Blog Topic: Business, Man

In the Loop: The Eastside Is Getting a New, Bigger Kroger

By Blake Aued | December 23, 2015 7:24pm

We don’t have a file photo of the Eastside Kroger, and it’s dark and raining outside, so here’s a shot of a random Kroger in Frisco, TX by Wikipedia user Jonesdr77.

The College Station Shopping Center on the Eastside, anchored by a Kroger, will be completely demolished to make way for a new, larger Kroger store if the company’s application to Athens-Clarke County is approved.

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Culture Briefs: The Dollar Theater at the Mall Is Closed

By Blake Aued | December 9, 2015 3:02pm

Georgia Square Value Cinemas 5 at Georgia Square Mall abruptly closed earlier this week, according to multiple sources on the Internet and elsewhere.

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Grub Notes: New Beers From Creature Comforts; Second Self Is Coming to Athens

By Blake Aued | December 1, 2015 4:43pm

It’s not a new beer, but milk porter Koko Buni is back and, for the first time, will be available in retail stores in four-packs of cans starting in mid-December. Koko Buni is brewed with 1000 Faces coffee, Condor Chocolates nibs, vanilla and toasted coconut.

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Culture Briefs: A Local Company Will Be on 'Shark Tank' Tonight

By Blake Aued | November 20, 2015 1:42pm

Umano co-founder Jonathan Torrey designs T-shirts with a group of Peruvian children.

A business started by two UGA graduates will be featured on the reality TV show "Shark Tank" tonight.

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In the Loop: Downtown Is Getting Another Parking Deck

By Blake Aued | November 12, 2015 3:33pm

Photo Credit: Blake Aued

The News Building.

Nichols Land & Investment Co. has filed plans with Athens-Clarke County to build a parking deck adjacent to The News Building, home of the Athens Banner-Herald.

The 91,830 square-foot, five-story deck will be located at the current site of a loading dock behind the building on Foundry Street and will be accessible from the parking lot on Thomas Street between The News Building and the Classic Center, according to Athens-Clarke County planner Gavin Hassemer. Two stories of the deck will be visible from Thomas Street.

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In the Loop: UGA Students Support Food Trucks Downtown

By Blake Aued | November 3, 2015 8:57am

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

A food-truck festival held downtown in September.

The University of Georgia Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution last week in favor of easing Athens-Clarke County regulations on food trucks, which is up for a vote tonight. Read it below the jump.

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In the Loop: Oconee Industrial Authority Gets $850,000 Blank Check

By Lee Becker | October 26, 2015 10:43am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Oconee County voters cut a nearly blank check for $850,000 to the Oconee County Industrial Development Authority when they approved the 2015 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax last November.

The language on the resolution for the 2015 SPLOST merely said the money should be used for “Economic Development Facilities,” and the voters, probably without giving it much thought, accepted the deal.

At its meeting earlier this month, the IDA decided it was time to give some thought to what it will do with the windfall.

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In the Loop: Urban Outfitters Asks Employees to Work for Free

By Blake Aued | October 13, 2015 12:52pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Here’s some more fuel to throw on the Urban Outfitters fire.

The clothing retailer’s Philadelphia-based parent company, URBN, recently asked salaried employees at its corporate headquarters to “volunteer” at a Pennsylvania warehouse to pack packages for shipping, labeling the free labor a “team building activity.”

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In the Loop: Commission Puts Food Truck Ordinance on Hold

By Blake Aued | October 7, 2015 2:34pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Atlanta's Mix'd Up Burgers at a downtown Athens food truck festival last month that drew 6,000 people.

A proposal to allow food trucks to set up shop downtown one day a week is on hold after brick-and-mortar restaurant owners complained.

The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted 6–5 Tuesday night to hold the ordinance for 30 days while they hear concerns from restaurant owners. Commissioners Jared Bailey, Diane Bell, Sharyn Dickerson, Harry Sims and Allison Wright and Mayor Nancy Denson voted for the delay; commissioners Andy Herod, Mike Hamby, Jerry NeSmith, Melissa Link and Kelly Girtz voted against it because they wanted to pass the ordinance immediately.

The ordinance would allow six food trucks to park around City Hall on a first-come, first-serve bases on Tuesdays for a $200 fee.

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In the Loop: Hey! The Plans for St. Joe's Don't Look Half Bad

By Blake Aued | October 5, 2015 4:29pm

Photo Credit: Davis Property Group

Rejoice, ye townies, for the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church property shall not be maxed out with more student apartments.

Plans submitted Friday by Greenville, SC-based Davis Property Group show a 192,000 square-foot mixed-use development (not including parking) with commercial space fronting Prince Avenue and 146 one- and two-bedroom apartments above and behind it, all in three-story buildings.

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