Category: Business

A luxury home in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, tied to the popular whiskey brand Uncle Nearest, now has a sale pending amid the company’s ongoing financial and legal troubles.

The property, located at 10 Codman Spring Road on a roughly 2-acre lot off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, was purchased in 2023 by a limited liability company connected to Uncle Nearest.

It served as a venue for brand promotional events, including gospel brunches and cocktail gatherings, which drew crowds, caused traffic issues, and sparked neighbor complaints about it functioning more like a commercial space than a private residence. Those events even contributed to new local regulations in several towns limiting large gatherings at homes.

Listed for sale in January 2026 at $2.5 million (with some reports noting $2.595 million), the home quickly attracted a full-price offer from buyers Jennifer and Sekou Kaalund, plus two backup offers at the asking price.

The proposed closing is set for March 19, pending necessary approvals.

The sale is being pushed by court-appointed receiver Phillip G. Young Jr. as part of efforts to resolve Uncle Nearest’s debts and stabilize its finances.

The brand, founded in 2017 and known for its rapid rise and numerous awards, faces a lawsuit from major creditor Farm Credit Mid-America. Filed in 2025, the suit alleges the company defaulted on over $100 million in loans, overstated its whiskey barrel inventory, and violated loan terms by using funds to buy the Edgartown property through a separate LLC not covered in the original agreements. The company entered receivership last year after struggling with issues like missed payroll and heavy reliance on lender support.

Farm Credit Mid-America has consented to the sale and would receive a portion of proceeds (around $900,000) to release its lien, while another lender (Planet Home Lending) would be paid off fully from the funds (about $1.5 million first lien).

Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver and her husband Keith Weaver, who have objected to the sale, maintain that the property was bought separately by Keith Weaver (not directly by the company) to comply with local Vineyard rules, and that Farm Credit was aware of the arrangement. Fawn Weaver has publicly defended the brand’s overall strength, noting significant revenue, over $150 million in assets, and its status as a highly awarded whiskey.

The U.S. District Court in Tennessee is reviewing the receiver’s request for approval of the sale. The home’s purchase and use were also referenced in earlier 2025 court filings related to the broader dispute.

More from AtlantaFi.com:

• Investor Group Looks To Buy Uncle Nearest
• Uncle Nearest Founder Seeks to End Receivership
• Uncle Nearest Faces Asset Sale

Atlanta, GA – February 26, 2026 – The Peoplestown neighborhood marked a major milestone this week as Terminal South officially opened its doors following a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event drew City of Atlanta leadership, including Mayor Andre Dickens alongside Councilmembers Jason Winston and Jason Dozier, community partners, local small business owners, and excited neighbors eager to celebrate this new chapter for the historic Southside community.

Terminal South Opens in Peoplestown

Terminal South, an adaptive reuse project transforming two former warehouse buildings along Hank Aaron Drive and Ridge Avenue SW, introduces approximately 45,625 square feet of mixed-use space.

At its core is Switchman Hall, a vibrant restaurant collective featuring up to 18 unique, locally owned dining concepts.

The development also includes retail shops, creative spaces, and service businesses—many already welcoming customers—along with free parking.

More than just new places to eat and shop, Terminal South represents significant investment in the people and vibrancy of Peoplestown. Positioned steps from the Atlanta BeltLine and set to serve as the final stop on the city’s inaugural MARTA Rapid transit line, the project connects residents to new opportunities while creating over 250 jobs in the area.

“This is about more than buildings—it’s about supporting our neighborhoods, boosting local entrepreneurs, and fueling Atlanta’s continued growth,” said representatives from the development team.

The celebration highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the project, with thanks extended to everyone who attended the ribbon-cutting and continues to champion the incredible businesses now calling Terminal South home.

Now open and ready for visitors, Terminal South invites the community to come experience it firsthand. Grab dinner from one of the new eateries, gather friends on the patio, pick up a sweet treat, browse locally owned shops, or simply soak in the energy of this emerging hub. Whether you’re stopping by after school, hosting out-of-town family, or searching for a fresh weeknight spot, Terminal South is here for it all.

The project team emphasized that this is just the beginning, with more businesses expected to join soon.

Photos from the event courtesy of @exclusiveaccessnet and Sylvia McAfee / City of Atlanta.

Terminal South is located at 1155 Hank Aaron Drive SW and 1161 Ridge Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30315. For more details, visit terminalsouth.com or follow @terminalsouthatl on social media.

As a local voice for Atlanta news, we’re proud to spotlight developments that strengthen our Southside neighborhoods. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing Terminal South to life!

ATLANTA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s book tour stop in Atlanta turned into a national flashpoint on Sunday after comments he made during a conversation with Mayor Andre Dickens drew accusations of racism from conservative critics.

The event, held at the Rialto Center for the Arts and hosted by A Cappella Books, was part of Newsom’s promotion for his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.

Newsom Sparks Controversy in Atlanta with Remarks on Dyslexia and SAT Scores

During the onstage discussion, Newsom sought to connect with the predominantly Black audience by sharing personal anecdotes about his academic struggles, which he attributes to lifelong dyslexia. “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you, ‘I’m like you. I’m not better than you.’ I’m a 960 SAT guy,” Newsom said, referring to his low score on the college entrance exam.

He added, “And I’m not trying to offend anyone; I’m not trying to act all there if you got 940 … You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”

The remarks quickly went viral after a clip was shared online, which framed the comments as Newsom telling a “black crowd” that he is “like you” because he “can’t read.”

The post garnered over 40 million views, igniting a firestorm of criticism from Republicans and right-leaning commentators who accused Newsom of perpetuating racist stereotypes about Black intelligence and literacy.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a prominent Black conservative, lambasted Newsom on X, calling the comments a “self-own” and implying they revealed underlying bigotry.

Florida Rep. Randy Fine echoed the sentiment, stating, “Gavin Newsom just said he is like a black person because he got a bad SAT score and can’t read.”

Outkick founder Clay Travis described it as “racist,” while rapper Nicki Minaj weighed in, accusing Newsom of “bonding with black ppl” by implying they are “stupid” and slowing down his speech.

Mayor Dickens, who moderated the event, appeared engaged during the exchange, nodding and laughing at points, according to video footage.

However, some observers noted a brief awkward reaction on Dickens’ face before he responded positively.

Dickens has not publicly commented on the controversy, but the event was billed as “An Evening with Gavin Newsom and Andre Dickens,” highlighting the mayor’s role in welcoming the California governor to Atlanta.

Newsom, who graduated from Santa Clara University in 1989, has long discussed his dyslexia publicly, framing it as a challenge that did not define his success.

In a heated response on X, he pushed back against the accusations, calling out critics for “fake f–ing outrage” and pointing to past instances of racism from Republicans, such as former President Donald Trump’s comments on African nations and an ape video involving Barack Obama.

“You didn’t give a s–t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Barack Obama or calling African nations s—holes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom wrote.

Supporters argue the remarks were self-deprecating and taken out of context, emphasizing Newsom’s intent to inspire by showing that personal setbacks do not limit potential. “I have dyslexia, right. I mean, I—I struggled, uh, in school. I still struggle reading, to this day. But I didn’t let that define me,” Newsom elaborated in the full context of the discussion.

The incident comes amid Newsom’s multi-state book tour, which has fueled speculation about his ambitions for a 2028 presidential run. 0 Earlier that day, Newsom endorsed former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia governor, adding a political layer to his visit.

In his remarks, Newsom also urged Democrats to “fight fire with fire” against the Trump administration, positioning himself as a combative voice for the party.

Locally, the controversy has sparked debate among Atlanta residents about race, politics, and representation.

As a key figure in the event, Mayor Dickens’ involvement places Atlanta at the center of a broader national conversation on how Democratic leaders engage with Black voters in the South.

Critics on social media have called the moment a “major political misstep,” while others defend it as an honest attempt at relatability.

The Atlanta Daily News reached out to Mayor Dickens’ office for comment but has not received a response as of publication. Newsom’s team reiterated that the governor’s comments were about his personal experiences with dyslexia and not intended to offend.