Monday, April 27, 2020

[EXCLUSIVE] A Time to Gain, a Time to Lose...To Everything There is a Season

In a quiet weekend move, Seasons 52 closed its Buckhead location permanently.  The restaurant, located at 3050 Peachtree Road in Two Buckhead Plaza, opened in 2006, and according to a message on the restaurant's voicemail, closed as of Monday, April 27.  When the restaurant first opened, it marked the first expansion for the then fledgling concept from owner Darden Restaurant's home market of Florida.  


When Seasons 52 opened in Buckhead it also opened in an outparcel of Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody.  The Dunwoody location benefits from plentiful free parking as well as superior visibility and accessibility which have always helped it outperform its crosstown rival, according to sources familiar with the restaurant.  That said, it's believed that while COVID-19 may have accelerated Darden's plans to close Seasons 52 in Buckhead, it was not the primary cause.  

The menu at Seasons 52 changes seasonally and is geared towards those looking to enjoy their meal but not go overboard on calories.  In some ways Seasons is like a more formal True Food Kitchen.  

After having just the two locations in metro Atlanta for more than a dozen years, a new Seasons 52 opened last year along Buford Drive in Buford in an outparcel of the Mall of Georgia.  The new location sports the chain's latest architecture and design elements but features the same menu as its existing outposts.  

The 8,650 square foot space that Seasons 52 vacated at Two Buckhead Plaza is not yet listed as "available" on the marketing materials from Colliers International who handles the retail leasing at the project, but it surely will be soon.  It will be interesting to see what happens with the space given that property owner Cousins Properties revealed plans earlier this year to remake the central plaza and exterior streetscape with public art and a bicycle commuting facility, among other upgrades and changes.  

In 2012, it was simultaneous announced that Buckhead Life's Nava would close and Chef Ford Fry would be taking over the space to open King & Duke.  It took longer for the former J. Christopher's to be backfilled.  About a year after the breakfast eatery "moved" to Peachtree Hills, Chef DeeDee Niyomkul opened her Thai eatery Chai Yo in the corner space across from King & Duke and Season's 52.  

ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported February 25 that Intown Golf Club, a new concept featuring, among other things, a bar, golf simulators and co-working space, will open in Two Buckhead Plaza adjacent to RH Atlanta, The Gallery at the Estate in Buckhead (Restoration Hardware).  

Are you surprised to see Season's 52 close in Buckhead?  What would you like to see open in place of Season's 52 in Buckhead?  What is your favorite Buckhead area sit-down restaurant?

Please share your thoughts below.  

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always thought about the difference in location that you
mention as compared to Dunwoody as well. This was our "go to" restaurant in Buckhead for business lunches and dinners. Will miss it.

Anonymous said...

In addition to the inconvenient location, it wasn't as good as the perimeter location. Food, atmosphere, etc. We would drive from intown to the perimeter location.

Unknown said...

I agree with the previous messages as I really enjoyed seasons52 Buckhead. It will be missed

Anonymous said...

I would love for Darden to open a new location in Buckhead or Midtown.

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