Indianapolis, Indiana-based Simon Property Group is reportedly spinning off Northlake Mall in Tucker into a newly-formed real estate investment trust called Washington Prime Group. Northlake Mall was built in 1971 and is today anchored by Sears, Kohl's, J.C. Penney and Macy's. I frequented Northlake Mall often as a kid and have many fond memories of the mall. Social Expressions, the Disney Store and Parisian (where Kohl's is today) were some of my favorite Northlake Mall retailers that today no longer exist. The mall's future is uncertain and a redevelopment likely something that will be considered. Washington Prime Group is also assuming ownership & management of another Simon property, Mall of Georgia Crossing in Buford. The shopping center, on Woodward Crossing, sits across the street from Simon-owned Mall of Georgia and has more than 20 stores including Target, Best Buy, T.J. Maxx / Homegoods and Nordstrom rack. In 2012 Simon sold another metro mall, Gwinnett Place Mall, in Duluth. Simon's current metro Atlanta holdings include Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square in Buckhead, Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw, Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville and North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville and Calhoun Premium Outlets in Calhoun.
Wendy's at 660 Boulevard, is slated to undergo what corporate calls an "Ultra-Modern" remodel via their "Image Activation" program. The Wendy's is located between Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Avenue in Atlanta and currently sports the outdated 80's exterior. Wendy's is in the midst of a multi-faceted update, upgrade and remodel program that aims to improve unit sales and increase brand awareness. Another Wendy's on Howell Mill Road near I-75 received a similar renovation late last year.
Sarpino's Pizzeria plans to open its first of three planned Atlanta area locations at Tenside on Northside Drive. The apartment complex with street level retail is located at the corner of 10th Street and Northside Drive, not far from Georgia Tech. The 1,700 square foot pizzeria will join existing eateries Five Guys, Smoothie King, Jersey Mike's Subs and Zen on Ten. There are reportedly other Sarpino's planned for midtown and Buckhead.
Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Egg Harbor Cafe opened its newest Atlanta area location this morning in south Buckhead. The new restaurant is located on the lobby level of The Brookwood and joined Watershed on Peachtree and Saltyard as dining options at the building. Egg Harbor will be open everyday, 6:30AM until 2PM. The chain's other Atlanta area locations are in Sandy Springs and Johns Creek.
Sarpino's Pizzeria plans to open its first of three planned Atlanta area locations at Tenside on Northside Drive. The apartment complex with street level retail is located at the corner of 10th Street and Northside Drive, not far from Georgia Tech. The 1,700 square foot pizzeria will join existing eateries Five Guys, Smoothie King, Jersey Mike's Subs and Zen on Ten. There are reportedly other Sarpino's planned for midtown and Buckhead.
Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Egg Harbor Cafe opened its newest Atlanta area location this morning in south Buckhead. The new restaurant is located on the lobby level of The Brookwood and joined Watershed on Peachtree and Saltyard as dining options at the building. Egg Harbor will be open everyday, 6:30AM until 2PM. The chain's other Atlanta area locations are in Sandy Springs and Johns Creek.
Ace Hardware will be opening in the former Outback Steakhouse at Delk Spectrum at Delk Road near Powers Ferry Road in Marietta. The 6,600 square foot space sat vacant for many years following the restaurant closure, but will soon be home to Ace. Delk Spectrum is anchored by a Publix Supermarket and is also home to an unleashed by Petco, Payless Shoe Source and Willy's Mexicana Grill, among others.
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Atlanta-based Here to Serve has opened FLY Burger Bar at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The burger joint opened a few weeks ago and is located on Concourse B. This is not the first time Here to Serve has ventured into burgers, as they for a short time operated "It's a Burger" at Colony Square in midtown. The restaurant was perhaps ahead of its time and today operates as Tamarind Seed.
Atlanta-based Here to Serve has opened FLY Burger Bar at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The burger joint opened a few weeks ago and is located on Concourse B. This is not the first time Here to Serve has ventured into burgers, as they for a short time operated "It's a Burger" at Colony Square in midtown. The restaurant was perhaps ahead of its time and today operates as Tamarind Seed.
Roche Bobois will celebrate the grand opening of its relocated showroom on Buckhead Avenue on May 8th. The designer furniture store relocated from the Shops Around Lenox, its home for many years, earlier this year.
Varuni Napoli is now open on Monroe Drive in midtown. Acclaimed pizzaiolo Luca Varuni has brought the intimate feel of his former employer (Antico Pizza Napoletana) to his new namesake eatery. The restaurant is closed on Mondays but serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM until 2PM and is open until 2AM Thursday through Saturday.
Varuni Napoli is now open on Monroe Drive in midtown. Acclaimed pizzaiolo Luca Varuni has brought the intimate feel of his former employer (Antico Pizza Napoletana) to his new namesake eatery. The restaurant is closed on Mondays but serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM until 2PM and is open until 2AM Thursday through Saturday.
A new Texas Roadhouse restaurant is planned for Cumming at Lakeland Plaza shopping center on Buford Highway. The new 7,300 square foot restaurant will open in suite 510, closest to Buford Highway. The restaurant will absorb what was previously two suites (507 & 510) and will be a new "ground up" building. Lakeland Plaza is supposed to be getting a new Sprouts Farmers Market, but while it was once listed as "coming soon" on the Sprouts website, it has mysteriously disappeared.
QuikTrip has closed its convenience store & gas station on Peachtree Corners Circle near Jones Mill Road. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based operator will build on a new "Gen 3" store in place of the existing location. The new store will be built to the left of the current one, on vacant land from a demolished former Waffle House. QuikTrip did a similar thing last year when it opened a new "Gen 3" location on Chamblee Tucker Road in Chamblee and closed its older location across the street.
Mont Blanc, the luxury purveyor of pens and leather goods will expand its presence at Lenox Square and in doing so will relocate to the former ALDO space nearby. Currently, Mont Blanc is located in a shoe box size space, sandwiched between Kiehl's and David Yurman. When I inquired about what additional product lines or offerings the new, larger store would have, a Mont Blanc sales professional informed me "it's larger, we'll have more stuff." The new store will reportedly open in the summer.
A new Bojangles' is coming to Port Wentworth, just outside Savannah. The new Bojangles' will be located on Georgia Highway 21 (Augusta Road) near I-95. Other Bojangles' are coming soon to Snellville, Tucker, Canton and Stone Mountain. Here's hoping for an ITP location in the near future!
A new Krispy Kreme is planned for the intersection of Pleasant Hill and Old Norcross Road in Duluth. The free standing doughnut shop will constructed as an outparcel of the Micro Center-anchored Gwinnett Prado shopping center.
Gap is getting in on the collaboration game with a kate spade and Jack Spade collection coming later this year for its Gap Kids line. The popular and preppy mens and womens lines from Kate Spade & Company (fya Fifth & Pacific / Liz Claiborne ) will debut in stores this November.