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New J. Crew Concept Has "Made" Its Way to Atlanta

Madewell, a new concept from J. Crew will be opening soon at Lenox Square. Located next to the new Pottery Barn on the main level, the store looks far smaller than the J. Crew store also already at the mall. The store will carry women's casual and affordable apparel, priced at 20-30% less than J. Crew merchandise. With 7 stores open to this date, this is the 2nd additional store in development. Expect an opening in late Summer.

No Chanel or Prada At Lenox...For Now

It seems as though Chanel and Prada are both in a holding pattern for space at Lenox. It has now been confirmed that in fact Stuart Weitzman will be moving into the former Nicole Miller in the luxury wing of Lenox. Simply moving across the hall, though into a larger space, their movie will enable Burberry to expand their store. Both moves and expansions are expected to be completed by the start of the holiday shopping season. For now, Chanel will have its outpost in Neimans while Prada may be seeking to nab the current Hermes space in 2009, when they move to "The Streets of Buckhead".

Martin + Osa Opening At Perimeter Mall?

It has been reported that new a American Eagle concept will open its first Atlanta store at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody this Spring. The store's name and inspiration comes from Martin and Osa Johnson, a globetrotting husband and wife team from Kansas who explored Africa and the South Pacific Islands, chronicling their travels in photographs and diaries. The stores are designed by Michael Neumann Architecture in NYC and are far from your normal 'run of the mill" storefront. Expected to appeal to the 25-40 y/o demo, expect this store to compete with both J. Crew Banana Republic. Though no sign is up yet, I'd expect them to occupy the now defunct Forth & Towne on the second level across from A&F. There is a significant chance that if the Perimeter Mall store is a success, store will follow at Lenox Sqaure and North Point Mall and possibly The Avenues : East Cobb.

Tom Cartherall Eyes Closing Emerils For New Concept

Tom Catherall's Here To Serve Restaurants group is close to signing a lease on the space currently occupied by Emeril's. Set to close later this month, Emeril's prime location just off 400 and across the street from Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, is just what Catherall has been in search of. Seeking a Buckhead home for his new Asian concept "aja", for quite some time, this seems to be a perfect match. If all goes according to plan, aja could be open by late winter.

BAM! Emeril's Announces Closure

Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse has announced his namesake Buckhead restaurant will close its doors for good at the end of the month. After its opening in 2003, it was widely panned by critics and has gone through numerous overhauls in staff. With all the completion from established Atlanta restaurants, it was just never able to compete and appease local tastes.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Closes Multiple Locations

Due to unknown circumstances regarding the finances of the franchisee of several Tropical Smoothie Cafe's in Atlanta, a number have closed in recent weeks. One located on Decatur on West Ponce and another Peachtree in midtown have both closed yet still have the logo displayed. Another location further down Peachtree across from Piedmont Hospital remains open.

Tin Drum Heads Downtown

Tin Drum Asia Cafe will open a new location downtown, in the former Fogao Gaucho. Located on Peachtree St. near Broad St. and close to many Georgia State classroom, dorms and other businesses, this should be a great location for this growing Asian concept. Already with 3 locations; Georgia Tech, Lindbergh, and Dunwoody, this new downtown location is scheduled to open July 1.

H&M To Open At North Point In May

Swedish retailer H&M set to open their first Atlanta store next month. Opening before the much hyped Atlantic Station store seems interesting to me, as for I'm sure it does to many more, as Atlantic Station was under way and said to be opening first. It appears to be plagued by delays, as on a look in the windows a few weeks ago, little work had been done while North Point was all but completed. The North Point Mall store will offer clothes for women and young women and will open its doors to the public May 8th. Later, the store at Atlantic Station will carry apparel and accessories for the entire family.

German Grocer Aldi, Making A Push For Atlanta

German based grocer Aldi will be opeing their 22nd Atlanta area store later this spring at the corner of Clairmont Rd. and Buford Hwy in Chamblee. Located on land that formerly housed a PIKE Family Nursery, the shopping center will also include El Pollo Loco restaurant and various other smaller merchants. Known for its low prices and "no frills" expect minimal decoration of the store and low levels of staff. Their savings at the point of purchase and store layout, are returned to the consumer by way of low prices, similar to Wal-Mart, though on a much smaller scale.

Richard Blais To Lead "Home"

Here To Serve has done everything but change the location of its "Posh" restaurant. Reopening April 22nd as simply "Home", Tom Catherall has landed former "Top Chef" contestant Richard Blais to lead the new restaurant. Richard is by no means new to the Atlanta restaurant scene having been at a number of area restaurants over the past few years, including one of his own. Home's menu focuses on southern comfort food with featured items such as a crispy oyster po boy, pork shoulder served with collard greens, peaches, and barbecue sauce, also blue foot fried chicken with macaroni and cheese "ravioli", honey vinaigrette. For those not familiar with Posh (Home), its located at 111 West Paces Ferry Rd just down the road from the Buckhead Whole Foods.

New Boutique Opening Friday In Buckhead

Taking the space formerly occupied by the now defunct CompUSA's training center will be a new womens designer boutique. "MERINO" is scheduled to open this Friday and is located in the "Shops Around Lenox" next door to Y-3. Having performed an extensive remodel of the existing location, including the addition of a number of new front windows, expect it to look very different. With offerings such as jewelry and designer clothing , the boutique seems to complement the current retail in the center. With it still rumored that Crate & Barrel may relocate next door taking some if not all of available space ( CompUSA and Tower Records) the center may become more a destination point than it already is!

Free Coffee @ Starbucks?… YES!, Not A Mistake

Starbucks will introduce their new Pike Place Roast today (4/8) and in celebration will be giving away cups of the new brew starting at 9AM. The new coffee is named after the location of Starbucks' first store, which opened in Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1971.

Garrison's Perimeter Mall To Convert To Hudson Grille

Metrotainment Cafes has closed their Perimeter Mall Garrison's for it to reopen as their Hudson Grille concept. After years of success at Perimter Mall, sales have not been what they once were and Metrotainment has opted to keep the space and try one of their hotter concepts, that being Hudson Grille,currently with locations in Brookhaven and Alpharetta. Similar to Jocks and Jills but with a more refined atmosphere, Hudson's looks to fill a niche in the Perimter Mall area. Look for a Grand Reopening of sorts early this summer.