Axios Atlanta

March 31, 2026
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Today's newsletter is 952 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Wayfair's second store opens in Atlanta
Wayfair's second brick-and-mortar store is now open in Atlanta, bringing the mega-retailer's online experience to in-store shoppers.
Why it matters: The 150,000-square-foot store's opening finally brings an anchor tenant back to The District at Howell Mill shopping center after Walmart closed in 2022.
- Wayfair's first large-format store opened in 2024 in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette.
The vibe: Not really IKEA — imagine a massive store with elements of Rooms To Go and HomeGoods, plus home improvement sections you'd find at The Home Depot.
- The store has 18 departments, including a sleep center with mattresses and living room, bedroom, bathroom and office sections.
- Visitors are greeted with gateway decor that reflects the season, said Liza Lefkowski, a Wayfair vice president.
- You'll be able to shop for wall art, lighting, rugs, faux plants, outdoor furniture, shower heads and bathroom faucets. Wayfair also has a section for children's bedrooms, as well as outdoor furniture.
Zoom in: There are touches that pay homage to Atlanta and Georgia, including University of Georgia outdoor items. (Sorry, Tech fans.)
- The store includes The Porch, a cafe that serves all-day brunch items, baked goods, coffee and sandwiches.
What they're saying: Lefkowski said the store will feature just about anything a person can fit into a vehicle.
- What they can't buy on site, namely large items like couches, will be ordered and fulfilled by Wayfair's warehouse in Henry County.
- She told Axios that opening a second store in Atlanta made sense because it's close to Wayfair's fulfillment center.
- "This is also a great site," she said of the location at Howell Mill Road and I-75. "The culture of Atlanta really speaks to our brand. We're every style, every home."
Go: Wayfair's hours are 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday and 11am to 7pm Sunday.
2. Atlanta defies national growth slowdown

Metro Atlanta continues to grow as most counties nationwide see an immigration-driven slowdown, new U.S. Census data shows.
Why it matters: The new data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America's demographic makeup.
Driving the news: International migration fell in nine out of 10 U.S. counties between 2024 and 2025 compared to the prior period, the Census Bureau says.
The intrigue: Counties including Jackson and Long — both of which are near large economic developments like SK Battery or Hyundai's Metaplant — were among those that saw population growth above 5%.
- Core metro counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Fayette, reported growth around 1% during that time period.
- Still, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metro was the third-fastest-growing metro by numeric growth, adding roughly 62,000 people between July 2024 and 2025. It trails the metros of Houston and Dallas.
Between the lines: Nationwide, the drop in immigration is hitting populous areas especially hard.
The big picture: The U.S. overall still grew by 0.5% between 2024-25. But that's down from 1% over the previous period.
Nationwide natural change (births minus deaths) held steady, while international migration plummeted from about 2.8 million people to 1.3 million — about a 55% drop.
- Caveat: International migration census data comprises foreigners and Americans coming home from abroad, including military service members.
The other side: The fastest-growing metros overall from 2024-25 were Ocala, Florida (+3.4%); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (+3.2%); and Spartanburg, South Carolina. (+2.8%).
3. Pic du jour: Our first Vietnam War memorial
A memorial was unveiled Sunday that honors the service members from Atlanta and Fulton County who died during the Vietnam War.
- The memorial, which is the first in Atlanta for the Vietnam War, is near Piedmont Park's 14th Street entrance in Midtown.
- Its centerpiece features a wall engraved with the names of the 240 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
4. Skol! A new gaming lounge
Downtown's Nordic-themed brewery Skol Brewing Company is expanding its footprint with the Valhalla Gaming Lounge.
Why it matters: The 30,000-square-foot "eatertainment" expansion into an adjacent space on Peachtree adds an entertainment option outside of the beehive of activity near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Zoom in: The lounge will include "experiential bays, entertainment zones, and authentic regional cuisine and beverages," according to a statement.
- Guests will have the pick of more than 40 gaming options including simulators and bocce courts.
- The lounge is aiming for a May opening before FIFA World Cup crowds come to town.
5. Five-ish Points: Spaghetti Junction meadow
⚖️ A Clayton County prosecutor admitted to using AI to cite cases that don't exist to explain why a new trial should be denied for a woman convicted of killing a motorist. (AJC)
The Dunwoody City Council deferred on a $15,000 contract with Flock Safety over legal and privacy concerns about the technology. (ACPC)
🎭 A relationship between Aurora Theater and Lawrenceville is breaking down after the city started charging the theater outfit, which has operated the city's performing arts center for years, for stage costs. (Arts ATL)
⛺️ The longtime executive director of the Wylde Center, who came out of retirement to help re-steady the Decatur nonprofit, says summer camps are coming back and donations have rebounded. (Rough Draft)
🌼 Doraville opened a meadow filled with native plants at the intersection of I-285 and Buford Highway to manage stormwater and create a pollinator habitat. (WSB-TV)
🤩 Kristal really enjoyed checking out the new Wayfair store.
🎸 Thomas is listening to Sugar.
This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.
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