Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Aqua Blue Washed-Up in Roswell?

Local restaurant abruptly shutters...temporarily


Aqua blue, a popular Roswell area restaurant, closed January 3rd for what the company claims will be "remodeling."  The restaurant, which first opened n 2001, is located at 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road, between the PGA Tour Superstore and the recently renovated and renamed Connexion shopping center.  

Aqua blue, a full-service, casual restaurant, is part of Sterling Spoon, an Atlanta-based culinary management firm that also owns Marlow's Tavern and operates several cafes at office buildings.  Hi Life Kitchen & Cocktails, located on Holcomb Bridge in Peachtree Corners, was previously part of Sterling Spoon, but was sold last year.  A new African restaurant is expected to open in its place in the coming months.   

The freestanding 6,800 square foot Aqua blue has been listed for sale on The Shumacher Group's website for months.  

A new message on the restaurant's answering machine announces that "Beginning January 3rd, we will be temporarily closed for remodeling."  

The message goes on to direct customers to reach Kien [Sam] or John [C. Metz Jr.] at a separate phone number with any questions.  According to the restaurant's website, Kien is Aqua blue's Chef de Cuisine/Operating Partner, and John is its Executive Chef, Partner & Co-Founder.  

A message I left on the number provided seeking comment on the closure and a reopening timetable was not immediately returned. 

Sterling Spoon opened their newest Marlow's location last month in Brookhaven.  The chain, which opened its first location in Alpharetta in 2004, now has  22 between Georgia and Florida. 

Given last year's closure of Hi Life and the fact that Aqua Blue had been marketed for sale,  I don't see the logic in remodeling.  It would seem as though Metz and company were headed in the direction of streamlining their operations and focusing on their more successful, multi-unit concepts.  

Do you think Aqua blue will reopen?  If Aqua blue does remain closed (as I think it will), what would you like to see open in its place?  What is your favorite Roswell area restaurant?  

Please share your thoughts below.  

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Always remember the photo of this place years ago in the WSJ as part of some sort of feature on suburban restaurants. Aqua Blue was a great place for the older meet market set. Big martini's and big botox. Time moves on.. ..

TheJohnP said...

Think it might be remodeled into a Marlow's Tavern?

J Leeds said...

It's awfully big for a Marlow's.

Dustin said...

Sad... I really liked this place.

Tedra DeSue said...

Wow...girls' nite out; quiet spot on the patio, live music...pleasant staff...Aqua Blue was great for all of my little occasions. Will be missed.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...