Reynoldstown Ranger John Bluhm gathers seeds behind the former Reid’s Body Shop. Photograph courtesy of John Gibson Here’s how our neighborhoods change: little by little, then all at once. When Reid’s Body Shop on Memorial Drive closed in 2022, Reynoldstown suddenly felt different. Nobody who brought in a fender bender ever got treated halfway by Doug Reid and his son Robbie. Over 68 years, the Reids cared for our cars like they were their own. In their kingdom—a scruffy city block wrapped in chain link and barbed wire, half full of junkers and clunkers—folks got a square deal. Robbie credits ..read more

Chef Paul Smith Courtesy of Paul Smith After years of working in kitchens in Florida, New York, Asheville, and Napa Valley, Chef Paul Smith returned home to the hills of West Virginia in 2020. “I absolutely love it,” he says. “The people are fantastic. The hospitality is Appalachian. We’ve never met a stranger.” His elegant twists on regional classics at his fine dining restaurant, 1010 Bridge, earned him the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southeast. He also helms the Pitch, a family sports bar, and Ellen’s Ice Cream, all located in Charleston. A Walk in the Woods“I’m up at 5 a.m ..read more

Agnolotti del plin with corn, comte, hazelnut brown butter, and marigold-corn broth Courtesy of Avize Chef Karl Gorline is ready to give Atlanta his all. At age 37, he’s worked all over the South, honing his craft at notable stops like Mississippi’s Parlor Market and Brent’s Drugs and Atlanta’s Watershed (R.I.P.). Since leaving the Woodall, he’s been obsessing over his heritage, which is Germanic, French, and Polish. In late summer, he’ll open Avize, a “modern Alpine kitchen,” in the former Nick’s Westside space (956 Brady Avenue Northwest). The sophisticated dinner spot will interpret dishes ..read more

The Rolling Stones Photograph by Perry Julien Legendary rock band The Rolling Stones played to a huge crowd when they brought their Hackney Diamonds tour to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 7. During each show on the tour, the Stones have let fans vote for a song ahead of time to be played during the set—Atlanta chose the country-influenced “Sweet Virginia.” The setlist was full of familiar hits like “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Paint it Black,” Gimme Shelter,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” And in a rare moment for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the roof was also open during the show. Here, che ..read more

The CROSBY by Mollie Burch x La Point collection, shown alongside the Tippy Tap cocktail truck and florals from M. Delia Designs for Lucy’s Market Photograph by Katie Michelle Photo Pickleball is undeniably hot across Atlanta. It’s not surprising, perhaps, given how much Atlantans love tennis. Pickleball is tennis’ louder, more social cousin and if the debut of places like Painted Pickle are any indication, the sport will have longevity in our city. For some, dressing the part is just as important as how you play the game. A new collection, CROSBY by Mollie Burch x La Point, debuted from two A ..read more

Ela Photograph by Martha Williams Ela On a brisk spring evening, I warmed right up upon stepping into Ela’s high-energy dining room amid upbeat dance music. The latest Fifth Group Restaurants venture, Ela resides in the former Original El Taco spot, bringing a more grown-up vibe, with low lighting and minimalist decor, to the once-kitschy dining room. The design skews almost too neutral—the dining room doesn’t scream “Mediterranean restaurant”—but all the better to help you focus on the colorful dishes before you. Ela means “come now” in Greek, but the menu spans the Mediterranean region and i ..read more

Edmund Pettus Bridge Photo by Art Meripol President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1964—60 years ago this summer. America’s paperwork finally matched its ideals: Discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin became illegal. None of this could have happened if Black Americans hadn’t pressed their case for enfranchisement, as they have done since the nation’s founding. On the South’s officially recognized Civil Rights Trail, towns across the region showcase curated stories of power and courage. Museums throughout offer engrossing nar ..read more

The Atlanta Eagle building on Friday morning Photograph by Richard L. Eldredge With Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, and Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith standing a few feet away, Atlanta Eagle owner Richard Ramey watched 35 years of his life go up in flames Thursday night. Shortly before 8 p.m., Atlanta Fire responded to a multi-alarm blaze at the old Atlanta Eagle location at 306 Ponce de Leon Avenue, the city’s first designated LGBTQ+ historic landmark. Atlantans using the popular hyperlocal community app Citizen live-streamed video of the fire as it bega ..read more

Kelundra Smith at the Academy Theatre Photography by Lynsey Weatherspoon Back in 2017, Kelundra Smith visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, to write an article for a now-defunct magazine. While in the historical galleries, she saw a section on post–Civil War Reconstruction and an exhibit that documented the Atlanta Washerwomen Strike of 1881, an event she had never heard of despite growing up in the city. Smith finished her assignment, but the events of the strike stayed with her and ultimately led to a deep dive into the subject, with what was ..read more

Ginsberg’s Refresher at Wild Heaven Photo by Courtney DiCarlo Chef Todd Ginsberg is known for making some of Atlanta’s favorite burgers. He created the masterpiece that blasted Bocado into popularity, developed a juicy version at sandwich shop Fred’s Meat & Bread, and crafted yet another admired variation at his deli the General Muir. Now Wild Heaven Beer at Avondale Estates is getting in on the action. Ginsberg’s food truck, Ginsberg’s Refresher, launched May 30 at the brewery, serving double cheeseburgers, an amped up Impossible burger, fried cod sandwich, smoked salmon dip, and a soft p ..read more