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| The S&S on its final day |
As I hinted at in my prior post announcing the closure of the S&S Cafeteria on Chamblee Tucker Road, a similar restaurant is in the works. Yesterday, the S&S closed its Embry Village location after 43 years in business. In place of the S&S, a vacant hotel nearby, and other smaller spaces, Kroger intends to build a new 113,000 square foot "Kroger Marketplace" to open in late 2017 or early 2018.
Longtime S&S patron "Mr. Louis" (as he's affectionately known by employees), a resident of nearby Northcrest, plans to open a similar restaurant later this fall in Tucker.
Mr. Louis had not originally intended to open a new restaurant. "We tried but failed to convince Dekalb Planning and Nancy Jester that closure of the S&S was a real harm to the community." He heard countless residents and customers' heartfelt pleas, like his, for the S&S to remain open. Mr. Louis sees the S&S as part of Atlanta's history, something that should be preserved, not forgotten.
With Kroger's plan approved and the S&S on borrowed time, Mr. Louis knew he had to do something. In an effort to not only save the dining experience for the many customers, but also to save the jobs of the S&S's dozens of dedicated employees, Mr. Louis began exploring options of where to open a similar restaurant.
The new establishment, "The Magnolia Room," is meant to carry on the legacy, hospitality and southern goodness of the S&S. The Magnolia Room was the beloved dining room at the Rich's flagship downtown Atlanta store. "It's a tribute to fine traditional southern cuisine that was served in the old downtown Rich's." (If anyone has the recipe for the famous Magnolia Room chicken salad, Mr. Louis wants to hear from you). The goal will be to "provide the same dining experience [as was enjoyed at the S&S.]
Mr. Louis had not originally intended to open a new restaurant. "We tried but failed to convince Dekalb Planning and Nancy Jester that closure of the S&S was a real harm to the community." He heard countless residents and customers' heartfelt pleas, like his, for the S&S to remain open. Mr. Louis sees the S&S as part of Atlanta's history, something that should be preserved, not forgotten.
With Kroger's plan approved and the S&S on borrowed time, Mr. Louis knew he had to do something. In an effort to not only save the dining experience for the many customers, but also to save the jobs of the S&S's dozens of dedicated employees, Mr. Louis began exploring options of where to open a similar restaurant.
The new establishment, "The Magnolia Room," is meant to carry on the legacy, hospitality and southern goodness of the S&S. The Magnolia Room was the beloved dining room at the Rich's flagship downtown Atlanta store. "It's a tribute to fine traditional southern cuisine that was served in the old downtown Rich's." (If anyone has the recipe for the famous Magnolia Room chicken salad, Mr. Louis wants to hear from you). The goal will be to "provide the same dining experience [as was enjoyed at the S&S.]
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| The would-be home of Magnolia Room |
Mr. Louis has already purchased the FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) from the S&S, and plans to employ as many of the former staff as possible. The restaurant will be located in "Shops at Heritage Place," a mid-sized strip center on Hugh Howell Road, home to a Moe's Southwest Grill, among other tenants.
The Magnolia Room would occupy the 5,300 square foot "anchor" space in the middle of the center. The space was previously home to DMARC Cafe, a live music venue and restaurant. Should things go well, The Magnolia Room may eventually expand into an adjacent 2,400 square foot former nail salon.
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While lease negotiations are progressing, Mr. Louis stresses that "while we are optimistic, several hurdles remain to be overcome. Please understand that this is still a dream and a work in progress."
Should a lease be finalized and the dream realized, Mr. Louis envisions adding some mid-century modern charm to the new restaurant. While nothing will be as fancy as the mid- century modern focused "The Mercury," which opened earlier this year at Ponce City Market, minor updates to the restaurant's theme will be made to update it a bit.
Dean Ashley, a 19 year S&S employee and general manager of the Embry Village location, will not be making the transition. Ashley, who was previously GM at the North Augusta S&S which shutterd in 2011 after 41 years, has been "offered Knoxville," and will likely relocate there with his wife and kids to stay within the S&S family.
It's worth noting that the nearby The Greater Good BBQ was for a short time in the mid 90s a satellite location of midtown's Mary Mac's Tea Room. Mary Mac's occupied what was originally a Western Sizzlin' and later Farmer's Daughter, while more recent occupants have included Golden Dolphin, a seafood restaurant, and now The Greater Good BBQ.
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While the Magnolia Room would be close to another longstanding cafeteria, Matthews, on Main Street in downtown Tucker, there seems to be a division of those who support each establishment. I visited the S&S a number of times this past month and countless patrons enumerated their reasons for preferring the S&S over other cafeterias, Piccadilly and Matthews among them. Patrons drove in from the likes of Loganville, Snellville, Stone Mountain, Norcross and elsewhere, passing similar cafeteria or southern food options, to dine at the S&S.
If all goes well, many former S&S staff members follow, and the management team is strong, there is good reason to think that Magnolia Room will be a success. Based on current progress, the Magnolia Room plans to debut in September.
Are you excited that there is hope that the S&S will live on? Does the name Magnolia Room Tucker resonate with you? What do you consider the quintessential cafeteria menu item?
Please share your thoughts below.