🦅👁️ Growth, Good Finds & a Little Fa La La

Good morning, Henry County!

We’re closing out the week with new development in McDonough and Stockbridge, a hidden gem tucked away in Locust Grove, and a sweet Tales From the Perch encore featuring the couple behind Sol Flour Café.

We’re also thinking about trying something new for our readers, something that would bring people together offline and around the table. Before we go any further, we want to know if you’d be interested. Take the quick poll below and tell us what you think.

And looking for something to do? Check out the Weekend Eye, which drops later today.

Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️

STOCKBRIDGE — Dru Hill. Lil Scrappy. Mark Ware. Live on stage at the VyStar Amphitheater in Stockbridge this Saturday — and it's completely free. BridgeFest 2026 brings a full day of music, food trucks, vendors, face painting, and family fun to Stockbridge on September 26. Free tickets are available starting at 3 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Showtime is at 8 p.m. Bring the family.

Tomorrow · 3 to 10 p.m.
📍 VyStar Amphitheater at the Bridge · 4650 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge
🎫 Free · Tickets available at gate starting at 3 p.m.
📞 (770) 389-7900 Full details at Visit Henry County →

MCDONOUGH- Two new planned developments are coming to McDonough after the City Council approved rezonings at its Monday meeting. The first covers about 10 acres at Griffin Street and Highland Avenue in the historic Blacksville neighborhood, rezoned from multi-family residential and light industrial to planned unit development. The second is a larger mixed-use project on more than 79 acres at Racetrack Road, featuring 96 single-family homes, 10,000 square feet of retail, a dog park, community gardens, and a clubhouse. Council member Xavier Johnson called the Blacksville project a chance to "put our money where our mouth is."

Why it matters: Two rezonings in one meeting signals McDonough is moving fast on growth. The Blacksville project in particular carries real historical weight for a neighborhood that's been waiting on this kind of investment. Read more at Henry Herald →

STOCKBRIDGE -The longtime Food Depot property in downtown Stockbridge is headed for redevelopment. The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority has reached an agreement with the Taylor family and Food Depot for a refreshed grocery store, new retail opportunities, and what the city is calling "increased density." Specific plans and a timeline have not yet been announced.

Food Depot's roots in Stockbridge run deep. Gerald Taylor and Raymond Johnson purchased a local supermarket here in 1975, which eventually grew into the Food Depot brand.

Why it matters: This could be much more than a grocery store refresh. The property sits in an area targeted for downtown revitalization, and plans for additional retail and density could significantly change the face of that block. Learn more at Stockbridge Economic Development →

STOCKBRIDGE - If you have an outstanding citation or municipal court case in Stockbridge, this may be the week to finally deal with it.

The Stockbridge Municipal Court's Amnesty Program runs through Wednesday, September 30, for eligible citations issued before September 1. The court is giving eligible residents a limited window to resolve outstanding cases while potentially having certain additional penalties waived, including Failure to Appear and warrant fees. Your original fine doesn't disappear, but some of the fees piled on top of it might.

People with cases requiring a court appearance must contact the Municipal Court by September 30 to participate.

Why it matters: Old citations get more expensive over time as fees stack up. If you have an eligible Stockbridge case, this is a limited window to find out whether some of those added costs can be waived. Don't let September 30 pass you by. Visit the City of Stockbridge →

📞 770-389-7906
📧 [email protected]

McDONOUGH — Kidding. We know it’s still September.

But if you want to participate in the 2026 City of McDonough Christmas Parade, it actually isn’t too early to start planning.

Applications are officially open for floats, marching groups, classic cars and community organizations. The parade rolls through Downtown McDonough on Saturday, December 5 at 6 PM.

And there’s a reason the city is starting early: participation is limited to the first 80 entries.

One other thing to know this year: the city says there will be no rain date because another McDonough event is scheduled for the following Saturday.

So, no, you probably don’t need to drag the Christmas decorations out of the attic just yet. But your church, school, business or community organization might want to go ahead and claim its spot.

Why it matters: Parade spots are limited, and this is one December event where waiting until December is probably not the best strategy. Apply for the 2026 McDonough Christmas Parade →

HENRY COUNTY - Seven months ago, we set out to help Henry County know its community a little better. Now we're wondering if it's time to bring that community face to face.

We're considering small, occasional gatherings for Eagle Eye readers. Good food. Good conversation. A chance to sit across from the people who share your zip code and your news feed. Not a networking event. Not a crowded mixer. Just your community, around a table.

Before we plan a single thing, we want to hear from you. Take the following poll.

MCDONOUGH - Ty and Elan Washington are a young couple with big smiles, big ambition, and a mission that runs deeper than coffee and pastries.

Step inside Sol Flour and the feeling is immediate. Light pours through the original floor-to-ceiling windows of what was once a 1960s Chevrolet dealership known as Dixie Motors. The space is sparse but cozy, inspired by Danish design, with warm wood tones and a few mid-century pieces where customers can settle in with a cup of coffee and stay awhile.

But the real heart of Sol Flour is the food.

Ty trained as a chef and worked in fine-dining kitchens, where he learned the farm-to-table philosophy and the importance of understanding where ingredients come from. That experience now shapes the way the couple approaches their café.

“We realized we weren’t just cooking,” Ty explained. “We were telling the stories of the farmers who grow the ingredients.”

Everything at Sol Flour is made from scratch using intentionally sourced ingredients. The pastries are baked fresh every day and often sell out. Croissants, cinnamon rolls, and brown butter chocolate chunk cookies have quickly become customer favorites.

One unexpected hit is their brown sugar pull apart pastry made from extra croissant dough. The diced pieces are tossed in brown sugar and baked until the buttery layers caramelize. Customers say it reminds them of monkey bread, though the flaky croissant layers give it a completely different texture.

Coffee is just as intentional. Sol Flour serves beans from Methodical Coffee Roasters in Greenville, South Carolina, a company known for its transparency and relationships with coffee farmers.

For Ty and Elan, Sol Flour was never meant to be just a bakery. They imagined a place where people linger. Where neighbors meet over coffee. Where good food made with care becomes something the community gathers around.

“We didn’t want to just show up and sell something,” Elan said. “We wanted to understand what the community needed.”

Visit Sol Flour
📍 Location: McDonough, Georgia
🕒 Hours: Tuesday through Saturday | 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
🥐 What to Expect: Fresh pastries baked from scratch daily and thoughtfully sourced coffee
📱 Instagram: @solflour

LOCUST GROVE — You could live in Henry County for years and never know this place is here.

Tucked away in Locust Grove is Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, a sprawling natural area built around forests, wetlands, reservoirs and wildlife habitat.

It’s the kind of place that feels considerably farther from metro Atlanta than it actually is, and that’s exactly what makes it a Hidden Gem.

Cubihatcha is managed by the Henry County Water Authority and serves both as a conservation area and an outdoor classroom. Trails wind through the property, offering opportunities to see wetlands, birds and other wildlife while getting a look at a much quieter side of Henry County.

There is one catch worth knowing before you grab your walking shoes: Cubihatcha is not a typical seven day a week park. Regular public hours are weekdays, so check access and hours before making the trip.

Why it matters: Henry County is growing quickly, but places like Cubihatcha preserve the forests, wetlands and wildlife that were here long before the warehouses and subdivisions. And you don’t have to drive to North Georgia to disappear into nature for a while.

📍 Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center
100 Cubihatcha Trail, Locust Grove

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Bandolero Championship Nationals (Day 1 of 2) · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, Hampton · 🕐 Times not posted · 🎟️ Ticketed

Toddler Sensory Play – Queen Bee Coffee · 📍 Locust Grove · 🕐 10:30-11:30am · 💵 Free

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Bandolero Championship Nationals (Day 2) · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, Hampton

Ride4Unity · 📍 Starts at EchoPark Speedway · Hampton · Ends at J.P. Moseley Park · Stockbridge · 🕐 Registration 8 a.m. · Kickstands up 10 a.m. · FREE · Featuring Shaquille O'Neal and Henry County Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett. A community motorcycle ride uniting Henry County from Hampton to Stockbridge. Free to participate — registration required.
Register here →

PINK LACES Community Walk/Run · 📍 Alexander Park West · McDonough · 🕐 8 to 9 a.m. · FREE · Presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Psi Alpha Omega Chapter. A community walk and run in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lace up your pink and show up for the cause.

Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale · 📍 Henry County Extension Office · Classroom B · 97 Lake Dow Road, McDonough · 🕐 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. · FREE · Plants grown by Master Gardeners and local vendors, fall vegetables, perennials, succulents, shrubs, and indoor plants. Kids corner featuring a "Watch Me Grow" activity for children.
More details on Facebook →

Rail and Roots Farmers Market · 📍 Historic Train Depot · Hampton · 🕐 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. · FREE · Shop local at Hampton's charming farmers market featuring locally grown produce, fresh flowers, handmade goods, baked treats, and artisan products from regional farmers and makers.

Main Street Market on the Square · 📍 McDonough Square · 🕐 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. · FREE · A beloved Saturday tradition on the McDonough Square featuring local vendors, makers, and community vibes. The perfect morning outing in downtown McDonough.

BridgeFest 2026 · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at the Bridge · 4650 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🕐 Festival 3 p.m. · Gates 6 p.m. · Showtime 8 p.m. · FREE · Dru Hill, Lil Scrappy, and Mark Ware live in concert. Plus food trucks, vendors, and face painting. Free tickets available at the gate starting at 3 p.m.

Eagle Sunrise: Eagles Tribute · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern · McDonough · 🕐 Doors 6 p.m. · Show 9 to 11 p.m. · 💵 $23 · 21 and up after 8 p.m. · A live tribute to the Eagles featuring classic hits performed live. A great date night option in downtown McDonough.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Introduction to Archery · 📍 Panola Mountain State Park · 🕐 1-2pm · 💵 $20/person

Wait, there’s more! This is just the weekend appetizer. Check out the full list of Henry County weekend events here in the Weekend Eye, which will land in your inbox later today.

That’s a wrap, Henry County!

And a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers. Thanks for joining us!

Check out the Weekend Eye, which comes out later this afternoon.

Next week, we’ll introduce you to a new Leader in Focus, explore local vineyards and winemakers in the area, and share an inspiring local story as we head into Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 🎀🍷

Have a tip or an event to share? Reach us at [email protected]. See you Monday.

Stay sharp. Stay local.🦅👁️