Kimco Realty, the New Hyde Park, New York-based owner of Embry Village shopping center, posted signage this past week at the DeKalb County center informing existing tenants and area residents of upcoming demolition at the shopping center.
The former Motel |
"We are excited to share the news with you regarding the demolition of the vacant Embry Village Wine and Spirits liquor store and Days Inn Motel which will occur the week of August 28, 2017."
Early last week, ToNeTo Atlanta reached out to Matthew Basara, Regional Property Manager, Southern Region, at Kimco for comment on the demolition and the delayed Kroger store. Despite the posted notice inviting those with "comments or concerns" to contact him, Basara acknowledged that he disregarded ToNeTo Atlanta's initial phone and email inquiry as we had not provided a firm deadline for a response. When finally reached by cell this past weekend, Basara said he was "not authorized to speak to the media" and directed us to investor relations. As neither ToNeTo Atlanta nor its editor hold any KIM stock, we did not contact investor relations for comment.
ToNeTo Atlanta reported last month that the Kroger expansion at Embry Village is in doubt with Kroger officials now "re-examining" their plans for the store.
The former liquor store |
The Embry Village property website indicates that the liquor store is about 1,700 square feet and that it will be replaced by 9,900 square feet of "new shops." The website further describes the parcel as "restaurant approved" with approval pending for a drive-thru.
Earlier reports have indicated that Starbucks and Waffle House, among others, have expressed interest in the new space.
Interestingly, despite the statement from Kimco referencing the demolition of a "Days Inn Motel," the property, which closed in December 2015, had most recently been a Motel 6 and before that, Budgetel. Local sources say the property has not been operated as a Days Inn for more than a decade.
What are your thoughts on the updates at Embry Village? If Kroger decides not to expand, what would you like to see built on the motel property? What restaurants or retailers would you like to see open in place of the former liquor store?
Please share your thoughts below.
22 comments:
I laughed at the investor relations bit. What a strange reaction.
Please, PLEASE put in a Starbucks!!!
I haven't seen the notices, but I did notice the erosion control "pigs" last week. Tearing down the derelict buildings is progress.
Cue obligatory post that Kimco should make it a park/greenspace.
Do these schmucks have an idea of what they are thinking about doing or just playing a guessing game? Something needs to be done with these eyesores in order to make this shopping center a more viable area.
If the investors can't decide on what to do, then sell this property to someone who has a good vision and a brain to make this property much better than the trash that it currently there.
I would definitely want a 24-hour food place in the liquor store location -- Waffle House, Denny's, Steak-n-Shake, and IHOP come to mind. A free-standing Chick-fil-A or a Dwarf House would also be good. Unfortunately, there is no adequate replacement for the S&S Cafeteria. I also miss the Ace Hardware.
We need an Ace Hardware again. It used to be where Planet Fitness is now. We miss it. We need a Marshall's.
Always speak to the media, always.
All I know is that we, who live here, are beyond ready for the falling down liquor store and seedy motel to GO! The local Kroger folks who engaged us at the beginning have not been forthcoming about developments. Not sure what's going on, but it will really be nice when they get this project started and completed!
They should bring back City Lights Dance Hall, the sell-it-on-EBay store, and Atlanta Typewriter Company - which all used to operate there, believe it or not. Couldn't be worse than the empty storefronts that have been there for so long.
These comments are priceless...
Aren't we getting a Dunkin Donuts across the street where the gas station used to be? If so, I assume that'll rule out Starbucks. IHOP just announced some closings, so unlikely to be that. Also isn't there TJ Maxx off La Vista? Let's be realistic.
I'm very much looking forward to the change, whatever it is.
Starbucks - meh
Waffle House - meh
Looks like this area will remain a wasteland forever.
There used to be WH across the street, but it closed. Became a casket store (!), now it's the guns and gold store across the street next to the dry cleaners. Maybe WH will do better this time?
There used to be WH across the street, but it closed. Became a casket store for awhile (what does that tell you), and now it's the gold and guns place next to the dry cleaners. Maybe WH will have better luck this time around!
I'm pretty sure that the liquor store was a Boychik's deli around 30+ years ago, and Tracy's pharmacy was a Dunkin. There was an independent coffee shop in that little side strip center, but it closed about 12 years ago. Right now, it's not an area that will support these things.
The nearby corner has had a failed: taqueria, Ethiopian place, growler shop.
The Montage apartments seemed to fill up. But other than that, it's really a wasteland. The dance club really was a good thing, too bad the owners split up and moved away.
I'm desperate for a starbucks but I'll take any coffee house at this point. And I also miss the ace hardware. Also from what I've heard that gas station across the way next to the dry cleaners is supposed to be a Circle K and nothing more.
Any delay in the Embry Village project is a missed opportunity. Perfect location right by 285. Many people go by that place each day. Kroger and the owner of the property need to act decisively now. There will never be a better time.
Longhorn would be great! I miss the Arby's where Wendy's is now. Would be nice to have a hardware & gardening store. Do we need another WH??
If we're going with chains, then Starbucks or Chick-fil-a probably brings the most value to the neighborhood. Would also like to see craft beer/growler shop or something too.
Kimco property management is not local and they do not understand the Embry Hills community and don't work hard enough on it, in my opinion. If the Kroger-with-Starbucks-anchored center at 5 forks trickum can support a thriving fully occupied retail center, so can Embry Hills.
Kimco is not local and is not interested in our opinions. They will put in whatever will pull in customers from I85/285. They were only interested in our opinions when we were in a position to fight them on rezoning. I attended those meetings and they brushed aside concerns about increased traffic with "We are working with Dekalb County on synchronizing traffic signals and adding a signal at Suntrust Bank"
When asked if Dekalb county planned on adding more lanes, the answer was no. Again, they can go on back to New York while we as residents can deal with the traffic mess.
Kimco needs to take a look at Loehman's Plaza on North Druid Hills for inspiration.... The type of retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores have greatly improved this formerly "dated" Center. It is a great way of improving the area and increasing the caliber of stores, restaurants and "vibe" bring more money and creates a better and safer place to shop and mingle. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140623006152/en/Regency-Centers-Announces-Redevelopment-Loehmann%E2%80%99s-Plaza
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