Monday, April 27, 2020

[UPDATE] After 30 Years, Georgia Grille Closes in Peachtree Battle

Southwestern restaurant Georgia Grille is closing its doors for good after 30 years in business, the popular local spot announced Monday via its Facebook page.  The restaurant, located just south of Peachtree Battle in Peachtree Square shopping center, is the second restaurant to close in the center in just the past few months following the September 2019 closure of Panera Bread.  When Georgia Grille opened in 1990, it replaced Gianni's Restaurante Italiano.
Georgia Grille was named for noteworthy artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who among other things was known for her paintings of enlarged flowers and of New Mexico landscapes.  The closure of Georgia Grille is especially sad for locals in Atlanta, many of whom are still sour over the 2012 closure of Nava, a Buckhead Life restaurant concept that also featured Southwestern fare.

ToNeTo Atlanta was made aware months ago that the Georgia Grille was quietly being marketed for sale and more recently, since this past fall, has new owners in Charlie & Abby Lively.  ToNeTo Atlanta inquired with Karen Hilliard on the potential change/reversal in ownership, to which she indicated she was unable to provide any details/clarification.  Hilliard did indicate, however, that while the affects of COVID-19 definitely contributed to the decision to close the restaurant, it was not the primary catalyst.


News of Georgia Grille’s closure comes as several hundred, primarily chain restaurants, reopened their dining rooms today after being closed for more than a month to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“It is time to say goodbye,” Owner Karen Hilliard wrote in the Facebook post.
“Grateful for an amazing 30 years. 
Grateful for the best customer-friends. 
Grateful for years of loyal employees. 
Grateful for our vendors. 
Grateful for everyone that joined with us to create a special place for the community to come together and celebrate life!” 
Hilliard's post including notice to interested buyers that in closing the restaurant she is selling select Georgia Grille “memorabilia”: 

“Georgia [O'Keeffe] and Alfred [Stieglitz]” by Steve Penley – $15,000
Antique Coca-Cola Cooler – $3,500
Reception writing desk – $250
Old Mexican Cantina Bar – $250
Drinking Margaritas on “The Bench” – $250

If interested in purchasing any of the memorabilia, please reach out to Hilliard via text only at 404-274-0578.

Are you sad to see Georgia Grille close?  Where do you go for Southwestern fare in Atlanta?  What would you like to see open in place of Georgia Grille?

Please share your thoughts below.

5 comments:

Theron Sapp said...

Man, I'm sad to hear this. We had a lot of great meals there over the years, including just a few weeks before the apocalypse arrived. Thanks to Ms. Hilliard and the staff for all the good times. Good luck to them.

Anonymous said...

"...many of whom are still sour over the 2012 closure of Nava..."

STILL sour?! After 8yrs!? Wow, what a way to hold a grudge.

Anonymous said...

Another example of Atlantans migrating more and more to chain restaurants and not supporting local concepts like they used to.

Anonymous said...

I'm still sour about a lot of closures.

Anonymous said...

Yea; the real story here is Charlie Lively is a fraud and a con man; she called him what he was; he sued for defamation; she countersued and kicked his ass in court. Don’t ever trust a word he says. https://www.ajc.com/news/local/lawsuit-georgia-grille-owner-called-business-associate-con-man/KiGFHTzOx0nHBeO3FoUtwO/

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