Jimmy John's Opens Second Atlanta Location

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, popular among college students, and often located near college campuses has opened their second Atlanta area location, this being in Buckhead. After the success 14th St. (next to the Tech campus) Jimmy John's looks to have similar success now being located on Peachtree Rd. across from Piedmont Hospital and a few doors down from the relatively new FedEx Kinkos satellite location. Repeat Atlanta!

Chanel Set To Sign On Dotted Line?

It has been reported that Chanel has signed a letter of intent to locate one of its exclusive boutiques in Lenox Square. Nothing has been confirmed, additional details to follow.

New Abercrombie Concept, "Gilly Hicks" May Be In Atlanta In 2009

After being officially launched a little over a month ago in Boston's ritzy "Natick Collection" mall, expansion plans are already in the works for 2009 and beyond. Five locations are currently open and more are planned, one of which would be located in Lenox Square by early 2009.

Harold's To Depart Lenox, Moving To Phipps

What seems to be a current trend with Lenox and Phipps retailers, where they will move from one mall to the other, continues with news that Harold's will relocate to the upper level of Phipps Plaza, taking a portion of the former GAP store, closest to Belk. A closing and re-opening sale should occur within weeks of each other in the coming months. Repeat Atlanta!

Valentino Coming To Phipps Plaza

Apparently Valentino has chosen SIMON's Phipps Plaza over rival Ben Carter's "The Streets of Buckhead" development. Valentino will be located in the Sak's wing between Elie Tahari and Giorgio Armani. Expect an official announcement in the coming weeks, and for the store to be open by late summer-early fall.

Confirmed 4/3

Michael Kors In, Bally Out At Lenox

It has been said that Michael Kors will be taking the main level space currently occupied by Bally, as Bally will soon relocate to Phipps Plaza. While Bally has been at Lenox for years, it seems to be a better fit at Phipps. Look for the move, opening, and relocation to occur by years end.

H&M Opening At Atlantic Station Delayed

H&M has pushed their Atlantic Station opening till May, possibly hoping to open both upcoming stores, the other being at Northpoint mall, at the same time. Current infrastructure problems at Atlantic Station would be enough for me to move altogether if I were unfortunate enough to have a site open or underway, but apparently H&M feels this is a good location. While it does sit smack in the middle of Georgia Tech and GSU, its design, layout and store variety are indefinitely lacking, and with recent internal problems, it seems to be getting worse faster than it get any better.

Barney's New York a "No-Go" @ S.O.B. , Phipps May Be The Place For It

According to a contact, Barney's New York will not be opening a flagship store at Ben Carter's The Streets of Buckhead. This revelation coming as the majority of my readers have chosen Barney's as their "most wanted" retailer for Streets of Buckhead. On the bright side, there is increased speculation that SIMON Property Group is currently trying to woo Barney's to Phipps Plaza. While no major tenant space is currently available, the space between Brookstone and Cole Haan has been approved to be built out and made to suit the needs of a new department store. This expansion was approved years ago and would also include the expansion of the current parking deck just outside the two stores. No official word from any SIMON representatives, but according to a contact at the CoOp store, the flagship has been a plan for Atlanta for quite some time, just a matter of getting the right space in the right location. Expect to hear more on this by years end.

Sharper Image Files For Bankruptcy , Atlanta Stores To Close?

This week came the expected announcement that The Sharper Image, based in San Francisco had filed for Chapter 11. What was once their strength, a niche market catering to those that desire the latest and greatest in electronics and novelty has now crippled the company. Nowadays, products they carry are available in most and large department store. After announcing their bankruptcy, it was also made clear that 60 of the current 183 retail stores will close in the coming months. With 6 locations in Georgia (Savannah, Buckhead, West Cobb, Northpoint, Dunwoody and Buford) its a safe bet that some local stores will be shuttered, my guess being all will close except for Northpoint and Buckhead.

Starbucks To Close At 5:30 Tomorrow For Training

Tomorrow, February 26, 2008, all, yes I said ALL, Starbucks will close at 5:30 PM to facilitate a training overhaul. Howard Schultz, who recently returned to helm the company he started years ago, has ordered this emergency intensive remedial training, hopefully giving baristas valuable skills they should have learned in the ordinary 40-hour new "partner" training. Various new and improved techniques for cleaning and preparation will be leaned during this time.

* In other Starbucks news, while they just opened yet another location on Peachtree Rd. (adjacent to the Buckhead MARTA station) they closed their established location in Virginia Highlands next to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

Skechers Prepares to Kick It At Perimeter Mall

Skechers, A Manhattan Beach, California based shoe retailer will open their first Atlanta area retail store late in the fist quarter of 2008. Taking vacant space adjacent to the relocated American Eagle Outfitters on the first level of the Dillards wing, the store will carry the entire Sketchers line of shoes for men, women and kids.

lululemon athletica Opens Showroom in Morningside, Retail Outlet To Follow?

Canadian based yoga apparel retailer, lululemon athletica opened a showroom at 1409 N. Highland Avenue, Suite F, in Virginia Highlands late last year and offers complimentary yoga and pilates classes most Sundays. Founded in Vancouver, B.C. in 1998 by Chip Wilson, the comapny has grown immensely in the years since with stores worldwide and a successful I.P.O. last year. As with the recently opened Aventura and Jacksonville retail stores, both followed the opening of an initial showroom in Miami. There is a definite possibility that the same system will be followed in the Atlanta market with a retail store opening in the near future following the opening of the current Morningside showroom.

Yogurberry Lands At Terminus

Yogurberry, a Korean based establishment offering exotic yogurt flavors and toppings will open their first location in Georgia at the new Terminus development at Peachtree and Piedmont Roads. After starting in Korea in 2004, the company has been on a bit of a growth spurt with a dozen locations now open in the U.S. with more than a dozen more under contract. Similar to the likes of California based Pinkberry and Georgia based Yoforia, the company capitalizes on consumers desire for more healthy eating options. All flavors are 100% natural and low fat and low calorie,with large quantities of Bifidus Lactobacilli, a bacteria that is beneficial to digestive health. With flavors like Green Tea, Blackberry and Coconut, and toppings to match, you're sure to find a combination that suits you. Look for Yogurberry to open next to the new Flying Biscuit at Terminus by mid March. Repeat Atlanta!

Mellow Mushroom To Open At TWELVE Centennial Park

Mellow Mushroom pizza restaurant will open at Novare Group’s TWELVE Centennial Park this summer. Originally with one location on Spring and 14th streets in 1974, the new site will be 8,000 square feet and will be their 85th location in the chain A large 1,800 square foot patio will seat additional patrons. Repeat Atlanta!

Crescent Moon Eatery Set To Take Bite Out Of Buckhead

Crescent Moon, currently with three locations (Decatur, Northlake, Mall of Georgia)open and a forth underway downtown, will be opening a fifth location at the new Lindbergh Vista apartment complex adjacent to Sembler's redevelopment of Lindbergh Plaza. Though not officially announced, the site is built and should start to take shape in the coming months. With the recent opening of Flying Biscuit at Terminus just up the road, and with a Waffle House next door, Buckhead residents craving a great breakfast are sure to have a number of options. Repeat Atlanta!

Chow Baby Giving Birth To New Location in Cobb

Chow Baby, New American Stir Fry, a favorite among residents of the Howell Mill area and celebrities such as Andre Benjamin of Outkast will be "giving birth" to a second location in the coming weeks. First must come the "baby shower" for the new location, taking the vacant space left by Ruby Tuesday at The Galleria Specialty Mall adjacent to the Galleria Center on Cobb Parkway. After multiple delays, expect to see a grand opening in early summer. Repeat Atlanta!

Sembler Lines Up Big Box Retailers for The Prado Overhaul

Sembler's redevelopment of land both adjacent to and part of "The Prado" shopping center on Roswell Road is progressing nicely. Having already signed Circuit City, The Home Depot, Staples, Target and others, the new development is sure to attract the many residents in and around the Sandy Springs area. Located just south of 285, "The Prado" shopping center in its current form is open during construction but with limited parking for remaining tenants such as 5 Seasons Brewery. Repeat Atlanta!

North Point Lands Another New Specialty Retailer

Miami based Adrenalina has chosen Alpharetta's North Point Mall for their third location. Stores are currently open in both Orlando and Miami, but this will be their first store in a landlocked area. The product assortment may vary slightly with less skim and surfboards and more BMX bikes and wakeboards. Sure to be a hit is the FlowRider, skim and surf simulator. Basically it aims to do for surfing what Galyan's did for rock-climbing. On site you can test your moves or new gear. Expect to start surfing waves at Adrenalina in mid June. Repeat Atlanta!

Boston’s Legal Sea Foods To Open Soon Downtown

Legal Sea Foods will open a 9,000-square-foot restaurant in the first two floors of the Hilton Garden Inn being constructed at 275 Baker St. A Boston favorite, this location will be Legal's first restaurant in Georgia. The first floor will feature Legal Sea Foods' Oyster/Lobby Bar, while the main restaurant will occupy the second floor. At the corner of Baker Street and Marietta Street, this prime location is within a short walk of the Georgia Aquarium, The Georgia World Congress Center, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park and Philips Arena. Both the hotel and restaurant are scheduled to open in early to mid May. Repeat Atlanta!

Remodeling Begins on New W Buckhead Hotel

Taking the place of the Crowne Plaza at 3377 Peachtree Rd., just south of Lenox Square, will be the W Hotel Buckhead, reopening in early October. The $100 million renovation will be designed by Thom Filicia, of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". No word as of yet on the fate of the "Milan" restaurant currently located in the bottom of the existing hotel. Other W Hotels underway at Allen Plaza in downtown Atlanta and at Colony Square in the former Sheraton location are scheduled to open in the next few months. Repeat Atlanta!

Yet Another Closure At Atlantic Station

Open for just over 6 months, au bon pain ceased operations of their Atlantic Station location earlier this week. Proving once again that the disaster that is Atlantic Station is not a good market for anything. Already dealing with extensive repairs, leaks and mold, Atlantic Station seems to be losing tenants by the month. Guess H&M should have done a little better job in choosing location. Repeat Atlanta!

New Concept, Martin + Osa Coming To Lenox

Martin + Osa, a new concept from American Eagle Outfitters will be opening at Lenox Square later this spring. In development since 2006, and with under 20 locations open as of today, this concept is being developed to cater to the older than 25 customer, male and female. With the recent vacancies on the main level, expect for this store to pop up on the main level near Banana Republic, next to the relocated and expanded Pottery Barn. Repeat Atlanta!

Y-3 Atlanta To Become Outlet

Y-3, a hybrid, luxury label of Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto will be converting their current Buckhead retail location at "The Shops Around Lenox" into an outlet in the coming weeks. With the opening of a Y-3 location in Miami and most recently, the meatpacking district in New York, the Atlanta store is being made into the outlet of the three. This move has both positives and negatives for fans of the line. Merchandise from past seasons will now be available in one location, though presumably in limited sizes, while those seeking current in season merchandise will be re-directed to either New York or Miami. Repeat Atlanta!

Downtown Macy's Building May Soon House New Retail

The former Macy's store in Downtown Atlanta may once again have a large retail tenant. Since closing in 2003, much of the building has been vacant, but recent news points to interest in the site. Retailers such as Fry's Electronics and Target and fitness center Lifetime Fitness are all said to be scouting "ITP" locations and it seems quite possible that at least one has the Macy's space in their sights. Expect to hear more on this in the coming months. Repeat Atlanta!

Chima Opening Soon In Buckhead

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse will soon open their Atlanta restaurant on Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead. Taking the place of the similar, yet short-lived "Boi Na Braza." Chima has undergone an extensive renovation and has plans to be open for dinner February 25th. Repeat Atlanta!

HomeGrown To Open Stella Neighborhood Trattoria Soon

Stella, a new Italian concept from the HomeGrown restaurant group whose portfolio includes Osteria 832 and Doc Chey’s is set to open in mid February. Serving up favorites from Osteria 832 like fresh hand tossed pizzas with a few new twists, this restaurant is sure to please. Stella will be located on Memorial Drive in Grant Park. Repeat Atlanta!