Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Bits & Bites

Five Guys has closed at Perimeter Place in Dunwoody.  The chain burger joint opened in place of a failed Caribou Coffee in the center in 2010. Sources say the restaurant closed about two weeks ago.  The exterior signage has been removed from the building as has much of the interior ff&e.

More after the jump...

The Wing Factory is opening a new location on Cumberland Boulevard in Smyrna.  The wing joint is opening in place of what was once a Roasters and later was Scoreboard Sports Bar.

Twisted Taco has recently closed locations in both Smyrna near the East West Connector and in Dunwoody, at Park Place, across from Perimeter Mall.  The chain has been very streaky over the past few years, closing a couple of locations then opening elsewhere.  The chain's original location in midtown was closed in 2010, and since then, locations have opened and closed in Kennesaw and Tucker as well  as Roswell. A location long rumored to be opening in Emory Village never materialized, and the chain eventually opened at Cox Hall on Emory's campus.  Other area Twisted Taco restaurants are in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Suwanee and north Buckhead.  A new location is slated to open soon recently opened in Fayetteville.

Mojo Burrito is finally getting close to opening in Dunwoody.  I broke news that the Chattanooga-based burrito joint would be opening in Dunwoody in early January 2013, but for whatever reason, the restaurant has taken over a year to open.

Microsoft is opening a new location at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody.  The electronics retailer previously had a kiosk on the lower level of the mall to display assorted items, but the new location will be on the upper level, putting it closer to Apple.  Microsoft has one existing Atlanta area store at Lenox Square in Buckhead.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Amélie's Bakery plans to enter the Atlanta market with a location at 840 Marietta Street, most recently home to Acoustix, a Jazz restaurant & lounge.  The three unit bakery will engage local firm plexus r+d in the design of the bakery cafe. Plexus is a popular name on the westside having previously worked on the restaurant & retail space at 999 Brady Avenue and currently working on the two level expansion / renovation at 881 Marietta Street, future home of Delia's Chicken Sausage Stand.  The original Amélie's Bakery, located in the NoDa Arts District of Charlotte, is open 24/7, 365.  A second, "petite," location was later added in uptown Charlotte, that operates with more typical bakery cafe hours seven days a week.  Amélie's newest location opened in early December in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Rock Hill location is a mix of the first two, not as big as the flagship, or as small as the petite location. Rock Hill's Amélie's is open Monday through Wednesday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, but is open 24 hours Thursday through Sunday.  I was unable to determine the planned hours for the Atlanta locale, but I'd expect something similar to the Rock Hill location. A representative I spoke with at their NoDa location was unsure of an opening timetable for the Atlanta bakery & bistro.

Cafe Istanbul is nearing completion of their third location.  The popular Mediterranean eatery and hookah lounge started with a single location on Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur, and after many years, expanded to a second location with restaurant and lounge in Kennesaw in 2010.  The new location will be on Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta, in the same center as Studio Movie Grill.

14 comments:

Glen said...

Not to surprised about 5 Guys. The parking lot was always full, but not with their customers. Chipolte is always packed. I'm shocked that Shane's is still there. I am not sure what would be a good replacement for them, probably something non food related. While we are n the topic of Perimeter Place, what ever happened to the planned Mad Bull's Tavern(former Cheeseburger in Paradise spot)? THe CBP signage is still up.

J Leeds said...

The Twisted Taco blurb made me think of Ben's Furniture. Their location on Holcomb Bridge (in a location that's been Drexel, Discovery Zone, and a Halloween store) is closing, after maybe a year.

That seems typical for them. Best I can tell, they're using the same business model Steve & Barry's did - getting cut rate leases and closing as soon as the rate goes up (or even getting cash kickbacks for leasing the space). That's just as assumption...

Chris Heiden said...

The Fayetteville location has been open for a couple months now. It is packed almost every night, but again, there is not many other places like it with TVs, etc.

Anonymous said...

Is this the Five Guys next to Verizon and Shane's? If so, it seemed to do good business.

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon,

Yes, this was the Five Guys near Verizon and Shane's Rib Shack.

Thanks for your comments and for your readership.

WestSides said...

Has Acoustix already closed??? I drove by it just the other night and it seemed open to me...

Any word on a Amelie's timeline for opening?

Atlantan99 said...

@West Sides,

Not only in Acoustix still open, they seem rather unaware of the news...

I'd speculate on Amelie's opens over the summer, but they were not able to give me anything exact.

Thanks for your comments and readership.

AJ said...

That 5 Guys always seemed busy. Parking was a pain, but any time I went, it was busy. As for Twisted Taco - doesn't surprise me. Quality went down and competition (Tin Lizzy's, Chuy's) went up. I work in the area so I hope new options are on the way!

Anonymous said...

I live near the Amelie's in Rock Hill, SC. Anticipated its opening based on the Charlotte location's reputation. Disappointing. Bad sandwiches, mediocre sweets, uncomfortable furniture, slow service. Once was enough.

Anonymous said...

I’m no expert, but Marietta St. seems like a terrible location for a bakery. The Five Guys space at Perimeter would be much better for Amelie’s.

Anonymous said...

Fuzzy's on W Druid Hills that became Zuffys (Or whatever) on Buford Hwy is now Bennies Tavern (or someting).
Signage is cheap looking.

WestSides said...

Speaking of the Westside, any idea what is coming to 969 Marietta St NW?

The old Dixie Packing Supply building across from the BottleWorks has been busy with activity lately.

Heard it was going to be a restaurant, is Bartaco still slated for this location?

Atlantan99 said...

@Westsides,

Yes, Bartaco is still slated for this location but it will be awhile. A few other things are in the works, not sure what all will be added. The Sunlow building over on Howell Mill will also see redevelopment in the coming months.

Thanks for the comments and for your readership.

SB said...

The Shane's/Chipotle/Five Guys combo at Perimeter Place were all always packed....I mean packed... everyday for lunch. Closure doesn't mean they lacked business. Just lacked enough business to justify sky high rents that bumped each year and they probably were approaching the last year of a 5 year lease right now.

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