🍇 Build In Extra Time

Good morning, Spalding County!

May weekends have a way of sneaking up and then arriving all at once. One minute you are thinking about Mother’s Day cards, and the next you are juggling brunch plans, graduation season, church events, errands, family photos, last-minute gifts, and trying to remember whether you already bought flowers or just thought about buying flowers.

So before you start mapping out the weekend, here is one practical note for anyone planning to head toward Atlanta: GDOT is closing all lanes on the west side of I-285 between Cascade Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The shutdown starts Friday at 7 p.m. and is expected to last until 5 a.m. Monday while crews work on worn pavement, concrete slabs, medians, and shoulders.

Translation: if Atlanta is part of your weekend plans, build in extra time. Maybe a lot of extra time.

Fortunately, Griffin has a pretty good argument for staying put. This weekend brings live music, downtown fun, Mother’s Day events, family portraits, brunches, and a few easy ways to enjoy the weekend without turning I-285 into part of the itinerary. So celebrate Mom, enjoy what’s happening around town, and let the perimeter be someone else’s problem this weekend.

- Chad Robert

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Wynn’s Pharmacy is celebrating its move to a new location in Griffin with a ribbon cutting on Monday, May 11, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at 536 South 8th Street, giving the community a chance to stop by, see the new space, and mark the next chapter for a longtime local pharmacy. The move is a notable one for a business that has been part of Griffin for decades. Independent pharmacies often serve as more than just a place to pick up prescriptions, and Wynn’s has long been one of those familiar local names for many residents. The new location gives the pharmacy room to continue serving customers while also offering a more visible sign of investment along South 8th Street.

The Kiwanis Club of Griffin awarded $16,000 in scholarships to ten members of the Griffin-Spalding County School System Class of 2026. The scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $3,500 and were presented to local graduates through funds raised by the club’s annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Recipients included Alfred Hansen, Jon Walker Blalock, Anna Foster, John Jack Joiner, Evelyn Arivzu Alvarez, Emma Ison, Baylor Miller, Skylar Carroll, Susannah Murray, and Jalen McCord.

The awards are another example of a long-running local tradition turning community support into something tangible for students. The Pancake Breakfast may be best known as a familiar Griffin fundraiser, but the money raised helps send local graduates into their next chapter with a little extra support. For the students receiving the scholarships, it is also a reminder that the community is paying attention and cheering them on as they move from high school into college, careers, and whatever comes next.

Auntie Joy’s Story House is celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, May 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. at 802 South Hill Street in Griffin. The new business is described as a community-focused space built around children’s literacy, tutoring, educational resources, and family services. Its website highlights a children’s bookstore, literacy programs, tutoring, classroom resources, event nanny services, and author consulting for aspiring children’s book writers.

The opening adds a new education-centered stop for families, teachers, and young readers in Griffin. With programs focused on reading, writing, creativity, and early learning, Auntie Joy’s Story House is aiming to be more than a bookstore. It is positioning itself as a place where children can build confidence, families can find support, and the community can gather around the joy of reading.

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

Tyler Lowman Band at The Garden

When: Friday, May 8, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
What: Catch live music from the Tyler Lowman Band at The Garden Beer Garden & Venue in downtown Griffin. The event listing notes a $5 gate admission, making it an easy Friday night option for anyone looking for music close to home.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden & Venue, 314 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Mamas & Mahjong Open Play Brunch at The Tipsy Daisy

When: Saturday, May 9, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
What: The Tipsy Daisy is hosting a Mother’s Day weekend mahjong brunch in downtown Griffin. Guests can enjoy open play, brunch, and a social Saturday morning atmosphere. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Where: The Tipsy Daisy, 132 S. Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

2nd Saturday Cosmic Carnival in Downtown Griffin

When: Saturday, May 9, all day; key activities begin at 12:00 PM
What: Downtown Griffin’s celebration is going galactic with the Cosmic Carnival. Families can enjoy Jedi training and a character meet-and-greet at noon at The Park at Sixth, while adults can take part in the Tipsy Bar Wars Crawl starting at 4:00 PM. Costumes are encouraged, and downtown shops and restaurants will have themed specials throughout the day. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook.
Where: Downtown Griffin, Griffin, GA 30223

Brunch & Brushstrokes at The Garden

When: Saturday, May 9, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Spend part of Saturday painting, brunching, and relaxing at The Garden Beer Garden & Venue. The event is listed as a brunch-and-art experience, making it a good pre-Mother’s Day outing or an easy afternoon with friends.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden & Venue, 314 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

The Camera Therapy Experience

When: Saturday, May 9, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: The Camera Therapy Experience is a free event at 324 E. Broad Street in Griffin. The listing describes it as a Saturday afternoon event at The Mill Rooms, with additional event posts pointing to The Boiler Room location on Broad Street.
Where: The Mill Rooms / The Boiler Room, 324 E. Broad Street, Griffin, GA 30223

2nd Saturday Concert Series: The Venus Kings

When: Saturday, May 9, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Downtown Griffin’s 2026 2nd Saturday Concert Series kicks off its May show with The Venus Kings. The free, family-friendly concert is presented by First National Bank and hosted by the City of Griffin, Griffin Main Street Program, and Griffin Downtown Council.
Where: Park at 6th, 204 Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Double Take / 80’s Prom at The Garden

When: Saturday, May 9, 8:30 PM
What: The Garden is closing out Saturday night with Double Take and an 80’s Prom theme. Guests are encouraged to lean into the throwback vibe and dress in 80s attire for a fun night of live music downtown.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden & Venue, 314 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Mother’s Day Free Family Portraits at Griffin First Assembly

When: Sunday, May 10, 10:30 AM
What: Griffin First Assembly is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special service honoring moms and the women in the community. After the service, photographers will be available to take free professional family portraits in photo booths set up for the event. Printed portraits will be ready for pickup the following week on May 17.
Where: Griffin First Assembly, 2000 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

73° 🌡️ 56° | ☀️ | 30% | 💨 N 5 mph (4 knots)

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79° 🌡️ 60° | 🌦️ | 50% | 💨 Light/variable

Thank you for reading the Griffin Grapevine. I really appreciate you taking a few minutes to keep up with what’s happening here in Spalding County.

If you see an event a friend or family member would enjoy, feel free to forward this email their way and encourage them to subscribe. And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. That’s where we’ll share last-minute events, cancellations, and quick updates that don’t always make it into the newsletter.

If you see something happening around town that people should know about, just hit reply and let me know. New businesses, community events, local updates, or even something that simply caught your attention, I’d love to hear about it.

Have an amazing weekend, and Happy Mother’s Day!

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