🚧 The commission's full plan for the future development of Athens

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Our fourth Dinner Club was amazing! Thank you to all of the 42 people who came last Tuesday.

Groups of six each met up at tables at South Kitchen, Porterhouse Grill, The Place, and more. It was a great chance to meet some you reading my newsletters each week.

If you have no idea what the event I’m talking about is:

We pair tables of 6 strangers together at a great local restaurant as a way to meet new people in the city specifically tailored to your vibe.

How it works:

• Take a short personality quiz

• Get matched with 5 compatible guests

• We pick the restaurant, handle the details, and provide conversation starters

You just show up.

NEXT DATE: Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 PM

If you've been craving conversations with substance (the kind that remind you why community matters) then this is for you. If you want to reserve your limited spot (or read about it more), just click below:

“I would definitely go again and will highly recommend to my friends!” - Sydney Burd

“I’m looking forward to the next outing!! So fun!!” - Joy Hoyt

Any questions? Just hit reply. See you there.

🥂 A Five Points Landmark in a Restored Historic Home

Tucked into the beautifully restored Hawthorne House on South Milledge Avenue, Five & Ten is the James Beard Award-winning flagship that put Athens on the national food map back in 2000. Now under longtime alum Peter Dale, the menu weaves Southern ingredients with French and Italian technique, served in an intimate dining room that feels equally right for a lingering Sunday brunch or a celebratory dinner over a thoughtful glass of wine.

Read more here.

📦 A New UPS Store Just Opened on Jefferson Road

If you live or work on the west side of Athens, you no longer have to drive across town to ship a package.

The UPS Store on Jefferson Road is brand new, locally owned by Bhaumik Patel, and open 7 days a week. It's a full-service location: packing, shipping, returns, printing, notary, shredding, passport photos, and mailbox rentals all in one spot.

Need to drop off a return? They've got you. Running a small business and need something printed or shipped today? Same place. It's the kind of errand stop you didn't know you needed until it's five minutes from your house. Mention Athens Scoop if you go!

📍 5375 Jefferson Rd, Ste 220 · (706) 395-6003 · Open 7 days

Thank you to our local sponsors who help make this newsletter possible 🙏

By the way, we built a free business directory at athensscoop.com/directory for Athens business owners. Your listing gets seen by our 7,500+ readers and gives your business an SEO boost with 5-10 backlinks to our site. If you have one, let us know at the bottom of that website or here and we'll get you set up!

Thank you to our local sponsors like Sterling Advisors who help make this newsletter possible 🙏

🏗️ Commission Locks In Growth Plan, Sends Data Center Rules Back for Revision

Athens-Clarke commissioners passed the new Future Land Use Map on April 7, then categorized data centers as an industrial use before kicking the regulations back to the ACC Planning Commission for more work. Housing advocates from the AADM affordable housing rally used public comment to push for accessory dwelling units, source-of-income protections, and local rent-control authority.

Why it matters: The map guides where homes, industry, and density can land across the county for years to come.

Read more here.

👗 A Campus-Based Clothing Marketplace Is Taking Off at UGA

Rotation Exchange, a peer-to-peer app built for UGA students to buy, sell, and rent clothing on campus, has grown past 400 users, led largely by the sorority community. Instead of one-time wear purchases or fast fashion, students are circulating pieces locally with no shipping involved.

Why it matters: It's a practical alternative to fast fashion that keeps dollars and inventory circulating inside Athens.

What's next: Rotation is partnering with Athens Scoop on an upcoming giveaway to expand its reach.

Read more here.

🦞 Rock Lobsters Close Season Strong, Playoffs Start Tonight

Athens' pro hockey team wrapped up their first ever regular-season division title by sweeping the Monroe Moccasins on the road 6-2 and 5-4, finishing the year with 44 wins in 56 games. The Tank drew more than 125,000 fans across 28 home games this season, averaging roughly 4,500 per night.

Why it matters: Round 1 of the FPHL Commissioners Cup Playoffs is a best-of-three, and Athens owns home ice.

What's next: Game 1 puck drops tonight (4/17) at Akins Ford Arena. Wear red.

Read more here.

🚴 Athens Twilight Criterium | Downtown Athens | Athens | 4/17–4/18 | More Kids Zone, 5K, food trucks, art trail, plus nighttime pro races under the lights.

🦞 Rock Lobsters Playoff Game 1 | Akins Ford Arena | Athens | 4/17 | More Wear red and bring rally towels for postseason hockey in The Tank.

🏈 G-Day Spring Game | Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium | Athens | 4/18 | More First gameday-style look at the 2026 Bulldogs on their home field.

🌍 UGA International Street Festival | Clayton Street | Athens | 4/18 | More Cultural booths, global performances, food passports, and free admission for all ages.

🌸 33rd Annual Athens Tour of Gardens | Various Private Gardens | Athens | 4/18 | More Four private gardens open their gates, rain or shine, with proceeds funding UGA scholarships.

🎤 Ali Siddiq: Custom Fit Tour | Classic Center Theatre | Athens | 4/17 | More Storytelling-forward stand-up from the comedian behind "The Domino Effect."

🎭 37th Boybutante Ball: Inferno – Rising from the Lashes | 40 Watt Club | Athens | 4/18 | More Athens' most elaborate drag extravaganza, benefitting AIDS Athens since 1989.

🎸 Gov't Mule & Larkin Poe | Classic Center Theatre | Athens | 4/19 | More Blues-soaked Southern rock and searing slide guitar on one bill.

💃 Ballets Jazz Montréal: Dance Me | Classic Center Theatre | Athens | 4/21 | More A choreographed homage to Leonard Cohen's songbook, approved by Cohen himself.

🎵 10th Annual Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Awards ft. Futurebirds Trio | Morton Theatre | Athens | 4/23 | More Finalists perform their nominated songs before the winner is revealed, acoustic and intimate.

If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.

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