About

Born and raised in Atlanta, I can remember asking my parents at an early age "what's that?" and "what used to be there?"  Now, years later, and a university business degree in hospitality administration later, I report on, and occasionally throw in my two cents on Atlanta's retail, restaurant and hotel scene.  I've done time in giant movie theaters and small independent boutiques, in large department stores and luxury hotels, and through my blog I share my experiences and help the would-be business owner.

The intent behind this blog is not now, nor ever was it to bad-mouth businesses or to cheer failures.  Instead, quite to the contrary, I hope people, businesses and whomever else, find this blog useful in site selection, expansion and the overall decision making process.  I wish everyone all the success in the world, but if I see you doing something stupid - opening a similar concept in a troubled location, opening a value oriented business offering exclusively valet parking - whatever, I will call you out and I will comment.


Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong, but every time I'm honest.  Unlike other local blogs and publications, no one compensates me financially or otherwise to say something -  good or bad, that's how it's been, and that's how it will remain.


I'm proud to be an Atlantan, with a 404 area code and I appreciate the feedback and the support.


E

58 comments:

ABC said...

Swirl in Town Brookhaven closed last night.

ed said...

On Delk near I75 in the old "Spaghetti Warehouse" location
the sign went up for the "Metropolitan".
Do you have any info?
Enjoy your blog.

Atlantan99 said...

@ED,

Yes, please see this post.

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2013/01/former-spaghetti-warehouse-reborn-as.html

Thanks for your comments and readership.

Anonymous said...

Great site. I heard that TESLA MOTORS is building a car showroom in Lenox. Can you confirm this?

Anonymous said...

Haute Doggery place on N Highland has a chain link fence around it. Looks like it could be turning into a Flip Burger based on a sign on the fence.

Anonymous said...

Former Pizza Hut location at Piedmont Road and Sidney Marcus Blvd is being torn down today. (I can send picture if you would like). Word from demo crew manager is that Chase Bank will be building and opening a new branch bank at this location.

Anonymous said...

This would be sad if true. I love these woods for evening walks.

Subject: Developer buying up land next to Clairmont Campus?

This is non-Emory property but adjacent so I wondered if anyone had heard anything about this and/or, if it's true, whether Emory would have any interest in influencing the plan?

A property owner on Clairmont Rd. sent this to our xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: "10 acres of land on clairmont from the emory campus all the way up to gables apartments (the side with belt junction) is about to be gobbled up by brannen and goddard commercial real estate developers. Their developments are shoddy and poorly maintained; they plan to build over 100 town homes on this land which will only increase traffic. We are being threatened by this firm while many that own homes on this street rolled like dominoes. ... They are moving fast and will clear cut the entire 10 acres which is full of pileated woodpeckers and other wildlife that benefit from the hardwoods in this area. They offered a paltry $4 million for the 10 acres...."

Lisa said...

Any news on what is going on at RuSan's original location? Sign says under new mgt (or maybe ownership - don't remember) and lots of demo work going on inside.

Also, growler place that was going in on Piedmont across from Taco Cabana (next to Saigan Basil) is no more. For rent sign back in the window.

Unknown said...

What happened to Don Pablo's on Cobb Pkwy near Cumberland Mall? Suddenly closed as of Friday afternoon 2/21?? Hopefully it will reopen as an On The Border??

Anonymous said...

Any idea whats happening to the old We Buy Gold building on Piedmont Rd (in front of Disco Kroger)? Lovies BBQ is now open in the basement space, but there's construction activity in the upstairs suite. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: We Buy Gold,

Yes, as I reported back in December, that will be a second location or Downtown's NaanStop restaurant. It's way behind schedule but should open later this fall.

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2013/12/naanstop-bringing-bigger-restaurant-to.html

Thanks for your comments and readership!

Anonymous said...

I think Amura just closed its door for good tonight

Anonymous said...

Just found out that a Mediterranean Restaurant is going into the former Wendy's on Johnson Ferry Rd in Marietta/East Cobb area. From Cobb County new business license info: CASPIAN GRILL AFAZ, LLC

FAREBA ZOHOORI
3120 JOHNSON FERRY RD
MARIETTA, GA 30062

Anonymous said...

Lunacy Black Market is closed according to their website

Unknown said...

Love this blog. Great info. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Does Atlanta only mean North Metro? I see no coverage of south metro.

Anonymous said...

Bludso's Bar-B-Que now open in Castleberyy Hill

Anonymous said...

I think Republic of Couture in midtown is now closed. Given the seeming lack of any customers in the store, it wouldn't be a surprise.

njg123456 said...

This is a great blog, but could you please try to cover the Smyrna area a little more closely. Otherwise, keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a new Dunkin on an end-cap about to open on Marietta Hwy in Canton, just off 575.

Anonymous said...

New Dunkin with a soft opening this weekend on Marietta Hwy off exit 14 of 575. They seem to be opening everywhere, but this spot would appear to be a good one.

Anonymous said...

Ulta is relocating to the old Restoration Hardware in Dunwoody. That poor walmart shopping center is going to the pits. Staples closed in Roswell inviting you to visit the nearby location on ponce lol. Rite Aid also closed on Peachtree ind in duluth last week.

Anonymous said...

New development coming to East Lake... eastlakefoundation org/blog/newdevelopment/

Anonymous said...

Frontera Mexican on Powers Ferry in Marietta burned this morning

Brenton said...

Hey, love your blog... Haven't seen you mention it yet, but the Chow Baby at Mall of GA has closed. There are construction barriers up and large signs for Buffalo Wild Wings. Ther service at the Ponce location is so terrible, I wonder how long they have left...

Anonymous said...

Caspian Grill is the name. Persian-Greek cuisine. Opened a few weeks ago.
I loved the lamb,10/10. Hands down the best lamb I ever had I recommend med rare.

Anonymous said...

New Huddle House design in Snellville, GA with a full menu and staff that is killing the competition. Satellite TVs and music.

AG said...

CFA on Piedmont at Sidney Marcus has posted on their sign that they are closing for remodeling Oct 1. Some very sad people until they return... Didn't know if you noticed in your travels.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I heard some bad news about Rosebud/ Family Dog/ Timones losing their liquor license. Any info you heard?

Rich said...

Have you heard anything taking over that Marshall's store in Sandy Springs? I think a Kohls or that Walmart market would be great. Awesome site and work by the way!

Flavor Juicery said...

I have opened a organic cold press juicery in Alpharetta. Our name is FLAVOR JUICERY! We conquered a healath condition with these juice recipes that we offer to public now. We have 6 years of juicing experience and passionate about it. How do I get the word out thru your email that I receive when something new is happening in Atlanta?

Thank you,
Uday.

Ed Words said...

Eli, Your updates are priceless. I have a recommendation that will help me not to miss an important post. Frequently, you report several items in a single post, but in scrolling through the post, I believe I have missed some content. I recommend that you list at the top of each post a "table of contents" that links to the Headlines of the various items included in the post.

Anonymous said...

It appears Uncle Maddio's has closed a whole slew of locations around the country. Im in Mobile, Alabama and both locations have notices that they are "temporarily closed until further notice". A facebook search shows that even more locations have closed in plaves like Auburn, Hoover and Huntsville, AL, Panama City Beach and Tallahassee, FL, and Lexington, KY.

Anonymous said...

Disregard the other Uncle Maddios closings except for the two in Mobile, Alabama.

Anonymous said...

Cafe 101 in Johns Creek has closed and the new business has a sign that says The Mughals and I wonder if it is related to the one on Jimmy Carter. I have never really heard of them until seeing this sign. Anyone know for sure? Thanks

Anonymous said...

Wow...Lots going on in Cumming, GA. New 2-Tenant Retail Building on Market Place Blvd across from the Kohl's. And another retail building in front of Home Depot.

Gator said...

Any idea what's going in the old Denny's location on Cotillion Drive in Dunwoody? Also what is going into the old Barnacle's on Tilly Mill and PIB? Work being done at both locations.

Anonymous said...

What happened to the Chick Fil a on Cobb Parkway, is it just a remodel or new concept?

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: Chick-fil-A Cobb Parkway,

The CFA restaurant is being rebuilt and should reopen by mid next month.

Thanks for your readership!

Anonymous said...

Hello, just a heads up, there is a new Patel Brothers grocery store location opening in Suwanee. No exact location mentioned, but I saw them advertising it. This will be the first OTP Patel Brothers.

Anonymous said...

Atlanta's new Design Within Reach opens to the public on June 7th, 2017. The lead designer from New York, Laith Sayigh, founder of DFA, will be visiting for the opening. www.d-f-a.com

Anonymous said...

Any word on what restaurant is going in the Parkaire center in E. Cobb at the front? An employee at the nearby music store said she heard it was BBQ and Beer and somehow related to Taco Mac.

phil c said...

Does anyone know why Vidal Sassoon at Lenox closed on such short notice?

Anonymous said...

I got an email that Ligne Roset in Midtown is having a moving sale. Any idea where they're going?

Bill Seay said...

The recent article about the proposed Ford Frye restaurant in Piedmont Heights said that the neighborhood dated from the early 20th century. Wrong! Piedmont heights was first settled in 1823. To read the full story of this oldest neighborhood in Atlanta go to www.piedmontheights.org and read the long version of its history.

Anonymous said...

So I see the lease signs are down from the space my beloved Vine and Tap used to occupy...link below at rivercrest realty investors shows Adobo Taqueria has the space? any info?

http://rivercrest.propertycapsule.com/properties/lenoxvillage/#plans

Kim said...

How can I message you directly? You’ve featured our restaurant a few times, and our owner would like to directly give you the story behind the story, so to speak.

Atlantan99 said...

@Kim,

Hi, I can be reached directly at tonetoatlanta@gmail.com

Howard Boyd said...

World of Beer closed in Midtown

Anonymous said...

I always look forward to reading your bits and bites. I did not know until now, what franchisee are doing to avoid paying the franchise fee. Spread the news.

Anonymous said...

Hey does anyone know what happened to the Hudspeth Report, or Ron (Hudspeth) in general? Website been down a few days, and no news to be found.

Anonymous said...

What happened to the Hudspeth report...website and hardcopy periodical?

Anonymous said...

Any idea what is opening in front of the Roswell Super Target on Woodstock Rd? It’s a spot that was a large space for parking (which was never really used much).

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: Woodstock Road Target,

Yes,

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2018/05/Atlanta-Restaurants-Retail-News.html


Thanks for your readership and comments :)

Terri said...

Any idea what is going in at the old Sports Authority location at Akers Mill Square? There is a notice of an alcohol license/Sunday sales being applied for but can't seem to find any other information about it.

Anonymous said...

Saw a post on IG for 77 12th midtown (12th and crescent) showing new poke/vietnamese restaurant. Do you know what it is and when would it open?

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: 77 12th:

It will be DUA and Fish Bowl Poke

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2017/08/DUA-Vietnames-And-Fish-Bowl-Poke-Opening-In-Midtown-And-Toco-Hills.html

They plan to open "in a few weeks."

Thanks for your comments and readership!

Anonymous said...

NOT SURE IF ANYONE IS AWARE THAT HENRI BENDEL CLOSED IT'S LENOX SQUARE STORE THE OTHER DAY, THEY ALSO CLOSED THE FLAGSHIP NEW YORK CITY LOCATION.

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