Hey Neighbor,

Welcome to the Lawrenceville edition! I'm so glad you're here.

Whether you've been exploring downtown for years or you're just starting to discover what this city has to offer, I put together some of my favorite locally-owned restaurants, coffee spots worth lingering at, county services that'll actually make your life easier, free family fun this weekend, and parks that are calling your name. Ready? Let's go!

YOU NEED TO TRY THESE PUPUSAS

Okay, real talk — if you haven't had authentic Salvadoran pupusas yet, let me introduce you to Sabor Latino. Fun Fact: I am Salvadorean on my dad’s side! THESE ARE AUTHENTIC!

Melissa and her husband run this family-owned gem, and they're making thick, handmade cornmeal cakes stuffed with gooey cheese and your choice of savory fillings. Every pupusa comes with homemade tomato sauce and curtido (that tangy pickled cabbage slaw that makes everything better).

Here's how good it is: people drive over an hour just to eat here. Once you take that first bite — soft, buttery, straight-out-of-El-Salvador delicious — you'll get it. They've also got traditional Salvadoran breakfasts, tamales, carne asada, and the most refreshing homemade guava juice. The space is clean and modern, and half their customers are regulars. You might become one too.

Sabor Latino Salvadoran Cuisine 860 Duluth Hwy, Suite 1015, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 (770) 212-3005 | saborlatinoga.com

YOUR DOWNTOWN COFFEE CRAWL AWAITS

Downtown Lawrenceville has THREE amazing coffee spots, and honestly? You should try them all.

Boulder Creek Coffee (233 E Crogan St) – Picture this: a historic mansion with a wraparound porch, cozy corners inside, and a quiet study room upstairs. They serve Counter Culture Coffee, and it's the kind of place where you'll want to stay awhile.

Reyna's Espresso & Sweets (137 W Crogan St) – A couple-owned roastery where they roast their own beans in-house. Try the horchata latte (trust me), grab something savory from their Mexican-inspired menu, and soak up the sun on their charming patio.

Break Coffee Roasters (235 N Perry St) – The newest kid on the block, and what a vibe. They roast everything on-site in a bright, plant-filled space that just feels good. Perfect for community hangs or a quick pour-over on the go.

GETTING STUFF DONE IN LAWRENCEVILLE

Need to knock out some errands? Good news — these essential Gwinnett County services are right here in town… and let me tell you, this email would have been so helpful to me 5 years ago when we first moved here to Lawrenceville, I was lost as a puppy with no home!

Tag Office (750 S Perry St) – Vehicle registration, title transfers, tag renewals — and they've got drive-thru service. Pro tip: they stay open until 6pm on Wednesdays.

Georgia DDS (310 Hurricane Shoals Rd NE) – Driver's licenses, IDs, permits, road tests. Open Tuesday-Saturday with easy appointment scheduling.

Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center (405 N Perry St) – Got a business idea? This place is a goldmine. Free coworking space, business coaching, workshops, and connections to help you grow. Seriously underrated resource.

THE SEAFOOD SPOT LOCALS SWEAR BY

Tucked right into downtown, Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe has been racking up "Best Seafood" awards for years — and one visit, you'll see why.

Fresh catches, Louisiana-style gumbo, loaded po'boys, stuffed grouper… and their Tuesday oyster specials? $1.25-$1.50 per oyster. (Yes, really.) The vibe is casual and family-friendly — perfect for a laid-back dinner or treating yourself to a full-on seafood feast. Don't leave without trying the conch fritters and Rajun Cajun pasta.

Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe 125 W Crogan St, Suite B, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (770) 910-7521 | oysterbayseafood.com

AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN COMING UP

Mark your calendars — these are too good to miss:

Chinese New Year Celebration – February 7 Ring in the Year of the Fire Horse with the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company! Traditional music, dancing, and plenty of audience participation make this a cultural celebration the whole family will love. 📍 Lawrenceville Arts Center, 125 N Clayton St

Black History Month Storytelling – February 21 Mama Koku and Chetter Galloway are bringing African-American folktales to life with trickster tales, talking drums, and rhythms that'll have everyone engaged. Educational AND entertaining — the best combo. 📍 Lawrenceville Arts Center, 125 N Clayton St

THREE PARKS WORTH EXPLORING

Looking to get outside? These are calling your name, and as a

father of four boys, these are actually some of my go to parks… they need the space!

Tribble Mill Park – Lawrenceville's crown jewel. 713 acres, a gorgeous 3.4-mile paved trail around two lakes, playgrounds, pavilions, a waterfall, fishing pier, plus trails for hiking and mountain biking. Pack a lunch — you'll want to stay all day.

Rhodes Jordan Park – 162 acres of community goodness. Walk the 1.4-mile trail around the lake, stroll the boardwalks, and in summer, cool off at the zero-depth entry pool with waterslides. Tennis courts and soccer fields too.

Alexander Park – 91 acres with a 1.4-mile paved trail circling a fishing lake, playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a dog park, and tons of green space for picnics. A local favorite for good reason.

WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWNTOWN: Book Mark this DTL Link

Downtown Lawrenceville is always buzzing — live music, seasonal festivals, farmers markets, community celebrations. There's always something going on. Check out the full events calendar at downtownlawrencevillega.com to see what's coming up this week.

That's a wrap on Lawrenceville!

I hope something in here sparks your next adventure — even if it's just five minutes from your house. That's the beauty of this place. Incredible local businesses, family-friendly activities, and a community that shows up for each other.

Know someone who'd love this? Forward this to a friend or neighbor who needs these spots in their life. The more of us supporting local, the stronger we all are.

See you next week,

P.S. – Got a favorite Lawrenceville spot I should know about? Hit reply and tell me. I'm always on the hunt for the next hidden gem to share.

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