Food + Beverage

Hogwarts at Hamp & Harry's

Article by Ana Markosi Hamp & Harry’s becomes a Hogwarts immersion with this month’s themed pop-up menu. The Harry Potter menu is more than a culinary experience; it’s an interactive experience for fans and newcomers alike. “Our cocktail menu will feature many magical cocktails, including a cocktail curated for each Hogwarts House,” owners Scott McCray and Scott Kerns say. “We will post results throughout the pop-up and let our guests know how the House Cup cocktails are ranking. We will also...

Food + Beverage

Marietta's Local Playmaker

How a Marietta native is building a restaurant empire without leaving his hometown Article by Ana Markosi Decades after walking through the halls of Marietta High School, local entrepreneur Jef Wallace is still investing in his hometown. With a 20-location development deal for Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and plans to open restaurants across Georgia and Tennessee, Wallace, who has never lived more than 20 miles from his birthplace at Kennestone Hospital, is blending brand strategy with local...

Arts + Culture

Chalktober on the Square

Building community through art Article and Photography by Chalktober Fest is coming to Marietta Square on October 11 and 12. Chalktober Fest is an annual arts event by the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, celebrating the arts in our vibrant community and benefiting the museum. It's a whirlwind of chalk art, local vendors, dance, games, delicacies, live music, and more. We sat down with Sally Macaulay, Executive Director of the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, to get an inside scoop on the festival. ...

Food + Beverage

White apple sangria

Article and Photography by Crisp white wine, warm apple brandy, and apple cider come together in this refreshing sangria that tastes like fall in a glass. It's perfect for game day gatherings, Halloween parties, or cozy nights in. Ingredients 1 bottle dry white wine 2 cups apple cider 1/2 cup apple brandy 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks Optional: 1 apple, thinly sliced to garnish Directions Combine white wine, apple cider, apple brandy, and cinnamon stick in a pitcher Refrigerate for up to...

Food + Beverage

Get a taste of Acworth

Article and Photography by On Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 pm., the annual Taste of Acworth invites you to sample from an impressive lineup of Acworth's restaurants. Participating restaurants will compete in five categories: Best appetizer  Best entrée Best dessert Best food presentation Best decorated tent Guests can enjoy live local entertainment and children's games, and inflatables while they sip and savor. Dog lovers should be sure to catch the Taste of Acworth...

Food + Beverage

The Taste of Mexico

7 Tequilas brings bold, fresh Mexican flavors to Marietta Square Article by Ana Markosi With its newest location, 7 Tequilas brings traditional Mexican cuisine with a side of Tex-Mex flair to Marietta Square. Owner Tracy Garcia’s parents opened the family-owned and operated business in 2008 to “provide the community with great quality Mexican food with fresh and top-tier ingredients.” Their passion for from-scratch food has been passed through generations. “My dad's love for Mexican cuisine...

Beauty

Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar

Meet owner Ashli Dyas Article by Ana Markosi Ashli Dyas, owner of Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar in Kennesaw, was first introduced to the Moxie brand in 2017 while living in New Jersey. “A girlfriend asked if I wanted to go get my hair and makeup done for an event we were going to, and she took me to Moxie,” Dyas says. “I loved the colors and the vibe, and the energy was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. They took such great care of me that I felt like a celebrity, and I walked out of there...

Food + Beverage

Savor the Flavor!

Taste of Smyrna Returns to Village Green Article by Ana Markosi Get ready to savor the flavor! On Saturday, September 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Taste of Smyrna “Festival of Delectable” offers you a chance to sample delectable dishes from Smyrna’s restaurants at the Village Green in downtown Smyrna. Admission is free, and samples can be purchased for $1 to $10.  While the adults sip, savor and enjoy live music, kids can play at the Kids Zone, featuring interactive inflatables, a giant slide...

Home Services

Brawner Renovations

The Brawner style of outdoor living Article by Ana Markosi Family is deeply important to Heather and Wesley Brawner. When they started Brawner Renovations, they intended to create custom outdoor spaces for families to enjoy and make memories. As such, the couple started their business out of their own family home 14 years ago, carrying on a family tradition of construction. “Wesley grew up around construction, and it runs deep in his roots from his grandfather to his dad,” Heather says...

Style + Beauty

Where grooming and culture integrate

Meet Alphonza Hicks, owner of True Culture Barber Lounge Article by Ana Markosi Looking to regain freedom and time with his family, Alphonza Hicks, owner of True Culture Barber Lounge, opened his first location. Growing up in a small rural town, Hicks didn’t always plan to become a barber or even a business owner. “I was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, in a small country town with not a lot of opportunity,” Hicks says. “I moved to Atlanta with my dad in the 10th grade after getting in too...