Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Bits & Bites

D. Geller & Son plans to relocate its Smyrna location to Akers Mill in March.  The family owned jewelry store is actively promoting a "moving sale."  The store's current location is within Cumberland Square North shopping center.  The center was previously anchored by an Office Depot, but now hosts a Goodwill thrift store as its anchor and a much smaller Office Depot. The store's new location is reportedly the current Jenny Craig space near Brooklyn Water Bagel.  Over the past few years, the company has closed its location in Gwinnett near Gwinnett Place Mall and most recently, opened a location in Sandy Springs near the intersection of Hammond Drive and Roswell Road.  The company also has a location off Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw.  

A new Courtyard by Marriott hotel is being proposed in Vinings near the Vinings Jubilee shopping center.  Interestingly, as recently as last year, there was a Courtyard hotel nearby, but it was recently rebranded as the Hotel Indigo Atlanta - Vinings. Vinings Overlook, LLC recently submitted an application to rezone the site at Paces Ferry Road and Overlook Parkway for the planned five-story hotel. The application is expected to be heard a week from today.  

Gigi's Cupcakes is now open on the upper level of center court at Cumberland Mall.

Buffalo Wild Wings plans to open its new location at the front of Cumberland Mall next Monday, December 7th.  

Vero Pizzeria is scheduled to open next Tuesday, December 8th on Dresden Drive in Brookhaven.  The pizzeria is the newest Word of Mouth Restaurant concept and serves Neapolitan-style pizza.  The restaurant group, started by Buckhead Life alum Michael Arnette, currently includes HAVEN and Valenza. Although significantly delayed, a fourth concept, a diner-like eatery called "The Royal," is now slated for a late 2016 opened on Peachtree Boulevard in Chamblee.  

FLIP Burger Boutique has closed its Poncey-Highlands location on North Highland Avenue. The restaurant, which replaced San Francisco Coffee Co., opened as HD1, a gourmet hot dog concept, in 2011.  In 2013, the decision was made to "flip" the concept to the more successful "FLIP Burger Boutique" brand.  Although the Buckhead and Westside locations were already up and running, and even though the Poncey-Highlands area is full of families and new residential construction, ownership blamed its proximity to existing locations as the reason for the closure.  "After careful consideration we have made the decision to close the FLIP burger Poncey-Highland location due to its close proximity to our successful Howell Mill and Buckhead locations."  Could we be witnessing the beginning of the end of "gourmet burgers?"  A new owner with a new concept is reportedly already in the works for the space.  

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"due to its close proximity to our successful Howell Mill and Buckhead locations."

yeah, OK. with where all are located they may as well be in different cities.

not surprised about the Geller move. that shopping plaza itself has been a dump for years. on a related note, unless they've changed things, i have no idea why someone would buy anything from there. just an uncomfortable, antagonistic shopping experience.

AJ said...

"Could we be witnessing the beginning of the end of "gourmet burgers?""

I'd say no. But we can be witnessing the maturing of the "gourmet burger" segment. Similar to all other "trendy" concepts like pizza, cupcakes, yogurt, etc - the best (whether it's best food, best location, deepest pockets, etc.) will survive. While Flip on Howell Mill was one of the first of the gourmet burger trend, I've never considered it one of the best.

Ham said...

While I believe there is a demand for quality hamburgers I also believe some of these places are a little over the top in the pricing. I suspect some of the “higher end” burger joints will find a place, but I do believe we’ll see more closing over the next couple of years. So, is it the end of the gourmet burger? No, but maybe a little bit of reality is hitting the sector.

Anonymous said...

Parking is not good there. Either Valet in a small lot or $2/hour paid street parking with the meter police practically living in the neighborhood. BTW, San Fran coffee moved a few doors down the street.

Anonymous said...

The explanation from Flip is bizarre. They spent about two years trying to build out that rooftop patio, which is an odd thing to do if you're worried that you're located too close to sister stores. This location never seemed to do great business, either as HD1 or Flip, but it's strange that they wouldn't try to hold on a little bit longer, until the new apartments across the street are finished. I suspect this has more to do Blais' lack of attention than to any inherent problems in the gourmet burger biz.

Anonymous said...

Where is The Royal, the diner from Word of Mouth, going to be located on Peachtree Boulevard? The only place I could imagine for it is in the soon-to-be-constructed Whole Foods-anchored shopping center, across from the Lowe's? Or is there another location better suited for it?

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: The Royal,

I first broke this news last December but clearly it has been delayed from the previous timeline.

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2014/12/a-new-place-to-fill-up-is-coming-to.html

Thanks for your comments and readership.

Furban8 said...

Blasphemy! There's nothing trendy about pizza. Atlanta is merely addressing it's once appalling lack of quality with a staple food segment.

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