It's been a bumpy road for The Hall at Ashford Lane. After pushing their expected opening several times and eventually debuting May 26, the dining venue closed briefly in late June, reopened for a few days and closed a second and now indefinite time as of July 5. Located in Dunwoody's Ashford Lane (the development formerly known as Perimeter Place), The Hall was originally planned to be a traditional food hall with offerings from several chefs and different cuisines.
Signage at The Hall indicates that "THIS BUSINESS IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE." The venue's Facebook page where we went looking for additional details has not been updated since February 2021 with its Instagram page (@TheHallAtAshford) deleted entirely.
Announced in late 2020, The Hall at Ashford Lane was to have opened in the spring of 2021 but was pushed several times with ownership citing supply chain issues relating to the pandemic, among other factors. Sources close to the venue tell ToNeTo Atlanta a change in direction - from a traditional food hall to the eventual table service format - also delayed The Hall's debut. According to one source with direct knowledge of the endeavor, there were also allegations of nonpayment issues relating to the build out of the space by at least one contractor.
Even before its eventual opening, there were reasons to question the long term viability of the The Hall in Dunwoody and its operator, Wilson. The original outpost of The Hall on Franklin, debuted in Tampa Bay in August 2017 but closed November 2020 at which time the Hall's landlord filed an eviction lawsuit over unpaid rent and wrote in a filing that the food hall stopped paying rent in April [2020] and that Wilson was on the hook for nearly $47,500.
The Hall on the Yard in Orlando's Ivanhoe Village neighborhood opened in November 2021 but Wilson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on the business this past January. The filing states despite the business having produced sales of nearly $8 million in 2022, it had liabilities of nearly $5.5 million, including $4.2 million owed to Newtek Small Business Finance for a January 2020 loan and $359,000 owed to Kabbage Inc. for a Paycheck Protection Program loan. The filing also listed debts owed to ten "merchant cash advance lenders”.
Amazingly, the Tampa Hall was 8,000 square feet, Orlando 12,500 and Dunwoody 17,000 square feet. Another planned for The Grove in Snellville was to be 19,000 square feet and open "Fall 2023,” but it seems doubtful that it will ever open. (The Hall website previously listed four other locations including one planned for Midtown Tampa, a large mixed-use development, but all have since been removed.)
The Hall at Ashford Lane opened in a space (4550 Olde Perimeter Way) previously home to Henredon Furniture. In addition to nine food stalls, The Hall also featured a large bar - which according to a release announcing its opening - "holds the title of the biggest bar in the state of Georgia" - a claim that provides no support and is likely hyperbole. (Wilson has also said previously, he is a former NBA player, something that we've been unable to confirm.) The space also featured a pair of private/semi-private dining rooms as well as "The Grey Room," a special room in the back of the hall that was to have "soft opened" June 24. It's unclear if that opening ever happened but the venue advertised some questionable hours for being in the middle of a Target shopping center in the suburbs of Atlanta. According to signage promoting the venue, The Grey Room was operating 10PM until 3AM.
In a now deleted review originally left July 5, one (ex?) employee indicates she and her co-workers have not been paid in weeks.
Suzi left a Facebook review shortly after The Hall's opening:
"We were so excited to see The Hall at Ashford Lane open—but—it over promises and under delivers! The concept seems great but the price point is too much. Why would I go to The Hall and pay $40 for 4 scallops? We had firecracker shrimp (4 fried shrimp) with goopy orange Mayo sauce with no spice slapped on field greens. It looked used like it was leftover from another table. The deviled eggs were good but cooked to death. So to wrap it up— 2 appetizers, 3 drinks = $100 before tip. This sadly will have lots on new comers looking but this is NOT a place for “regulars”. It’s very corporate, over priced, and bland. Bummed!"
Wilson responded to her:
"Suzuki we hear your concerns as well as others and though food costs have risen we are more concerned with the community enjoying the experience. We are in the process of adjusting our prices and joe you come in again. This is our first week and we are rounding our sharp edges and heading all of our customers concerns. Thank you."
Other reviews state:
"This place takes all the fun and excitement out of a traditional food hall and distills it to a bland, soulless waste. No art, no color, no vibrance, no spirit. No interaction with the variety of personalities that each vendor offers, no communal seating to interact with your neighbors, no reasonably priced menu items for small bites and apps to share with friends. Although I hate to see a business fail, this place is a total disappointment."
"I’d give this place 0 stars if it were an option. We went at 7pm for dinner, got seated by the hostess then 5 minutes later we were told the food hall is closing and all the chefs are leaving. Really?!? Horrible customer service , staff just standing around and extremely unorganized. I would never go back or recommend this place to anyone."
However, it’s not all bad...
"Very pleased! My first time visiting and will come back. Came with a group of friends and we all ordered from different sections in the menu. Our server was super nice and recommended us good cocktails. Got the Queen Bey which I enjoyed. To eat we order several different small plates, my favorite was the charred octopus from El Greco and ate the steak California Burrito for dinner. Food definitely work the price."
"The Hall on Ashford Lane is a new venue in Dunwoody! Very impressive! The staff is friendly. I asked to see the facility because it is new and they granted me a tour! I met and spoke with one of the Chefs who shared what her famous dish was. You must stop by to dine and you must book this venue for your next special event! I plan to! We took a look at the menu and chose the Salmon with mushroom rice and Bok Choy! Yum to the Tum! Thanks!"
"The Hall greatness continues at The Hall at Ashford Lane! I eagerly awaited the delicious opening, having experienced other locations. The Hall at Ashford Lane was more than worth the wait. My 5-star experience began as I stepped through the door into the beautiful decor. The setting enhances the simplest of meals, turning it into the most of special of moments. The staff is inviting and warm, bringing the welcoming culture to life. Of course, you are there for the food - which is the best. Choosing from nine vendors is a delightful freedom of choice. Whether you are alone or with friends, the menu won't disappoint and you'll find food and drink to match your craving. I look forward to working my way through each and every offering. Save me a table - I'll be back!"
As opposed to having management leave shill reviews as we noted at Citizens Market at Phipps Plaza, it seems Wilson's tactic at The Hall may have involved Chat GPT.
The future of The Hall remains very murky.
Although she declined our request for comment, one solution to The Hall could be to bring Edie Weintraub of terra alma, who previously consulted on the earlier iteration of the venue, back in to the fold and attempt to attract local chefs. Will Donaldson of Midtown's Politan Row at Colony Square could also have interest in The Hall and is reportedly looking to do another project in Atlanta.
Have you been to The Hall at Ashfod Lane? If so, where were your thoughts? What would you like to see open in place of The Hall if it does remain closed?
Please share your thoughts below