Red Pepper Taqueria reportedly permanently closed its Brookhaven restaurant as of 8PM December 31. Signage at the restaurant confirms tonight's early closure but suggests that it will reopen albeit with more limited hours - closed on Mondays - and will no longer sell alcohol!
Located in TOWN Brookhaven, the Mexican eatery first opened in the mixed-use development in 2018 when it replaced Jefe's Tacos & Tequila, a separate but similar restaurant.
The closure of Red Pepper Taqueria in Brookhaven follows the closure of Red Pepper locations in Toco Hills and Buckhead earlier this year. ToNeTo Atlanta reported this past March that three of the group's four locations were being marketed for sale. The Buckhead restaurant was the only location not being marketed for sale. The Dunwoody restaurant, the group's newest, opened in 2021 and is located in a freestanding building along Ashford Dunwoody Road. The building is owned by Red Pepper owner Justin Karam with the restaurant expected to remain in business for now.
Karam and his family have been involved in assorted businesses in metro Atlanta for decades with their interests including the six-unit D&K Suit City chain of discount suiting and accessories stores. The Karams also own Kabob Land, located next door to the former Red Pepper in Buckhead, as well as Chelo, an upscale Mediterranean eatery on Alpharetta Street in Roswell.
Prior to Jefe's Tacos & Tequila's September 2016 opening, the roughly 4,100 square foot space was home to Noche, which had occupied the space since early 2011, shortly after TOWN Brookhaven opened. Noche closed abruptly on October 5, 2015 along with all other Here to Serve restaurant concepts amidst a liquidity crisis.
Red Pepper's closure at TOWN Brookhaven follows the closures of The Wing Guru and Urban Wok at the project earlier this year. Chef Robert Gayle of Chef Rob's Cafe & Bar in Sandy Springs is planning to open Jerks Caribbean Grill, a smaller, simpler version of his original sit-down restaurant in the former Urban Wok space in early 2025.
Are you surprised to see Red Pepper Taqueria close in Brookhaven? What would you like to see open in place of Red Pepper in Brookhaven? What is your favorite taqueria in town?
Please share your thoughts below.
21 comments:
Never went to the Brookhaven location but really liked the Toco Hills location and was sad when it closed.
Lack of parking has doomed many restaurants at TownBrookhaven.
Mirko next?
TB has what, four restaurants left? (Not counting the always busy food counter in Costco) Newks, Moe's, Hop Nob and There Gastropub, not good to see so many Town Brookhaven closing, a lot of square footage empty there. I think they need to put emphasis on finding small, independent chef operations and avoid chains and franchises.
I would be surprised if the Dunwoody location lasts through 2025. Also, independent chef driven restaurants can't pay the rent demanded at TB. So it's all corporate backed chains.
High rent costs are to blame for the restaurants leaving. Town Brookhaven overprices its rent and runs the restaurants out. Olde Blind Dog, Red Pepper, Lucky’s, Wing Guru, Urban Wok, the 2 coffee shops , the ice cream shop.
I would say that the problem is less about rent and more about parking/the flow of the center, and a lack of focus from property management on ACTIVATING the retail components of the center.
It does start with parking though.
Until Town Brookhaven does something to prevent residents from parking in the retail spaces, they're going to have problems. If nothing else, they should start making people register on an app, like park mobile, to access something like 15 minutes of free parking, but then anything thereafter, they have the vehicles documented.
That said, there are plenty of poorly parked lifestyle centers around metro Atlanta that perform well. Since the center's inception, it has lacked true retail anchors in the village. Yes, Publix, Costco, Marshall's, and ultimately Club Stud, are anchors, but the retail/restaurant area is separate from the retail.
There's no destination in here driving people into the center. All of the restaurants mentioned above (Olde Blind Dog, Red Pepper, Lucky's, Wing Guru, Urban Wok, the coffee guys, etc)... all BAD operators. Brookhaven is a high income suburb. Residents don't want mediocre brands/operators.
Until the LL invests in bringing in strong national operators, fixes the parking, and activates the community (more than just a 3rd rung movie on the green), the general retail here will continue to struggle. Publix does massive sales. The issue isnt the location or the community.
They're closing everywhere, so probably so.
Tear it down and build more apartments with a Chipotle and a Starbucks
There’s always plenty of parking in the Publix garage!!
Well said!! I didn’t realize the residents are parking in the retail spaces.
They tried to charge for chips and salsa. Do you know how much salsa I can make for $9? Cilantro is 39 cents. An onion is a quarter. I can get a lot of tomatoes for a dollar.
You could get a tomato and just eat it with some taco sauce on it. Free packets from taco bell.
you just named a bunch of destination retailers and then said there's no destination driving people to the center. Publix, Costco and the fancy gym are all destinations that should prompt business toward the restaurants. But the restaurants are all meh or blah.
Was never a fan of this place. Everything tasted frozen/reheated. Cold cheese dip, obviously reheated taquitos, etc. I will not miss that place.
omg seriously? there is acres of parking...people might just have to walk a little. the horror!
And hot ice cream
Lol so true
Their service was terrible. Food just meh.
The Karams don’t know good food. Their food blows across their chains.
I agree with those who said that all the restaurants were meh or blah. I live there, and the only decent restaurants are Mirko and HobNob. Red Pepper Taqueria never, ever gave me quality food that made me wanna come back. I could’ve driven down to Buford highway for authentic Mexican food. Lastly, it is sad to see the only thriving food place is Crumbl haha. I hope to see someone NEW cook quality food there; there are tons of residents there to feed, but it is evident there hasn’t been a restaurant we all love…..teaaa
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