Sunday, August 28, 2022

Bits & Bites

Ferrari made its debut Friday August 12 at Lenox Square in Buckhead.  The new boutique, which replaced the Tesla store, is located just outside Neiman Marcus on the first floor of the Buckhead mall.  

Dr. Martens will open their first Atlanta area outpost at Lenox Square in Buckhead.  The new store will be located on the mall's upper level, between Johnson & Murphy and Athleta, in space #4022, most recently home to jeweler Alex and Ani.  

Glossier has returned to Ponce City Market, this time with a permanent storefront.  The New York-based makeup retailer got its start as an online retailer in 2014 before branching out into pop-up shops in 2018.  The brand launched a pop-up at Ponce City Market in 2020, but the new store, located along the North Avenue facing side of the project, is the company's first permanent store in the market.    There are currently six stores nationwide.  

A new location of Aqua-Tots swim school is coming to Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.  The new swim school franchise will anchor Mt Paran Walk, a small strip center at 5290 Roswell Road, just inside the perimeter.  Aqua-Tots replaces the former Sandy Springs office of Harry Norman Realtors.  There are currently seven Aqua-Tots open in metro Atlanta, including one in East Cobb that opened this past April, with another franchise coming soon to Dunwoody Village.   

Men's dress shoe retailer Cobbler Union closed its store on the second floor of Ponce City Market Sunday, August 14.  The retailer held a "moving out" sale in advance of the closure.   For now, the brand is available online only.  

A new location of Truck & Tap is planned for Norcross.  The new restaurant would be built from the ground up at the southwest corner of Britt Avenue and College Street in downtown Norcross.  The new restaurant would be approximately 3,620 square feet of new construction heated area, 2,706 square feet of patio, 754 square feet of deck, and 13,848 square feet of site. There are currently existing Truck & Tap locations in Woodstock, Duluth and Alpharetta.  

Chick-fil-A will be completing a "reinvestment" project at their Vinings restaurant (2485 Cumberland Parkway).  "Beginning on Friday, August 12th we will be closed for our reinvestment to our building, drive-thru lanes and equipment.  This exciting reinvestment project will be completed in approximately 10 weeks."  The Atlanta-based company has poured millions of dollars into modernization and rebuild programs across its portfolio including several restaurants in the Cumberland area including those at Akers Mill, Windy Hill and Marietta Trade Center, among others.  

Whit's Frozen Custard plans to open a new location in Roswell in early 2023. The new frozen custard shop is planned for 2612 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 130, where it will be part of the redevelopment of the former Super Target.  The Granville, Ohio-based franchise currently has one Atlanta area location in Newnan with another planned for Augusta.  

Heyday, a new-to-market franchise offering facials and related skincare merchandise opened their first Atlanta area location at Ashford Lane in Dunwoody on August 11. "On a mission to offer high-quality, approachable facials without the hassle of a full spa day, Heyday offers a modern vibe built for convenience and conversation."  The new shop joins a growing list of new additions to the center that includes Sweetgreen and Brown Bag Seafood and soon, Grana and Superica.  Another new Heyday is slated to join the similarly revamped lineup at Midtown Promenade where longtime anchor Trader Joe's is being joined by Snooze an A.M. Eatery, Yumbi, The Queso Shop, and Alici, a new oyster and seafood bar from Chef Pat Pascarella.  The Midtown Heyday is slated to open later this fall.  Atlanta-based private equity group Level 5 Capital Partners, whose other investments include Restore Hyper Wellness, Orangetheory Fitness, CorePower Yoga and Big Blue Swim Schools, among other businesses, is leading the local expansion of Heyday.   

Knife Mediterranean celebrated its grand opening August 17 at 3162 Piedmont Road, just off Peachtree, near Bones in Buckhead.  The building, an old rug store, was “completely gutted” to create the 6,500-square-foot, two-story restaurant. In September, a 1,000-square-foot speakeasy bar that will be accessed from the kitchen will also open on the first level.  Knife is currently open for dinner hours daily, with plans to add weekend brunch in the coming weeks.

Atlanta's famous Icebox Diamonds & Watches has opened in the Big Apple!  The popular jewelry store opened a shop in shop within the Saks Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue in New York.  The store celebrated its Grand Opening Saturday August 13 and is located on the store's 6th floor, men's department. 

Popular Buckhead restaurant Storico Fresco has in recent weeks eliminated the majority of their prepared foods from their market offerings with the exception of one pork lasagna that is still offered.  There was reportedly no reason provided for the discontinuation of the products, but there are reportedly no plans to bring back the offering. 

Academy Sports + Outdoors will celebrate the grand opening of its latest Atlanta area store August 27 in Dunwoody.  The new store, which ToNeTo Atlanta first reported on April 28, replaces Bed Bath & Beyond in the suburban shopping center. 

Conn's HomePlus is opening a new Atlanta area store in portion of the old Sears at Arbor Place in Douglasville.  The electronics retailer, which is reportedly actively scouting Georgia for several other locations, has leased approximately 37,500 square feet of the former Sears for its new store.  In addition to the Douglasville store, The Woodlands, Texas-based retailer earlier this year inked a deal in Columbus where it will join Burlington in backfilling a former Toys R Us at Columbus Park Crossing.  

Planet Fitness opened its latest Atlanta area facility August 17 in Brookhaven.  The new 28,000 square foot gym is the largest in franchisee Alder Partners' portfolio. Members can join during the club’s Grand Opening Sale for only $1 down and $10 a month with no commitment until September 14th.

The owners of Fire Stone Chinese Cuisine are opening a second location.  Joining the existing Fire Stone on Ernest Barrett Parkway in in Kennesaw is a new location at 1401 Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb.  The restaurant features traditional Szechuan cuisine.

Furniture store Ethan Allen has closed its latest attempt at a Buckhead outpost after about five years in business.  The store, located in Lenox Marketplace across from Phipps Plaza, opened in 2017 and closed a few weeks ago.  The retailer previously had a store located in the 3200 block of Peachtree Road where Modani, another furniture store operates today.  Halloween City, a temporary Halloween retailer, will soon open in the 12,000 square foot Lenox Marketplace space.  

Auntie Vee's kitchen, a new restaurant featuring "Caribbean Comfort Fusion Cuisine" "soft opened" August 26.  The new eatery is located at 12890 Alpharetta Highway in Milton within the Windward Way shopping center.  According to Auntie Vee's website, the restaurant features "The Best Mac And Cheese In Chicago!" 

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I visited the website of fire stone Chinese. The menu mainly caters to Chinese clientele. I wish someone would open a “traditional Chinese American” Chinese restaurant with quality food. I know that someone will comment that I need to stretch my horizons and reach outside of my comfort zone in terms of trying different cuisine, the answer is that I do, always, except that the Chinese ethnic menu does not wear well with my digestive system. there is nothing wrong with asking for old-school traditional Chinese American cuisine that has a high-quality and presented in a high end environment with a good vibe. That said, I can’t wait for PF Changs to (re) open at perimeter mall!

Anonymous said...

oh wow, Ferrari, at the highest crime mall in the entire state. Why not just go to a normal Ferrari store where you don’t have to risk your life in order to make a purchase? I could just see it now hundreds of TikTok videos and Instagram‘s of kids laying down on the ground in front of the Ferrari and on top of the hood and some dumb butt on crack trying to drive off with the model that’s inside the mall. If Tesla could not make it at Lenox or Phipps I don’t see how Ferrari will. instead of putting a police presence around the perimeter of the mall, they should put the police presence around the perimeter of Buckhead. I live very close to Buckhead and therefore I’m invested in the wellness of the area, and I am all for Buckhead city hood, creating a standalone city of Buckhead. I am not sure what the current barriers to entry and blockers are at this time.

Anonymous said...

looks like General hardware ace on Peachtree Road in Brookhaven has closed after what must’ve been at least 40 or 50 years? I wonder how long they’ve been in business. Right now there are 40 foot dumpsters and warning signs in the parking lot and the parking lot is roped off. The warning signs are from a pest control company and warn of potential harm or death if you cross the line. I wonder if some kind of infestation or other problem with the facility contributed to the closure. Hopefully they will put the real estate to good use.

Anonymous said...

Love somebody complaining about wanting quality American Chinese, then expressing excitement for PF Changs, which is pure trash.

Anonymous said...

They have a good point though, there is no longer any American Chinese that is of good quality. Most of the places went out of business and the old-school chefs are long gone and they’ve lost the craft.

Anonymous said...

Ponce City Market has such a high amount of turnover. So many people go to walk and eat, but I have to wonder if anyone shops.

Steven S said...

Firestone is co-owned by Peter Chang of Tasty China-fame.
The menu is very similar to the two Tasty China in Smyrna and Marietta. Traditional Szechuan Chinese that also has Cantonese options.
The dry-fried eggplant and soup buns are highly recommended.

Unknown said...

Lol...the Ferrari store is not selling cars.

Anonymous said...

From their web site: “Men’s Ferrari clothing offers the perfect mix of elegance and dynamism to face everyday challenges embodying the Prancing Horse values”. - such BS marketing jargon, do you face everyday challenges that embody the prancing horse values? what does that even mean? I give them six months, just past Christmas and then they go online only with overstock at TJ Maxx snd Marshall’s. I understand and shop the luxury wing at Lenox but this is just stoo’pid.

Anonymous said...

One might assume they have a Ferrari on display in the center of the boutique… i’d be surprised if they didn’t, a missed opportunity.

Alanna said...

Thanks for the Chick-Fil-A update. They're my local, and I would go there 2-3 times a week for breakfast. The app made in-store pick-up fast and easy (unlike trying to get out of the parking lot.) Now that the store is completely gutted, I've had to switch to the Dwarf House up in Woodstock, near where I work... and it is ridiculously slow, especially for CFA.

On the plus side, that Woodstock CFA is next door to one of the first two GA Whataburgers. The crew razed the site a few weeks ago, and looks like they should be ready to pour foundation soon!

Anonymous said...

Dey goan beez flash-mobbed, and it doesn't take an MBA in finance to predict the outcome!

CloseOTP said...

Storico stated (in an email-I'm on their mailing list) that the packaging materials cost was increasing too much and based on the quality of packing materials they wanted and the fact that they're a small business that doesn't purchase large quantities, the economics of it didn't make sense for them to continue offering the prepared food.

Anonymous said...

@Alanna - I go to that Vinings CFA too. I always order on the app and go inside and wait for another 5 minutes when I could have just walked up to the register and ordered and received my lunch faster.

Regarding good ole American style Chinese, I like House of Chan in the Cumberland area just up the road from The Battery.

Anonymous said...

You’re an idiot. They’re not selling cars at the Ferrari store (accessories only)and City hood would not prevent crime in Buckhead. 🤦🏾‍♂️

Anonymous said...

try panda express

Anonymous said...

Whether there’s a sports car in the center of the store or not every single item in that boutique supports the promotion and branding and aspirational lifestyle towards ownership of a Ferrari vehicle. Without the Ferrari vehicle the boutique would not exist. They are selling cars.

Anonymous said...

People who can afford a Ferrari don't shop at Lenox. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, but not today. Buckhead is for people who rent a Ferrari with a stolen credit card, crash it while driving drunk or high, and then flee down Peachtree on a Bird scooter.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great plot for Ferris Bueller’s Day off part two! It could be called Ferris Bueller’s Day off: Buckhead

Anonymous said...

Dry-fried eggplant 🍆? That even SOUNDS 😋 delicious!

Anonymous said...

People who can afford a Ferrari don't shop at Lenox. - What do you mean? I see people wearing $50,000 Hermes Birkin bags and $100,000+ Audemars Piguet watches at Lenox all the time.

Anonymous said...

Intown old money types don't buy the flashy brands at Lenox (stealth wealth) and the new money has moved up to Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Milton areas where they don't have to worry as much about being robbed or shot.

Lenox attracts hypebeasts and Real Housewives living beyond their means for social media clout.

Anonymous said...

House of chan is excellent Chinese food good call

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