Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Zaxby's Comes Home to Roost in Lowe's Peachtree Parking Lot

Last week I broke news that Athens-based Zaxby's would open a second location ITP on Roswell Road in Buckhead. I have now learned that a third is on its way! From an anonymous tip, I followed up on rumors of another Zaxby's being built along Peachtree (formerly "Industrial") Boulevard in Chamblee. Turns out there was a lengthy struggle with the city, but the restaurant recently received approval and will be moving forward in the coming weeks. The city of Chamblee adopted a number of new zoning ordinances several years ago in hopes of turning their largely industrial city into a vibrant "live-work-play" environment with strip malls and car dealerships replaced with mixed use developments with both residential and commercial components. While Zaxby's had to redesign its parking configuration to eliminate parking in front of the restaurant, it refused to eliminate a front entrance to its Drive-Thru, something that the new ordinances prohibit. The Zaxby's is being built in an outparcel of the Lowe's Home Improvement parking lot. The parcel is in the southwest corner of the lot, closest to the road and near Discount Tire Co. At first, I was under the impression the restaurant would be constructed at the corner of Johnson-Ferry Rd. and Peachtree Boulevard on the site of the old Buddy's. Buddy's was a gas station that had operated at the corner there since the days before the Frito-Lay plant was replaced by Lowe's. Buddy's closed and become an eyesore in the area, and while it has been leased, it is believed that it will reopen as a gas station. According to a rep for Zaxby's, both the Roswell Road and Peachtree Boulevard locations should be open by year end. ToNeTo Atlanta

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

They should do well at this location and pull customers from all the surrounding neighborhoods up and down Peachtree from Brookhaven into Chamblee. Zaxby's is a good "fast casual" place and I am pleased there will be a location ITP and close to my residence. Thanks for the information update.

Anonymous said...

Slack's finally opened in Town Brookhaven. Has anyone been yet?

Anonymous said...

I am glad you finally confirmed this after deleting my tip last week!

Atlantan99 said...

Hello Anon,

Thanks for the tip. It was published earlier this morning. I held it until after I could confirm the deets and complete the story. No offense intended.

Thanks always for any tips and for reading.

The Anti-Gnostic said...

The city of Chamblee adopted a number of new zoning ordinances several years ago in hopes of turning their largely industrial city into a vibrant "live-work-play" environment with strip malls and car dealerships replaced with mixed use developments with both residential and commercial components.

Let me register some minor dissent. There is this notion out there that a society where we flip real estate and sell legal/financial services to each other and use the proceeds to shop and dine out is sustainable. It is not. Surely that fiasco in the center of Buckhead has driven that lesson home by now.

Through the 1970's, both US Gypsum and Frito-Lay operated plants in Chamblee. Plenty of living, working and playing despite the dread presence of industrial activity nearby.

John P said...

You love you some Zaxby's don't you?

Anonymous said...

Just ran across this blog...looks like the Zaxby's is a no go or something has happened....because the construction has come to a total halt and it has been Months since any activity has taken place...there is a half built structure lying dormant( its a shame cause the misses and me was lookn forward to having one close by)

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon,

I was told as recently as last week that construction should re-start soon.

http://www.tonetoatl.com/2012/03/peachtree-boulevard-has-to-wait-for.html

this was an earlier follow-up post you may find of interest.

Thanks for reading and for the comments.

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