Venture off Court Street and Discover These Underrated Athens Spots

Samantha Webne

Although Court Street is lined with a variety of businesses, Athens has countless attractions to explore beyond uptown. Locally grown, family-owned and fair-trade services are scattered throughout the area, and Backdrop highlighted several of those places for you to check out.

Athens Bread Co.

Athens Bread Co. is owned by an Athens native, Douglass Wistendahl, who has shared his joy for making breads, paninis and pastries with the community for five years.

Illustrations by Kaitlin Henegan

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. M-F, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat., Closed Sun

Address:

284 E. State St.

About a 15-minute walk from uptown Athens

Pleasant Hill Winery

Pleasant Hill Winery, a family-owned and operated establishment, sprouted in the Athens community

in 2012. The Corders family discovered a love for sharing wine and conversation and opened the

winery to spread that sentiment throughout the area.

Hours:

2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. W-F, 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat.

Address:

5015 Pleasant Hill Road

About a 10-minute drive from uptown Athens

Eclipse Company Store

Eclipse Company Store carries 40 local and international craft beers on tap and offers food and live music.

Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. M-Th., 11:00 a.m . to 11:00 p.m. F-Sat., 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sun.

Address:

11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains

About a 10-minute drive from uptown Athens.

Purple Chopstix

Opened by Ed Fisher in 1989, Purple Chopstix offers unique Asian and European tastes with its savory dishes.

Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. W-Th., 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. F-Sat., 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sun.

Address:

371 Richland Ave.

About a 20-minute walk from uptown Athens

Miller’s Chicken

Miller’s Chicken is a local, family-owned restaurant, bringing homemade cooking to Athens for more than 60 years.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-F, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., Closed Sun.

Address:

235 W. State St .

About a 15-minute walk from uptown Athens

Larry’s Dawg House

A haven for classic American food, Larry’s Dawg House is the place to go for warm chili dogs, fries and creamy milkshakes.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Address:

410 W. Union St.

About a 20-minute walk from uptown Athens

West End Cider House

West End Cider House offers delicious hard ciders, all of which are naturally gluten-free and made from local, Ohio-grown apples.

Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. M-Th, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. F-Sat, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sun.

Address:

234 W. Washington St.

About a 15-minute walk from uptown Athens.