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The Starbucks Coffee Company is returning to Lenox Square more than sixteen months after it closed its popular shop at the once posh Buckhead mall under mysterious circumstances. The Lenox Square closure in January 2024 followed the closure of the Starbucks in neighboring Phipps Plaza in September 2023.
A new kind of eatery is coming soon to the former Sahara Cafe in Chastain Park. Doughnuts + Fries, yes, that's the name, and that's exactly what will be offered at the new business being opened by Thomas and Lisa Morris.
In recent months we have reported on several restaurant closures in West Midtown leaving many to question the viability of the area and wonder who might be next to throw in the towel. Given the existing challenges, it was more than little surprising to learn Tuesday that a new-to-market gourmet toast, smoothie, and juice joint plans to open a location in the area later this fall.
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| Credit: Toastique |
A new location of Fogo de Chão is coming near the Mall of Georgia in Buford. Plans recently filed with Gwinnett County indicate the popular Brazilian rodízio-style steakhouse (churrascaria) is opening in the former On The Border at 3206 Buford Drive.
And you thought the party was over? ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that Swoozies is reopening in Chastain Square in Chastain Park! The popular gift and party store closed all of their stores earlier this year including the original in Chastain Park, which launched the company in 2001. ''
Nordstrom is bringing another of its off-price "Nordstrom Rack" stores to metro Atlanta. Newly updated site plans for Johns Creek Town Center in Suwanee confirm that a new Nordstrom Rack is opening in the 31,000 square foot space left vacant earlier this year by the closure of Market by Macy's.
It seems metro Atlanta is getting another Lululemon store! Following the closure earlier this year of Banana Republic at Vinings Jubiliee, signage went up in recent days that confirms a new Lululemon store will open in its place!
It looks like Jeremy Gatto is returning to his old BeltLine stomping grounds. Coming soon signage for "Pizza Dynamo" went up in recent days outside Pour Taproom along the Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail.
Things are not looking so "pleasant" at Bahama Breeze Island Grille. The Florida-based chain owned by mega operator Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) has in recent weeks shuttered more than a third of the entire chain, leaving just 29 locations open.
Atlanta's latest "non-traditional" Chick-fil-A is slated to open Thursday in Buckhead. The restaurant, on which ToNeTo Atlanta was first to report in June 2023, is located at 3234 Peachtree Road near the intersection of Peachtree and Piedmont Roads. is nearing completion at Buckhead Place in Buckhead and expected to open May 15.
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| Photo: FlashPoint CRE |
In a move shocking to few, SocialBites Food Hub has closed in Sandy Springs. The "Food Hub," located at the corner of Abernathy and Roswell Roads, first opened with two concepts in June 2023 before adding two more concepts and becoming Social Bites this past July. Local sources suggest the restaurant(s) closed permanently as of May 11 with no advance warning of the closure.
An unexpected tenant has been added to the roster at the Edgewood Retail District (ERD): stuffed cookie franchise Dirty Dough. Another player in the gourmet cookie space, Dirty Dough currently has two stores in Georgia but none in metro Atlanta.
In a year full of restaurant closures, many of which seem to have taken place in West Midtown, a landmark intown restaurant announced Monday that it has closed. The original Taco Mac - 1006 North Highland Avenue in Virginia-Highland - has closed after nearly five decades in business.
In a move we can confidently say no one saw coming, a new brick and mortar bookstore is planned for the remaining portion of the former Sprouts Farmers Market next to Trader Joe's in Chastain Park.
Office Depot will soon close its store at the Edgewood Retail District (1205 Caroline Street) just south of Little Five Points in Atlanta. The store, located in a freestanding building within the sprawling shopping center, is physically located along Moreland Avenue near co-anchor Kroger.
Another day, another closure in West Midtown. This time it's Bastone from Chef Pat Pscarella's The Porchetta Group. The Mozzarella bar and restaurant opened at 887 Howell Mill Road in March of 2022 and is slated to close at the end of service on Sunday, Mother's Day, May 11, according to a source with knowledge of the restaurant's plans.
QuikTrip (QT) will later this summer open two new stores in metro Atlanta. The stores - in Marietta and Peachtree Corners - add to what is already a significant Atlanta area presence for the Tulsa-based fuel retailer and convenience store operator.
In addition to the upcoming Portillo's in Kennesaw, ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that the Chicagoland restaurant known for its beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and shakes, is planning at least two more units in the greater metro Atlanta area in the near term.
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| A new Portillo's in Orlando - Official |
It seems Jekyll Brewing will be the latest brewery to close in metro Atlanta. After news in February that the company had stopped producing kegs, rumors swirled that there was a deeper issue with the business. Those rumors were realized Tuesday when Jekyll Brewing owner Michael Lundmark confirmed the imminent closure of all Jekyll Brewing locations via a post on Atlanta Beer Society, a local Facebook page.
The revolving door of stores continues to turn at local Simon malls. On the heels of several closures at Lenox Square including TYR, Moose Knuckles, Forever 21, and what seemed like a cameo appearance of Britto at Phipps Plaza, comes news that a pair of new names are coming soon
The owner of a local franchise of Wild Wing Cafe announced earlier this week that he will be closing the restaurant after 14 years in business. The wing-centric restaurant is located at The Shoppes at Webb Gin (1250 Scenic Highway, Suite 1232) in Snellville.
The exodus of restaurants from West Midtown continues with news confirmed this week that Bartaco will shutter its location after about eleven years in business. The restaurant, located at 969 Marietta Street, opened in July 2014 and is due to close permanently at the end of dinner service on Monday, Cinco de Mayo.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, which has in recent years added dozens of new locations in Georgia including those in Commerce, Oakwood and Braselton, is at it again with a new restaurant planed for Augusta.
