Two Georgia Big Lots locations will be closing soon, according to the discount retailer’s website.

The store at 13051 Abercorn Street in Savannah and 687 Main Street in Thomson will soon close their doors for good. A final closing date is not yet known.

The locations’ websites say at the top that it is ‘closing this location’ and offering up to 20% off certain items.

The closures come after Big Lots announced earlier this month that it would close 35 to 40 stores across the country, citing “elevated inflation” and decreased consumer spending.

“In 2024, the U.S. economy has continued to face macroeconomic challenges, including elevated inflation, which has adversely impacted the buying power of our customers,” a financial disclosure from Big Lots.

Big Lots, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has 51 other Georgia locations, including 3190 Atlanta Hwy in Athens, that will remain open, according to the location’s website.

Georgia has tens of thousands of restaurants across the state. No matter where you live, it may be hard to pick a favorite with so many options. Yelp took some of that burden off your plate.

The popular review site recently released its list of the “Best Restaurants in Georgia.” Yelp’s rankings are often based on multiple factors such as ratings, number of reviews, and volume of submissions. The full Top-100 list is available at yelp.com/best/restaurants/georgia.

But who are the best of the best? Here’s a closer look at the top five, where they are, and why they are so loved:

1. Thai Orchid

5960 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus

Yelp says Thai Orchid is known for Pad Thai, homemade egg rolls, drunken noodles, Tom Yum noodle soup, pineapple fried rice, papaya salad tray, pad se eew, boat noodle, thai fried rice, and chicken feet salad. Here’s what one reviewer said:

“The best authentic Thai food in Columbus. Great service. Great portions. Reasonable prices. Clean and upbeat atmosphere. A must try if you’re looking for Authentic Thai food. Mango sticky rice and Thai coffee are amazing.”

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2. Aviva by Kameel

225 Peachtree St, Atlanta

Yelp says Aviva is known for chicken shawarma, rosemary chicken, lamb shawarma, baba ganoush, eggplant ratatouille, creamed spinach, falafel wrap, seafood soup, lamb kafta, and lentil soup. Here’s what one reviewer said:

“Food is incredibly fresh and tasty. There was a long line during lunch time but the owner walks around with soup, chocolate, and/or watermelon to make them feel better while waiting. The environment is very welcoming and lively.”

3. Local Expedition Wood Fired Grill

5315 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta

Yelp says Local Expedition is known for pulled pork, smoked chicken wings, wood fired chicken, chicken wraps, spicy BBQ, falafel wrap, and Chinese chicken salad. Here’s what one reviewer said:

“My newest addiction. I come here twice a week and order a few meals and use it to meal prep. The food is fresh and the service is always good. The are so many good sides….it’s always so hard to choose. Even if it’s busy the line seems to always move quickly….I just wish there were more locations.”

4. Indigo Coastal Shanty

1402 Reynolds St, Brunswick

Yelp says Indigo Coastal Shanty is known for peach pound cake, Bahamian chicken curry, fish sandwiches, sesame crusted catfish, Pac Rim noodle bowls, pimento cheese burgers, fried green tomato sandwiches, Raj burgers, Fish Tostada, and jerk chicken tostadas. Here’s what one reviewer said:

“What a refreshing stop just a few miles from I-95. We started with the Calypso Nachos, which we got a picture of, and then we were so impressed with the flavor we forgot to get pics of the other dishes (fish sandwich, shrimp plate, and Chile Relleno). Our waitress, Brianna, was very sweet and attentive.”

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5. Jackie M’s & Son

3308 Milledgeville Rd, Augusta

Yelp says Jackie M’s is known for Soul Rolls, Philly cheese steaks, buffalo chicken, jerk chicken, and steak sauce Philly. Here’s what one Yelp reviewer said:

“The scenery was amazing, with murals, music, and layout. It gave off such a great vibe. The gentleman at the window was really nice, we joked around a bit, and he made the experience even better. I’m about halfway through my sandwich now, and it’s amazing. I can’t wait to come back next time I’m in town.”

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The nonprofit CareSource has announced a new mobile mental health unit that will travel across the state. The mobile clinic is focused on providing services for new and expecting moms.

Joanne Patterson, founder of Nurse Practitioners on Wheels, showed us her clinic. The unit features aromatherapy, calming music and a clean environment. Patterson said she tries to take a cozy approach to mental health care.

“Care isn’t as scary as you think it is in terms of mental health. Cozy mental health care is what I am offering,” said Patterson. “I really want people to understand that there are providers who are willing and able to make sure that they’re getting the treatment and the care that they need. And it’s not just about the illness, but it’s about the whole person holistically.”

According to Mental Health America of Georgia, one in seven Georgia moms experience a perinatal mood disorder.

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that four out of five maternal deaths in Georgia are preventable, with mental health disorders accounting for 23% of preventable maternal deaths.

Patterson focuses on people 6 to 55. Her background is in maternal and pediatric mental health.

“I don’t think people really understand what it’s like to be a child and having lots of challenges in life, and there’s a lack of providers that specialize in those two areas, and those are my niches,” said Patterson. “Perinatal mood disorders are actually the number-one complication of the postpartum period, where postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and OCD impact the pregnancy, as well as the postpartum period.”

The new mobile clinic is part of the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) network of providers supported by CareSource. The mobile mental health unit provides CareSource members care through a psychiatric nurse practitioner and will start operating this month in areas that have limited access to mental health care services.

“Approximately a third of Georgians report experiencing a mental health concern such as anxiety or depression, which tracks with national figures, but nearly five million people in our state live in places without enough mental health care services to meet the need,” said Dr. Minh Nguyen, medical director for CareSource Georgia.

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