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ATLANTA — Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, the Miami-born concept known for star-shaped pies and slow-fermented dough, has opened its third Georgia location at Inman Quarter, expanding a fast-growing Atlanta foothold into one of the city’s busiest dining neighborhoods.
The new restaurant is at 299 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite S, next to cocktail bar Little Spirit. It occupies a roughly 1,440-square-foot dining room with about 1,000 square feet of patio space, replacing the former Char Korean barbecue.
Michelin-Recommended Pizzeria Mister O1 Opens Third Georgia Restaurant in Inman Park
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The brand was founded in 2014 by Italian chef Renato Viola, who came to Miami Beach on an O-1 visa granted for extraordinary artistic ability. What began as a hard-to-find South Beach shop has grown into a national chain recognized for thin, naturally fermented crust, imported Italian and local ingredients, and playful specialty pizzas. Mister O1 already operates in Sandy Springs and Buckhead.
“We’re honored to join the Inman Quarter community and bring our artisan approach to a neighborhood that values both quality and creativity,” Viola said. “Inman Park is exactly the kind of place where people come together, and that’s at the heart of everything we do.”
Georgia operations are led by partners Miguel Blatt, Daniel Scala and Brandon Weitz. Blatt previously said the Inman Quarter site fit the company’s focus on neighborhood dining. Dough is made with Italian “00” flour and fermented for 72 to 96 hours. Pizzas come in 8-inch and 13-inch sizes.
Signature items include the Star Luca, a star-shaped pie with ricotta-filled points, tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy Calabrese salami and basil; the Coffee Paolo, with tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola, honey, coffee and spicy salami; and the Mimmo, topped with spicy salami, Italian sausage, honey, basil, ranch and spicy black truffle seasoning. Classics such as cheese and pepperoni remain on the menu, along with calzones, salads, burrata with rosemary focaccia and desserts.
The opening continues Mister O1’s push beyond Florida and Texas into intown Atlanta after suburban and Buckhead debuts in 2025. For Inman Park diners, it adds another high-profile pizza option to a stretch already known for walkable restaurants and patios.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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Business
Brown Toy Box Expands to South Downtown Atlanta, Creating a New Hub for Curiosity and Community Play
2 Min ReadATLANTA, Ga. — Local children’s educational toy company Brown Toy Box is set to become a vibrant new addition to the South Downtown Atlanta community, with plans to open a flagship location later this year at 211 Mitchell Street on historic Hotel Row.
In an announcement, founder and CEO Terri-Nichelle Bradley emphasized that location is just as critical as the products themselves for the company’s mission.
“Sometimes, just as important as the ‘what’ you’re building, is the ‘where’ you build,” Bradley wrote. “For Brown Toy Box safety, a strong community, and accessibility are all vital to our sustainability and growth of our business and fulfilling our why.”
Brown Toy Box Expands to South Downtown Atlanta, Creating a New Hub for Curiosity and Community Play
Final Word
Downtown 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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Atlanta has a bucolic golf scene with beautiful greens that attract all skill levels and offer serene vibes, rich history, and top-notch facilities.
In this article, we’ll cover the top golf courses oin Atlanta based on online reviews from several websites.
Where Are the Best Golf Courses in Atlanta
In our research, we’ve created a curated list of some of the best golf courses in Atlanta, based on their reputation, design, and golfer feedback.
Bobby Jones Golf Course
2205 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Bobby Jones Golf Course is a historic, city-owned public course named after the legendary golfer. Renovated in 2019 with a $28 million investment, it features a reversible 9-hole design by Bob Cupp, offering a unique experience with wide fairways, large greens, and stunning skyline views. The course is accessible to all skill levels and includes the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and elite practice facilities.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Bobby Jones Golf Course: “This course is a gem! The reversible layout keeps things fresh, and the views of the Atlanta skyline are unbeatable. The practice facilities are top-notch, and the staff is super friendly. Great value for a public course!”
East Lake Golf Club
2575 Alston Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Atlanta’s oldest golf course, established in 1904, East Lake is the home course of Bobby Jones and the annual host of the PGA Tour’s TOUR Championship. This private club, designed by Tom Bendelow and later refined, offers a challenging layout with a rich history. While access is limited, it’s a bucket-list destination for golf enthusiasts.
Here’s what one player says about East Lake Golf Club: “An incredible experience playing at such a historic course. The layout is challenging but fair, and the conditions are pristine. The staff made us feel like pros, and the Bobby Jones memorabilia in the clubhouse is a must-see!”
Stone Mountain Golf Club
1145 Stonewall Jackson Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Located 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Stone Mountain Golf Club features two 18-hole courses: the Stonemont Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and the Lakemont Course by John LaFoy. Known for its scenic views of Stone Mountain and the lake, it offers a mix of challenging and resort-style play at reasonable rates (around $90 per round).
Here’s what one player says about Stone Mountain Golf Club: “Stone Mountain is a fantastic course! The Stonemont layout is tough but rewarding, and the views are breathtaking. The staff keeps the course in great shape, and the price is a steal for the quality. Highly recommend!”
Chastain Park Golf Course
216 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342

A city-owned, 18-hole public course in the Buckhead area, Chastain Park is celebrated for its scenic views of the Atlanta skyline and rolling hills. Rated as one of Atlanta’s top public courses, it offers a challenging yet accessible layout for golfers of all levels.
Peep what one Chastain Park player says: “Chastain Park is my go-to course in Atlanta. The fairways are well-maintained, and the skyline views are a bonus. It’s challenging enough for experienced players but forgiving for beginners. The staff is always welcoming!”
Browns Mill Golf Course
480 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354

Another city-owned, 18-hole public course, Browns Mill offers a challenging par-72 layout with scenic views in Southwest Atlanta. Designed by Garrett Gill and George B. Williams, it’s known for its affordability and appeal to golfers seeking a traditional experience.
Check out this review of Browns Mill Golf Course: “Browns Mill is a fantastic value! The course is in great condition, with some tough holes that keep you on your toes. The staff is friendly, and the pace of play is always solid. A hidden gem in Atlanta!”
Candler Park Golf Course
585 Candler Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

A fun and fast 9-hole public course operated by the City of Atlanta, Candler Park is ideal for quick rounds and golfers of all skill levels. With three sets of tees, it’s accessible and budget-friendly, perfect for a casual day out.
Here’s what one player says about Candler Park Golf Course: “Candler Park is perfect for a quick 9 holes. The course is well-kept for a city course, and the layout is fun with enough challenge for all players. Great for a relaxed round with friends!”
Heritage Golf Links
4445 Britt Rd, Tucker, GA 30084
Located just outside Atlanta in Tucker, Heritage Golf Links is a 27-hole course designed around a 20-acre lake with dramatic elevation changes. Originally opened in 1996, it’s known for its challenging layout and pristine conditions, earning a high slope rating in Georgia.
Check out this review of Heritage Golf Links: “I love Heritage Golf Links! A lowkey spot with a great staff and new renovation. The course is in pristine condition, and the new practice areas are fantastic. The clubhouse food is a bonus!”
Final Word
Metro Atlanta offers over 60 golf courses for players of various levels. Most courses listed are public or semi-private, making them accessible to visitors and residents. East Lake Golf Club is private, so access may require connections or special arrangements.
Prices vary by course and time (e.g., weekend vs. twilight). For example, Stone Mountain is around $90 per round, while city courses like Browns Mill and Candler Park are more budget-friendly. Always check current rates before booking.
But that’s not all: Georgia has some beautiful state parks you can check out along the way. Here’s a guide.
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Business2 Min Read
Whether you want a polished weeknight dinner or a weekend date night that doesn’t drain the budget, North Atlanta’s neighborhood Italian favorite has a timely answer.
North Italia is offering a limited-time $40 three-course prix fixe dinner, available daily from 4 p.m. to close from August 19 through September 30 at its Perimeter and Buckhead locations.
North Italia’s $40 3-Course Dinner in Perimeter and Buckhead: What To Know
The offer is dine-in only and gives guests a curated three-course meal built around the restaurant’s house-made specialties. Starters lead into signature pastas such as Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and the house-specialty Bolognese, with richer plates like Chicken Parmesan and Roasted Salmon among the entrée options.
Dinner wraps with desserts that include the fan-favorite Salted Caramel Budino. Other participating locations nationwide are running a similar $40 dinner through September 30, with some markets priced at $45.
The prix fixe is easy to dress up with a drink. Guests can add handcrafted cocktails such as the Sicilian Margarita and Pomegranate Mule, or skip the alcohol with zero-proof options like the Piña No-Lada. Summer is also winding down at the bar: North Italia’s nostalgia-inspired Summer Sips campaign, themed around familiar warm-weather flavors, runs through September 7. Catch those limited cocktails while they last, then settle in for a three-course dinner that feels special without the special-occasion price.
Reservations are recommended at both Atlanta-area restaurants—Buckhead at Lenox Square and Perimeter in Dunwoody—especially on weekends. The $40 menu is a simple way to get pasta, a proper entrée, and dessert in one sitting before the offer ends on September 30.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
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Southwest Atlanta has a new place to kick a ball, meet neighbors, and grow the game. On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the ribbon was cut on a new mini soccer pitch at the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA.
The City of Atlanta marked the opening as more than a ceremony. In posts following the event, officials described the compact field as “a new place to play, connect and grow,” and as another way to expand opportunities for young people in the city’s southwest neighborhoods.
Mini Soccer Launches at Young Family YMCA
The pitch sits at one of Atlanta’s most storied community centers. Founded in 1959 as the Southwest Y and later renamed for civil rights leaders Ambassador Andrew Young and Dr. Walter Young, the branch at 2220 Campbellton Road SW has served families in East Point, College Park, Hapeville, West End, and surrounding neighborhoods for more than six decades.
Recent years have already brought major upgrades to the campus, including a multimillion-dollar renovation of indoor spaces. The new outdoor pitch adds a dedicated soccer home to that investment.
Part of a statewide soccer legacy
The field is a GA 100 mini-pitch, one of a growing network of small-sided soccer spaces funded by the Atlanta United Community Fund, an associate-led fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Launched in 2020 in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), GA 100 aims to build up to 100 pitches in under-resourced communities across Georgia. Eligible partners can receive matching grants of up to $100,000. By early 2026 the program had committed nearly $4.5 million and advanced more than 50 pitches into construction or operation.
Atlanta United has framed the campaign as World Cup-era infrastructure that should last long after the tournament lights dim. “The growth of soccer is felt not just in our stadium, but in neighborhoods across Georgia,” Chief Business Officer Skate Noftsinger said when the fund announced a new round of grants this year. “Creating safe, accessible places to play” is how the club says excitement becomes a lasting community asset.
The Young Family YMCA site had been on the 2026 opening calendar alongside other GA 100 projects, including pitches at schools, parks, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other YMCA branches. Mini-pitches in the program are typically compact courts—often about 60 by 90 feet—with goals and rebound boards designed for small-sided games, clinics, and informal play. That format fits after-school programs, summer camps, and neighborhood pickup equally well.
Why this YMCA matters
The Young Family Y already offers swim lessons, day camp, after-school care, a teen center, a gymnasium, and wellness programs. Soccer has deep roots in Atlanta’s YMCA network: organized youth soccer in the United States traces much of its early growth to YMCA leagues launched in metro Atlanta in the late 1960s. Adding a dedicated mini-pitch on Campbellton Road extends that tradition into a neighborhood where families already come for childcare, fitness, and youth development.25
For the city, the ribbon cutting also fits a broader push to treat recreation as neighborhood infrastructure. Dickens has repeatedly tied youth sports to opportunity—safe places to play, scholarships, clinics, and public-private partnerships that keep facilities open after the cameras leave. Pairing the city’s most visible soccer club with one of its oldest YMCAs is a practical version of that idea: a field next door to programs that already serve children every week.
What comes next
The pitch is now open as part of the YMCA campus. Families looking to use it can start with the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA at (404) 523-9622, or follow YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Atlanta United Community Fund programming for clinics, camps, and league play. Statewide, GA 100 continues to accept and build projects at schools, parks, and community organizations working toward the 100-pitch goal.36
A ribbon is a beginning, not a finish line. The measure of this field will be the after-school scrimmages, first touches, and Saturday pickup games that follow—soccer made ordinary, and close to home, in Southwest Atlanta.
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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Children get a kick out of stuffing their faces, and parents love it even more when kids eat free (or nearly free). Atlanta and its surrounding metro area have a solid selection of restaurants offering kids eat free deals, though many are time- or day-specific, require an adult entrée purchase, are dine-in only, and vary by location.
Always call ahead or check the restaurant’s website/app, as promotions change frequently and participation can differ by franchise.
We’ve compiled a list of Atlanta restaurants where kids eat free. What an awesome way to save some money!
Neighborhood Spots: Kids Eat Free (Often Day-Specific)
- Mellow Mushroom is letting kids eat free through Oct. 27.
Alessio’s Restaurant and Pizzeria (Johns Creek, Roswell, Cumming): Tuesdays with adult purchase of $10+. - Suburban Tap Tavern and Grille (Marietta): Mondays with adult entrée. mommypoppins.com
- Taqueria Tsunami (Multiple locations): Tuesdays, free kids meal with adult entrée (dine-in).
- Cherry Street Brewing / Brewpub (Alpharetta, Cumming): Tuesdays 5–9 p.m. with adult entrée $15+.
- Varner’s Tavern (Smyrna): Fridays, one free kids meal per full-priced adult entrée (dine-in).
- Public House 28 (Westside): Mondays.
- Paradise Grille / Paradise South of the Border: Wednesdays.
HOBNOB

At HOBNOB, kids eat free weekly Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. If you’re a loyalty member. Kids eat free (under 12) Sunday-Thursday 5pm-7pm (1 child per adult with purchase of an entrée).
Atlanta Bread Company

At Atlanta Bread Company, kids eat free on Tuesdays with adult purchase, limit one child per adult.
Buckhead Pizza

At Buckhead Pizza, kids eat free every Tuesday (10 and under) with adult meal purchase. Adults get 1/2 OFF bottles of wine.
NaanStop

In June and July, stop by NaanStop in Atlanta so that your child can get a free kids meal.
Many of these deals are for dine-in only so ask before you go.
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free In Atlanta
Many restaurants may not have free food for children, but even specials on kids meals and discounts are good, too.
Bruster’s

At Bruster’s ice Cream, your smallest family member (less than 40 inches tall) enchanted, can get a free* Baby Cone.
Applebee’s

Depending on your location, Applebee’s says kids get a free meal with any full price adult entrée! Order online or through the Applebee’s® mobile app to take advantage of this deal. They also let kids eat free on Wednesdays.
Chili’s

My Chili’s Rewards® members can receive Free Kids Meal rewards offers that can be redeemed in-restaurant or online. Join the rewards program to take advantage.
Denny’s

At Denny’s, kids eat free with adult entrée purchase of $6 or more. Days and participation vary by location. Restrictions may apply, so be sure to ask your waiter or waitress.
Flying Biscuit

At Flying Biscuit in Atlanta, kids ages 12 and younger eat free weekdays with the purchase of an adult entree.
Golden Corral

Golden Corral still offers a kids eat free meal at some locations. If not, they will offer a $2.99 meal for kids. Ask your server.
IHOP

IHOP allows kids to eat free daily from 4 to 10 p.m.
Moe’s Original BBQ

Kids eat free on Wednesday nights at Moe’s Original BBq from 4 p.m. to close. Children can select any kids meal and it’s free with the purchase of an adult entree.
O’Charley’s

O’Charley’s runs a regular promotion where kids eat free on Wednesdays. Ask your server for specific months when the deal is available.
Ruby Tuesday

On Tuesdays, at Ruby Tuesday, kids eat free with purchase of full-priced adult entree. Available for kids 12 and under. Dine-in Only.
Steak ‘N Shake

Steak ‘N Shake offers a kids eat free deal ALL DAY EVERYDAY with every $9 spent.
Final Word
If you’re looking for a place to eat with your child, wouldn’t it be cool if they could eat for free!
If you’ve got some hungry children, you’ll love the kids-eat-free places around the city. If you know of any other eateries with kid-friendly discounts, let us know!
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids in Atlanta, here are some great options.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
Taste Your Atlanta
Atlanta has just what you need, not just today but every weekend. From exploring the city’s diverse restaurant scene to taking in a beautiful park greenspace or even checking out the hidden gems, Atlanta has some of everything.
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
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- Mellow Mushroom is letting kids eat free through Oct. 27.
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Two chef-driven Japanese concepts from Atlanta locals are set to expand the city’s growing Asian culinary scene this week. NoriFish, a sushi destination featuring seafood flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, and Okiboru, a ramen and tsukemen restaurant that earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, will open Friday, August 28, in the Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward.
The openings, which we told you about earlier this year, strengthen the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for diverse Asian flavors, alongside Midtown’s established Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and other East and Southeast Asian dining options.
NoriFish and Okiboru Opening This Weekend in Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market’s food hall already showcases a global mix; with these additions it will offer more than 25 concepts spanning Japanese, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, Thai, American, Persian, Chinese, and Korean cuisines.
Both restaurants come from Sean Park, a formally trained sushi chef with 15 years of experience in traditional Japanese cuisine, and ramen specialist Justin Lim. NoriFish, founded by Park in 2022, already has locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
Its tightly curated menu for the Ponce City Market spot centers on made-to-order hand rolls, fully seasoned signature sushi rolls, and Japanese small plates that rotate with the seasons and ingredient availability. Chef Park prioritizes precision, bold flavor, and craftsmanship.
The beverage program, developed with Atlanta mixologist and certified sake advisor Hendry Kurniawan, includes light craft cocktails, approachable house and premium sakes, local and Japanese lagers, and crisp wines.
Okiboru, co-founded by Park and Lim and first opened in Los Angeles in 2018, focuses on traditional ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles). The concept has locations in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Duluth, and Buford, Georgia, plus three in New York.
Its Ponce City Market menu will highlight collagen-rich broths, house-made noodles, appetizers, and rice dishes. Drinks feature cocktails, versatile sakes, lagers, clean craft beers, and non-alcoholic options such as teas and soft drinks. Lim’s extensive exploration of ramen across Japan combines with Park’s culinary discipline to emphasize depth, consistency, and craftsmanship.
“I’ve always believed you can respect Japanese tradition while still finding ways to make it your own,” said Co-founder and Chef Sean Park. “That’s really what these two concepts represent. NoriFish is our expression of sushi, and Okiboru is our take on ramen and tsukemen. We’ve spent years refining both, and we’re excited to finally share them together at Ponce City Market.”
Adam Schwegman, Head of Retail Leasing at Jamestown, noted the broader appeal: “Ponce City Market provides the potential for multiple culinary journeys with each visit. With the openings of NoriFish and Okiboru, the Central Food Hall is now home to over 25 concepts representing cuisine from around the world.”
Together, the restaurants present a modern take on Japanese dining that honors tradition while pushing flavor forward, reflecting the brands’ commitment to integrity, discipline, and quality. Their arrival further cements Old Fourth Ward and nearby Midtown as go-to destinations for Atlanta’s evolving Asian food landscape.
Final Word
Atlanta has some of the best Asian cuisine in the Southeast. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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In a late-night decision that could mark a turning point for professional hockey in Georgia, the Alpharetta City Council has approved a bold redevelopment plan for the aging North Point Mall.
The vision: transform the once-thriving 1990s shopping center into a vibrant, mixed-use entertainment district anchored by a major arena designed specifically to attract a National Hockey League franchise and restore big-league hockey to metro Atlanta.
Alpharetta Clears Path for North Point Mall Transformation—Aiming to Bring NHL Hockey Back to Metro Atlanta
Atlanta-based developer Jamestown LP, working with property owner New York Life, plans to convert the roughly 100-acre site into a walkable destination featuring apartments, hotels, restaurants, retail, a theater, and—at its heart—a hockey complex. Central to the proposal is a roughly 20,000-seat NHL-ready arena, complemented by a community hockey rink, all aimed at positioning Alpharetta as a compelling home for a new NHL team.
After hours of debate and public comment, the council approved the plan 4-3 just after 1 a.m. Tuesday. Officials and developers describe the project as a potential economic game-changer for Alpharetta, with Jamestown CIO Tim Perry calling it “potentially the greatest economic impact vote maybe in the history of Alpharetta.”
North Point Mall opened in 1993 and once stood as a premier retail destination in north Fulton County. Its glory days have long faded, and city leaders see this redevelopment as the key to a renaissance—one that could finally bring professional hockey back after the departures of the Atlanta Flames (who left for Calgary in 1980) and the Atlanta Thrashers (who relocated to Winnipeg in 2011).
Key conditions attached to the approval include a requirement that an NHL franchise must be awarded to the site before apartments can be occupied. Even so, City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom emphasized that the mall is ripe for revival regardless: “The mall, a great mall, I remember the day it opened. But it’s sort of run its course. And it’s prime for redevelopment opportunity, whether it’s this opportunity or a different opportunity.”
The broader vision draws inspiration from successful mixed-use sports districts and includes additional entertainment venues such as a music hall and performing arts center, along with hotels, office space, parks, plazas, and trails. Proponents argue this combination would create a year-round destination that draws regional visitors while delivering sustained economic benefits.
Competition remains in the picture: another development group is pursuing a pro-hockey team just six miles north in Forsyth County. Yet the Alpharetta approval represents a significant local commitment to making North Point the focal point for returning the NHL to metro Atlanta.
With zoning now advanced, the next steps involve further planning, design, and the ongoing effort to secure an NHL franchise. For hockey fans across the region, this vote keeps alive the hope that the sport’s return to Atlanta is closer than ever—centered on a reimagined North Point that could once again put metro Atlanta on the NHL map.
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Target has apologized and removed a children’s Halloween costume from sale after widespread criticism that the design evoked racist stereotypes associated with blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows.
The product, listed as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” (or similar variations such as the Kids’ Circus Glow Clown Costume Bodysuit), was part of the retailer’s seasonal Hyde & EEK! Boutique private-label brand and sold for about $25.
Target issues an apology and pulls a children’s Halloween costume after backlash over its resemblance to blackface and minstrel imagery
It featured an orange-and-black clown-style outfit, black gloves, a small top hat, and a mesh mask or face covering shaped like a wide, exaggerated grinning mouth with large teeth. A promotional image on Target’s website showed a Black child modeling the costume, sometimes in a pose that critics compared to Jim Crow-era caricatures.
Social media users quickly shared screenshots and argued that the combination of elements—particularly the dark face covering, oversized smile, gloves, and presentation—mirrored historical minstrel-show imagery that caricatured and demeaned Black people. Minstrel shows were a form of 19th-century American theater built around such stereotypes.
On Monday, August 24, 2026, Target confirmed it had stopped selling the item and issued a statement acknowledging the mistake. “As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” the company said. “The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
The product listing was deleted from Target’s website. The controversy adds to a series of recent reputational challenges for the Minneapolis-based retailer, which has faced criticism over its handling of Pride merchandise in prior years and changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Some observers linked the oversight to those earlier shifts, while others noted the company’s rapid response in pulling the item and issuing an apology.
Target has not provided further details on the design process or the specific individuals involved in approving the costume. The retailer operates roughly 2,000 stores across the United States.
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Atlanta-based streetwear and sneaker boutique Wish has announced it will permanently close at the end of 2026, marking the end of an era for one of the city’s most influential cultural and style destinations. The Little Five Points staple, a fixture for over 20 years, will shut its doors on December 28.
Atlanta’s Wish Boutique to Close
Founded and led by Lauren Amos with business partner and CEO Julie Hogg, Wish has long stood out as a woman-owned luxury streetwear and sneaker boutique in a space traditionally dominated by other voices.
Located at 447 Moreland Avenue in the heart of Little Five Points (in a building that previously housed the local Carnegie Library), the store became far more than a retail outlet. It evolved into a hub where fashion, art, music, and community intersected—celebrating limited-edition sneakers, carefully curated designer pieces, local talent, and global brands while fostering a distinctive creative energy unique to Atlanta.
Amos, who took the reins in 2004 after graduating from the Atlanta College of Art, helped grow Wish into a successful destination known for exclusive drops, thoughtful collaborations, community events, and a welcoming atmosphere that drew both longtime locals and visitors. The shop’s impact extended beyond commerce: it helped put Atlanta on the map for streetwear culture and supported artists, musicians, designers, and the broader creative class.
According to Amos, the decision to close stems not from financial struggles but from “monumental life changes” for her and Hogg. “I’m sad and I’m happy. It’s like we are all sad and we’re all happy. This isn’t easy. This wasn’t an overnight decision,” she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The pair described the choice as deeply personal after years of dedicated work building the business.
For many Atlantans, the news lands as a genuine loss. Wish was more than a place to shop—it was a cultural landmark that reflected and amplified the city’s style and creative spirit. As one longtime admirer put it simply: a huge loss for the city. “I loved that boutique man.”
Amos has expressed hope that a young, cool, creative person will step into the space and build something new. In the months ahead, the team plans to celebrate the store’s legacy with staff, regulars, and the community that helped sustain it for 22 years. While the physical doors will close, Wish’s influence on Atlanta’s fashion and cultural landscape is likely to linger long after the final sale.
