Magnolia Room dream beginning to take shape.
Following the closure of the S&S Cafeteria at Embry Village, "Mr. Louis," as he's affectionately known, is getting closer to bringing his similar eatery to life. Originally to be called simply Magnolia Room, the restaurant has since been officially renamed Magnolia Room Cafeteria. The goal in opening the restaurant: "take southern cafeterias off the endangered species list."
It's worth noting that when news of the Magnolia Room first surfaced, a location had been determined but a lease had not yet been signed. I'm happy to report that there is now a fully executed lease on the 5,322 square foot space with much of the necessary equipment already delivered to the property. The restaurant will anchor Shops of Heritage Place, an existing center on Hugh Howell Road in Tucker. An adjacent 2,403 square foot space which previously housed a nail salon and is currently being used as storage for the restaurant, is also available and may be leased by the Magnolia Room in the future should business levels necessitate the additional room.
Tucker, which only became a city this past fall, and elected its first mayor and city council this past March, has also lifted its moratorium on building permits, paving the way for work to begin in earnest.
When asked whether Magnolia Room would be the first new restaurant to open in the City of Tucker, Mr. Louis laughed and then said that he was not concerned with being first, he wants to be the best. (As far as I know, the first new restaurant in the City of Tucker is the new Pollo Tropical which opened this past weekend.)
Mr. Louis plans to have a number of former S&S employees join the new restaurant and has hired former S&S manager David Busch as General Manager.
At this point, Mr. Louis anticipates a late October opening, but the restaurant's first day will ultimately be determined by the permitting and renovation process. Mr. Louis said he and the restaurant are receiving "great support" from the new Tucker city council and its new mayor, Frank Auman. Not only is the restaurant getting political support, countless would-be patrons visit the restaurant nearly every day and check-in on progress and inquire about opening day.
For anyone who somehow missed the opportunity to dine at the S&S, Mr. Louis provided the following to describe what one can expect from Magnolia Room Cafeteria.
The cafeteria will be just that, a cafeteria, a classic southern cafeteria, tried and true.. "If the recipe ain't 50 years old...we aren't interested."
Mr, Louis went on to make clear that the Magnolia Room will not be "trendy,""fusion," or "gluten free." There will be no "celebrity chef," nor will there be a tasting menu.
The Magnolia Room aims to be "like grandma's cooking."
Are you excited for the opening of Magnolia Room Cafeteria? If you were an S&S patron, what menu item was your favorite? What is your favorite southern cafeteria in Georgia?
Please share your thoughts below.