Tuesday, July 6, 2021

[CLOSURE ALERT] After Decades in Business, Rafferty's Shutters Lone Metro Atlanta Outpost

Rafferty's Restaurant & Bar in Kennesaw has closed.  The regional chain occupied a freestanding 6,500 square foot building (2501 Cobb Place Lane) along Barrett Parkway in an outparcel of the bustling Barrett Pavilion shopping center.  The restaurant closed as of July 1 with its closure blamed on "a lost lease," according to online postings.  Kennesaw readers and real estate sources tell ToNeTo Atlanta that the restaurant had been in business for many years, reportedly since the overall development opened in 1994.  Following the closure there is just one Rafferty's left in Georgia, on Huntington Road in Athens.  

Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Rafferty's started in 1981 and according to a 2014 article, at one point had grown to nineteen locations.  Following the Kennesaw closure, the chain now consists of just thirteen locations, six of which are in Kentucky.

Rafferty's featured a lodge theme and was open for lunch and dinner with an expansive menu of soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and seafood, among other offerings.  

The roughly 55 acre, 458,740 square foot Barrett Pavilion power center changed hands last January for $34.6 million. JLL, which brokered the sale, said the center came with  "repositioning opportunities." It's likely Rafferty's, which according to sources familiar with the leasing efforts, had in recent years only signed short-term leases, was a victim of new ownership's "repositioning."  A partnership between Nuveen Real Estate and SITE Centers Corp sold the property to a partnership between Lincoln Property Company and Stockbridge, a San Francisco-based real estate firm.  

Adjacent to the now former Rafferty's, a shuttered 7,930 square foot Joe's Crab Shack is reportedly "under contract" according to updated leasing materials from The Shopping Center Group whose Brett Fuller is handling the leasing efforts of the center on behalf of new ownership.  

Are you sad to see Rafferty's close in Kennesaw?  What is your favorite Kennesaw area casual sit-down restaurant?  What would you like to see open in the former Rafferty's in Kennesaw?

Please share your thoughts below. 

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Used to go to the Athens location every now and then back when I was in school there. Never had any real complaints and it felt like a better version of a Bennigans.

Jml813 said...

Agree w this. Used to eat at the one in Gainesville, FL in college

Disneypal said...

Ah man! I really liked to go there when I was in the area…so sad to hear it is closed

Bob Lee said...

The wife and I loved this place! Very disappointed that this location has closed down in Kennesaw. All my best to Jason and Lora and all the rest of the great wonderful employees here.
Bob and Joyce

Unknown said...

Loved that restaurant. Wonderful food and staff

Anonymous said...

Really loved Raffertys for good food and the restaurant's consistency. Hope hq will consider another metro Atlanta site. I've been going there for years, and yes started at the Athens location back in the 90's.

Unknown said...

It was a great place to dine. Reliably comfortable and satisfying. Sad to see them go.

Unknown said...

I never was impressed with the place.I usually sit at the bar and that’s the most uncomfortable bar to sit at, ever. The food is average at best and a little bit over priced.

Unknown said...

So incredibly disappointed to see them close. Their soups and salads were always so delicious.

Unknown said...

we really enjoyed Rafferty's over the years I found out they had closed when I stopped by to grab some salads to go we ate there in June not realizing it would be our last time

Unknown said...

Please let's open up some where close by and soon. We celebrated Birthday s and many good times here.

Unknown said...

Please let's open up some where close by and soon. We celebrated Birthday s and many good times here. ROBERT AULGUR

Unknown said...

Sad to see it go. I went by there for some chicken fingers and fries and a side salad...only to see the door shut up and all the signs down.
It always had some really good service and consistent food

Anonymous said...

Oct. 2l,
I was ate at Rafferty when I was in the area. It is my favorite place to eat. I loved all the food.

Anonymous said...

Please please re open somewhere in the area. Loved this place for so many years. Your loyal customer!

Michelle W. said...

I had no idea Rafferty's had closed this location!😒 This was my favorite go-to place! The food and service were ALWAYS great! I hope they re-open a new location in the area because they had lots of satisfied customers!

Michelle W. said...

I had no idea Rafferty's had closed! 😒
This was my favorite "go-to place" in Kennesaw for great food and service! I hope they re-open a new place in the area soon because they had lots of satisfied customers here!

Anonymous said...

We were terribly disappointed to find out Rafferty’s Kennesaw was closed. That was our favorite place to eat. My family used to drive from North Ga to eat there and we always met there for family gatherings. The food was consistently delicious, and the employees made us feel welcome. Surely someone at HQ could work out another lease in the same area??? Bring it back please!!!

Anonymous said...

PLEASE, please bring Rafferty’s back to this area!!! We love their baked potato soup & salads! Great service with friendly servers!

Anonymous said...

I cannot get over the closing. My wife and I's favorite place to eat Period. So very sorry it is closed !!!!!!!!!!

Joe & Lynn Williams Jr. Rome, Ga. said...

Please reopen somewhere else in the area

Joe & Lynn Williams Jr. Rome, Ga. said...

Please bring it back !

Anonymous said...

So sad to know that this placed closed. I would love for them to open another location in the area as I’m still upset that it’s gone.

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