[UPDATE] Kroger Marketplace Embry Village in Doubt, Others Delayed Indefinitely

Cincinnati-based Kroger, which industry experts indicate controls just under one third of the metro Atlanta grocery market, is doubling down on some of its most successful locations. This effort includes enhancements to both its North Decatur Square and Toco Hill stores in-town, as well as other OTP stores like those on Buford Drive and Riverside Parkway in Lawrenceville, among others.  

Bits & Bites [Atlanta Commercial Real Estate News]

Lush, purveyor of fresh handmade cosmetics, is coming back to Lenox Square after closing at the mall in 2011.  Previously located on the mall's main level near Bloomingdale's, the new store will be near Lovesac, and will occupy the former Bachrach store. The store, estimated to be about 2,400 square feet, will be on par with the company's other two Atlanta area shops in Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and Mall of Georgia in Buford.  Both the Perimeter Mall and Mall of Georgia stores reopened earlier this year in significantly larger spaces than they'd previously occupied.  The Lenox Square store, which opened in 2008, was less than 1,000 square feet but was complemented by a shop-in-shop on the main floor of Macy's which as of now is still open.

SIMON Says Sayonara to SIMON Rewards

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) announced Monday afternoon that it was ending its roughly three year old rewards program, Simon Rewards.  The program, which was only available at select Simon-owned centers, rewarded customers with points that could be entered into multi-market contests, and provided opportunities to win offers/coupons instantly by "checking in" to local malls.  

[OPENING ALERT] 4 Rivers Smokehouse to Debut This Saturday, July 15th in Atlanta

4 Rivers Smokehouse, the highly anticipated barbecue joint from chef John Rivers, will officially open their first Atlanta area restaurant this Saturday, July 15th.  The restaurant,  located in the old fire station No. 16 on Marietta Street, took longer to expected to complete, due in part, I'm told, to the efforts made to preserve the historic structure.

[UPDATE] Bowl Lab to Open Tuesday, Grand Opening Planned For Thursday

Bowl Lab, a new quick-serve Hawaiian Poké and Brazilian Açaí bowl concept that ToNeTo Atlanta was first to announce as coming soon this past May, will open its first location this  Thursday in Vinings.  Located in the Vinings Main Retail Centre on Vinings Slope, the new 1,455 square foot eatery opens in place of a former Subway restaurant.