Garrett Popcorn Shops has closed at Lenox Square in Buckhead. The shop, located on the mall's Plaza Level, first opened November 26, 2014 and after an extended but temporary closure during the pandemic, has closed permanently in recent days, according to a ToNeTo Atlanta reader.
The Buford shop lasted about a year, closing in March 2017. Both Lenox Square and Mall of Georgia are malls owned by Simon.
The popcorn shop is the latest in a string of food and beverage closures at the Buckhead mall.
Ponko Chicken, a local chicken chain, closed their outpost in the food court in August. More recently, Sugar Daddy Cookies closed as of October 24. The locally owned cookie shop occupied an over-sized kiosk space within the food court and opened February 28, 2023. The company closed their location at Cumberland Mall when they opened at Lenox. Sugar Daddy Lenox opened in place of The Dapper Doughnut, which opened in 2018 but lasted just nine months.
For Sugar Daddy and Garrett to have both closed in the fourth quarter of the year but before the start of the holiday shopping season is beyond odd.
Interestingly, Charleys Cheesesteaks, which closed in the food court several months ago, is reportedly reopening soon, according to both the restaurant and mall's websites.
A Kylie Cosmetics vending machine was also recently removed from the mall's Plaza level.
As we have mentioned previously, the once luxe mall has been plagued by both internal and external issues in recent years, and traffic at the mall has noticeably changed.
In our recent visits to the mall - and neighboring Phipps Plaza too - we have noticed most stores' salespeople on their phones (presumably the result of boredom), but more concerning is the number of times we have noticed the mall's proud security force also distracted by their phones or attractive female shoppers.
On one visit in particular - with a large event going on at the front of the mall - we were nearly hit by a speeding car as we walked in the crosswalk, while an off-duty APD officer was hanging out in the shade on his phone and clearly not doing the job he was hired to do.
It would be great if Lenox regained its charm and appeal but the way things are going lately, that may be unlikely to happen anytime soon.
What are your thoughts on the changes at Lenox Square? When was the last time your shopped or dined at Lenox Square? Is there anything Lenox Square could do to improve their image?
Please share your thoughts below
54 comments:
Thanks! You’ve opened the door now to an onslaught of racist remarks to fill the comments section of this article.
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A lot of white people stopped shopping there after it went predominantly black. Their motivation may be racist but facts are facts.
It's not so much that the customers are predominantly black but it's the type of blacks. If it were predominantly white trailer trash, the results would be the same. I live in Atlanta but work out of state in a white hick town. The affluent whites in the town steer clear of these low class white hicks.
It a class issue not race.
Put a fork in it, its done for Phipps and Lenox. Every mall that has failed in Georgia follows a specific pattern with a shift in who their majority demographic customers are. Customers that tend to look (and steal) but not buy while running off those that would buy.
Once that shift reaches a certain threshold, its over for that mall. So far the only mall aware of in Georgia that maintains a good mix of demographics is Mall of Georgia but its on a razor thin margin of crossing the threshold of no return. Its decline has already really started but could be reversed but not sure how.
I wish you had just stated what you meant to say honestly. There's a lot of insinuation in this article.
I hope you made a complaint to APD and not just here on your blog.
Anyway, regarding the food. The cookies were pretty expensive for what they were. They were decent but not worth the price.
I'm surprised Ponko closed but I guess they're completion was probably Popeyes.
As for popcorn, I don't recall popcorn stores ever last particularly long. Sounds like they had a decent run.. I guess.
Why would anybody want to shop there after it got so ghetto? You can make all the “racist” excuses you want, but face the truth.
I agree that the issues are not race related, but behavioral related. It doesn't matter your age, gender, race, etc. if you are loud and rude I prefer to be somewhere else. I'm not sure what Lenox can do, but maybe the observation about Security and Police might help. As for these closing motioned above, I could care less about those places but do see other closings as problematic. So, focus on improved behavior from guest and employees and a more attractive list of stores.
Anon at 10:44 nailed it. It's the class (and culture), not color of the clientele. I sure hope Simon Management reads this.
I agree it’s a class and cultural issue more than a race issue . The white trailer crowd at Walmart makes it not as great an ambience for me though I personally shop anywhere for the product .
You see all races at Alons at Phipps but it maintains its class .
After reading all these disgusting comments I know why Trump won. I am white and never hesitate to shop at Lenox. I'd rather be a minority than shop in a white-bread racist place like Avalon where you feel 'safe.'
Really, how are you determining their class? In my observation, the people of color at the mall are dressed way better than most white ppl.
Yes, this person gets it!
I think the main issue with all malls is everyone as a whole has changed how they shop, especially since Covid. Online shopping is much easier than going to a physical store and you can typically find better discounts. When I need something, my first inclination is never to run it the mall, it’s to jump online where you have endless choices. I live close to and visit both Lenox and Phipps but it’s always to make returns for online purchases that didn’t work and I don’t feel unsafe at either mall. The crowds are annoying, but for me that’s true for any place I shop, I just don’t like crowds.
NorthPark Center in Dallas has a dress code they enforce. They hire pianists and violinists to play in the corridors and there doesn't seem to be an issues there. Perhaps Lenox & Phipps could look into something similar.
I agree
It isn’t done. Lenox still commands some of the highest psf rent in the country, and they get it, and have high occupancy. It’s not slowing down, it’s increasing. Not done.
It wasn’t popped fresh there, that’s how they win in Chicago.
They won’t. And if they do they don’t care. These comments are meaningless to them, they make plenty of money without the racists.
They don’t throw people out based on a dress code. They don’t enforce it in the way you are saying, someone who “dresses black” gets thrown out….no, that does not happen at Northpark.
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I’m a bit perplexed by the tone of this post and the comments. I’m a regular visitor to Lenox Mall, and I’ve always noticed a diverse mix of people from various backgrounds. While it’s true that some of the stores you mentioned have closed, especially Kylie Cosmetics since it’s not as popular as it used to be, there have been several new businesses opening or coming soon, such as Rolex, Skims, TYR, Maje, Mango, Alo Yoga, and The Webster. Considering the heavy foot traffic this mall receives from both locals and visitors, I don’t foresee it declining anytime soon. If you’re concerned about the changing demographics, perhaps you could collaborate with city officials and reach out to the companies that currently have stores at Lenox and Phipps. Suggest that they consider expanding to the areas north of Atlanta, like Avalon and the upcoming Medley development, which offer great opportunities for growth.
It's Lenox SQUARE, not "mall". Lenox Square is indeed a mall, but "Mall" isn't part of its name.
It drives me absolutely crazy to hear/read "Lenox Mall", but sadly it's not going away. I seem to remember an advertising tag line way, way back; Everything's there at Lenox Square!
Post Covid, there are fewer office workers (day to day). Come Thurs or Friday, many companies are hybrid so no one really goes in. If anything
The cookie place was expensive based on the quality. Also, frankly the food court itself is not much to write home about. Cheapo fast food or overly expensive fast food, pick one.
The whole demo thing is dumb and baseless. The demo is as it has been since the 90s minus a large influx of office workers.
Lenox and perimeter will be standing after the world ends lol
I recently shopped at Macy's Lenox. The store was very run down. Dirty. The bottom floor is now bargain basement, and the mix of merch is awful. The rest of Lenox has gone to a very expensive mix of stores, not the high middle class with a lean toward luxury that I would have classified it as in the past. I have been going to Lenox since the 1970s, and I worked there in the 1980s. I have seen it across time. And it has NONE of the charm that is used to. It was one of my favorite places in Atlanta, but now has just no charm.
Avalon is not a racist place it is just a different clientele and business will come and go
Lenox will always be a destination mall .. retail/food will be come and go
Dress codes are racist!
So it's not Lenox Square Mall? Then why does everyone but you call it that?
Can't believe that these two dudes are triggered by the phrase "Lenox Mall." You guys need some serious help.
TO: Anon. November 10 at 1:29 p.m.
You are probably referring to their 1960s radio and TV ads:
"Everything's there at Lenox Square.
Lenox Square, Lenox Square.
Everything's there at Lenox Square.
It' the shoppers' showplace."
"With parking for 5,000 cars!"
@10:31 Why do Lenox and Phipps require metal detectors and K9 units if their clientele is so classy?
The proper name is "Lenox Square Shopping Center". And how would you feel if we called you "Obnoxious Moron" when your given name is actually "Obnoxious Idiot"?
First grade education is definitely showing in this comment: "Why do Lenox and Phipps require metal detectors and K9"
Are you saying there aren't metal detectors and K9 units in both malls?
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My elderly father recently shopped at the Macy's store and he will not return. He said the music was blasted so loud he couldn't even think and asked a manager to turn it down but was ignored.
All the negativity in the comments just sounds like frustration—and, honestly, some people are coming across as racist. Don’t worry—your new president will make sure you can earn over $100k and afford the finer things in life! Rodeo Drive here they come!
Maybe they closed because the rent is just too damn high! Or maybe they have plans to continue business elsewhere and make more money.
I'm a black woman but stopped going to Lenox after I couldn't see any more white people. The place has become ghetto for many years now. Its luxury feeling which I loved and always look for in a mall, no longer exists.
My elderly aunt was in there and it was too cold and she asked the manager to turn on the heat and was also ignored.
I’m African American, and don’t normally see the need to tell anyone that but since you said you’re a “black woman” to make a point……I don’t feel unsafe at all shopping at Lenox but people generally don’t mess with me. I think if you really knew what “ghetto” means you wouldn’t say that.
I can’t believe it’s not butter!
I was at Lenox this past weekend and it was super packed, took forever to find parking, I was gonna go valet because there were no parking spots.
Dress codes are just that…dress codes
I have not been in a store except Walmart to shop in at least five years. I order everything including Walmart and it is delivered to me. I love it.
I hate to see Garrett's go. Bring it Midtown.
Are you color blind? Maybe that's why you couldn't see white people!
All Metro Atlanta malls have the same issue. Not enough foot traffic and an increase in online shopping. Race has nothing to do with it.
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