Wednesday, January 24, 2024

[UPDATE] Lenox a Little Less Caffeinated Following Coffee Closure

Starbucks, the hugely popular coffee chain with roughly 40,000 locations worldwide, has now permanently closed its locations in both Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square.  Both locations occupied prime mall-level space and have been fixtures in their respective malls for roughly two decades, likely longer.
Both locations closed for extended periods during the 2020-2021 pandemic period, but each reopened, only to close a short time later.  

ToNeTo Atlanta reported in December on the various changes at both malls including the closure of the Starbucks at Phipps Plaza this past September.  Signage at the Lenox Square location indicates that it closed permanently as of January 10.    
Vicki Hanor, senior executive vice president and managing director of luxury leasing for Simon, claimed at the time of the Phipps Plaza closure that it shuttered to avoid cluttering one of the mall’s wings, which Hanor said would “enhance the common area.”  

When contacted last week for comment on the Lenox Square closure and what may be planned in its place, a representative for the mall took a contrary stance, saying [we] "don’t comment on store closures."  

A temporary mall directional at the former Lenox Starbucks directs would be coffee patrons not to the remaining Starbucks inside Macy's, but to Amorino, the gelato shop in the middle of the mall near the recently closed Pottery Barn.  

Starbucks previously closed a coffee shop in Simon-owned Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville, but remains open at the Mall of Georgia in Buford , also a Simon property.  
In Lenox Square, Cami Cakes, a local cupcake shop that abruptly closed this past fall during the lucrative holiday shopping season, has reopened.  Formerly located in a "jewel box" space created years ago for Sugarfina, Cami Cakes now occupies a counter between Coach and David Yurman that was for many years the mall customer service desk.  Mall management removed staff from the counter several years ago, opting instead to direct those wishing to purchase gift cards or in need of assistance either to the security office or the Mall Management office, both clear to the opposite end of the mall near the food court.  

Lenox Square has also in recent weeks further enhanced the common area with the addition of three new large-format kiosk-type stores including Leo Jewelry, Luna Jewelry Italy, and Hadarah, a Dubai-based luxury fragrance maker hawking $425+ perfumes.  
Elsewhere in the mall, existing tenant Capital One Cafe filed a permit with the City of Atlanta January 5 for "security modifications" including an "interior remodel; bullet resistant enclosures & associated structural support." 

French luxury retailer Sandro recently debuted in place of Madewell on the mall's main level.  Other upcoming openings in the mall are set to include a larger, relocated Gucci (in addition to the large store at Phipps Plaza), Moncler, The Webster, Maje, and Mango, among others.  

When was the last time you visited Lenox Square?  What do you make of Starbucks closing in both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza?  What do you think will be added to "enhance the common area" in place of Starbucks at Lenox Square?

Please share your thoughts below.  

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Bullet resistant enclosures" Wow, that's where I want to shop, NOT!

Anonymous said...

Starbucks didn’t pull the plug, the mall did. The alternative is an inline space, not yet ready and way more expensive. Intentionally to get them to go. Starbucks isn’t stupid and won’t operate an unprofitable store, so they passed on the ludicrous offer.

Anonymous said...

Enhanced common areas at Lenox... Does that mean they're going to make a Bloods section and a Crips section? How about spaces designated for panhandling and cat calling?

Ham said...

There was time when people went to Lenox often just to sort of browse. This might have included a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. Now, if I even go, it is in and out. I often park outside the store I plan to visit run in and never even enter the actual mall corridors unless necessary.

Anonymous said...

Capital one needs to just move to Dunwoody

Anonymous said...

My theory is that the Starbucks eventually will be back in the spot where Steve Madden just relocated from.

However, this also appears to be part of a push (that they’ve been on for a while) to shutter kiosk-like locations such as the ones in Lenox, Phipps and Discover Mills while keeping the in-line locations (Perimeter and MOG, for example) intact.

Anonymous said...

Ran to Lenox to pick up an order at Adidas a few weeks ago and as usual, that Starbucks was packed, so I’m really surprised they closed this location…

Anonymous said...

It's a banking location with attached cafe.. what would you be shopping for?

Anonymous said...

Worth mentioning the Starbucks inside Macy’s at Phipps on the lower level remains open.

Atlantan99 said...

@Anon RE: Starbucks in Macy's at Phipps.

It's worth mentioning that:

A) Macy's is in Lenox not Phipps
B) This fact is already referenced in the article itself.

Thanks as always for your readership.

JonJon74 said...

This kiosk had the WORST service as they were slow as f*ck. I have a friend who works for Starbucks corporate and he said staffing was a huge issue at both Lenox and Perimeter.

Anonymous said...

You people are hilarious and must not frequent Buckhead at all. Moved here from out of state 3 years ago and feel 100% confident in my safety when going to any establishment in Buckhead (where I also live). Most who talk negatively do not even come inside the perimeter. To me any mall of the caliber and sales that Lenox has should have elevated security.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dick, I live in Buckhead. I see first hand how it's gone to hell.

Anonymous said...

Hey Puss, I live in Buckhead too and its just fine, and heavenly!

Anonymous said...

That sounds cute! A store where you learn to properly cook with high end pots and pans, and another store where you make meow meow sounds to see if a cat will come to you! Those would be two unique options! Look at you, Mr Smarty!

Anonymous said...

Muffins

Anonymous said...

Whoever would think that Lenox mall in buckhead would become a firing range? Metal detectors and bullet resistance glass... good lord whatnjage we become...

Anonymous said...

You can’t even say the word Buckhead anymore without getting shot

Anonymous said...

Damnnnn even Starbuck can't survive in Lenox. Maybe they should've put Lean in their coffee no cap.

Anonymous said...

Just look at the clientele at Lenox. That says it all. I went to Neiman Marcus two days ago, as usual, ghetto thugs in the men’s department buying flashy shoes

Anonymous said...

These comments are so racist. I'm a white 60+ Y/O woman and go to Lenox multiple times a year - no fear. Atlanta is very diverse and just because the mall reflects that population y'all judge them as bad apples. There are bad people everywhere. If you live outside the perimeter stay there.

Anonymous said...

Well when you get robbed and shot walking to your Range Rover at Lenox don’t come crying to us

Anonymous said...

I’m a woman! And just as proud to be a woman as any woman can be! And I won’t cry to you or anyone. I’m not afraid and my car won’t get stolen. It never has, never will.

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