[ALERT] Popular Breakfast Spot J. Christopher's Pulls the Plug in Decatur

Atlanta based J. Christopher's has closed their restaurant in Decatur.  The breakfast eatery, located at 250 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., had been in business nineteen years, according to signage at the restaurant announcing the closure. 

It's unclear exactly when it closed but sources in the area suggest it was "within the past few days."  The restaurant is identified as "permanently closed" on Google.     

J. Christopher's marks the second breakfast eatery to close in Decatur in just the past few weeks following the closure of Effin Egg (201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.) in July after less than two years in business.  

Decatur diners seeking breakfast and brunch dishes still have several options including FolkArt a 174 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. FolkArt opened in late 2019 in a space previously home to fellow breakfast spots Thumbs Up Diner and before that, the beloved Crescent Moon. 

The first J. Christopher's opened in Marietta in 1997.  Today the locally owned-chain includes 19 locations in Georgia plus one in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. (The company's website indicates that the Decatur location is still open as is the Buckhead unit in Peachtree Hills despite it having closed more than a year ago.)  Verde Taqueria opened earlier this month in place of the former J. Christopher's in Peachtree Hills.    

A new J. Christopher's is coming soon to The Shops at Ashley Park in Newnan, according to The City Menus.  

The owners of J. Christopher's also operate a sibling brand, Reveille Cafe, a so-called "coffeehouse cafe," which includes seven locations in Georgia (some converted former J. Christopher's) plus one in The Villages, Florida.    

Bradenton, Florida-based First Watch, a similar breakfast eatery, entered the Atlanta market in 2012 with the purchase of two J. Christopher locations.  The restaurants, in Johns Creek and Smyrna, were subsequently rebranded and reopened as First Watch restaurants in 2013.  

At the time of the purchase, it was reported that the Florida company also acquired the right to purchase the J. Christopher’s brand, concept and all intellectual property, contingent on certain developments, but that never came to fruition.    

For its part, First Watch has since its Atlanta debut in early 2013 expanded to more than 20 locations around the state including a Decatur location in the Sprouts-anchored Decatur Crossing shopping center less than two miles from the now closed J. Christopher's.   

Are you surprised J. Christopher's closed its location in Decatur? Where would you like to see J.Christopher's open next?  What is your favorite local or chain breakfast eatery?  

Please share your thoughts below.