avid bookshop

Avid Bookshop is a fiercely independent, community-focused bookselling business headquartered in Athens, Georgia. They have a bookstore at 1662 S. Lumpkin St. in Athens's Five Points neighborhood, plus they serve readers nationwide with their full-service webstore at avidbookshop.com. Founded by Janet Geddis, Avid has been named by Flagpole readers as Athens' Favorite Local Business for nine years in a row! Avid Bookshop has been on the Bulldog 100 list three years in a row—this distinction indicates that Avid is one of the fastest-growing businesses owned/run by a University of Georgia alumna/alumnus. They firmly believe that books change readers’ lives for the better, and that belief influences everything they do at Avid Bookshop, from their curated collection to their events calendar to the books they put in customers' hands. In recent years, they have doubled-down on this philosophy and are more committed than ever to sharing diverse voices with their customers. Drop by their charming store (or browse online!) to find the perfect book or lovely gift item. Avid Bookshop is an ethically run business with a strong focus on community engagement. They continually challenge themselves, trying to figure out creative ways to make our city better through their #avidgivesback and #avidinschools initiatives, activism, authorless events, book fairs, free author readings, partnerships, book clubs, and more. They stay true to the “buy local first” mantra, choosing to support independent, locally-owned businesses for supplies whenever possible and opting to work with highly-rated, ethically sound national businesses when a local option isn't available.

 

Chuck's Fish

Chuck Morgan was raised in Birmingham, Alabama, went to Ramsay High School, the University of Alabama, and graduated from law school in Tuscaloosa. He came to national prominence in 1963, the day after the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham when he delivered a speech critical of the state of race relations in the South. His career as a civil rights attorney has been heralded in many books detailing the turbulent days of the 1960s. He tried nine cases before the United States Supreme Court. Many of these were landmarks in the struggle for racial equality. This restaurant is named in his honor. In 2005, Charles Morgan III, Chuck’s son and owner of Harbor Docks in Destin, Florida, had the idea of opening a restaurant that would showcase the best seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. They now have locations in downtown Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, AL, Mobile, AL, Athens, GA, Tallahassee, FL, and Montgomery, AL. The seventh Chuck’s Fish location will open in Huntsville, Alabama in the fall of 2024. Featured fish at Chuck’s comes from their own wholesale market at Harbor Docks. In addition to Gulf seafood, they offer aged, naturally-raised beef - cut in-house, and an award-winning sushi bar, curated by renowned chef Yoshie Eddings, who has been the sushi chef at Harbor Docks restaurant for 30 years. When you’re looking for a top-notch dining experience with wonderful food, stellar service, and a great atmosphere, look no further than Chuck’s Fish in any one of the towns that we are so proud to be in. 

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Grind House Killer Burgers

Grindhouse Killer Burgers served its first customer in 2009, inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in downtown Atlanta. The concept was created by Alex Brounstein, an Emory graduate and former real estate attorney, who had been working to jump start the revitalization of Atlanta's historic indoor public market. Situated among seafood, meat and produce vendors, Grindhouse quickly became known as the place to get some of the best burgers in one of the most unique and fun atmospheres in the city. In its first year in business, Grindhouse immediately began receiving "Best in Atlanta" awards from local publications such as Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine, for its hamburgers, veggie burgers and homemade brisket chili. Customers lined up for their fresh ground burger fix, and stuck around for the campy B-movies and Kung Fu flicks projecting on the subway tile walls. In 2013, Grindhouse added its first brand new, ground up location in the Five Points area of Athens, with a rooftop sports bar and patio. In close proximity to the campus athletic fields and venues, Grindhouse Athens has become the go-to destination for pre and post game festivities as well.
 

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