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In today’s Scoop:
🏛️ Athens approved a camping ban on sidewalks and bikeways near business districts.
🏠 Commissioners paired the ban with $1 million for temporary emergency housing.
Afternoon coffee and pastries on North Finley
Big City Bread Cafe at 393 N. Finley St. added a weekday coffee and pastry service from 3 to 5 p.m., between lunch and dinner.
The cafe has a shaded patio and parking is available. Breakfast and lunch end at 3 p.m.; dinner starts at 5.
Read more here.
Own a coffee shop in Athens? Submit it to our editorial team →
🗓️ Your Business Insurance Renews Soon. Here's What Athens Owners Should Check Before 2027
Most business owners treat insurance renewal like paperwork: the bill shows up, they sign and they move on. Kyle Gelsthorpe of Anchor & Pine Insurance Advisors says that heading into 2027, that habit could cost you, and the time to act is before year-end.
Here's why. Insurers are now absorbing more than $100 billion a year in global catastrophe losses, much of it from hurricanes and wildfires. To make up for it, many carriers are trying to grow in states like Georgia, where they can still price policies profitably. That means the right carrier may be competing for your business right now, with better rates and terms than you're getting.
There's also a new gap most owners haven't noticed. At the start of 2026, the Insurance Services Office introduced 3 optional generative AI exclusions for commercial liability policies, and they're now being widely adopted. If your business uses AI for marketing, product development or operations, your general liability policy may no longer cover an AI-related mistake or copyright claim.
Kyle's year-end list also includes updating property values, since high rebuild and labor costs can trigger co-insurance penalties after a loss, and tightening commercial auto with telematics and driver vetting. As an independent agency rooted in Athens, Anchor & Pine works with regional and national carriers to match each business with the insurer that fits its risk.
Anchor & Pine Insurance Advisors, LLC | Georgia Insurance License No. 245466.
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🚶 Athens bans camping on sidewalks near business districts
The Gist: The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted 8-2 on October 6 to prohibit camping on sidewalks, bikeways, streets and other public areas in and next to commercial districts. Mayor Kelly Girtz revised the proposal to focus on transportation corridors after commissioners rejected an earlier version in August.
Why It Matters: People sleeping outdoors downtown could be required to move. Organizer Maristella Tuazon warned that the rule could displace people and bring fines. The commission paired it with $1 million for temporary emergency housing, but Commissioner Melissa Link questioned how that money would be spent.
What's Next: The ban is set to take effect January 6, 2027.
Read more here.
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🥕 Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park | Bishop Park | Athens | Sat, Oct. 17, 8 a.m.–noon | More | Shop local produce, flowers and handmade goods from area growers and makers.
🏒 Athens Rock Lobsters vs. Macon Mayhem | Akins Ford Arena | Athens | Fri, Oct. 16, 7:05 p.m. | More | Athens opens its season against Macon, with player introductions and pregame festivities.
🎶 Historic Athens Porchfest | Boulevard, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown and Pulaski Heights | Athens | Sun, Oct. 18, noon–8 p.m. | More | More than 200 local artists perform on neighborhood porches; admission is free.
🐕 Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard | Boulevard Woods Park | Athens | Sun, Oct. 18, 3 p.m. contest; 4:30 p.m. parade | More | Costumed dogs compete before a parade through the Boulevard neighborhood.
🎤 Daniel Tosh: My First Farewell Tour | The Classic Center Theatre | Athens | Mon, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. | More | The former Tosh.0 host performs stand-up.
🎻 Cantrip | Hodgson Concert Hall | Athens | Tue, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. | More | Scottish fiddle, border pipes and guitar anchor this traditional music set.
🍷 Wine Tasting Takeover with The Lark | Georgia Museum of Art | Athens | Thu, Oct. 15, 5–7 p.m. | More | Taste four Italian wines made by women winemakers and see the Edmonia Lewis exhibition.
🥧 Make Your Own Savory Galette with Nathan Altman | Athens Cooks | Athens | Sun, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–noon | More | Make pastry dough and a savory galette with seasonal fall ingredients.
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