[EXCLUSIVE] Apple Targeting September 2020 Opening for Flagship at Lenox Square

Apple plans to open their new, more than 21,000 square foot store at the front of Lenox Square in September 2020, this according to recently updated mall lease documents reviewed by ToNeTo Atlanta.  The huge two level store is currently under construction, and while no signage indicates that Apple is the "exciting flagship store" opening soon, multiple sources and planning documents confirm the retailer's plans.

[UPDATE] TJ Maxx To Open in Chamblee Plaza In October, HomeGoods Too

A new TJ Maxx store will celebrate its grand opening Sunday, October 6 at Chamblee Plaza along Peachtree Boulevard in Chamblee.  The new store, occupying about 20,000 square feet, will later be joined by fellow TJX Companies' brand HomeGoods.  The two new stores will help to anchor the revitalized center that first opened in 1960.  

[CLOSURE ALERT] Pappy Red's BBQ Closes Westside Location, Ends Longstanding Tradition

P. Red's BBQ, a Westside mainstay for about nine years, has closed.  The restaurant, also known as Pappy Red's or simply Red's BBQ, was located at 999 Chattahoochee Avenue.  It opened in 2010 and was the first ITP location of the onetime chain of barbecue restaurants.  

Bits & Bites

Fetch Park & Ice House took the opportunity on Monday, National Dog Day, to officially announce plans to open its second Atlanta area location next year in Alpharetta.   Business partners Stephen Ochs and Garrett Reynolds opened the first Fetch on Daniel Street in Old Fourth Ward last June.  The membership-based dog park, bar and restaurant has proven quite popular and the duo  announced plans in February to open a location in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood.  The Nashville location is expected to open in late 2019/early 2020 with the Alpharetta outpost following later in 2020.  The owners have thus far not provided addresses of either of the upcoming locations.  

[EXCLUSIVE] Big B's Fish Joint To Drop Anchor in Sandy Springs, Plans to Open This Fall

A new restaurant called Big B's Fish Joint is coming soon to Sandy Springs.  The new fast-casual restaurant, which promises "genuine reel food," is opening in place of Verde Taqueria which closed at Gateway Sandy Springs along Roswell Road last July. 

[PHONOMENAL!] Pho 24 Coming Soon to Emory Walk Near Decatur

Chamblee-based Pho 24, an eatery offering traditional Vietnamese fare, plans to open a new location in Decatur in the coming weeks.  The new 3,000 square foot restaurant, located at 1248 Clairmont Road in the Emory Walk shopping center, will open in place of what was most recently Sotolero Comida Mexicana, a Mexican restaurant.  The new Decatur area restaurant will be the ninth in metro Atlanta for the growing chain of Vietnamese restaurants.  

[UPDATE] Wheels Falling Off? Flywheel Shutters 11 Studios Including Avalon

Fitness studio Flywheel has closed its Avalon location in Alpharetta amidst a nationwide review of the company's studios.  The Avalon location, which opened as part of phase one of the mixed-use project in late 2014, marked the company's OTP debut.  The Avalon Flywheel is one of eleven studios that the company is closing.

[UPDATE] Hoots Tweaks Name, Signs Third Atlanta Area Lease

ToNeTo Atlanta in February was first to report that the junior Hooters concept was expanding beyond their initial test near Chicago to include an outpost in Reynoldtown.  Now, with the Reynoldstown location still under construction, the company seems especially bullish on not only the concept, but metro Atlanta in particular.  Hooters will be opening not just one, but at least three, Atlanta area locations of their new quick-serve eatery Hoot's in the coming months.  Already underway and opening soon at Madison Yards in Reynoldstown, two additional locations are planned for Peachtree Corners Town Center in Peachtree Corners and North Decatur Station (fka North Decatur Square) near Decatur.

Bits & Bites

Women's co-working space Eleanor’s Place is now open at Paces Ferry Plaza in Buckhead.  The new members-only community, named for Eleanor Roosevelt, provides space for women to connect, recharge, work and relax.  The space offers a "luxurious feminine twist to the modern co-working space."  “My vision is for Eleanor’s Place is to empower women – whether they are setting big goals and achieving the unthinkable or checking details off their to-do list – through a space that will welcome and inspire” said Jennifer Morgan, creator and founder of Eleanor’s Place.  From their press release: "Built by women to empower women, this haven provides members with the tools, comfort and friendship to propel them to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.  Eleanor's Place is located in a roughly 2,800 square foot space between West Stride and Baby Braithwaite in the Whole Foods-anchored center."

Eleanor's Place - Photo courtesy of Sara Hanna Photography 

[PERK UP] Indie Coffee Shop Daily Dose Destined For Madison Yards This Fall

An independent coffee shop has been added to the lineup at Madison Yards in Reyoldstown.  Daily Dose by The Merchant, a coffee shop created by entrepreneur Dan Collier, will open along Bill Kennedy Way in the Publix/AMC Theatres-anchored mixed-use development.  The approximately 1,250 square foot coffee shop will feature freshly brewed coffee, as well as bagged beans from Portland's Stumptown Coffee for sale.  The shop will also feature baked goods from Alon's and a curated selection of retail goods from Collier's The Merchant.  

[Mazel Tov!] The General Muir to Drop Anchor in Sandy Springs For Second Restaurant

The owners of The General Muir plan to open a second location of their popular Jewish-style deli early next year at City Springs in Sandy Springs.  The restaurant, to be located along Johnson Ferry Road, will occupy a 3,118 square foot space, about half the size of the group's original outpost at Emory Point.  The Sandy Springs restaurant, which will also have a good size patio, is actually only slightly smaller in size than the Emory Point outpost, when you consider that about 2,000 square feet of the roughly 5,900 square foot restaurant is home to TGM Bread, which will not have a presence at City Springs.  

Bits & Bites

Mishti Holdings LLC, the parent company of gourmet candy shop Lolli & Pops, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 13.  Lolli & Pops has 69 stores nationwide, with all but two located in traditional shopping malls. The company listed between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities and $500,000 to $1 million in assets.  The company partnered with major mall owner General Growth Properties (GGP) in 2017 to open 40 stores in their malls.  GGP, now owned by and known as Brookfield Properties, has reportedly locked the retailer out of several locations nationwide.  Multiple stores' employees were locked out this week with signage on at least one store saying “notice of temporary lockout for nonpayment of rental.” The retailer, which sold premium chocolates, candy and other dessert items, has Atlanta area locations in Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and North Point Mall in Alpharetta, both of which are Brookfield owned malls.

The Lolli & Pops "Forever" jar that is actually only good for 52 weeks 

[UPDATE] HomeGoods Happy Coming to Howell Mill September 29

A HomeGoods store will celebrate its grand opening September 29 at The District at Howell Mill in West Midtown.  The new store, occupying about 22,000 square feet of a former ROSS Dress For Less, joins fellow TJX Cos. brand TJ Maxx in the Walmart-anchored shopping center. ToNeTo Atlanta first broke news of the planned HomeGoods January 20, 2017.  For over two years there was no activity until earlier this past March, when site work finally started.

[EXCLUSIVE] Chipotle Bringing Their "Chipotlane" to Austell

A new Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming soon to Austell.  The new restaurant, which will open in an outparcel of the existing Brookwood Square shopping center, replaces a Pollo Tropical restaurant that closed, along with eight others locally, this past December, amidst the Miami-based chain's complete retreat from Georgia.  The former fast food restaurant, located at 3999 Austell Road, will provide Chipotle another drive-thru, a feature the chain has been implementing at new restaurants.

Bits & Bites

A new location of Five Below is coming soon to Gwinnett Marketfair in Duluth.  The roughly 15,000 square foot store will open in place of the recently shuttered Rugged Wearhouse store.  Old Navy also previously occupied the space in the T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Bed Bath & Beyond-anchored center.

[UPDATE] Velvet Taco to Open in September in Buckhead

Dallas, Texas-based Velvet Taco plans to open their first Atlanta location Monday, August 26 September 9 in Buckhead.  The restaurant, located at Buckhead Market Place on West Paces Ferry Road, occupies a 2,514 square foot portion of the former The North Face space. [The North Face previously consolidated their Atlanta presence to a single store at Lenox Square.]

[UPDATE] Uncle Maddio's Franchisee Dumps Brand to Launch "Pazzi's"

Multi-unit Uncle Maddio's Pizza franchisee goes rogue and rebrands.  Briann and Melissa Welborn have launched "Pazzi's Italian Grille" in place of their five Uncle Maddio's Pizza restaurants in Buford, Gainesville, Newnan, Savannah and Auburn, Alabama. [The Welborn's reportedly only manage, rather than own, the Savannah location.]  The change took place last month, but is still reflected only in limited temporary replacement exterior signage and on the restaurant menus.  Pazzi's offerings are "identical to Uncle Maddio's" according to an employee at the Buford location.

[UPDATE] With New Name and Reduced Size, "84 Perimeter" Project Looks to Launch Soon

An off again, on again project across from Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody is back on.  The development, at 84 Perimeter Center East, is scheduled to bring both mixed-use retail and a new hotel to the property where currently a vacant bank building sits. [The bank "reopened" briefly in 2016 for the filming of the hit film "Baby Driver."] Previously marketed as "Perimeter Center," indications are that the project's new name is "84 Perimeter."    

[CLOSURE ALERT] Vilebrequin Off The Deep End and Out of Business at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta

Just days after The Shops Buckhead Atlanta's new owner Jamestown hosted a "Town Hall" meeting to get feedback on ways to improve the project, yet another retailer has closed.  This time it's luxury swimwear company Vilebrequin that threw in the towel.  Sources close to the project indicate that the boutique closed last week without any warning to staff or customers.  By Thursday afternoon, the store was completely empty without any fixtures or signage indicating what just days ago it had been.

[Mmmmmm] Mableton's Martin's Makes Plans for 18th Restaurant

Popular breakfast joint Martin's is expanding to Canton with its 18th overall location.  The small chain, based in Mableton, plans to open its new restaurant at 3494 Marietta Highway in Cherokee County this November.  Martin's traces its roots to 1962 when it was known as "Martin the Burger Boy."  The restaurants are only open for breakfast and lunch (MON-SAT 5AM-3PM / SUN 6AM-3PM) and are known for their biscuits, burgers and onion rings, among other menu offerings. 

Martin's in Dallas which opened in 2018 

[UPDATE] Five Guys Muscles into East Cobb

Five Guys Burgers & Fries is looking to open in the former Del Taco restaurant in an outparcel of East Cobb Crossing shopping center on Roswell Road in East Cobb.  East Cobb News first published plans for the restaurant which we'd heard was in the works last month, but for which we had not yet gotten confirmation.  The Lorton, Virginia-based restaurant has submitted plans to Cobb County that will soon be reviewed by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.  The burger chain is not looking to make any significant changes to the property, instead they are seeking permission to continue with certain signage and design variances previously granted to Del Taco.  

[EXCLUSIVE] Harley-Davidson Runs Out of Gas at The Battery Atlanta, Closing Soon

Tomahawk Harley-Davidson plans to shutter its store at The Battery Atlanta at SunTrust Park later this month.  The store, located in suite 854, between boutiques Sugarboo & Co. and  DressUp, in the mixed-use development adjacent to SunTrust Park, opened in 2017. The store is reportedly not closing due to low sales, but instead due to an unspecified matter within the family of the franchise owner.  

[EXCLUSIVE] Culver's to Open New Restaurant in Acworth in 2020

Culver's, the Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin-based quick-serve burger restaurant famous for its "ButterBurgers," cheese curds and concretes, has plans to open at least one more location in the coming months, as it continues to expand across the state.  The new restaurant, planned for Exit 277 off I-75 in Acworth, would open along Highway 92 adjacent to a relatively new BP/Clipper fuel center & convenience store with a Dunkin', and down the road from Cabela's.  The 4,365 square foot restaurant would be constructed on a roughly 1.7 acre parcel.  

[UPDATE] Lidl Stores Moving Forward in Lawrenceville and Suwanee

Previously proposed Lidl grocery stores appear to be moving forward in Lawrenceville and Suwanee.  Both stores, each of which started the planning progress in 2017, according to county documents, could finally break ground in the coming months.  The stores are planned for 3530 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County and 2985 Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee in Forsyth County.

[POPPED OUT] Steel City Pops Puts Decatur Kitchen & Shop Up For Sale

Steel City Pops is looking to exit the Atlanta market.  The Birmingham-based gourmet popsicle business entered the metro Atlanta market in 2017, at first with carts in both Atlantic Station and The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, and later their "Kitchen" store in Decatur.  The 3,500 square foot Decatur outpost, situated just off the square at 312 Church Street, opened in late September 2017.  Jim Watkins opened his first Steel City Pops in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood in May 2012.  

[UPDATE] Northlake Mall Redevelopment Still Happening...Soon...

ToNeTo Atlanta reported last week that the owners of Cumberland Mall in Smyrna would be dividing their former Sears "box" into at least three new tenant spaces in 2020.  With plans materializing at Cumberland Mall, our thoughts turned to the redevelopment of Northlake Mall and its former Sears store.  It has been nearly three and half years since Dallas-based ATR Corinth Partners purchased Northlake Mall, and essentially nothing visible to the public has happened during that time.

[UPDATE] Pizza Hut Closure Brings UTBAPH to Peachtree Corners

Yet another Pizza Hut has closed in metro Atlanta, this time in Peachtree Corners.  The restaurant, located in a freestanding building at 6045 Peachtree Parkway, closed last month leaving  the metro area with yet another UTBAPH (Used To Be A Pizza Hut).  In a move related to the closure, NPC International, the franchisee of the Peachtree Corners locations and hundreds of other Pizza Huts nationally, opened an inline location at Peachtree Parkway Plaza. The new 1,600 square foot location, is located to the right of center anchor Goodwill, along Spalding Drive.

[CLOSURE ALERT] Bye Bye to BurgerIM's Baby Burgers in Midtown

BurgerIM, a California-based mini-burger franchise, has closed its newly opened restaurant in Midtown at The Shops at Metropolis.  The 2,700 square foot restaurant, with a Peachtree Street address, was physically located and primarily only visible from Peachtree Place, a far less trafficked side street.  First announced in October 2016, it was not until October 2018 that franchisee Devenchie Battle actually opened the Midtown outpost.  The restaurant reportedly closed within the past few days without warning to staff or would-be patrons.    

Signage that greeted patrons at BurgerIM Midtown 

O4W Pizza and Nina & Rafi Owner Opening "Pizza By the Slice" in Virginia-Highland

The chef behind O4W Pizza and Nina + Rafi is planning to open a third pizzeria, this time in Virginia-Highland.  The new restaurant, "Pizza By the Slice," is planned for 1021 Virginia Avenue in a space out of which seafood eatery Goin Coastal operated for eight years before closing this past November.  Before Goin Coastal, the space, which dates from about 1910, was home to FIGO pasta.  The new pizzeria will open adjacent to Paolo’s Gelato and will occupy 1,600 square feet of the roughly 2,700 square foot space.

[EXCLUSIVE] Emory University to Open "Innovation Hub" in Vacant Earth Fare at Emory Point

Emory University has leased the former Earth Fare grocery store at Emory Point for what sources say will be a new "Innovation Hub."  The university plans to utilize the nearly 23,000 square foot space for a variety of private and public uses according to sources familiar with the university's plans.  Discussions with Emory University about leasing the space have reportedly been in the works for over a year, since before Earth Fare closed, according to multiple real estate professionals.

[UPDATE] Fuddruckers Now Closed in Alpharetta, Kennesaw Too

The Fuddruckers restaurant in Alpharetta has closed.  The restaurant, at 6360 North Point Parkway  in the Target / Dick's Sporting Goods / Dave & Buster's / Hobby Lobby etc. anchored North Point Market Center shopping center, along North Point Parkway across from North Point Mall, reportedly closed Wednesday night.  The restaurant reportedly opened around the time that North Point Mall opened which debuted in October 1993.

Signage had been removed and a trailer was onsite by Thursday evening 

[EXCLUSIVE] Chase Bank Looks to Cash in on Rite Aid Closure

A new branch of Chase Bank is being proposed for 891 Ponce de Leon Avenue, adjacent to Fellini's Pizza, on the site of a former Rite Aid.  The Rite Aid, a former Eckerd, closed earlier this year, along with hundreds of other locations nationwide, following Walgreens' purchase of 1,900 stores and subsequent "right sizing" of their overall store count.