I’m not a big fan of most chains, but Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams makes a truly excellent product. Started in Columbus, OH, it has locations in a whole bunch of different states, including Georgia (Atlanta, Decatur, Alpharetta). You can also buy its product in pints in the grocery store, but it’s not as good as the in-store stuff. Athens will get one of the brick-and-mortar locations in Five Points, in the former Georgia Federal Credit Union on Lumpkin Street.
Baddies Burgers (previously reported on as Smiley’s Burgers) will have a soft opening today from 5–9 p.m. on Lumpkin Street, next to Smoothie King.
A new Dunkin’ Donuts is looking to open on the same parcel as the upcoming Lidl, at 3495 Atlanta Highway, at the intersection with Timothy and Mitchell Bridge roads. A free-standing Starbucks will open on Highway 29, near Popeye’s and Bojangles.
The Office sports bar on Washington Street in downtown Athens, which opened in 2017, recently closed.
Collective Harvest, which has been pooling the produce of a bunch of different small farms since 2015 so that people can participate in community-supported agriculture in a more pick-and-choose fashion than the usual “here’s a box” format, will close at the end of the year—a real bummer. The building on Baxter Street will be open through Dec. 31. You can place an online order through Dec. 15 for pickup or delivery.
Choco Pronto, Peter and Nick Dale’s coffee place, has opened its storefront at 700 Baxter Street. You can stop by and get coffee, tea, a few other drinks, Condor Chocolates or pastries from Independent Baking Co. from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. weekends.
Ru San’s, formerly in Beechwood Shopping Center for an eon, has closed its sushi business there, but it will relocate, merge with another business and reopen as Sushi One & Bobalicious Cafe in the Market Center shopping center in Watkinsville on Capital Avenue, near Taqueria la Parrilla.
Looking to get in on the holiday bar trend? White Tiger Deluxe, in Watkinsville, has you covered in style through Jan. 1. You can expect: pomegranate frosé, a “cold fashioned” made in the frozen drink machine, nine specialty holiday cocktails in holiday-themed cups, fun non-alcoholic drinks and a decorate-your-own-sugar-cookie appetizer to keep your kids sitting at the table. Santa will be in attendance Dec. 17 from 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
