Alon's Dunwoody Location Opening Soon, Finally

Alon’s Bakery and Market, a Morningside institution, will be opening their second location in Dunwoody in Sembler’s Park Place development. Located across from Perimeter Mall in a space formerly occupied by Eatzi’s, the store is said to be larger in size than the original and will carry additional cooking / kitchen items. After numerous delays, the store is set to open in early to mid February. Repeat Atlanta!

Pottery Barn / Pottery Barn Kids To Move and Expand At Lenox

Rumor has it Pottery Barn, currently located above American Eagle and across from Bloomingdale's on the 2nd floor of Lenox Square is on the move. Their new space, still in the mall will make it their largest store on the east coast, and possibly the entire chain. Taking multiple vacant spaces (Including the closed Storehouse and relocated BCBG Maxazria) between Banana Republic and Aldo, on the first level. If all goes as planned, the Pottery Barn Kids, currently located down the hall from the current Pottery Barn will take its space on their move downstairs. Expect an official announcement within the next couple of months. Repeat Atlanta!

Confirmed 2/7/08

Blue Genes Outlet - Now Open

Blue Genes has launched the Blue Genes Outlet. Located next door to the Blue Genes men’s store in the former kids space, the outlet is replacing the hugely popular and often chaotic yearly tent sale. Sale and clearance merchandise from men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories are priced at up to 80% off! Repeat Atlanta!

*** Closed as of 10/1***

The AIR JORDAN XX3 @ Walter's

Walter's, located on Marietta St. in downtown Atlanta had people lined up days in advance in anticipation oh Nike's "AIR JORDAN XX3". The 23rd edition of the shoe to have been released since its launch back in 1985, the shoe was produced in very limited quantities. 529, 23 to pairs to 23 lucky stores in the U.S. and the same number to the rest of the world. Walter's and a store in Miami were the only two stores lucky enough to carry the shoe for the few seconds that it lasted in inventory. Prices for desirable sizes such as 10.5 and 11 had reached $2,000 on eBay as of 10:30 this morning, not bad for a $230 investment. Repeat Atlanta!

Oscar de la Renta Plans Buckhead Boutique

Ben Carter’s “The Streets of Buckhead” announced this week they have added a boutique of celebrity designer Oscar de la Renta to its growing luxury lineup. The store, set to open in the Fall of 2009 will occupy two levels, in 2,850 sq. ft., near the intersection of Bolling Way and Buckhead Avenue. Repeat Atlanta!

Kohl's To Open At Northlake Mall

Kohl's department store, usually found in suburban shopping centers will be opening their first Atlanta area mall location at Northlake later this year. Taking the 100,000 sq. ft., 2-level space left vacant after Belk's purchase of Parisian and closure of its Northlake location months ago. Look for Kohl's to open late in the first quarter of 2008. Repeat Atlanta!

Sembler's "Town Briarcliff" Forced To Downsize

Once envisioned as more than one billion square feet of retail, restaurants and residential living, Sembler's planned "Town Briarcliff" development has been forced to downsize its plans after the DeKalb county school board decided not sell its land ( currently occupied by Kittredge Magnet, Open Campus/Jim Cherry Center and Adams Stadium). Under increased pressure from community activists and groups such as "Stand Up DeKalb", the board had no choice but to deny Sembler's offer of buying the school's property. The project is still going to be constructed, just a far smaller version. With Target across the street and both Publix and Kroger down the street, its safe to say these Sembler usuals will not be a part of this development. Repeat Atlanta!

New Kid On The Block, Yoforia Appears To Be A Hit

Yoforia, a new nonfat frozen yogurt chain, now with three locations in metro Atlanta, has been a hit with its ITP and OTP clientele alike. With offerings strikingly similar to that of the highly successful PinkBerry, Yoforia seems to have carved a niche market in the yogurt/smoothie category. Unlike traditional frozen yogurt, which tastes very much like ice cream, Yoforia’s frozen yogurt is “light and tart”, and served with a choice of freshly cut fruits or other toppings. Yoforia offers three flavors of yogurt: original tart, green tea, and pomegranate. Repeat Atlanta!

Steak n Shake Opens Its 20th Atlanta Area Store

Steak n Shake opened their new Toco Hills location this week, bring their total Atlanta area store count to 20. Making good use of an abandoned Burger King site, Steak n Shake constructed a new building at the corner of LaVista and North Druid Hills Rds. in DeKalb county. With burger options limited to Wendy's or Chili's in the immediate area, this new store should fit in nicely. Look for the possibility of more sites to open in the coming months in Cartersville and Camp Creek. Repeat Atlanta!

Crescent Moon Eatery : Opening Soon In A Neighborhood Near You?

Crescent Moon Eatery, currently with locations in downtown Decatur and at Northlake Mall is set to open its third location at Renaissance Walk, A new condo project at the corner of Auburn Ave and Piedmont Ave. Sure to be a hit with nearby Georgia State University students are Crescent Moon’s delectable buttermilk biscuits and homemade deserts. Look for up to 3 more Crescent Moon locations in the comings months in Buckhead, Brookhaven and Roswell. Repeat Atlanta!

Abercrombie Launches New Concept

After more than two years of planning and development, Abercrombie and Fitch’s newest division, Gilly Hicks: Sydney was officially launched January 21, 2008 at Natick Collection in Natick, Massachusetts. The store offers women’s underwear in an Australian themed atmosphere, and is the only store from Abercrombie with a non-American image. The first of five stores set to open in the first quarter of 2008, Natick Collection is the only mall in the world to house all Abercrombie brands. (Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister Co. and RUEHL No. 925 being the other four) Though no announcement has been made for any Atlanta area stores, General Growth Properties, owner of Natick Collection is sure to be interested in having Gilly Hicks at either it’s Perimeter or North Point Mall properties in metro Atlanta. Repeat Atlanta!

The Streets of Buckhead, Updated

Ben Carter has completed demolition of Buckhead Village making way for his “The Streets of Buckhead” mega development taking shape at the corner of Peachtree Rd. and East Paces Ferry Rd. Committed thus far are retailers AG Goldschmied, Borrelli, Bottega Veneta, Etro, Domenico Vacca, Hermes, Loro Piana, Optical Shops of Aspen and Vilebrequin. Many more luxury retailers are rumored, including Chanel, Prada, and a Barney’s New York flagship (also being courted for Simon Property Group’s Phipps Plaza expansion.) Look for an updated tenant list in the coming months. Repeat Atlanta!

Costco Sets Its Sights ITP of ATL

After years of unsuccessful attempts to lure Costco Wholesale to North DeKalb Mall, Charlie Hendon, owner of the properly is reporting "an agreement has been reached that would place Costco in the center of the existing mall between Burlington Coat Factory and AMC Theatres." A Costco gas station would likely be built on Hendon owned property adjacent to the mall behind Pier One. Though an agreement has been reached, the contract is contingent upon getting building permits, etc. If all goes well, construction could begin as early as this fall.

Another site Costco is said to be interested in is Sembler’s “Town Brookhaven” on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. near Oglethorpe University and minutes from Buckhead. Though Costco has 7 stores in Georgia, the aforementioned sites would be Costco’s first entry inside the perimeter. As of now the closest stores for residents of Buckhead or Brookhaven may have been trekking to either Cumberland or Dunwoody, if these intown stores open, they are sure to succeed.
Repeat Atlanta!

Atlantic Station Boutique Closure(s)

No surprise here… Knitch Boutique at Atlantic Station has closed. In fact I predict this to be only the first of many closures at Atlantic Station. According to store representatives, the boutique could not withstand the tough “yo-yo (up & down) economy” and was therefore forced to close. In my opinion, “The Grove @ Farmer’s Market” in L.A. with offerings such as Nordstrom, Apple, Abercrombie & Fitch (West Coast Flagship), Coach and The Cheesecake Factory along with the established Farmers Market did everything right that Atlantic Station did wrong. Mass merchants such as Gap, Old Navy, Dillard’s and American Eagle (easily found at almost any local mall) account for the majority of retail at Atlantic Station. The upcoming H&M flagship, Rosa Mexicano and Ten Pin Alley are the few bright spots in an array of mainly "so-so" offerings. Next on my predicted closure list: Bow Wow’s moma’s boutique, “Taste”less. Repeat Atlanta!

Trader Joe's Comes To Buckhead

Trader Joe's will be opening a highly anticipated Buckhead store by year's end. Taking the space formerly occupied by OfficeMax at 3183 Peachtree Road, the store is sure to be a hit with Buckhead shoppers reluctant to travel to Midtown to get their T.J. fix. Repeat Atlanta!

Prospect Park Aims To Bring Luxury To Alpharetta

Atlanta-based Thomas Enterprises Inc. has already signed on Whole Foods Market and AMC Theatres for their massive new luxury development, “Prospect Park” spanning 85 acres in Alpharetta on the northwest quadrant of Georgia 400 and Old Milton Parkway. Stores such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Burberry, all with sole locations either in Lenox or Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, are said to be interested in adding additional stores to Prospect Park. Additionally, Neiman Marcus may be interested in testing their pilot “Cusp” store in affluent Alpharetta as well. “Cusp” is being tested by Neiman Marcus in an attempt to appeal to a younger demographic with such offerings as CD’s and books. The stores are said to be decorated with a mixture of flea-market finds and natural elements. Think Anthropologie + Barney’s New York CoOp. Delayed countless times, there are currently as many as five different projections on completion of the project, so there is no telling on when this dream will become a reality. Repeat Atlanta!

LUXE Atlanta , Affordable Exclusivity

LUXE is an Atlanta based, exclusive shopping locale and fashion event venue that features authentic women’s designer clothing, shoes and accessories at 50 - 70% off original retail prices. Located in Atlanta’s Midtown West district, LUXE Atlanta offers a unique alternative to discount shopping. Representing over 40 high-end, contemporary and hard-to-find designers such as Burberry, Galliano, Zac Posen and Marc Jacobs, LUXE has something for almost any one. Repeat Atlanta!

Steve & Barry's Enters Metro Atlanta

Steve and Barry's will celebrate the grand opening of their new store at Discover Mills in Duluth this week. This store marks Steve & Barry's entry into the fiercely competitive metro area. Known for affordable clothing, shoes and accessories, the store will carry the entire line of exclusively designed items from Sarah Jessica Parker's line, "Bitten"; Amanda Bynes' line, "Dear"; Venus Williams' line "EleVen" and Stephon Marbury's line "Starbury". Repeat Atlanta!

Urban Outfitters Adds Another Atlanta Store

Urban Outfitters is set to open their second Atlanta area location in the "cursed" space that was(most recently) occupied by Storehouse and earlier, Market One. For those who are not familiar with the area, this is at the corner of Highland Ave. and Ponce de Leon Ave. Being that this store is true to Urban's roots of renovating existing real estate to suit their needs, this store is sure to be a hit among hardcore Urban Outfitter enthusiasts. The store will be slightly smaller than Urban's existing store at Lenox Square and is NOW OPEN! Repeat Atlanta!

H&M Adds To Atlanta Presence... With More To Come?

This just in! Swedish label H&M will be adding at least one additional store to its Atlanta presence, this after announcing the upcoming opening of their Atlanta flagship store at Atlantic Station. The second store will take the place of multiple vacated stores on the 1st level of North Point Mall in Fulton county. The store is set to open by September 2008. Additionally, H&M is said to be scouting Sembler's "Town Brookhaven" on Peachtree Industrial for another store. Repeat Atlanta!