Regions Bank will relocate their existing inline Buckhead branch from Buckhead Plaza to a new freestanding branch with drive thru nearby later this summer. The new Regions branch will open at the corner of West Paces Ferry Road and East Andrews Drive as part of the Camden Paces apartments project.
Warby Parker, one of the only sunglass brands not owned by powerhouse conglomerate Luxottica, will open just its sixth overall location at Buckhead Atlanta. The New York-based brand offers designer style shades starting at less than a hundred bucks
Pure Taqueria will finally open a new location in Brookhaven, albeit in a different location than originally planned. The Alpharetta-based chain, which opened its first location in 2005, will add its sixth overall location when it opens later this year at the new Brookleigh Market development on Johnson Ferry Road. The new 3,500 square foot Pure Taqueria will be built to resemble a 50's era gas station and will feature a rooftop patio. Originally, Pure had hoped to open at the corner of Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Road in the former Buddy's service station, but those plans failed to materialize.
According to my friend Lee over at Roots In Alpharetta, Tilted Kilt, the Celtic themed breastaurant has closed its Windward Parkway location in Alpharetta. This marks the second metro Atlanta closure for the Tempe, Arizona-based chain. A Tilted Kilt in Roswell closed last year, even after a change in ownership and management that was meant to save the business.
Comfy Couch Co. will join Onward Reserve and others at the redeveloped Pearson Liquor space on Early Street. The former liquor store was purchased by Loudermilk Bell LLC and has been split into a number of smaller spaces. The North Carolina-based furniture store started in 2010 and plans to open its nearly 2,600 square foot space in Buckhead in early June.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Buffalo Wild Wings plan to open in the former Justin's in south Buckhead. The national sports bar concept has over a thousand locations nationwide including eight in Georgia. The Georgia locations are largely OTP but the chain does already have one in Buckhead at Lenox Marketplace. Interestingly, one well-placed source indicates that the new south Buckhead location will in fact replace the current Lenox Marketplace location.
Atlanta-based Concentrics Restaurants has partnered with Martin Sprock to open Ios Greek Kitchen in Charlotte's EpiCentre complex. Ios will reportedly be a full service restaurant that will supposedly offer "great food for a great value." The restaurant will also feature a full bar with emphasis on local beers and craft cocktails. Ios is expected to open later this month.
Social Status will enter the Atlanta market with a new boutique on the Westside. The new store, the sixth overall for the Charlotte, North Carolina-based chain, will open adjacent to the upcoming bartaco restaurant on Marietta Street. Social Status is a men's boutique that specializes in designer and collectible footwear but also carries select ready to wear and fashion accessories. Looking at their website and accompanying photos of existing locations, the concept seems like a blend between Little Five Points' Wish boutique and Lenox Square's Standard.
Loehmann's will live again, but online only. The hugely popular off-price retailer went bankrupt last year and closed all of their locations earlier this year. Loehmanns' brand, intellectual property and perhaps most importantly its customer list, were purchased in bankruptcy court by Esopus Creek Value Series Fund LP. The private equity firm plans to bring the brand back in online-only form this May.