Thursday, August 23, 2018

[UPDATE] Fork in the Road Moving Down the Road

Tucker area restaurant Fork in the Road plans to close in its current location at the front of Northlake Mall and relocate later this fall to the former Wendy's at 3892 LaVista Road near Popeyes and the upcoming Ace Hardware.  Locally owned Fork in the Road opened at Northlake Mall in late 2012 at a time when the mall was still owned and managed by mall juggernaut Simon Property Group.  As of early 2016, the mall is owned by a Texas-based real estate firm called ATR Corinth Partners, who, as ToNeTo Atlanta has reported previously, sees "tremendous potential" in the mall and is reportedly close to finalizing their redevelopment/renovation plans for the site. 

In Northlake Mall, Fork in the Road occupied a space that was for many years home to a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, after which it became a satellite location of Decatur's once popular Crescent Moon restaurant.  The new Fork in the Road location operated for decades as a Wendy's, but has been vacant since early 2016, when the burger joint abruptly closed.   

Fork in the Road's departure from the mall is reportedly tied to the imminent redevelopment which sources say could begin by the end of the year.  Many are residents are eager to learn of the plans for the 1970s era mall, but ATR founder & partner Tony Ruggeri has been tight-lipped about his firm's plans for the property.  

The former Wendy's into which the restaurant plans to relocate was previously marketed as a redevelopment opportunity, and it's unclear whether those plans have changed or if the owners of Fork in the Road signed a long-term lease.  

When Fork in the Road does reopen, it may be with a downsized menu.  Although it's unconfirmed at this point, the restaurant will likely have to condense its menu as the new restaurant will be about half the size of the current eatery, according to real estate documents.  Fork in the Road's current menu includes an astounding variety including twelve starters, eight salads, twenty-three sides, sixty entrees and seven dessert choices, among other options, according to its online menu.  

What are your thoughts on Fork in the Road's upcoming relocation?  What types of restaurants would you like to see open in/around Northlake Mall?  What type of business would you most like see part of the redevelopment of the mall?

Please share your thoughts below.  

16 comments:

Ham said...

This presents an excellent opportunity for some of the intown restaurants to expand. Maybe a Grindhouse Burger or something like that.

mindspringyahoo said...

Maybe a smaller place will be good for them, and they'll stop getting so many disgusting health scores.

RichKnobSales said...

I would like a Maggiano's at Northlake!

Unknown said...

Forget any new tenants at Nortlake mall- it is a failing property - and Sears as an anchor is proof.

Unknown said...

This is great news. Love Fork in the Road. It is delicious!! Glad they are relocating and I sure hope the new development at the old Northlake will be spectacular!!!

snow flake said...

Hope to see restaurants with more vegetarian options.

Anonymous said...

The owners of Northlake Mall have submitted sketchy plans to the DeKalb Planning and Sustainability Dept to undertake Phase 1 redevelopment of the mall. Initial review of the site plans for compliance with the Northlake Overlay Ordinance. They will expand the Macy's store a little towards Briarcliff, Henderson Mill Rds. Will tear down a portion of the building where Fork in the Rd and Men's Wearhouse are and will open it up with a plaza and several new retail/restaurants. They show 5 to 7 new restaurant pads where the carnival usually sets up. They plan on renovating the interior areas and new exterior Signs. They have refused to participate in a public meeting though they will need several variances which will require public hearings.

Anonymous said...

While Northlake is not doing well, Sears closing is not proof of it failing. Sears is failing everywhere!

Anonymous said...

The complete tear down of this mall would be the best thing but as far as I understand, the big box tenants like Macy's and JC Penneys (and even Sears) own their location at Northlake Mall. There is definitely a lack of restaurants in this area but I doubt this developer will do anything soon that will be a destination for nearby residents.

Anonymous said...

"They have refused to participate in a public meeting...."

Isn't a pre-submittal public meeting required? This doesn't bode well.

Anonymous said...

Hope the move will improve Fork's overall business. We've never seen it more than a quarter full, the waitstaff spends more time playing on their phones than attending to business, and the food quality has become humdrum. Even Kroger/Publix have better desserts.

Anonymous said...

Sears sold its space to the mall developers awhile ago.

Anonymous said...

Not a fan of Fork in the Road... as I’ve had a couple bad experiences there (over cooked food, bad/slow service etc.) and haven’t returned but I think the Northlake Mall area has great potential!! I’d rather see an indoor/outdoor live, work, play kind of environment (mixed use). Walkable streets, retail, outdoor sitting areas, green space, entertainment, new and upcoming restaurants and eateries!! I think the mall concept is dying or dead and just to put some lipstick on a dying concept is a bad idea.

Let’s reimagine the redevelopment of the existing Northlake Mall area with forward thinking, innovative solutions and proven concepts!! We can make this area a destination location that could be the envy of Atlanta!!

Anonymous said...

I think a development like Avalon in Alpharetta can work at Northlake. Outdoor setting with town homes, greenspace, small retail and upscale restaurants. The neighborhoods around the mall will support this concept. Beats fighting the traffic to get to Perimeter or Lenox.

Anonymous said...

put a fork in Northlake

Anonymous said...

Fork in the Road re-opened in that former Wendy's, around a week or so ago. Menu looks pretty much the same, but it seems like most things no longer include a side.

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