Edibles.com opens first brick-and-mortar store in Inman Park

Edibles.com, the hemp-derived THC marketplace built by Atlanta-based Edible Brands, has opened its first flagship retail location in the city’s Inman Park neighborhood, marking the company’s expansion from e-commerce into physical retail.

The store at 245 N. Highland Ave. NE debuted nearly a year after the platform’s online launch. It features a concierge-style service model with trained staff guiding customers through a curated selection of products from national brands like Cann, Wana and Wyld, along with local partners like Scofflaw Brewing.

The opening comes as federal and state lawmakers continue to reassess regulations around hemp-derived THC products. Company leaders said the store is designed to serve as a model for structured, compliant retail in the category.

“Consumers are already seeking out these products, and it’s critical to show what this category looks like in a regulated, responsible environment,” said Thomas Winstanley, general manager and executive vice president.

CEO Somia Farid Silber said the company chose Atlanta for its first location because the city “represents both progress and accountability,” adding that the store reflects a long-term commitment to building the hemp retail category with transparency and consumer protection.

The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers must be 21 or older to purchase.

— Derek Prall

Grant Park Conservancy launches monthly market series on April 19

The Grant Park Conservancy will debut Market in the Park on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boulevard Green, near the Grant Park Gateway entrance. The new monthly series combines local food, artisan vendors, live music and family programming.

The opening market, timed with Earth Day weekend, features a food lineup anchored by Sweet Auburn BBQ and a pop-up from Tio Lucho’s Hermanita, joined by local coffee and juice vendors, plant-based options and artisan baked goods. The vendor mix spans vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, upcycled fashion, ceramics and small-batch kitchen goods, with several plant and garden sellers offering houseplants, herbs and seasonal starts.

Programming leans heavily on families and education. Zoo Atlanta will offer interactive wildlife and conservation activities, while The Little Gym of Grant Park hosts movement sessions for kids. Additional offerings include LEGO-based play, storytelling and a free yoga session open to all ages starting at 10 a.m. Live music from Caribbean Steel, R&Bern and Port Royal begins at 11 a.m.

The series continues May 17 and June 14, with new vendors and seasonal additions planned each month. The launch coincides with broader Conservancy-led improvements across the park, including the conversion of the historic Milledge Fountain area into an outdoor classroom and theater.

Parking is available at 759 Boulevard SE. More information is available here.

— Derek Prall

Coca-Cola names Tapaswee Chandele as next global chief people officer

The Coca-Cola Company announced that Tapaswee Chandele will succeed Lisa Chang as global chief people officer, effective May 1. Chang is stepping down after seven years in the role.

Chandele most recently served as senior vice president and executive assistant to President and CFO John Murphy. She previously led the company’s global talent management strategy from 2019 to 2025. A 25-year Coca-Cola veteran, Chandele joined the company in her native India in 2001 and held roles across India, Turkey and South Africa before relocating to the United States in 2017. She will report to CEO Henrique Braun.

Chang will remain with the company through 2026 as a senior advisor and will serve on the board of The Coca-Cola Foundation.

— Derek Prall

Atlanta airport partners with nonprofit on human trafficking training ahead of FIFA World Cup

Rescuing Hope, a nonprofit focused on combating human trafficking, has partnered with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to train frontline employees on identifying and responding to potential trafficking situations.

The training comes as Atlanta prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer, an event expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors to the region. Hartsfield-Jackson serves more than 100 million passengers annually, with roughly 286,000 travelers passing through each day.

The program, led by Rescuing Hope founder Susan Norris, uses scenario-based learning to help staff recognize trafficking indicators, follow reporting protocols and respond effectively under pressure.

“Frontline employees are one of the most powerful lines of defense,” Norris said. “Our training is about equipping people to recognize subtle indicators and take informed action that can interrupt exploitation.”

The sessions are part of a broader rollout across airport departments aimed at building a coordinated approach to trafficking prevention.

— Derek Prall

Documentary on Starbucks union fight set for Georgia premiere at Atlanta Film Festival

“Baristas vs Billionaires,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Starbucks Workers United, will make its Georgia premiere as a special presentation at the 50th annual Atlanta Film Festival on April 28 at 9 p.m. at the Tara Theater.

Narrated by Susan Sarandon and directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mark Mori, the film follows workers at the first Starbucks location to unionize in Buffalo, New York, along with the “Memphis 7” employees fired during organizing efforts. Alec Baldwin serves as a contributing producer.

The screening marks a homecoming for Mori, whose first film “Building Bombs” opened the 1989 edition of the festival and later earned an Academy Award nomination. A 4K restoration of that film will screen the same evening at 7 p.m. as a legacy presentation. Both screenings will include post-film Q&As with Mori and Atlanta-based collaborators from each project.

Parts of “Baristas vs Billionaires” were completed in Atlanta, with local firms handling sound design and graphics. The film has already earned several honors, including best documentary feature at the 2025 Workers Unite Film Festival and a 2026 Labor Oscar from the Labor Heritage Foundation.

Tickets and details are available at atlantafilmfestival.com.

The post Reporter’s Notebook: Brick-and-mortar for edibles, Grant Park Conservancy monthly market, Baristas vs. Billionaires appeared first on SaportaReport.