They're Outta Here! Coach Exits Perimeter Mall

Paper covers the windows of the former Coach store at right, Michael Kors in business, back left

Leathergoods purveyor shutters. 

Waving White Tablecloth, Veni Vidi Vici Announces Plans to Close Sunday

Veni Vidi Vici to close Sunday, May 31st 

Corner Tavern Reborn as "The Whelan"

The former Corner Tavern reopening as new eatery 

Bits & Bites

After 21 months, Emory Village restaurant Ink & Elm announced last night via their facebook page that they are closing.  The restaurant plans to serve until Saturday, but could close sooner, depending on food supplies.  The upscale tavern and restaurant was first announced in September 2012, and opened after about a year of renovations. (The space was previously Emory Village Flowers & Gifts and Park Bench.)  The space, designed by local firm ai3, was perhaps too trendy and upscale for the neighborhood.   Emory University is a stone's throw away, but I doubt they were adding much to the bottom line. Having just spoken with property owner Stuart Meddin earlier this week, I'd say that the closure was apparently a surprise to all.  In an adjacent space, a previously announced third location of Lucky's Burgers & Brew is progressing and should be open late this summer.  

Subway's Departure Leaves Room For New Concept Downtown

New concept coming to downtown Atlanta

Fore! Exciting New Restaurants Planned for East Lake

The new Greater Good BBQ may look something like this 

Fellini's founders bringing new restaurants to East Lake.

Not so Fast: McDonald's Opening in Place of Former QuikTrip

Burger joint bound for former gas station.

Bits & Bites

Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market has set August 5th as the opening date for its new store in Roswell Market Place on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell. Sprouts previously announced June 10th as the opening date for its new store at Olde Ivy Village on East West Connector in Smyrna.  Additional new Sprouts Farmers Market locations are planned for Fuqua Development's Piedmont Avenue project near Morningside, as well as their Sugarloaf Marketplace Center in Duluth. (The Duluth location was previously rumored, and has since been confirmed.)  Other Sprouts will open in the new "Gateway" project on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, as well as in Providence Square on Roswell Road in East Cobb.  There are rumored to be "multiple" other Sprouts planned for metro Atlanta but I've thus far been unable to identify any additional locations.

Ford Fry Hopes to Be King of New "Court"

It's official! Ford Fry plans to open a third restaurant in Buckhead.

DEKA Atlanta Closing as Owner Relocates to California

DEKA closing Atlanta store.

Firenze Ristorante to Close in Norcross

Italian eatery to make way for Asian concept.

Just 3 Corners Remain: Westside Corner Tavern Closed

Corner  Tavern has closed its westside location

Bits & Bites

New signage on Frank Ski's Restaurant & Lounge reflects a name change, it's now Klass Restaurant & Lounge.  The restaurant was listed for sale in February.  I reached out to a source close to the situation who alleges there was no sale, just a "change in management." The reported management change seems to have led to serial nightclub owner Kevin C. Edwards being brought into the fold.  Edwards is the same man behind such establishments as Kouture, Krave and Kapture, along with Cafe Circa and Indigo Bar.  Ironically, Ski's earliest attempt at the lounge business was a club / lounge called "Kolor" that was proposed in a center in Buckhead by the InterContinental Hotel.  After neighbors voiced their disapproval, the project was abandoned. 

Rare Escada Boutique Coming to Lenox Square

Inside of a typical Escada boutique 

Escada planning Lenox Square location 

Novo Almost Open in Dunwoody!

Novo Cucina to open this week in Dunwoody

The General Muir Team Advancing in the Bread Business

The General Muir is expanding operations.

Tory Burch Bringing Second Store to Buckhead

The existing Tory Burch store at Phipps Plaza

Tory Burch doubles down in Buckhead

Bits & Bites

A new location of Bone Island Grillhouse is coming to Athens.  Bone Island features a casual American menu with assorted salads, seafood, steaks and "B.I.G. Bowls."  The new Bone Island is planned for a free-standing, roughly 7,000 square foot outparcel of Epps Bridge Centre.  The center is anchored by Georgia Theatre Company's University 16 Cinemas and is also home to retailers Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and Marshalls.  The Bone Island restaurant will be situated between Freddy's and a McDonald's (N.A.P. of the center.) The original Bone Island is located on Greensboro Road near Lake Oconee.

Varasano's Dunwoody Opening Next Month, Alpharetta to Follow

The new Varasano's marked by the orange with white border stretches to just beyond the third window  

Varasano's getting close to opening in Dunwoody, Alpharetta is next

No Joke, YEAH! Burger Planning Buckhead Outpost

Burgers and Pasta planned for Buckhead

Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar to Replace Goldfish at Perimeter Mall

Goldfish plans an eventful long goodbye in Dunwoody

Atlanta Seemingly Refused to Support the Don

Pizza place calls it quits

I Spy Sherlock's Looking at New Location

Wine replacing beer in Oak Grove?