[ALERT] You'll Have No More Fun at Mountasia or Malibu Grand Prix

Two of metro Atlanta's last remaining legacy "fun centers" will close at the end of the month.  Mountasia Marietta, located at 175 Ernest W Barrett Parkway, and Malibu (Grand Prix) Norcross at 5400 Brook Hollow Parkway in Norcross, will both close September 28 after about 30 years in business, according to an announcement from the company.  

[EXCLUSIVE] Expensive Duckpin Bowling Business Quietly Abandons Dunwoody Project

ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that "eatertainment" concept Jaguar Bolera is no longer opening at High Street in Dunwoody.  The concept, from Punch Bowl Social founder Robert Thompson, was announced in November 2023 but has recently been removed from the High Street website and is gone from the corporate Jaguar Bolera website too. 

[EXCLUSIVE] Ben Carter Enterprises Planning New Outlet Center in Newnan

Atlanta developer Ben Carter Enterprises is looking to build something that has not been built in the area in more than a decade: a new outlet mall!  Plans reviewed by ToNeTo Atlanta confirm that Ben Carter Enterprises (BCE), the firm originally behind the project today known as Buckhead Village District, is looking to build a new outdoor outlet mall just off I-85, along Poplar Road and Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan in Coweta County.  

[SLICED] Schlotzsky's Shutters Strip Center Sandwich Shop

Schlotzsky's has closed its restaurant near Cumberland Mall in Atlanta.  The restaurant, across from Akers Mill Square at 2980 Cobb Parkway in Cumberland Festival, had been in business for more than a decade before closing within the past month.  The Cumberland outpost was one that within the past year received the company's redesigned look and branding reflecting the concept's "Schlotzsky's Austin Eatery" brand imaging and decor.  The restaurant was also paired with a Cinnabon, a sibling concept from parent company Atlanta-based FOCUS Brands.  The restaurant was corporately owned and managed by FOCUS Brands.  

[TURKEY!] Stars & Strikes Shutters Site in Sandy Springs Shopping Center

Stars & Strikes in Sandy Springs has closed.  The roughly 51,000 square foot entertainment facility opened in late 2013 and quietly closed as of July 6 at North River shopping center (8767 Roswell Road.)  The company announced the closure on their website in advance, but its shuttering seems to have gone nearly completely unnoticed by neighbors and local media.  Exterior signage has been removed from the building and the Sandy Springs location has been removed from the company's website, but signage remains on the center's marquee along Roswell Road and the facility remains listed on the center's website.  

[ON THE "MOVE"] Andretti Abandons Roswell in Favor of Shiny New Buford Location

The original location of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games has closed and will be "moving" to Buford.  The entertainment facility is expected to help anchor the new "The Exchange at Gwinnett" mixed-use development just off 1-85 in Gwinnett County.  The original Andretti, then known as "Andretti Speed Lab"  and located at 11000 Alpharetta Highway, first opened in  early 2001.  The new Buford location is expected to debut in early 2021, according to a Wednesday post on the business's Facebook page.

Bits & Bites

Mishti Holdings LLC, the parent company of gourmet candy shop Lolli & Pops, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 13.  Lolli & Pops has 69 stores nationwide, with all but two located in traditional shopping malls. The company listed between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities and $500,000 to $1 million in assets.  The company partnered with major mall owner General Growth Properties (GGP) in 2017 to open 40 stores in their malls.  GGP, now owned by and known as Brookfield Properties, has reportedly locked the retailer out of several locations nationwide.  Multiple stores' employees were locked out this week with signage on at least one store saying “notice of temporary lockout for nonpayment of rental.” The retailer, which sold premium chocolates, candy and other dessert items, has Atlanta area locations in Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and North Point Mall in Alpharetta, both of which are Brookfield owned malls.

The Lolli & Pops "Forever" jar that is actually only good for 52 weeks 

[EXCLUSIVE] Round1 and Dick's to Headline Cumberland Mall Sears Replacements

ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that the former Sears at Cumberland Mall near Smyrna will be divided rather than demolished.  The former two-level department store will become home to at least three new tenants.  The spaces will range from about 16,000 square feet to about 75,000 square feet.  The roughly 190,000 square foot Sears store has been vacant since last fall when it and 45 others nationwide were closed amidst the retailer's continued financial struggles.