[EXCLUSIVE] Gucci to Get More Grand at Phipps Plaza as Time Runs Out For Hublot

Gucci will soon expand their presence at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.  The Gucci store, located on the mall's main level, will swell from about 5,200 square feet to about 8,200 square feet.  Gucci's expansion will consume the former Hublot space (which closed Thursday) and the current Michael Kors space (which is due to close Saturday.)  

The current Gucci store at Phipps Plaza

Bits & Bites

City Farmers Market is opening a new store in place of a former Kroger on Highway 78 in Snellville.  The new farmers market replaces the Kroger at Mountain View Village shopping center which closed last May after 30 years in business.  The locally owned grocer currently operates two locations, both on Buford Highway, one in Brookhaven and the other Chamblee. City Farmers Market is also opening in place of a former Walmart Neighborhood Market on Powder Springs Street in Marietta. A company spokesperson indicated to us that both locations are expected to open in March.  

Image courtesy of ToNeTo Atlanta contributor Rasheed Stevens 

Edens Partners With Canadian Firm to Bring Residential Units to Andrews Square

Toronto-based Great Gulf Residential is partnering with Columbia, South Carolina-based Edens on a new residential development in Buckhead's West Village.  The project, which will include residential units built over street-level retail according to a source familiar with the deal, will rise from a largely vacant segment of Andrews Square shopping center.  

Former Mid-Century Holiday Inn to be Reborn as Boutique Property in Atlanta

Atlanta-based Paces Properties announced last week that it is teaming with Austin-based hospitality company Bunkhouse Group to breathe new life into the one-time Holiday Inn Central overlooking the Buford-Spring Connector near Piedmont Heights.  The hotel, which City of Atlanta records indicate was built in 1968 (a portion of the hotel was built in 1964) and sits on 4.79 acres, has operated under a number of hotel/motel names over the years, but currently operates as an extended stay Intown Suites.  

Uncle Maddio's Kennesaw, A Flop For Years, Finally Folds

The Uncle Maddio's Pizza on Chastain Road in Kennesaw closed Sunday night after about six years in business, none of which were profitable, according to sources close to the restaurant's owner.  The Kennesaw restaurant, like the former Uncle Maddio's at Akers Mill Square, was owned by franchisee Shehzad Lutfeali.  Both units had been for sale on multiple real estate platforms for years.  

Bits & Bites

The District Two Community Council met this past Tuesday evening to discuss Jay Gipson's planned redevelopment at the corner of Clairmont and Briarcliff Roads.  The meeting was packed with residents, many of whom voiced their objections to the development but few of whom offered viable solutions other than to do nothing.  The development, as proposed, would include the construction of a new RaceTrac fuel station and convenience store, Wendy's restaurant with drive-thru, and  a rebuilt Express Oil Change & Tune-Up Clinic.  Most attendees seemed to voice strongest objections to the RaceTrac saying "we don't need another gas station."  The council approved a rezoning request that would change the property from C-2 to C-1.  The council, however, deferred the SLUP (Special Land Use Permit) requests that would have permitted the fuel pumps, drive-thru and alcohol sales.  

[UPDATE] Outback Steakhouse Double Switch to Start in Alpharetta

Tampa based Bloomin' Brands plans to open their latest Outback Steakhouse Monday February 19 on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.  The restaurant, located in a newly constructed outparcel of North Point MarketCenter, sports the brand's latest design elements including a far more modern aesthetic and updated branding.  The new look is reportedly referred to as "Modern Australia."  

The new Outback Steakhouse on North Point Parkway 

[SMART MOVE] Boneheads Has Closed on Powers Ferry Road

Boneheads has closed its location at The Shoppes of Powers Ferry on Powers Ferry Road not far from the Wildwood Office Park.  The restaurant, which reportedly closed within the past few days, was one the last few remaining Boneheads in business in metro Atlanta.  

[EXCLUSIVE] Tasty China Scores Sandy Springs Site for Szechuan Eatery

Dahe Yang is bringing Tasty China back to Sandy Springs.  The new Tasty China will open alongside Mediterranean eatery Cafe Posh in the Kroger anchored Fountain Oaks shopping center on Roswell Road, just inside the perimeter.  The new Tasty China will occupy a  3,172 square foot space to the left of Kroger, near TCBY.  

[NEWSFLASH] Abercrombie & Fitch Was Still Open at Gwinnett Place Mall. Now It's Not

Abercrombie & Fitch has closed its store at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth.  The store, located on the mall's first floor, reportedly closed January 28.  We contacted Abercrombie via Facebook regarding the closure and were told  "While we can't say when it closed, we can say we will miss being there."  The Abercrombie at Mall of Georgia, now the closest Abercrombie for area shoppers, indicates that the store closed the 28th or 29th and that there was no advance warning given to employees or shoppers, nor was there any "liquidation sale." 

Image courtesy of ToNeTo Atlanta contributor Rasheed Stevens

Bonus Bits & Bites

The newly rebuilt drive-thru only (DTO) Chick-fil-A on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, just north of Northridge Road, is expected to open Thursday February 22.  The restaurant will celebrate the grand re-opening with a First 100 Road Trip where 100 participants will ride around the city, participating in community service the day before the official opening.  In exchange for their participation (expected duration 9AM-3PM) each participant will receive a card good for 52 #1 combo meals at Chick-fil-A. 

Bits & Bites

A new-to-market healthy eatery called Frutta Bowls is opening in Fountain Oaks shopping center on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.  The eatery, which specializes in acai bowls and smoothies, is opening adjacent to GNC in a 1,500 square foot space most recently home to Krazy Buffalo's, a wings joint.  Freehold, New Jersey-based Frutta Bowls launched in 2016, and today, via franchising, has ten locations open, nine of which are in New Jersey and one in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  

Interior of a New Jersey Frutta Bowls 

[EXCLUSIVE] Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar Coming to Challenging Restaurant Space

A new restaurant called Ms. Icey's Kitchen & Bar is opening in the former Mason Tavern restaurant space on Clairmont Road.  Mason Tavern closed last October after a three year run.  Although work seems to have quietly started weeks ago, it was earlier this week that a ToNeTo Atlanta reader indicated that exterior signage was going up at the restaurant. 

Mori Luggage Packs Their Bags for Acquisition By Portland Retailer

Atlanta-based Mori Luggage & Gifts was acquired by Portland, Oregon-based Bergman Luggage on Thursday, reports Maria Saporta of SaportaReport.  Husband & wife Jean & Betty Mori,opened their first store at Northlake Mall near Tucker in 1971. In the years since, the family grew the business to include stores in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

[EXCLUSIVE] Daniel Reed's Public Kitchen & Bar to Debut February 26 at Phipps Plaza

It's been over 16 months since ToNeTo Atlanta first revealed that Daniel Reed's Public Kitchen & Bar would be opening at Phipps Plaza.  Thankfully, despite the all too usual delays, the finish line is near.  Jamie Durrence, managing partner of Daniel Reed Hospitality, spoke exclusively with ToNeTo Atlanta and said he plans to open Monday, February 26.

[History Lesson] Georgia's First McDonald's Goes Dark in Doraville

Wednesday night marked the final night that Big Macs were  served at Georgia's oldest McDonald's.  Originally opened in November 1961, the McDonald's restaurant at 5220 Buford Highway in Doraville closed last night at 7PM, after 56 plus years in business.