Earl of Sandwich has permanently closed at Phipps Plaza. The sandwich shop first opened on the second floor of the Buckhead mall in October 2016 and closed twice in recent years, but in both cases reopened soon afterwards. This closure, however, is final, according to signage posted to the restaurant's front doors.
Those seeking casual fare at Phipps Plaza are now limited to Johnny Rockets, Beto's Tacos, Rock's Chicken & Fries, Smooth N Groove and Alon's, plus the disappointment that is the "Food Hall at Phipps," where Cultivate closed at the end of the year and was replaced by something called "Beanissimo."
Over at Lenox Square, Five Guys Burgers & Fries has closed its location in the food court after about ten years in business. The Alexandria, Virginia-based chain has over the years also closed locations on Northside Drive near Georgia Tech, at Uptown Atlanta (fka Lindbergh City Center) near the Lindbergh MARTA station, and in Ashford Lane in Dunwoody, leaving the franchise with just four locations with an Atlanta address, plus one at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
Signage at the Lenox location invited would-be customers to drive five miles north to Chamblee where the next closest Five Guys is situated in the street level of The Keswick apartments at 5126 Peachtree [Industrial] Boulevard. Overall, the chain has 64 restaurants in Georgia.
If a five mile drive is not feasible on your lunch break, Shake Shack opened a stone's throw from Five Guys in the food court in August 2022 and continues to operate with a wider menu including a proprietary veggie burger, the "Veggie Shack."
There is no word yet on what, if anything, will replace either vacant space anytime soon.
Are you surprised by the closures of Earl of Sandwich and Five Guys? Have you been to the Food Hall at Phipps lately? What kinds of eateries would you most like to see open in either mall?
Please share your thoughts below.
28 comments:
One thing I've learned from reading this blog, the second a restaurant opens in a mall, no matter what type, the clock starts ticking down to when it will close.
It's been years since I stopped by but Earl of Sandwich wasn't bad the couple of times I ate there. I've not walked around Phipps since pre-covid times though.
Beto's is surprisingly good for a mall taco joint. Other than that, it is pretty sad.
I used to love Earl of Sandwich, despite the name. It was really good and kind of a cross between Firehouse Subs and Jersey Mike's I guess. The quality wasn't what it used to be the last time I had it though, and I'm nowhere near there so I definitely didn't keep them in business. Five Guys was overpriced anyway, so in a way no loss there. I did like how many fries they gave you, but honestly I haven't eaten at a Five Guys in over 10 years so can't say they miss me!
That’s too bad about Earl’s but a lot of people wanted Subway back in there instead. And Five Guys time was up, Lenox is notorious for requiring significant rent increases at renewal time so they can keep bringing on new tenants.
Chick fil A has been in Lenox for 50 years. How much ticking is that?
Beto’s is actually really great. Hidden gem. I hope they stick around.
There’s still a Five Guys in Midtown at Peachtree & 7th St
Ah man sucks Earls is closing. Only quick spot to grab food before a movie with Moe's gone. I haven't went through the Lenox food court in years so I don't what is left. I know people just stuck with the same thing- long lines were @ Chick-fil-A and Chipotle.
Anyone remember the Piccadilly ay Lenox?
Yep.
Eating out is becoming a "special occasion" thing.... Birthdays, anniversary, out of town guests, etc. It's just become too expensive for casual dining. Therefore, mall options are going to continue to suffer. Nobody is celebrating an occasion dining in a shopping mall.
The clock is ticking on CFA in malls. For now, the CFA zombies keep them afloat.
agree that the quality has declined in recent years
I have been in Atlanta since 1959 grew up in Brookhaven no chik fil A was there fifty years ago
Need food that not high
Are we great yet?
It’s been down there ever since they created the market court level out of previous space in the mall in the early 1980s. So at least 40 years, it has been there.
Stupendous! LOL
Actually, yes. Long before the top floor was added…
It was still open in 98 and 99, well after the upper level was added.
If you had to read this blog to learn that restaurants in malls generally have a relatively short tenure, you do not get out much.
Phipps and Lenox are both urban dumps. Need to be torn down and replaced with more apartments
Mall food for morons
Oh no!
40 years, short tenure
And you love it!
Church fil A was at Lenox when I worked there in 1983
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