In case you hadn’t heard, Aldi is the last Atlanta Highway big box to shut its doors and move out to Epps Bridge Centre, which was recently purchased for a reported $6.2 billion by an anonymous Dubai oil magnate and is being redeveloped as high-rise condos and a marina.

Yet even as the waters of the Atlantic lap at Oconee County’s shores, state Rep. O.C.B. White (R-Watkinsville) still denies that climate change exists.

“This is just the Lord punishing Savannah for its sins,” he said.

Nonetheless, White is excited about the prospect of finally landing a T.G.I Friday’s.

“We’re already blessed with an Outback, a Joe’s Crab Shack, a Ruby Tuesday, a Cheddar’s, an Olive Garden, two Pizza Huts, an O’Charlie’s, a Beef O’Brady’s, an Applebee’s, a Bennigan’s, a Bonefish Grill, a Carabba’s, a Jersey Mike’s, a Fuddrucker’s, a Roadhouse, a Ted’s Montana Grill, a Macaroni Grill, a Red Lobster, a Cheesecake Factory, six Shake Shacks and a Wild Wings,” he said. “But the good citizens of Oconee County deserve another top-notch dining option.”