Tomorrow's News Today

"Grateful Tables" restaurant group left with one restaurant.

Chef Ron Eyester's big mouth, lousy attitude and lofty expectations for his mediocre food may have cost him his budding restaurant empire. Seemingly unsatisfied with the success of Rosebud and The Family Dog, Eyester subsequently opened Timone's in Morningside and Diner at Atlantic Station. Neither restaurant was all that good with Timone's being so bad it was closed and reconcepted, only to close a second and final time this past July.

Earlier this month, I detailed Eyester's emotional letter to patrons where he expressed his gratitude for their business but also shared the dire state of his crumbling empire.

Following my post, comments flooded in with others' experiences and thoughts on the man known as @AngryChef:

"Cantankerous, pugnacious personality. Lousy food. Iffy service."

"Ron Eyester just needs to go away."

"The "Angry Chef?" You're in a service business, dumbass, and "angry" and "service" don't go together. I don't want an angry drycleaners, or an angry bank teller, and I sure as hell don't want an angry chef. Letting this label stick to you...not so smart. But maybe in your next career you can be the Careless Truck Driver or the Dumb High School Teacher."

"The 'Angry Chef' has done a good job of ruining his business by insulting customers and serving mediocre at best food."

As of last week, The Family Dog closed with signage on the front door stating they would reopen yesterday, the 6th, at 6PM. That didn't happen. Now, Diner too, is closed with what looked like the beginnings of a clearout occurring inside the restaurant. I reached out to both employees of Rosebud as well as Atlantic Station's "Concierge Services" desk, both of whom expressed doubt that either restaurant would reopen.

If Diner does in fact remain closed, it would mark one of the shortest, most expensive restaurants in Atlanta in recent memory. Not only that, with it closed as well as Strip, it's rather unfortunate timing for Atlantic Station's new owner Hines Interests. Hines reportedly paid about $200 million for the retail/restaurant core of the center earlier this month.

While Atlantic Station does have plenty of generic retail options, they are lacking a Mattress Firm. Perhaps the popular retailer will have interest in opening a superstore in the former Diner space?

Do you think The Family Dog or Diner will reopen? Do you want them to? What would you like to see open in their places if they remain closed?

Please share your thoughts below

LongHorn WILL rebuild at Toco Hills

Orlando-based Darden Restaurants does intend to reopen their Toco Hills location of LongHorn Steakhouse. The freestanding restaurant, a neighborhood mainstay for over 30 years, closed last June after an after hours fire destroyed much of the building.

This past February, the building was finally demolished, but but still sits idle. This past July, I posted an update to the saga with news that permits were filed to increase the size of the building and reduce the number of parking spaces.

Last month a reader commented that they were told (by a local LongHorn employee) that the LongHorn would be rebuilt but would be a new two story, prototype location.

I called my LongHorn in Orlando to verify whether this was true. The answer I received was that this location would look similar to other, recently built LongHorn locations and that there were no plans for a new, two-story location on this site.

This week I was forwarded a communication between a neighborhood customer and a LongHorn "Guest Relations" representative. The message, apparently in response to a questions as to when/if the Toco Hills location would reopen began "at this time we do not have plans to rebuild the restaurant in that location." As this contradicted what I had just been told days earlier, I again called Orlando for clarification. I was informed yesterday that this "Guest Relations" representative was inaccurate in her response, and that the company still planned to rebuild. My contact went on to say that current projections call for the new LongHorn to be open and operating by next summer.

My next question, where is Flo?

Chick-fil-A plans new restaurant in Atlanta's Vine City

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A recently made public their plans for a new restaurant in Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood. The new 4,000 square foot freestanding restaurant would open at corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Lowery Boulevard, adjacent to an existing Walmart. Although the restaurant is currently in the early planning stages, Chick-fil-A anticipates the restaurant will open in early 2017.

Many industry and restaurant observers have questioned whether Chick-fil-A can thrive in an environment surrounded by lower income communities. Chick-fil-A, while not expensive, is thought of by many as a premium fast food, more costly than nearby McDonald's.

30314, the zip code in which the new restaurant will be located, has one of the highest crime rates in the state, highest number of teen pregnancies and lowest percentage of high school graduates.

Chick-fil-A recently adopted a zip code restrictive program for patrons to participate in its First 100 store opening promotions. It will be interesting to see how limited the company makes the Vine City opening, perhaps restricting the award, a year's worth of Chick-fil-A, exclusively to those living within 30314.

The zip code has been an area of great interest for Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy. A press release that accompanied the announcement read in part:

“We made a promise to the city of Atlanta to do everything we could to do our part in helping revitalize the Westside neighborhood,” said Cathy. “This restaurant is just one measure of our overall commitment to the effort. It is our hope that the restaurant will help foster community within the neighborhood and offer an environment where families will share meals, business people can meet, and neighbors experience genuine, heartfelt hospitality.” In addition to the new restaurant, Cathy highlighted a $300,000 donation the Chick-fil-A Foundation recently made to the Westside Future Fund. The initial gift was announced last month at a meeting with the Atlanta Committee for Progress and will be used to help the Westside Future Fund develop a master plan for the community by studying the issues in the neighborhood to develop informed, long-term solutions.

Chick-fil-A currently has over 130 locations throughout metro Atlanta, but has been increasing their number of intown and urban locations in recent years. Following the success of their new location at the College Football Hall of Fame on Marietta Street downtown, Chick-fil-A will open a new restaurant on Northside Drive near Georgia Tech next month.

Another new Chick-fil-A is planned for Glenwood Place in Glenwood Park early next year.

Earlier this month, Chick-fil-A made their highly anticipated debut in New York's Garment District. The restaurant, the chain's first full service restaurant in New York, is located at 37th Street & 6th Avenue and is the biggest ever at 5,000 square feet over three floors.

Do you think Chick-fil-A will be the catalyst for change in the Vine City community? Do you think Chick-fil-A's menu will be too expensive for the Vine City area? What else can be done to improve the Vine City community?

Please share your thoughts below.

New to market retailer coming to Ponce City Market.

Vancouver-based Kit & Ace plans to open its first Atlanta area location in Ponce City Market next month. The new 1,400 square foot "studio shop" should open by the middle of November.

Shannon Wilson, wife of lululemon athletica founder Chip Wilson, launched Kit & Ace early last year with their son J.J. Wilson. The Wilsons describe the brand as "athletisure," offering "technical luxury."

Offerings for men include an 86% cotton, 10% cashmere, 4% spandex men's "V TEE" shirt priced at $88, and the 86% cotton, 10% cashmere, 4% elastane "Park Henley"priced at $118.

Women's offerings include the 81% viscose, 9% cashmere, 10% spandex "Knicker Panty" priced at $52, and the 80% modal, 10% cashmere, 10% spandex "Sullivan Midi Dress" priced at $168.

In addition to the store at Ponce City Market, a second, larger store, measuring about 2,500 square feet, will open in March on Buckhead Avenue at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. The Buckhead store will include a "Technical Atelier", which is an in-store tailor shop. A Kit & Ace spokesperson indicated the brand may "look for a space with a larger footprint in Ponce City Market next year," but that it was not a sure thing.

While the Ponce City Market location makes sense, the location at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is a bit of a head-scratcher. With limited brand awareness locally, I think Kit & Ace would benefit tremendously from the foot traffic at established shopping destination like Lenox Square versus the traffic challenged The Shops Buckhead Atlanta location.

Kit & Ace reportedly first contemplated opening in the former Jack Spade in Westside Provisions District, but instead opted for their first store to be at the recently opened Ponce City Market instead. (Both projects are owned by Jamestown Properties.)

Kit & Ace is described as a lifestyle brand "designed for those whose busy lives don’t allow them the luxury to slow down." Kit & Ace, seems to offer items similar to James Perse, Vince and Splendid, with a heavy emphasis on cashmere and comfort. Like others in their segment, Kit & Ace offers clothing for both men and women.

When I first got wind of the chain's impending arrival in Atlanta early this year, The Vancouver-based company only had a handful of stores open: five in Canada, and one each in San Francisco and New York.

Today the chain has grown significantly with eight locations, one pop-up store open in Canada, and a tenth unit coming soon. The chain has seventeen locations/three pop-ups open, with a dozen more coming soon to the United States. Kit & Ace has also grown internationally with four locations spread across Australia and a single location in London.

Kit & Ace reportedly aspires to generate $1 billion in sales within five years.

Have you been to Kit & Ace? What are your thoughts on the brand? Do you think the store will thrive in both Atlanta locations or should the Buckhead shop been in Lenox instead?

Please share your thoughts below.

BLT Steak to close downtown?

New York-based BLT Steak, (Bistro Laurent Tourondel) may soon close its downtown Atlanta restaurant. BLT Steak, located on Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard at the W Downtown, opened in 2007.

A sales flyer from CBRE indicates the 7,400 square foot restaurant is being offered for lease for an undisclosed amount. I contacted a restaurant employee who indicated he was unaware of any imminent changes or closure.

This response seems to contradict the sales flyer which seems to indicate the space is available immediately. It's also worth noting that the images on the sale flyer show the restaurant's exterior without the BLT signage, superimposed instead, "YOUR SIGN HERE" lettering is shown in yellow. The sales flyer also notes "*this is a open and operating restaurant- please do not disturb*"

Other W properties in Atlanta have changed their signature restaurants from those that they opened with as well. In 2012, W Atlanta Buckhead replaced Market, a contemporary American restaurant from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with Cook Hall, a gastropub. Last year, W Atlanta Midtown replaced Spice Market, a southeast Asian restaurant also from Vongerichten, with TRACE, a southern, farm-to-table restaurant.

If BLT does close it will not be the first out of town-based, upscale restaurant to fail in downtown Atlanta. Maxim Prime, a collaborative restaurant from New York restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow and MAXIM Magazine, opened at The Glenn Hotel in 2008, but closed less than a year later, in early 2009. New York City-based Il Mulino also closed on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. The New York-based eatery open at 191 Peachtree in late 2008 and was closed by late 2010. Alma Cocina, a modern Mexican eatery from Atlanta's Fifth Group, now occupies the space.

Elsewhere in Atlanta, countless other out of state-based restaurants, especially those from New York, have failed as well. Wolfgang Puck Express, Craft, Emeril's, 5 Napkin Burger, Ocean Prime and AquaKnox have all failed to find consistent business in metro Atlanta. At the same time, local operators like the aforementioned Fifth Group and Atlanta-transplant Ford Fry have both expanded their restaurant empires.

Would you be surprised if BLT Steak closed? If it did, what type of restaurant do you think would do well in its place? What is your favorite downtown Atlanta restaurant?

Please share your thoughts below.

The wait is over, OK Cafe is NOW OPEN!

OK Cafe, the popular southern eatery that closed last December due to a fire, reopened for breakfast today. The restaurant, located in an outparcel of West Paces Ferry Shopping Center near Northside Drive and I-75, has been a neighborhood landmark since its opening in 1987.

OK Cafe and its classic southern fare and blue plate specials are popular for business meetings and power lunches with the area's business and political movers and shakers and was sorely missed during its nearly year long absence.

Money DOES grow on trees!

I spoke to co-owner Susan DeRose at a private friends and family "mock seating" over the weekend about the reopening process. The only thing they were able to save fully was the giant tree with money as leaves in the main dining room. DeRose said the tree is a reference to her mother telling her as a child that "money doesn't grow on trees." The one addition to the tree is additional yellow leaves which have names of donors and patrons who assisted the restaurant's employees during OK's closure.

The former Georgia State flag displayed prominently in the main dining room

OK Cafe is one third of Atlanta-based Liberty House Restaurant Corporation which also includes Blue Ridge Grill and Bones.

Elsewhere in metro Atlanta, a LongHorn Steakhouse near Toco Hills that also caught fire months before OK Cafe will also be reopening, but much later. With the former restaurant now demolished, a representative from LongHorn indicated that the new restaurant should be open by next summer.

Taka Sushi and Passion to reopen in Sandy Springs?

Taka Moriuchi saddened Buckhead residents with his September 26th facebook post announcing that he would close his restaurant on Pharr Road in February of 2016. Now it seems his restaurant may have found a new home!

October 1st he posted a photo to his twitter and Instagram with the message "We will be here in March 2016." Although he does not identify the space or the project by name or location, I've confirmed that it is Gateway, the new M.U.D. in Sandy Springs. The project is home to some 600 apartments as well as a Sprouts Farmers Market, CVS Pharmacy and about a dozen other shops and restaurants.

It's unclear whether a lease has been signed, where in the project the restaurant will be, or how large. Last week, I reached out to representatives of SRS Real Estate Partners, who handle leasing for the project, but have thus far not heard back. Last week I contacted Moriuchi as well, who confirmed that Gateway is where he "has an agent working on it."

This part of Sandy Springs is currently without a sushi eatery of Taka's caliber. Bishoku is a great alternative, but is located outside the perimeter in Parkside Shops, home to Tuesday Morning and soon, il Giallo Osteria & Bar, a new Italian restaurant.

Are you excited about the possibility of Taka reopening in Sandy Springs? Where do you go for sushi in Buckhead/Sandy Springs? Are you excited about the Gateway project?

Please share your thoughts below.

Varasano's Pizzeria is now open at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody. The new location sports a new look, slightly tweaked menu and secret speakeasy bar to boot! In addition to the restaurant, Varasano's operates a stand alone bar, known as "Oasis," just outside the restaurant in the mall's common area. With the Perimeter Mall location now open and operating, expect the new North Point location to open early next summer.

99 Cafe Sushi & Hot Pot Cafe has closed on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.

In the wake of the sudden and unfortunate closure of all ten Here to Serve Restaurants, I created the #H2S2WORK hashtag. While I have not heard/seen any firm stats, I'm thrilled to have seen such a tremendous outpouring of support, encouragement, meal and job offers from the local community in the week since the closures. Countless media, restaurants, and community members have pitched in to better the lives of those affected by this unfortunate situation. Special shoutouts to the recently opened Madre + Mason, White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails, The Giving Kitchen and @ATL_Events for their involvement and efforts.

A new nearly 32,000 square foot LA Fitness is planned for the Kroger-anchored Market Place at Sugar Hill on Cumming Highway in Sugar Hill.

Fancy Feet, a store specializing in socks, has opened at Lenox Square. The store, located in the former at&t space in the mall's Fashion Cafe, is likely a temporary holiday tenant.

Sprouts Farmers Market has announced January 6th as the opening date for their new store at Providence Square shopping center in East Cobb. The new, nearly 29,000 square foot store was constructed from the former Office Depot and additional nearby space. Strangely, no opening date has been announced for the Sprouts opening in "Morningside Heights," the new Fuqua Development project on Piedmont Avenue.

Chef Ron Eyester, aka @TheAngryChef, has permanently shutteredboth Rosebud and The Family Dog in Morningside. The two restaurants, likely the best performing in the chef's "Grateful Tables" restaurant group, are both reportedly close to being sold. Rosebud is slated to be sold to a "very well established restaurateur." The new owner will reportedly rebrand and reopen the restaurant sometime in January. In an exclusive interview with the AJC, Eyester lamented, “If we never opened Timone’s and I never entertained the idea of doing Diner then chances are we wouldn’t be having this conversation." Personally I doubt Eyester will be able to right the sinking ship that is Diner. It seems that both the Rosebud and The Family Dog closures were rather sudden, so hopefully the affected employees can join in on the #H2S2WORK efforts and secure gainful employment.

Grocery store continues Atlanta expansion

Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market will anchor the retail portion of the new Decatur Crossing project near Decatur according to source familiar with the plans. The center, located at the corner of Scott Boulevard and North Decatur Road, is being built on the site of the former Scott Boulevard Baptist Church, as well as replacing greenspace and other smaller structures.

In addition to the Sprouts, the center will also reportedly be home to a number of restaurants, retail shops and a bank.

Decatur Crossing is located across North Decatur Road from Suburban Plaza. Built in 1959, Suburban Plaza is considered by many as the first shopping center in metro Atlanta. Property owner Selig Properties is performing a significant renovation that is bringing a number of new retailers to the area. Walmart Supercenter, HomeGoods, Jo-Ann fabric and craft store, ROSS, Half Price Books, LA Fitness and Starbucks are all slated to open in the center in the coming months. Much to the dismay of area residents, Walmart, the center's new anchor, is reportedly on track to open by the middle of next month.

Many in the neighborhood, myself included, had hoped that the Decatur Crossing project might include a Whole Foods Market or even their new 365 by Whole Foods Market stores. Alas, a deal with Whole Foods, while reportedly once in the works, never came to fruition.

Since entering the metro Atlanta market in 2014, Sprouts has opened eight stores with at least four more coming soon. New Sprouts locations are scheduled to open in East Cobb and "Morningside Heights" early next year. Another location is on the books for Duluth later in the year. Sprouts is reportedly also looking to open a new store in Lexington Park in Peachtree City.

The midtown, Decatur, Duluth and existing Peachtree Corners locations are all part of Atlanta-based Fuqua Development projects.

Are you excited for a Sprouts Farmers Market coming to Decatur Crossing? What are your thoughts on Sprouts compared to other markets? What retail shops or restaurants would you like to see open as part of Decatur Crossing?

Please share your thoughts below

ALDI to open new store in Tucker.

German grocer ALDI plans to open a new store in the Northlake area next year. The new grocery store would take over a portion of the current Best Buy space in Northlake Square shopping center. The Best Buy would reduce their overall square footage, but would remain in the center. Ironically, Best Buy's space was originally a Big Star supermarket.

Shopping cart station I believe to be left from the Big Star era

A Best Buy employee indicated no departments will be entirely eliminated, although there may be a "slight reduction" in car audio, mobile and appliances departments.

While I have been thus far unable to confirm an exact size, the current Best Buy is 51,250 square feet, providing ample room for an ALDI store.

ALDI will reportedly occupy the left portion of the current Best Buy store

(Best Buy is also downsizing in Snellville, where they will relocate from a 46,000 square foot store, to a 30,000 square foot store.)

Given existing Aldi stores in metro Atlanta measure 17-21,000 square feet, its likely the Northlake location will be of similar size. According to the ALDI real estate website, a potential site for the store must be at least 17,000 square feet.

Work on the ALDI is likely to begin after the holidays with a planned opening late in the third quarter of next year.

Many in the Northlake / Tucker area have expressed wishes for a Trader Joe's in the area that an ALDI almost brings to fruition... almost. German brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht owned Trader Joe's and Aldi. Originally a single grocery store in Germany, the late Theo subsequently ran Trader Joe's while Karl ran ALDI.

ALDI has opened a number of new freestanding locations in metro Atlanta, but has also taken some "inline" spaces in existing centers. Centers in which ALDI has taken inline space include Cornerstone Square on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs (18,403 sf), East Lake shopping center on Roswell Road in Marietta (18,482 sf), and North Bridges on Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek (15,658 sf).

ALDI also has new stores in the works in Newnan, Peachtree City and Milledgeville.

In Peachtree City at McIntosh Village, the store will open in a current roughly 22,000 square foot Office Depot, which is due to close October 24th.

In Newnan, ALDI will open on Bullsboro Drive at Newnan Pavilion in a former OfficeMax store. The Newnan ALDI will measure 23,320 square feet.

In Milledgeville, ALDI will build a new, freestanding 17,825 square foot store on North Columbia Street.

Are you excited for an ALDI coming to Northlake?

Where else would you like to see an ALDI open?

What other restaurants / retailers would you like to see open in the Northlake / Tucker area?

Please share your thoughts below.

Burgers to replace pizza in Tucker?

Enzo's Pizza, a popular neighborhood pizza shop in Tucker, will soon relocate to another location nearby. Currently located on Hugh Howell Road in a former Hardee's, Enzo's plans to reopen less than half a mile away on Cowan Road in the former Peach Cafeteria. Signage at their current location indicates that Enzo's has been in business since 2007.

Local sources indicate the move is to allow for North Carolina-based Cook Out to open in Enzo's current space. Cook Out's corporate office was unable to confirm plans for the location, but has been aggressively expanding in the greater metro Atlanta area.

Privately held Cook Out entered the Georgia market in 2013, and today has twenty-one locations open in the state, with a twenty-second coming soon to west Cobb. In addition to North Carolina and Georgia, Cook Out also operates in South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Cook Out in a former Mrs. Winner's on Moreland Avenue

Cook Out is known for offering ridiculously affordable food and being incredibly busy. A standard Cook Out combo which includes a sandwich, two sides and a drink costs five bucks and can be upgraded for a buck to one of the chain's 40+ milkshake flavors.

Where would you like to see the next Cook Out open in Atlanta? What is your favorite Cook Out menu item? Do you think Enzo's a chosen a good spot for their relocation?

Please share your thoughts below.

New centers to be anchored by grocery foes.

Lakeland, Florida-based Publix Supermarket will anchor a new shopping center on Georgia 400 in Dawsonville in south Dawson county. Previously referred to as a "major national grocery store," Publix's regional Media & Community Relations Manager Brenda Reid confirmed to me that Publix will anchor "Dawson Crossroads." According to Reid, the store should open about ten months after construction begins. Based on that timeline, I'd expect the store to open late next year.

"Dawson Crossroads" will feature a roughly 46,000 square foot "prototype" Publix, as well as a roughly 21,000 square foot "junior anchor." The center will also have a number of inline suites as well as a handful of outparcels totaling about another 30,000 square feet.

The location of Dawson Crossroads

Atlanta-based Halpern Enterprises is developing the 29 acre center. Dawson Crossroads will be constructed in front of a planned 24 acre, 300 unit apartment complex, which is part of the project but reportedly being developed by someone other than Halpern Enterprises. The retail portion is said to contain about 100,000 square feet of "leaseable" space.

Brooklyn Joe's Pizzeria, Lee Nails and Great Clips have all confirmed they will be among the center's "inline" tenants. Chili's will occupy a 4,500 square foot outparcel, one of the six in the center. Both McDonald's as well as a currently dual branded Taco Bell were reportedly interested in relocating to the center, but a source says they are not currently involved in talks.

Artists rendering of the Publix at Dawson Crossroads

A representative from Halpern Enterprises indicated that the company is in negotiations with an Atlanta-based quick serve burger franchise, an Atlanta-based casual Mexican restaurant, a national Mexican quick serve eatery and a national smoothie franchise.

Dawson Crossroads is situated at the southeast corner of Georgia 400 & Dawson Forest Road, just south of the North Georgia Premium Outlets.

Literally a stone's throw away, at the southwest corner of Georgia 400 & Dawson Forest Road, the 110 acre "Dawson Marketplace" is planned. Atlanta-based Blanchard Real Estate is developing Dawson Marketplace, which will be anchored by a giant 113,000 (possibly as large as 123,000 according to some) square foot Kroger Marketplace store and accompanying 9 pump gas station. The Kroger Marketplace store will mean the closure of the nearby 71,000 square foot Kroger at Dawson Village, less than a mile north, which opened in the late 90s.

Kroger Marketplace is a large format Kroger introduced in Georgia in late 2013 in Carrollton. According to the Kroger website, "Along with the huge variety of fresh foods you expect, Kroger Marketplace® is the only store you need for Home Fashion and Décor, Bed and Bath, Kitchen and Small Appliances, Home Office and Toys."

Today Georgia has Kroger Marketplace stores in Gainesville, Savannah, Carrollton and Athens with others planned for Glenwood, Snellville, Augusta, and Cartersville.

Location of Dawson Marketplace

Interestingly enough, both the current and future Kroger centers are leased by Atlanta-based The Shopping Center Group. A "For Lease" document for Dawson Village already lists the 71,000 anchor space as a "former Kroger" despite the store likely not closing for at least a year.

It's likely the Dawsonville Marketplace store will sport this new look

Dawson Marketplace is also set to have a nearly 87,000 square foot "junior anchor" as well as over a dozen smaller shops and outparcels. A handful of the smaller inline and outparcel spaces are reportedly "at lease" with prospective tenants.

The Kroger is reportedly "on track" to open next fall.

Artists rendering of Dawson Marketplace

Clearly Kroger and Publix are going in different directions when it comes to the sizes and offerings of each of their stores.

Are you in favor of giant "everything under one roof""Marketplace stores," or do you prefer to shop at small, simpler grocery stores? What other stores or restaurants would you like to see open in the new centers? What should open in the current Kroger?

Please share your thoughts below.

New business coming to popular intown stretch

Out of the Closet, a new business which describes itself as a pharmacy and thrift store and also offers free HIV testing, is "coming soon" to Cheshire Bridge Road. The new business benefits the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and is part of a nationwide network of similar stores.

Out of the Closet is opening at 1858 Cheshire Bridge Road, between Las Margaritas and Artlite. A local source indicates that the 6,100 square foot building that the new shop will occupy was home to one of the first Harley-Davidson dealerships in the 1950s. Subsequent occupants of the property have included a Napa Auto Parts for about 25 years, and more recently both a pawn shop and an auto pawn store.

There are currently twenty Out of the Closet locations across the country, mostly in California but three exist in Florida too.

Thus far, the business has not filed for any building permits with the City of Atlanta, so its doubtful they will open before the end of the year.

Have you been to an Out of the Closet in another city? Are you excited for the opening of Out of the Closet in metro Atlanta? What is your favorite thrift store in metro Atlanta?

Please share your thoughts below.

A new Mediterranean eatery, Tannour Grill, opened early last month on 14th Street near Georgia Tech. The restaurant features traditional Mediterranean favorites such as shwarma and falafel as well as assorted salads and sides like babaganoush and hummus. A little bit of a falafel snob, I found the falafel here on par with other local favorites Aviva by Kameel (Peachtree Center) and Al's Cafe Agora (Buckhead & Midtown.)

A new Bojangles' is planned for Flowery Branch next year. The new Bojangles' will open on Friendship Road near Spout Springs Road. Another new Bojangles' is nearing completion in Lawrenceville and should be open early next month.

Eleven45 Lounge has replaced Klass Restaurant & Lounge on Peachtree Road in south Buckhead. Klass itself replaced Frank Ski's Restaurant & Lounge in the space once home to Mick's and before that...

Public School 404 (PS404) a new gastropub from Woodland Hills-based Grill Concepts, plans to open on the Westside next year. The new nearly 5,000 square foot eatery will open alongside The Painted Duck at "The Brady" on Brady Avenue.

A new Sprint kiosk will open soon on the second floor of Lenox Square between Godiva and Abercrombie & Fitch. The kiosk replaces a similar kiosk elsewhere in the mall. A soap kiosk previously operated in the area where the new Sprint shop will open.

A new women's jewelry & accessories boutique called River Mint Finery is scheduled to open today in Peachtree Battle shopping center. The shop is situated between Frolic Boutique and Woo Skincare & Cosmetics.

The first Atlanta area location of Amazing Lash Studio opens this week in north Buckhead. The business is located in the Roswell Wieuca, the Fresh Market-anchored shopping center. Houston, Texas-based Amazing Lash Studio has over 60 franchised locations nationwide with more on the way. The business offers "extremely lightweight"eyelash extensions. A second Atlanta area location is reportedly already in the works.

Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe plans to officially reopen today after months of renovations. The popular bakery renovated and expanded their existing space on Hosea L. Williams Drive in Kirkwood.

The Chick-fil-A at CNN Center has closed temporarily. The location will reportedly move to a temporary spot elsewhere in CNN Center while its existing location is renovated and enlarged. Chick-fil-A will grow in size to include the adjacent space, formerly a Wendy's.

First to market retailer headed to Lenox Square.

Vancouver-based Ivivva has plans to open their first retail store in Atlanta early next year. The new store will open on the second floor of Lenox Square in a space currently occupied by beleaguered footwear retailer Bakers. The 2,333 square foot space is located near Mori Luggage & Gifts, not far from Bloomingdale's. Bakers, the nearly 90-year-old women's shoe retailer, has been under tremendous financial stress following its 2013 bankruptcy filing.

Sources say that ivivva should open in the first half of next year.

Essentially ivivva is "kids lululemon" by another name. The company started as ivivva athletica, but is today is known simply as ivivva. The spin-off started in Canada in 2009 and opened in the states in 2012.

Ivivva's Lenox location is ideal for the retailer as it situates them alongside other children's retailers such as Gymboree and the Gap family of brands including Baby Gap and Gap Kids.

Today, lululemon operates six stores in Georgia including Howell Mill, Ponce City Market, Shops Around Lenox, Perimeter Mall, Broughton Street in Savannah, and Avalon in Alpharetta. The company also operates a showroom in Athens.

As was the case of the original lululemon expansion, ivivva entered the metro area first with a showroom to build brand awareness, and to provide community outreach. Ivivva opened their Dunwoody showroom last April on Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody Village. A second showroom in Alpharetta on Windward Parkway at "The Plaza at Windward" opened late last month.

As of now ivivva offers athletic clothing designed for young girls. While lululemon also started as primarily a women's retailer, they have since expanded to include men's offerings and have said it's a segment they plan to grow further. The ivivva brand seems unlikely to expand to the young male market, as part of their branding states they are "inspired by active girls."

Have you been to ivivva? What are your thoughts on the brand and its offerings? Where would you like to see ivivva open next in metro Atlanta?

Please share your thoughts below.

World of Beer primed for Perimeter.

Metro Atlanta is scheduled to get a third location of World of Beer when the Tampa, Florida-based chain opens in Perimeter Place early next year. World of Beer will open in place of the shuttered, roughly 7000 square foot, Cheeseburger in Paradise.

Cheeseburger in Paradise closed in late 2012, claiming at the time it was remodeling and would reopen later that year.

In early 2013, Los Angeles based Mad Bull's Tavern announcedit would open in the spacebut that never happened.

A World of Beer representative indicated the plan is to have the new location open early next year.

World of Beer features hundreds of regional, national and global beers and assorted tavern fare and joins existing beer-centric eatery Taco Mac in the mixed-use project near Perimeter Mall.

World of Beer started in Tampa in 2007 and has grown to nearly 70 locations nationwide. The chain currently has metro Atlanta locations in midtown and Kennesaw as well as locations in both Pooler and Savannah.

Overall the chain has performed well, but a franchised location in Jacksonville Beach, Florida that had just opened in January closed abruptly this past Saturday.

Are you a fan of World of Beer? Do you think their concept will do well in Dunwoody? Where else would you like to see World of Beer open?

Please share your thoughts below.

Whole Foods to expand in midtown.

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market plans to expand their existing store at Midtown Place on Ponce de Leon Avenue into the adjacent Staples. Staples announced earlier this year its planned merger with Office Depot/Office Max, although the deal is facing antitrust scrutiny and consequently has not yet closed. Nevertheless, Staples has been closing locations around metro Atlanta with the Ponce store being one of only a few left in the area.

Building permits on file with the City of Atlanta indicate that Whole Foods will take over 9,500 square feet of the current roughly 24,000 square foot Staples store. The changes will leave Staples with a far more manageable 15,000 square feet, and allows Whole Foods to expand its offerings in what will become a nearly 50,000 square foot store. The changes, already underway at Staples, should be completed for both retailers in about six months.

I first heard of Whole Foods' intention to expand at Ponce and Buckhead over two years ago, and its seems the pieces have fallen into place for the midtown expansion first. The Buckhead expansion is far more complex and is likely still years away.

Whole Foods at Midtown Place opened in early 2003 and has reportedly become one the chain's most popular and profitable locations in the region. The 40,000 square foot store was originally built-out for Harris Teeter, but following the Charlotte-based grocers exit from the Atlanta market in 2001, the space became available and was subsequently leased to Whole Foods.

Whole Foods also has three new stores in the works for Atlanta in midtown, Chamblee, and Kennesaw. The midtown store is being described by corporate as a "flagship" location and will measure 70,000 square feet over multiple levels of a new luxury apartment tower at the corner of 14th and West Peachtree Streets. Another new Whole Foods Market is planned for "Peachtree Crossing," a new development at Peachtree Boulevard and Johnson Ferry Road in Chamblee. The 40,000 square foot Whole Foods will anchor the new center. According to Whole Foods, the midtown store should open "in 2017," and the Chamblee store will open "in early 2017." A new Whole Foods coming to Kennesaw is expected to open in 2016, and will anchor the new "Kennesaw Marketplace" being developed by Fuqua Development at the corner of Barrett Parkway and U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway.) Sources indicate that the opening of the Whole Foods in Kennesaw will coincide with the closure of the Harry's Farmers Market on Powers Ferry Road in Marietta.

What would you like to see added or improved at the Whole Foods at Midtown Place? Are you excited about the additional Whole Foods stores coming to metro Atlanta? Where else would you like to see Whole Foods open a new store in metro Atlanta?

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Burger bar coming to Cumming.

College Station, Texas-based Grub Burger Bar plans to open its third metro Atlanta location next year in Cumming.

The new Cumming location will open on Peachtree Parkway in The Collection at Forsyth. Grub will occupy suite 208, adjacent to Mellow Mushroom and plans to be open in March.

Suite 208 is currently occupied by Ariana Home Furnishings which will relocate to make way for Grub. Ariana plans to vacate the space in four weeks and reopen "before black Friday" in a newly constructed, two story structure at Brannon Road and Peachtree Parkway, across the street from The Collection.

Greenwood Village, Colorado-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers already operates a freestanding location within the project. The full service Red Robin offers table service, while Grub is more of a casual operation where most orders are placed at a counter and delivered to one's table.

Asheville-based Earth Fare, an organic market similar to Sprouts Farmers Market, plans to open a new store at The Collection in late December.

Grub entered the metro Atlanta market last April with a location in Akers Mill on Cobb Parkway. This past February, the chain added a second metro location in Brighten Park (fka Loehmann's Plaza) on Briarcliff Road.

Aside from local favorites Grindhouse Killer Burgers and Farm Burger, Grub is my favorite "better burger" concept in Atlanta. Grub makes their burger buns from scratch hourly and offers a variety of burger proteins: beef, turkey, chicken salmon, tuna and veggie.

A fourth Grub Burger is reportedly already in the works for Georgia, and if all goes well it could open before the end of next year.

What is your favorite burger joint in Georgia? What type of burger patty is your favorite? Where would you like to see the next Grub Burger Bar open?

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The former Sherock's in Brookhaven

Wine shop coming to Brookwood Hills.

Atlanta-based Sherlock's Wine Merchant plans to open a new location in Brookwood Hills early next year. The shop will open at 1831 Peachtree Road alongside Lusca restaurant and the former Cafe Intermezzo. Sherlock's will occupy the space 1850 square foot space previously home to Beehive Co-op. (Beehive relocated to the Edgewood Retail District in 2010 and is now known as "The Beehive.")

Following Cafe Intermezzo's move to midtown in 2012, M. Rouge opened and closed at the far end of the center. A replacement business, J.Molina Spanish Tapas, put up coming soon signage but never opened.

What's interesting about this opening is that the center in which it's opening has long been tied to redevelopment rumors and is likely to be redeveloped in the not so distant future.

Just north of the Sherlock's center, Cornerstone affiliate CDP Medical Building, LLC plans to construct a 188,000 square-foot medical office building. The complex will include an assisted living/nursing home component in addition to traditional medical offices. The project would replace the current freestanding Chick-fil-A (it would be rebuilt within the new building), Peachtree Road Liquor Store, a nearly 50 year landmark business, and assorted other parcels including the long vacant Harry's in a Hurry.

The new Brookwood Hills Sherlock's would seem primed to capture some of the Peachtree Road Liquor Store business should they close, as well as business from nearby HF Bottle Shop in Peachtree Battle shopping center.

Sherlock's currently operates locations in Buckhead on Northside Drive, Decatur on West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Kennesaw on Barrett Parkway and Marietta on Roswell Road.

This past May, Sherlock's closed its location at Brookhaven Station on Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, that like its Decatur store, had shared space with The Cook's Warehouse.

Another Sherlock's was proposed over the summer for the vacant gas station in Emory Village, but has reportedly been abandoned. Doug Bryant, Sherlock's owner, reportedly decided the parking situation, logistics and the constraints of a historic structure were obstacles too serious to overcome.

Sherlock's was also briefly involved in talks to open in Oak Grove but those plans failed to materialize.

Do you think Sherlock's will do well in Brookwood Hills? Where else would you like to see a Sherlock's open? What are your thoughts on the redevelopment plans for the Brookwood Hills area?

Please share your thoughts below.

Work underway inside Baci to transform the space into Copper Coin Coffee

TOWN Brookhaven to get new coffee shop

Baci by Cafe at Pharr has closed at TOWN Brookhaven. The restaurant was among the first wave of restaurants to open in the mixed use project in 2012. The restaurant went through a number of conceptual and ownership changes, and was among the weaker concepts, so its closing is not a total shock. Online research indicates that the deal to replace Baci with new tenant Copper Coin Coffee has been in the works since April.

Signage at the space indicates that the owners of Baci plan to "reopen this winter as Brookhaven Provisons" at Brookleigh Marketplace on Johnson Ferry Road. I predicted this type of scenario back in February when I announced the new endeavor. Five other Cafe at Pharr locations in Buckhead, Vinings, Westside, Miami Circle, and Dunwoody remain open.

The first, and thus far only, Copper Coin is located on Chambers Street in downtown Woodstock. The Woodstock location opened in 2011. Following a series of "GoFundMe" fundraisers, the company is expanding. According to their Facebook page, they will be "taking over operations" of Cupbearer Coffee and Tea Outfitters in Vickery Village in Cumming next week. An employee at the Woodstock location indicated that the name, menu and messaging at the Cumming location would be changed to Copper Coin "over the next couple months."

Copper Coin is already renovating the Brookhaven space and plans to open December 1st.

Copper Coin features Counter Culture Coffee and will reportedly also offer breakfast, lunch and dinner with small plates, beer and wine.

The opening of Copper Coin at TOWN Brookhaven marks the return of a coffee shop to the center following the 2013 closure of The Cup, a cupcake and coffee shop.

TOWN Brookhaven was recently sold for $162 million by Sembler, who developed it, to GLL Real Estate Partners. Although The Baci space seems to have been vacated and filled simultaneously, the sudden closures of Shucks, Smash and Noche earlier this month still leave the center with holes in their dining scene.

What would you like to see open next in TOWN Brookhaven? Have you been to Copper Coin Coffee before? What is your favorite local coffee shop?

Please share your thoughts below.

Has The Family Dog Finally Been Put Down?

Things Are Heating Up at Former LongHorn Steakhouse

Chick-fil-A Wants to Be The Change in Vine City

Kit & Ace Bringing "Technical Luxury" to Atlanta

Is BLT Steak Checking Out of the W Atlanta Downtown?

OK Cafe Finally OK to Reopen

Taka Sushi Seems to Have Secured Sandy Springs Site

Bits & Bites

Sprouts Farmers Market to Anchor New Decatur Project

ALDI Taking a Bite out of Best Buy at Northlake

Enzo's to Relocate, Cook-Out to open in Tucker?

Pleasurable Shopping Planned for Dawsonville, Giant Kroger Too

Out of the Closet Will Soon be in Atlanta

Bits & Bites

Mini lululemon Lands in Lenox

World of Beer Coming to Former "Paradise" at Perimeter Place

Whole Foods to Grow Organically in Midtown

Grub Burger Bar to "Furnish" Georgia With a Third Location

Sherlock's Prepares to Pop Bottles in Brookwood Hills

Independent Copper Coin Coffee Coming to Brookhaven