Garrett Popcorn Shops has closed at Lenox Square in Buckhead. The shop, located on the mall's Plaza Level, first opened November 26, 2014 and after an extended but temporary closure during the pandemic, has closed permanently in recent days, according to a ToNeTo Atlanta reader.
The Buford shop lasted about a year, closing in March 2017. Both Lenox Square and Mall of Georgia are malls owned by Simon.
The popcorn shop is the latest in a string of food and beverage closures at the Buckhead mall.
Ponko Chicken, a local chicken chain, closed their outpost in the food court in August. More recently, Sugar Daddy Cookies closed as of October 24. The locally owned cookie shop occupied an over-sized kiosk space within the food court and opened February 28, 2023. The company closed their location at Cumberland Mall when they opened at Lenox. Sugar Daddy Lenox opened in place of The Dapper Doughnut, which opened in 2018 but lasted just nine months.
For Sugar Daddy and Garrett to have both closed in the fourth quarter of the year but before the start of the holiday shopping season is beyond odd.
Interestingly, Charleys Cheesesteaks, which closed in the food court several months ago, is reportedly reopening soon, according to both the restaurant and mall's websites.
A Kylie Cosmetics vending machine was also recently removed from the mall's Plaza level.
As we have mentioned previously, the once luxe mall has been plagued by both internal and external issues in recent years, and traffic at the mall has noticeably changed.
In our recent visits to the mall - and neighboring Phipps Plaza too - we have noticed most stores' salespeople on their phones (presumably the result of boredom), but more concerning is the number of times we have noticed the mall's proud security force also distracted by their phones or attractive female shoppers.
On one visit in particular - with a large event going on at the front of the mall - we were nearly hit by a speeding car as we walked in the crosswalk, while an off-duty APD officer was hanging out in the shade on his phone and clearly not doing the job he was hired to do.
It would be great if Lenox regained its charm and appeal but the way things are going lately, that may be unlikely to happen anytime soon.
What are your thoughts on the changes at Lenox Square? When was the last time your shopped or dined at Lenox Square? Is there anything Lenox Square could do to improve their image?
Please share your thoughts below