Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Bits & Bites

Ollie's Bargain Outlet will open its newest Atlanta area location Wednesday September 24th in Mableton.  The new Ollie's opens in place of a former Cub Foods grocery store on Veterans Memorial Highway.  Ollie's is similar to Big Lots and entered the Atlanta market last year. Current Ollie's in Georgia are in Duluth, Carrollton, Newnan, Macon and Stockbridge.  A new Ollie's is coming soon to Rome.

BB&T has closed their inline branch at Belle Isle shopping center on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.  The corner space has great Roswell Road visibility although parking can be a challenge given the number of restaurants in the center.  

A new Hardee's will soon be built in Hiram at Wendy Bagwell & Cleburne Parkways. 


Church's Chicken on Lee Street in southwest Atlanta has started what will reportedly be a two month renovation.  The fast food chicken joint sits across the street from a renovated Popeyes and is in need of a makeover.  Church's is not known for heavy renovations so it will be interesting to see what the restaurant looks like in the end.  

Love Culture is liquidating and has left the Atlanta market.  The women's retailer closed their Woodstock location at the Outlet Shops at Atlanta two weeks ago and closed their store at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody this past Sunday.  Love Culture was started in 2007 by Jai Rhee and Bennett Koo, both former executives at Forever 21. The company reportedly struggled to effectively handle their eCommerce operations and also overexpanded their bricks & mortar retail network which at its peak numbered about 80 locations.     The company is reportedly planning to reorganize and may eventually open new stores under new ownership / management.  

Boulevard Diner on Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross has closed.  The independent diner occupied a former Chili's Grill & Bar and had been open for a few years.  The restaurant reportedly closed abruptly a few days ago.  

J. Christopher's has closed its Ponce de Leon location.  The breakfast and lunch eatery reportedly closed "a few weeks ago."  Early intel suggested it would reopen elsewhere in Virginia-Highand, but that may have been wishful thinking. 

Popular intown coffee spot Java Jive announced via their facebook page on September 13th that they have closed due to "a family emergency."  No word on how long their closure may last.  

After detailing the delays and red tape facing a number of upcoming restaurants, it seems the city took notice.  The upcoming Cook-Out restaurant on Northside Drive, which has seemingly been plagued by permitting issues, appears back on track.  Silent since April, Cook-Out has filed permits for electrical, commercial and signage since August 26th.  

Five Guys has closed its location on Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross.  Although I don't have an exact count, this is at least the fourth Five Guys in metro Atlanta to have closed in the past few years.  A previously announced location at CNN Center will instead open as a BurgerFi.  

Cafe Ago has finally opened at Chastain Square on Roswell Road in North Buckhead. Cafe Ago has been "coming soon" for months, and replaces Cafe Prego.  

Atlanta-based Willy's Mexicana Grill opened its newest location yesterday in Sandy Springs.  The restaurant opened in place of what had been Ray's New York Pizza in Sandy Springs Plaza.  This location marks the chains 24th unit with a 25th coming soon to Peachtree City.   

Soma Intimates will soon open a store on the second floor of Lenox Square in a portion of the former Calvin Klein White Label store.  Boston Proper is also opening soon in another portion of the space.  Both brands are owned by Fort Myers, Florida-based Chico's.  Neighboring Phipps Plaza is already home to both Chico's and Soma, and will reportedly retain both stores even after the Lenox Soma opens.  

DXL (Destination XL) is adding two new locations to metro Atlanta.   One will open at North Point Market Center in Alpharetta.  DXL will occupy the freestanding outparcel formerly home to  Famous Dave's / Rio Nuevo.   A second DXL will open in Buford at The Plaza - Mall of Georgia on Buford Drive.  In Buford, DXL will open alongside LA Fitness and Bonefish Grill.   Formerly known locally as Rochester Big & Tall, DXL has a single location already open on Peachtree Road in Buckhead.  Both of the new locations are expected to open in time for the holiday shopping season with Alpharetta expected open in October, and Buford in November.  

Rite Aid is completely renovating their Brookhaven Plaza location.  The former Eckerd Drug store will be new "from ceiling to floor" and will also have a new "wellness center."  The work is expected to be completed in "five to seven weeks." The store is reportedly one of the best performing Rite Aid locations in metro Atlanta. After years of political and zoning hurdles,  a new Walgreens will soon begin construction across the street at Colonial Drive and Peachtree Road.  

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's weird and a glaring omission that while you're a real estate blogger, you fail to mention that Atlanta is awaiting a Dior opening. That is the talk of the town and HUGE deal for Buckhead.

Anonymous said...

@Anon ^ I think he is doing a pretty good job, so what if Dior isn't mentioned... Who really cares...

Anonymous said...

@Anon^ - Who really cares about a new Willy's opening in Peachtree city?

Anonymous said...

@Anon^- I see your point...

Anonymous said...

Also, the Yoforia Vinings location (next to Cami Cakes) has closed.

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