Category: Business

When it comes to family fun to get into this winter in Atlanta, there are several things to do — major attractions and landmarks to see — for young and old alike.

Yes, Atlanta is known for its incredible rabid interstate system, Coca-Cola and sweet tea as well as some great bars and restaurants.

But there’s more to it than that. This winter, we’re showing you what to do, where to go and what to wear in Atlanta.

Quick Links

• Things To Do In Atlanta This Winter
• Where To Eat This Winter In Atlanta
• What To Wear This Season In Atlanta

Things To Do In Atlanta This Winter

Of course, Atlanta has its share of camp and kink, but it’s starkly refreshing to see in detail what the largest city of the Southeast has to offer. Are you ready to explore Georgia’s capital city proper?

1. Titanic Immersive Experience

Check out the Titanic in Atlanta, an an immersive expedition to the depths of the infamous ship’s history. You’ll see life-sized recreations of rooms, immersive video animations, and 3D views place you onboard the ship as a passenger. Get tickets.

2. Atlanta Black History Tour

Learn America’s history through the struggle as you see key landmarks and spots in the community. Book now.

3. Slomoo Experience

Sloomoo Institute – Atlanta offers a transformative world of touch, sound, scent, and sight that awakens your spirit with creative fun. Get tickets.

Best Live Music Venues In Atlanta

Let’s get into some of the best live music venues in Atlanta and how to get there:

Apache Cafe

880 Woodrow St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 594-1170

If you want to enjoy one of the city’s musical gems, Apache Cafe is the place to go. Aside from being the venue where India Irie was discovered, patrons will enjoy the daily happy hour, food and drinks.

With a weekly schedule of events that features Pangea’s Afrosocial, spoken word, karaoke, art, live music and more, this place is a must-visit. See upcoming events.

Blind Willie’s

828 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306 |  (404) 873-2583

The world-renown Blind Willie’s is the premiere spot in Atlanta for some down-home blues music. See upcoming concerts.

Center Stage / The Loft

1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 |  (404) 885-1365

Center Stage is one of the most accessible places in Atlanta to hear some live music. National acts on the pop music and hip-hop scene regularly come through to perform. 

The Loft is a more intimate music venue adjacent to Center Stage. It’s a standing-room only place that allows the venue to transform into a gigantic dance floor. See upcoming shows.

Atlantans make it a tradition to dress up during the winter. Here are some sweaters you’ll love….

4 Winter Sweaters You’ll Love This Season

Liny Xin Women’s Cashmere Oversized Loose Knitted Crew Neck

Buy

ZAFUL Women’s Solid V Neck Loose Sweater Long Sleeve Ripped

Buy

Women’s Cardigan 100% Wool Sweater

Buy

Women’s 100% Merino Wool  Sweater

Buy

• American Trends Women’s Scarf
• Wander Agio Women’s Scarf
• Women’s Super Soft Pashminas Wrap
• Calvin Klein Women’s Pashmina Wrap

From  adventurous outdoorsy stuff to exclusive artistic performances, and the city’s throbbing nightlife, Atlanta definitely has something for everyone.

There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.

Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!

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Delbar has opened its third location in metro Atlanta, this time in Buckhead. The restaurant is open seven days a week, mostly from 4 to 10 p.m.

The restaurant’s first location, in Iman Park, is a smashing success, as is its Alpharetta location.

The newest Atlanta eatery opened on Nov. 18, 2024 and features the same lively atmosphere as the other two Delbar locations.

What’s On the Menu At Delbar?

Delbar’s menu makes it one of Atlanta’s best Middle Eastern restaurants and for good reason. Delbar has both lunch, brunch and dinner menus crafted Culinary Director Jonathan Rohland, and Jordan Melrose, the Chef de Cuisine. Here’s a selection of “mazze” (small bites) as well as entrees:

• Wings: Char-grilled chicken wings marinated in citrus and za’atar, served with a wing sauce.
• Smoked Bass: Saffron honey marinated smoked Chilean seabass. Served with Fresno peppers and ginger-pickled cucumber.
• Koobideh kabob: In-house ground beef brisket & lamb shoulder, onion, saffron. Served over taftoun bread
• Chinjeh: Prime beef sirloin, saffron, onion, yogurt marinade. Served over taftoun bread with a pepper, tomato and sumac onions.

Standout dishes include shareable spreads like hummus topped with crispy chickpeas and sumac, a selection of “mazze” (small bites), savory meats, and “greens and grains.” For dessert, guests can indulge in new offerings such as Tahini & Honey Soft Serve and Persian Tea Flan. The menu also highlights housemade condiments, freshly baked taftoun bread, and other delicious bakery items made from scratch.

Where Is Delbar in Buckhead Located?

Delbar in Buckhead is located at 3060 Peachtree Rd Suite R-160, Atlanta, GA 30305. Here’s a map to help you find it.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Delbar:

The restaurant has a beautifully designed interior and a welcoming exterior, but the patio is the real standout. Its unique and stunning fountain adds a touch of charm and elegance, creating a peaceful atmosphere perfect for dining or relaxing.

Even though it’s newly opened, the staff is incredibly well-trained, friendly, and attentive, making the experience feel seamless. The food is fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. A fantastic addition to the dining scene—highly recommend checking it out!

Final Word

Delbar is a vibrant addition to Buckhead’s growing restaurant scene. Atlanta offers classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, shrimp and grits, and peach cobbler. Many chefs elevate these traditional staples with modern twists, creating a fusion of old and new.

The city is home to a thriving community of young, creative chefs and restaurateurs who push boundaries and experiment with bold flavors and unique dining experiences.

Atlanta’s proximity to Georgia’s agricultural heartland means access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Many restaurants proudly showcase farm-to-table dishes, emphasizing sustainability and quality.

Atlanta boasts several food hotspots like Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, and Westside Provisions District, each offering a unique array of dining options. Areas like Buford Highway are famous for authentic international eats.

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Another day, another major retailer goes out of business, which has become a trend in 2024. This time, Big Lots, which has announced that it is going out of business after a rescue plan failed to materialize.

Big Lots had previously had came up with a plan to stay in business by closing hundreds of stores and agreeing up a private equity firm buyout.

In a statement, Big Lots said, “In parallel with these efforts, the Company is preparing to commence going out of business (“GOB”) sales at all remaining Big Lots store locations in the coming days to protect the value of its estate. The Company believes that the GOB sales will not preclude it from effectuating a going concern transaction.”

There are 66 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and 34 Big Lots stores in South Carolina, which will all be closed unless the company’s plans change. 

There are no Big Lots stores currently in Charlotte but many shoppers in the Charlotte area can stop by these locations for deals as the company moves closer to shutting down.

Georgia

• 5055 Austell Rd, Austell, GA 30106
• 3190 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606
• 3190 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606
• 2842 Chapel Hill Rd, Douglasville, GA 30135
• 216 Bullsboro Dr, Newnan, GA 30263
• 2842 Chapel Hill Rd Douglasville, Ga 30135
• 1820 GA-20 Ste 128, Conyers, GA 30013
• 3358 Chamblee Tucker Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341
• 1659 N Expy, Griffin, GA 30223
• 260 Merchants Square, Dallas, GA 30132
• 1820 GA-20 Ste 128, Conyers, GA 30013
• 1004 Bankhead Hwy Ste A3, Carrollton, GA 30117
• 127 Commerce Ave, LaGrange, GA 30241
• 2204 Shorter Ave NW, Rome, GA 30165

North Carolina

• Albemarle: 720 NC-24
• Belmont: 601 Park St
• Boone: 223 New Market Ctr
• Concord: 280 Concord Pkwy N
• Gastonia: 2587 W Franklin Blvd
• Hickory: 526c Us Highway 70 Sw
• Kannapolis: 950 S Cannon Blvd
• Lenoir: 845 Blowing Rock Blvd
• Lincolnton: 403 N Generals Blvd
• Monroe: 3129 Hwy 74 W
• Mooresville: 376 West Plaza Drive
• Morganton: 1251 Burkemont Ave
• Newton: 2725 Northwest Blvd
• Salisbury: 711 E. Innes St
• Shelby: 1728 E Dixon Blvd
• Statesville: 1020 Crossroads Dr

South Carolina

• Lancaster: 1206 Highway 9 Bypass W
• Rock Hill: 2349 Cherry Rd
• Aberdeen
• Albemarle
• Arden
• Asheboro
• Belmont
• Boone
• Burlington
• Cary
• Clemmons
• Concord
• Dunn
• Durham
• Elizabeth City
• Elkin
• Fayetteville
• Franklin
• Fuquay Varina
• Gastonia
• Goldsboro
• Greensboro
• Greenville
• Hendersonville
• Hickory
• High Point
• Jacksonville
• Kannapolis
• Kinston
• Knightdale
• Laurinburg
• Lenoir
• Lexington
• Lincolnton
• Lumberton
• Marion
• Mocksville
• Monroe
• Mooresville
• Morehead City
• Morganton
• Mount Airy
• Murphy
• New Bern
• Newton
• Roanoke Rapids
• Rocky Mount
• Roxboro
• Salisbury
• Sanford
• Selma
• Shallotte
• Shelby
• Southport
• Spindale
• Statesville
• Wake Forest
• Waynesville
• Weaverville
• Whiteville
• Wilkesboro
• Wilmington
• Wilson
• Winston Salem

It’s unclear when the 963 Big Lots stores are set to close, or if a completed sale could prevent them from closing. 

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City of Atlanta officials were on hand Wednesday, Dec. 17 for the ribbon-cutting of Juanita H. Gardner Village in Adamsville.

The new Atlanta development honors the legacy of Mrs. Juanita H. Gardner, who was known around the city as a devout advocate for affordable housing, education, and community empowerment.

The project was funded through a mix of public and private sources, including the AH-Invest Atlanta Co-Investment Fund, $13.5 million in tax-exempt bonds from Invest Atlanta, and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. To ensure long-term affordability, AH purchased the project site and provided a 75-year ground lease at a nominal rate to the owner entity.

What Is the Juanita H. Gardner Village?

The Juanita H. Gardner Village in Adamsville is comprised of 108 affordable units designed for the city’s senior community. The project, which came together from a consortium of entities, including Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta, and other partners.

Does Atlanta Have Affordable Housing?

Atlanta, like much of the nation, continues to see its affordable housing inventory shrink, due to several factors.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the housing crisis, as many residents lost jobs, experienced income reductions, or faced increased difficulty paying rent. The economic fallout led to more people being unable to afford housing, and while eviction moratoriums helped temporarily, they did not address the underlying affordability issues.

Over the past few decades, Atlanta has experienced rapid population growth, particularly as people move from other states for job opportunities, better weather, and a relatively low cost of living (compared to cities like New York or San Francisco). The population increase has resulted in a higher demand for housing, putting pressure on the existing stock of affordable homes.

As certain neighborhoods in Atlanta, particularly in historically Black areas, undergo gentrification, housing prices rise, displacing long-time residents and reducing the availability of affordable homes.

Atlanta has a significant shortage of affordable housing units to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. As property values rise, developers are more inclined to build luxury housing, which generates higher profits, while affordable housing projects often face more financial challenges.

Public housing, which is a critical source of affordable homes, has not kept up with the growing need. Many of Atlanta’s public housing units are outdated and in need of renovation, but funding to update or replace them has been insufficient.

Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here with our Apartment Guide.

See The Latest Atlanta Real Estate News At AtlantaFi.com.

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if you’re like me, you hate clutter but can do little about it. Once you go shopping and buy a few things, they have a way of piling up around the house.

And the bad thing about it is that decluttering can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable tasks and having a strategy can make a huge difference.

How To De-Clutter Your Home

Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the process:

1. Start Small

Pick One Area: Focus on one small area, like a drawer, closet, or countertop. Starting small helps you build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Set a Timer: Set a timer for 20-30 minutes and commit to decluttering just during that time. It’s easier to stay focused in short bursts.

Label four boxes or bins as:

• Keep
• Donate
• Sell
• Trash

As you go through your items, immediately place them into one of the boxes. This prevents the process from becoming too complicated.

2. Follow the “Four-Season Rule”

For seasonal items, ask yourself when you last used them and whether you realistically will in the next season. If you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s probably time to let it go.

Rather than tackling each room individually, sort by category (e.g., books, clothes, paperwork). This allows you to see how much you have of a particular type of item, making it easier to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.

There’s also the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle), which suggests that we use 20% of our items 80% of the time. Go through your belongings and ask yourself: Are these items in the 20% that I actually use regularly? If not, it might be time to part with them.

For sentimental items, ask yourself, “Do I really need to keep this to remember it?” Sometimes, taking a photo of a sentimental item can help you keep the memory without holding onto the physical object.

3. Go Through Papers Regularly

Papers can pile up quickly. Sort through them weekly, and use a filing system to keep only the important ones. Shred documents that are no longer needed.

Taking a photo of a cluttered space before you start can be motivating, and seeing the progress afterward can feel incredibly rewarding.

Decluttering is a process. Break it into chunks and spread it out over time so it doesn’t feel too stressful. Celebrate small wins as you make progress.

4. Set a Deadline

Setting a clear deadline can help keep you on track. Whether it’s a weekend or a few hours each evening, having a set time to complete a decluttering session can help you stay focused.

For clothes, turn all your hangers the opposite way. As you wear and wash clothes, turn the hanger back to its original position. After a few months, any clothes still facing the wrong way are likely items you don’t wear and can donate or sell.

Sometimes, having a friend or family member help can make decluttering more efficient and less emotionally taxing. They can offer a fresh perspective on what to keep and what to let go of.

5. Practice the ‘Declutter Daily’ Habit

Instead of letting clutter pile up, spend a few minutes each day tidying up. Put away items, toss out anything unnecessary, and keep surfaces clear to prevent clutter from building up again.

If you’re struggling with sentimental items, try keeping only a select few, like a special box of keepsakes or a memory album, rather than holding onto everything.

Final Word

If you’ve held onto something because you “might use it someday,” be honest with yourself. Will you really? If not, it’s probably time to let it go.

Decluttering is as much about mental clarity as it is about physical space. Once you start making small, consistent changes, it can have a big impact on your home and mindset.

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:

• Check Out These Hidden Gems In Atlanta
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The World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium are launching the first-ever Coca-Cola Holiday Express in downtown Atlanta.

Located in Pemberton Place Park (the festive greenspace between the two attractions) the experience will take guests on a simulated journey to the North Pole and sunny Southern Hemisphere! Guests will board two railcars filled with the special holiday magic that Coca-Cola is known and loved for this time of year.

When Is The Coca-Cola Holiday Express Opening?

The Coca-Cola Holiday Express opens Starting December 7. The activation has yet to be unveiled, so we’ve shared hi-res imagery of World of Coca-Cola’s iconic holiday cheer that will surround the activation, and a render of the Coca-Cola Holiday Express, linked here.

More details about the Coca-Cola Holiday Express are below my signature.

Please let me know if you’re interested in experiencing the activation firsthand, and I’d be happy to schedule a tour and interview with a World of Coca-Cola spokesperson.

Final Word

When the weather’s cool, Atlanta is still hot. Atlanta’s craft beer scene is thriving. Check out spots like Monday Night Brewing or SweetWater Brewing Company. Enjoy rooftop ice skating with views of the Atlanta skyline, complete with cozy fire pits and seasonal treats.

Hungry? You can also indulge in hot chicken at places like Mary Mac’s Tea Room or try seasonal menus at local restaurants.

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