Simply Buckhead

Upscale lifestyle mag covering BUCKHEAD/BROOKHAVEN/SANDY SPRINGS/CHAMBLEE/DUNWOODY.
All about hidden gems.
Sister to @AtlantaPetLife

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

🌟 THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER! Our Highly Anticipated RISING STARS Issue is HERE! 🌟

Get ready to be inspired! We are beyond thrilled to unveil the newest issue of Simply Buckhead, where we are shining a massive spotlight on 6 unstoppable individuals who are absolutely crushing it and making their mark on our community!

Every summer, we curate a powerhouse list of top-tier talent, and this year’s highly anticipated annual feature is nothing short of extraordinary. We are showcasing phenomenal men and women who are breaking boundaries, innovating at lightning speed, giving back, and skyrocketing to the very pinnacle of their industries.

Inside this issue, you will meet:

🚀 A brilliant teenage problem-solver and future tech titan!
📸 A stunning model-turned-visionary-photographer!
🍷 A world-class sommelier chasing the industry’s absolute highest honor!
🍽️ The culinary genius behind one of Buckhead’s hottest, must-visit new eateries!
🏢 A trailblazing broker completely revolutionizing the corporate lodging experience!
⚖️ A powerhouse attorney driving one of Atlanta’s most dynamic organizations forward!

These inspiring stories are guaranteed to ignite your ambition! Grab your physical copy today at one of over 400 local hotspots, or click the link in our bio to immerse yourself in the digital edition RIGHT NOW! ✨

Photographer: Erik Meadows
Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Makeup: Nyssa Green
Makeup Assistant: Kristine Edney
Hair: Alicia Igess
Stylist: Lauren Finney Harden
Styling Assistant: Alexis Riva

(For wardrobe IDs, see page 67)

A massive, special thanks to the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead for so graciously hosting our incredible team!❤

#SimplyBuckhead #RisingStars #AtlantaTalent #BuckheadLiving #CommunityLeaders @erikmeadows @nyssag

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and you can be part of the movement. 💛

Whether it's a proceeds night at a restaurant, casual dress day, golf tournament, school fundraiser, social fundraiser, or something entirely your own, every dollar raised helps advance childhood cancer research and provide support for families navigating one of the hardest challenges imaginable.

Gather your coworkers, friends, customers, classmates, or community and turn your passion into impact this September!

Ready to get started? Visit https://t.co/FL6b1PiEKB partners to learn more.

#ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth @CUREchildcancer #ChildhoodCancerResearch #SupportFamilies #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

HIGH NOTE

THE ATLANTA OPERA IS GIVING NEW LIFE TO A LONG-NEGLECTED BUCKHEAD LANDMARK!

The Bobby Jones Clubhouse in Buckhead is being transformed into the Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts, the new headquarters of the Atlanta Opera. When the renovation/ construction is complete later this year, it will be the first arts organization headquartered along the 22-mile Beltline loop, positioning it as an accessible cultural destination for residents across the city. It will house two intimate performance venues, education spaces and administrative and rehearsal facilities for the opera. Atlanta-based architecture firm Post Loyal is leading the design that includes a recital hall with clear views to the surrounding golf course and adjacent Beltline through a wall of windows.

The clubhouse, a Greek Revival building constructed in 1941, was once named a “building in distress” by the Atlanta Preservation Center. As part of this renovation, the space will receive an exterior facelift to complement the surrounding neighborhood. The 4.7-acre site will also add rain gardens, bio retention ponds and enhanced drainage to improve flood mitigation along Peachtree Creek. The total cost of the project is estimated at $72 million, which includes construction, design, furnishings and an operational maintenance fund. The Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts will complement the opera’s largescale productions at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

📝Nicole Letts

ATLANTA OPERA
@TheAtlantaOpera

#AtlantaOpera #MollyBlankCenter #BuckheadAtlanta #AtlantaArts #AtlantaBeltline @nicolemelv

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Empowering our scholars for a strong start! As college move-in day approaches, The nsoro Foundation is hard at work providing essential college care packages filled with bedding, kitchen starters, technology, and gift cards to help students transition smoothly into campus life.

Want to make a difference and support these incredible students? Click the link in their bio to donate to the 2026 College Care Package drive today!

@nsoroFoundation

#NsoroFoundation #CollegeCarePackages #SupportScholars #SimplyBuckhead #AtlantaCommunity

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

FIZZ WITH FINESSE

Seasonal spritzes for patio sipping!

Vibrant orange and bittersweet, the Aperol Spritz is the darling of patio season, but the world of effervescence is wider than a single citrus bitter shade. Atlanta’s best patios and bars are leaning into the breezy botanical cool of the Hugo Spritz and other fruity and floral-forward cousins.

The Aperol Spritz gets all the attention as a bubbly, balanced and lower alcohol aperitivo created for sipping alongside nibbles or before a meal. But we’re increasingly seeing the Hugo Spritz in the hands of savvy sippers.

Bartenders in Atlanta are embracing the spritz as a playground for botanical experimentation. If you are looking to find your own alpine escape, Bistro Niko offers a quintessential St. Germain Spritz by the glass or the carafe. With honeysuckle- like florals and a fizzy finish, it’s the perfect patio accompaniment with a bowl of mussels, an endive salad or a charcuterie board.

Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now!

📝Angela Hansberger

BISTRO NIKO
https://t.co/saOtJWnkQY
@BistroNiko

#SpritzSeason #PatioSipping #AtlantaCocktails #SimplyBuckhead #AperitivoTime @englishanj

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Behind the scenes with our 2026 Rising Star, Kiana Collins! 📸✨

We had an incredible time capturing this powerhouse entrepreneur on set.

Want to know how she is revolutionizing the industry and leading the charge in our community? Read her full feature online via the link in our bio, or grab your free copy of @SimplyBuckhead at one of over 400 local hotspots around town!

https://t.co/V9JZDQ6uxr
@GAPremierHomes
📸 Erik Meadows

#KianaCollins #RisingStar2026 #SimplyBuckhead #GeorgiaPremierHomes #BuckheadBusiness @erikmeadows

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

END GAME

A pair of bookends can reinforce the subtle announcement that you’re a literary lover.

Cheeky and playful or intentionally designed, bookends provide more than just a way to group coffee table books, non-fiction hardbacks and well-worn paperbacks together. If you’re looking for an exclamation point for a shelf or table, check out these options.

Globe Bookends ($405)

It’s up to you whether or not to use these Old World-inspired globe bookends to support classic tomes. Available in an antique brass finish or in nickel, they add a slightly masculine sensibility to an office, lounge or bedside table. Check them out in person at the brand’s curated atelier at Italian Luxury Interiors in Buckhead Village District.

Eichholtz at Italian Luxury Interiors
470.525.5393
https://t.co/PUHq6AZgvP
@eichholtzatlanta

📝 Lauren Finney Harden

#Bookends #HomeDecor #BuckheadVillage #InteriorDesign #SimplyBuckhead @laurenfinneyharden

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

COUTURE PLAYGROUND

Buckhead’s Ivy Showroom reflects the fashion experience of stylist-turned-entrepreneur Fiskani Kaira.

Tucked away in the heart of Buckhead is a fashionistas’ dream, a style hub filled with dreamy wall-to-wall designer looks from all over the world. It’s called The Ivy Showroom, and in the know Atlantans and celebrities flock there to rent one of owner Fiskani Kaira’s one-of-a-kind finds for special events and appearances.

The Zambian-born style entrepreneur has always had an eye for fashion. She first fell in love with it when she was a kid playing in her mother’s clothes and swapping the ensembles on her Barbie dolls. Growing up between New Jersey and Zambia, Kaira also developed a fascination for music videos, mainly because of the clothes. “I was glued to the TV,” she says. “We would go to our local Blockbuster every weekend. They had them in Africa, and I would always go to the musicals, like concerts. I looked at the tapes for the clothes.”

She was intrigued by the rental system, too. “I was like, ‘This is so cool. People come in and rent these tapes and go back. Interesting,’” Kaira says. That idea later set the stage for her showroom.

Kaira attended boarding school, then the University of Louisville. She was a finance major and thought she’d end up in business, but her passion for fashion remained. A trip to Atlanta in the early 2000s sparked a career shift. She was visiting her older sister, and a friend invited her to a music video set. When she got a peek behind the scenes, she was immediately taken with the duties of the stylist. It was her first time hearing the term, and she wanted to know more...

Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now!

THE IVY SHOWROOM
https://t.co/lKuhhaLwDm

#TheIvyShowroom #SimplyBuckhead #BuckheadFashion #FiskaniStyle #DesignerRental

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Mark your calendars for the upcoming ADAC Fall Sample Sale, taking place August 19–21. Open to both design trade professionals and the general public, this highly anticipated event makes luxury interior design much more accessible by offering exclusive pricing on select inventory and showroom samples across participating studios at ADAC and ADAC West.

Shoppers have a unique chance to discover masterfully crafted pieces from premier designer brands at rare, once-a-year savings, making it the ideal occasion to invest in timeless home decor. Early arrival is encouraged to secure the best selection.

Featured participating showrooms and design studios include:

#ADAC #FallSampleSale #LuxuryDesign #AtlantaInteriors #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Don’t miss the PGA TOUR’s season finale at East Lake Golf Club.

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

COFFEE CORNER

Whether you’re a caffeine addict or find comfort in the daily ritual, how you drink your coffee is as much about style as formality.

In a world where an iced latte is $10 and coffee shop quality is inconsistent, eliminate the need for a middleman by making your coffee at home. Create your ideal coffee corner and ensure you always go to bed thinking about your morning cup.

Cuisinart Hot and Cold Foam Milk Frother ($89.95)

Tap into your inner barista with the hot and cold foam milk frother from Cuisinart. The device makes up to 4 ounces of froth and 8 ounces of hot milk, allowing you to replicate your favorite specialty coffees like lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos in the comfort of your own kitchen. It features a stainless steel, nonstick milk tank with a dishwasher-safe lid, an easy-grip handle and an integrated spout for easy pouring and latte art creations.

Cuisinart
https://t.co/92mwS1W0h9
@cuisinart

Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now!

📝Katie Hughes

#CoffeeCorner #SimplyBuckhead #WilliamsSonoma #HomeBarista #CoffeeAesthetic

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

TRANSFORMING FUTURES

Four decades of impact.

In 1986, 100 Black men joined forces to support educational and economic opportunities for African American youth. Today, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. is the largest in the nation and has five chapters with more than 300 members. Among them is every Black mayor in Atlanta, including Mayor Andre Dickins and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. This year marks its 40th anniversary.

Sid Barron, former vice president of manufacturing relationships at Asbury Automotive in Sandy Springs, was introduced to the organization in 2018 by his former business partner, sponsor and mentor, the late baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. “Our prime focus is the male-only Best Academy, an Atlanta public school, but Project Success, our Saturday program, includes females from the sixth to 12th grades. Our graduation rate is 100% with 95% college-bound, and last year, scholarship awards totaled $7.9 million,” he says. Most students come from areas with high rates of teen violence, teen pregnancy and low graduation.

The immediate past chairman of the organization, Barron helped plan the 34th Annual 100 Golf Classic held in April at St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek. The sold-out event raised approximately $250,000 for Project Success to support the organization’s work with students at Douglass High School, an award-winning robotics team and a hydroponic container garden built by Georgia Tech and Georgia Power that will provide fresh food for the community in a food desert.

100 BLACK MEN OF ATLANTA
https://t.co/V0Iat4l6wW
@100BMofATL

📝 Mickey Goodman

#100BlackMenAtlanta #TransformingFutures #AtlantaLeadership #ProjectSuccess #SimplyBuckhead @mickeygoodman9204

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

LOWCOUNTRY RETREAT

A historic Georgetown inn offers privacy and an easy path to stillness.

In a world dominated by social media, buzzing group chats and a constant sense of forward motion, quiet can feel elusive. Sometimes the most restorative thing you can do is step outside, soak up the sun and let the ambient sounds of nature wash over you. Wicklow Hall makes slipping into that slower rhythm feel effortless.

Located in Georgetown, South Carolina, about an hour north of Charleston, the historic Lowcountry retreat has an intentional sense of calm. Originally built in the 1800s, the estate now operates as an intimate inn run by husband and- wife team David and Judith Rinella. Guests can book one of five rooms and suites in the main house or choose from several private cottages, cabins and bungalows scattered across the 11-acre property. Though the accommodations sit close enough to feel cohesive, they’re thoughtfully arranged to preserve a sense of privacy.

My family stayed in the Cottage, a charming yet luxurious 3.5-bedroom retreat complete with a fireplace and hot tub. In the mornings, sunlight poured through the windows before we wandered beneath moss draped trees to the main house to pick up breakfast. Inside, we passed under Egyptian archways, taking in the hand-painted mural along the way. Breakfast arrived pre-ordered in a wicker basket—perfect for lingering on the covered porch or picnicking in the gazebo. Fresh squeezed orange juice, lemon ricotta pancakes and granola parfaits set the tone for the day. Afterward, we explored the grounds. While the resident pond alligators remained elusive, we spotted butterflies, dragonflies, cats and squirrels darting through the landscape...

Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now!

📝 Carly Cooper

WICKLOW HALL
843.765.2818
https://t.co/1WcciD2XAe

#WicklowHall #SimplyBuckhead #LowcountryRetreat #SouthCarolinaTravel #HistoricInn

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Look who we recently caught up with at a photoshoot! ✨

We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the incredible Alexandra Zak shining bright on the front of the new issue of Simply Buckhead as one of this year's official Rising Stars.

Grab your copy to read her full feature and see all the amazing local talent making their mark around town!

#AlexandraZak #SimplyBuckhead #RisingStars #AtlantaInfluencer #BuckheadLiving

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Time is running out! Today is the very last day of Buckhead Restaurant Week, so this is your absolute final chance to experience the best of the neighborhood's culinary scene before it wraps up. Presented by Buckhead Restaurant Week and @LBI30326 , this year's celebration brings the community together like never before.

We are celebrating the grand finale by highlighting Kyma, your go-to destination for vibrant, Aegean-inspired Greek seafood and coastal luxury right in the heart of Buckhead. Whether you're diving into fresh catches flown in daily or raising a toast with a fine glass of wine, it's the ultimate way to close out the week.

Don't let it pass you by—head over to https://t.co/QWLdP1n8sK right now to check out the special menus and lock in your table before it's too late!

@KymaAtlanta

#BuckheadRestaurantWeek #Kyma #AtlantaEats #BuckheadDining #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Atlanta's premier philanthropic evening benefiting children with cancer is back for its 13th year. 💛

The Believe Ball brings together more than 600 executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an unforgettable evening at The St. Regis Atlanta. Featuring incredible auction packages, live music, and inspiring stories, the event showcases what is possible when a community comes together for children fighting cancer.

Since its inception, the event has generated more than $15 million to fund childhood cancer research and support families navigating a diagnosis.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, and we would love to have you join us. Visit https://t.co/AciKiEIIiV to learn more!

@CUREchildcancer

#BelieveBall #ChildhoodCancerResearch #AtlantaCharity #StRegisAtlanta #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Get ready to experience the pinnacle of Atlanta's culinary scene as Buckhead Restaurant Week returns in full swing! Presented by @BuckheadRestaurantWeek and @LivableBuckhead, this year's celebration brings the community together like never before.

Step into the sophisticated, luxury of Chop's Lobster Bar today, where an unmatched celebration of prime steaks and fresh seafood awaits right in the heart of Buckhead. Whether you are diving into impeccably chilled shellfish platters and massive, butter-drenched lobster tails or cutting into a perfectly charred, dry-aged prime steak paired with a world-class glass of wine, every detail here exudes timeless elegance. It is an extraordinary feast for the senses that defines upscale Atlanta dining.

While Chop's is sure to draw you in, the neighborhood's entire culinary map is lighting up with incredible special menus this week. You can explore the vibrant, spice-forward small plates at Gypsy Kitchen, savor classic French favorites over sparkling chandeliers at Bistro Niko, or discover contemporary American artistry at Aria. From the fresh-caught bounty at Atlanta Fish Market and the chic terrace energy of Le Bilboquet to the refined comfort food at The Southern Gentleman, there is an entire world of flavor waiting for you to discover.

Head over to https://t.co/QWLdP1n8sK to view all the special menus and reserve your table today!

@ChopsLobsterBar

#BuckheadRestaurantWeek #ChopsLobsterBar #AtlantaEats #BuckheadDining #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Transforming daily routines into a luxurious experience, Inspired Closets designs custom spaces that reflect personal style and individuality. With locations now open in Buckhead and Norcross, they bring custom organization and bespoke craftsmanship right to your home, proving that you can have a closet as unique as you are.

Ready to elevate your space? Visit https://t.co/EJhgQP51Fu or call 770 230 4223 to book your free in-home consultation today! ✨

#InspiredClosets #CustomClosets #AtlantaDesign #BuckheadLiving #HomeOrganization @inspiredclosetsatl

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Get ready to experience the pinnacle of Atlanta's culinary scene as Buckhead Restaurant Week returns in full swing! Presented by Buckhead Restaurant Week and Livable Buckhead , this year's celebration brings the community together like never before.

Today we're highlighting Gypsy Kitchen, a vibrant neighborhood destination that invites you to indulge in a lively, spice-forward Spanish escape right in the middle of Buckhead. From beautifully crafted tapas and shareable small plates to bold flavors, aromatic spices, and perfectly paired wines, every dish is served against a backdrop of electric energy and sophisticated bohemian style. It is an absolute feast for the senses that captures the very soul of Iberian dining.

Beyond the magnetic pull of Gypsy Kitchen, the rest of the neighborhood's premier dining destinations are rolling out incredible menus to make this week unforgettable. You can dive into legendary seafood spreads at Atlanta Fish Market, or wander over to Bistro Niko for a luxurious, Parisian-inspired escape filled with French classics. If you are craving contemporary fine dining, experience innovative, beautifully plated dishes at Aria, or enjoy the chic, sun-drenched terrace vibe at Le Bilboquet. Finish off your culinary tour at The Southern Gentleman, where refined, modern takes on classic comfort food await, and so many more!

Head over to https://t.co/QWLdP1n8sK to view all the special menus and reserve your table today!

#GypsyKitchen #BuckheadRestaurantWeek #AtlantaEats #BuckheadDining #SimplyBuckhead

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

RISING STARS

This sommelier is redefining Atlanta hospitality one story-driven pour at a time.

For sommelier Joon Lim, wine was never the plan. “It was more of a hobby that got out of hand,” he says.

Lim studied accounting at the University of Kentucky, graduated in 2004 and worked briefly as a banker, but the prospect of spending decades behind a desk never felt right. Hospitality did. Once wine entered the picture, it became impossible to shake.

Born in South Korea and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Lim moved to Georgia nearly 20 years ago to be closer to family and tap into Atlanta’s growing restaurant scene. In 2008, opportunity took shape at Park Cafe, a now-shuttered Southern bistro and wine bar in downtown Duluth. Starting as a barback and then a bartender, Lim began tasting wine seriously for the first time. A manager encouraged him to pursue certification, setting him on the marathon journey of study, blind tasting and service mastery that defines the Court of Master Sommeliers. He became a certified sommelier while working at Rathbun’s in the 2010s where he was grounded in fine wine and exacting service.

His path eventually led to Cherokee Town & Country Club, where he rose to head sommelier, overseeing a 22,000-bottle cellar. This cemented his reputation for deep knowledge and polished service, placing him squarely within Buckhead’s fine dining and private-club ecosystem. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lim didn’t want to return to the restaurant world. While exploring his options, he connected with a private collector interested in auctioning off a wine collection. Lim stepped in to set reserve prices, coordinate logistics and align expectations between the client and auction house. The process clicked, and referrals followed.

“It was random and serendipitous,” says Lim, who launched his independent wine consulting business soon after...

Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now!

📝Carly Cooper
📸Erik Meadows

#JoonLim #AtlantaSommelier #WineConsultant #AtlantaHospitality #SimplyBuckhead @erikmeadows

[Simply Buckhead @SimplyBuckhead]

Get ready to experience the pinnacle of Atlanta's culinary scene as Buckhead Restaurant Week returns in full swing! Presented by @BuckheadRestaurantWeek and @LivableBuckhead, this year's celebration brings the community together like never before.

Today we're highlighting Atlanta Fish Market, a legendary neighborhood landmark that invites you to dive into an unmatched celebration of fresh seafood right in the middle of Buckhead. From impeccably shucked raw bar oysters and massive chilled crab claws to rich, butter-drenched lobster and expertly grilled catches paired with fine wines, every dish is served against a backdrop of vibrant, bustling energy. It is an absolute feast for the senses that captures the very soul of coastal dining.

Beyond the magnetic pull of Atlanta Fish Market, the rest of the neighborhood's premier dining destinations are rolling out incredible menus to make this week unforgettable. You can wander over to Bistro Niko for a luxurious, Parisian-inspired escape filled with French classics, or experience innovative, beautifully plated contemporary American fine dining at Aria. If you are craving a lively atmosphere, head to Gypsy Kitchen for vibrant, spice-forward Spanish small plates, or enjoy the chic, sun-drenched terrace vibe at Le Bilboquet. Finish off your culinary tour at The Southern Gentleman, where refined, modern takes on classic comfort food await, and so many more!

Head over to https://t.co/QWLdP1n8sK to view all the special menus and reserve your table today!

@ATLFishMarket

#BuckheadRestaurantWeek #AtlantaFishMarket #AtlantaEats #BuckheadDining #SimplyBuckhead