Metro Atlanta's newest Ollie's Bargain Outlet is slated to open January 20th at Windy Hill Village shopping center on Windy Hill Road in Marietta. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Ollie's is similar to better known discounter Big Lots, and has expanded across Georgia over the past few years. Other recent Ollie's opening in Georgia include stores in Athens, Snellville and Mableton.
After a few false starts, Press & Grind, the new concept from Stay Eames of Highland Bakery, is hoping to open in about two weeks. A restaurant employee indicated "we are ready" but are waiting for a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Atlanta, as well as a Health Inspection to be scheduled and performed.
Knoxville, Tennessee-based Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop is preparing to open their first Atlanta area location. Located along Roswell Road in the new Sprouts Farmers Market-anchored Gateway project, Buttermilk had planned to open this coming Friday, but as of tonight, is "hoping" to open "within the next ten days."
Tom + Chee has opened its new franchised location on Howell Mill Road on the Westside. Located within the Ironworks complex, Tom + Chee joins Dixon Rye, a home furnishings store, O-Ku, a new sushi restaurant from the Charleston-based owners of Colletta and Oak Steakhouse in Avalon, and soon, Barcelona Wine Bar. Cincinnati-based Tom + Chee is known for their various grilled cheese sandwiches and soups, and has existing Atlanta area locations in Alpharetta, Buford and Kennesaw.
Sears has cancelled its plans to lease half of its two-level Cumberland Mall store to Kroger. Instead of allowing Kroger to lease about 90,000 square feet, Sears transferred the asset as a whole to Seritage Growth Properties, a REIT created by Sears last year and promptly spun off, and now publicly traded. This move is a bit of a head scratcher, but may indicate that either Seritage has bigger plans for the property or that they plan to reopen negotiations with Kroger for more money.
New Baby Products announced that is will close both of its Atlanta area locations in the coming weeks. Calling it a "going out of business sale," the company's stores on Cheshire Bridge Road and Peachtree (Industrial) Boulevard in Norcross are slated to begin liquidation sales this Saturday. The family-owned business began in 1971, and according to its website, included "Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr." as a customer of its "Stroll-O-Chair" when owners Estel & Edna Howard were without a store and Mr. Howard performed in-home demonstrations of his products.
The Book of Mormon opened yesterday at The Fox Theatre and runs through the 24th. The religious satire musical was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who are more well known for creating the South Park TV series. Tickets are still available for select shows.
