Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in South Fulton, GA

Business owner Dianell Parker said an empty retail space was supposed to be the second location to her beauty salon suite.

“It was my dream. It was my dream,” Parker said.

Parker told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln she was surprised to hear the City of South Fulton denied her special use permit to open during a council meeting.

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Parker says she was expanding her current location that’s five minutes up the road in Union City by moving into a former beauty school along Roosevelt Highway.

“I never thought because this was a beauty school that it would be rezoned for a beauty salon,” Parker said.

“‘We don’t want the same usual nail salon, chicken shacks, and barber shops,” South Fulton Councilwoman Helen Willis said.

Councilwoman Helen Willis whose district this location sits in spoke with Lincoln over the phone.

She says the denial is an effort to diversify South Fulton’s business landscape.

“Our residents are calling for diversity in retail, we’re tired of going out of our community to eat at certain establishments and that’s what this is all about,” Willis said.

Willis said the city also wants to attract different businesses to remain competitive as neighboring College Park moves forward with the Six West development.

It’s a $1 billion mixed-use project.

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“We just want better for our community,” Willis said.

Parker says while she understands the city’s reasoning, she wishes she would have known before investing more than $20,000 into this business.

“I’m going to have to pick up and try to find another location,” Parker said.

Parker says she’s now trying to get out of her lease. Councilwoman Willis says they’ve suggested to the owner of the plaza not to lease to businesses like salons to prevent situations like this.

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Drivers using Peach Pass say delays in tolls showing up are costing them extra money Several metro Atlanta drivers told Channel 2 Action News that it has taken a month of using their Peach Pass before any tolls show up.

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Living in South Fulton, Georgia, offers a unique and dynamic experience shaped by the area’s diverse community, economic vitality, and cultural richness. Residents enjoy the benefits of proximity to major transportation hubs, including the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, fostering economic opportunities and connectivity. With a mix of natural attractions, economic development, and cultural diversity, living in South Fulton provides a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle for its residents. So whether you’re searching for apartments or homes for sale in South Fulton or want to learn more about what South Fulton is known for, this Redfin article will be your guide.

1. Historic sites

South Fulton is known for its rich history, which is evident in its well-preserved historic sites that offer a glimpse into the city’s past. The region is home to significant Civil War sites, such as the Battle of Utoy Creek Historic Marker, providing a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to explore South Fulton’s role in this pivotal period of American history.

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The Wolf Creek Amphitheater, a prominent outdoor venue that attracts music enthusiasts from across the region to South Fulton. The amphitheater hosts a diverse range of concerts, events, and performances, offering a vibrant entertainment hub within the city.

3. Proximity to the airport

The city gains recognition from its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. The airport contributes significantly to the city’s economic prominence as a major gateway to the southeastern United States and beyond.

4. Culinary scene

South Fulton boasts a diverse and thriving culinary scene, offering residents and visitors a delectable array of dining experiences. Restaurants in the city offer an eclectic mix, ranging from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. An example includes Volare Bistro, where patrons can savor fresh seasonal cuisine in an inviting atmosphere.

5. Arts and entertainment

South Fulton actively cultivates a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, hosting events such as annual art festivals and live performances. These showcase the city’s commitment to creativity and provide residents and visitors with diverse cultural experiences. Its dynamic atmosphere makes South Fulton a recognized hub for engaging and enriching artistic endeavors.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.

Ana is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about home improvement and life & style. Her dream house would be a Mediterranean style home featuring expansive windows.

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SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Merle Skipwith says spring is the season when she makes dreams come true.

“It’s the time of the year when our young ladies can look their very, very best. And that’s prom time,” Skipwith said.

Mz. Skippy, as she is affectionately called, is something of a fairy Godmother who makes the prom possible for hundreds of local teens who can’t afford a fancy gown.

“I’ve had dads bring their daughters here and they came on a bus. I had students who lived underneath a bridge and wanted to go to prom for the first time,” Mz. Skippy told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen.

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Every March since 2012, this great-great-grandmother opens her prom showroom inside the Old National Market and Mall in College Park.

The dresses are free for girls who want to go to the dance.

Many are brand-new, the rest were just worn once.

Michele Telfair brought in a gown her daughter wore to prom last year.

“I told her to donate it. She was like, ‘I can sell this dress.’ No. Give it to Mz. Skippy and you’ll be blessed with more,” Telfair said.

“These dresses cost a lot of money. You add the shoes on top of that,” Mz. Skippy said. The shoes are free too, along with the alterations.

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Mz. Skippy is a professional seamstress.

After selecting a dress, some of the girls send their fairy Godmother a picture from the ball.

“This is something that is everlasting. You’ll never forget your first prom,” she said.

If you’d like to donate a prom dress, you can drop it off at the Old National Mall at 4588 Old National Highway in College Park or call 937-829-7597.

Mz. Skippy’s dress shop will be open for the next eight weeks, Wednesday through Sunday.

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SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — It’s a mail mystery. People across the metro said sometimes, their mail isn’t showing up.

Other times, life-saving medicine or bills are arriving days late.

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Customers said the problem is with the new postal service Regional Processing Center in Palmetto. Jim Brooks said normally he receives his mail on time but lately, that hasn’t been the case.

“We’re having problems with it. We never know when we’re going to get it,” said Brooks.

Brooks said it’s very important mail.

“It’s all kinds of mail. Some of it is throw-away mail. Some of it is expensive mail. Some are checks coming in,” said Brooks.

Brooks is not alone.

Several customers told Channel 2 Action News that they’re also having mail issues.

“Oh my gosh. This has been a nightmare,” said Nikki Randall.

Randall said that’s because next month she’s getting married and most of her guests didn’t get their invitations.

“The first week in February I started to mail my wedding invitations out and everything went fine. I made sure I had them weighed and everything and made sure I had the right amount of postage. Last Saturday, I got a call from a cousin. She said I thought you were going to send me a hard copy of the invitation? I said I did. She said I didn’t get it. I started calling people and probably three out of the five people that I called didn’t receive my mailed invitations.”

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Randall said her fiancé went to their local post office for answers.

“They did tell him that there’s a new building in Palmetto and that seems to be the issue,” she Randall.

Now, Randall is forced to go with her second option.

“I’m just sending electronic invitations and to touch base with everybody,” said Randall.

The United States Postal Service released the following statement:

“The Postal Service plays an important role in the community, and we are committed to providing the best service possible. While a vast majority of mail in the Atlanta area is being delivered in a timely manner, local management has been made aware of the concerns of some local customers regarding their mail delivery and are working quickly to resolve any issues. We sincerely express our apologies to our customers who may have experienced a deviation from our normal dependable service and appreciate their patience. Customers are reminded that, if they need assistance with mailing or shipping concerns, they have a variety of options for reaching us, including contacting a manager or supervisor at their local Post Office, calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), or visiting our website at www.usps.com.”

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Video shows man enter local Walmart, make beeline for teenage girl and grope her, police say

A South Fulton city council member has accused the mayor of using a swearing-in ceremony to make an unauthorized personal, political statement.

Over the weekend, Mayor Khalid Kamau reasserted his solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza as several city council members were sworn in. Council member Linda Pritchett said he had no authority to do so.

"I stand here in solidarity with the people of Palestine," the mayor said. "This conflict has been heavy on my heart these past few months."

Pritchett says the problem isn’t with what he said, but rather the role in which he said it. Pritchett says the mayor is supposed to represent South Fulton at official, public events.

"Where he chose … the timing … it was just inappropriate," Pritchett said.

Pritchett says the city charter requires city leaders to clearly state ahead of time when they’re expressing their own personal opinions when acting in an official capacity and make it clear those views are not those of the city.

"He must disclose that those comments are his," Pritchett said. "Council members, including the mayor, shall state that and do not represent the governing body of the city."

Pritchett says the mayor did not have council’s approval to voice his personal opinions at an official event.

"We have to understand the difference between our personal opinions and our roles as the governing body for City of South Fulton," she said.

This latest controversy comes nearly a month after the mayor sent out a release saying he was closing his office in solidarity with the Palestinian people. FOX 5 tried to reach the mayor to get his side of the story. He would not speak on camera.

State Rep. Roger Bruce, (D) District-61, represents South Fulton. He was at the ceremony. He calls the mayor’s action inappropriate.

"He has the right to say what he wants to say, but he is not allowed to say those things in the role of the mayor," Bruce said. "He should have prefaced it with these are my personal views, I’m not speaking on behalf of the city. He should not have said what he said in that environment without authorization from the city council to speak on behalf of the city."

Pritchett says she’ll introduce a measure to censure the mayor at Tuesday night’s first council meeting of the new year.