Summerhill neighborhood near downtown Atlanta.
The coffee shop will be located on Georgia Avenue near area landmarks such as the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia State University stadium. The shop will also be a hub for community artists, it said in a press release.
“Along with serving coffee, one of the major focuses of Hodgepodge coffee is to promote local artists by providing them with a clean, well-lit space to display their work,” according to area developer Carter.
The Summerhill area is the site of intense development since Turner Field’s redevelopment, which has made way for a slew of GSU properties.
opening a concept at the Summerhill redevelopment called Wood’s Chapel BBQ. It’ll take 5,200 square feet in the 85 Georgia Avenue slot, with a goal of opening later this year.