Tin Drum Asia Cafe Opening Another Location... In Atlantic Station???

Though I'm a fan of Tin Drum Asia Cafe and like them far more than Mama Fu's, I think they are crazy to go into Atlantic Station. They just opened on Broad Street downtown near GSU this past summer and their original location is on 5th Street near Tech, why open in the tragedy that is Atlantic Station? Emory perhaps, even Buckhead, but Atlantic Station, bad move. After all, Mama Fu's was originally planned for Atlantic Station but bailed on the project before it could even open! Repeat Atlanta!

New Yorker Lands At Mezzo To Launch His Pizzeria

Jeff Varasano, author of the online gourmet pizza manifesto that has attracted international attention, has chosen Atlanta to open his first restaurant this December. Located in Tivoli Properties "Mezzo" housing development, the new pizzeria will face almost immediate nearby pizza competition with the opening of Pizza Fusion a couple blocks away. Varasano’s Pizzeria will seat 125 and offer al fresco dining. Menu items will include favorites like the Margherita as well as many of Varasano’s own creations. Originally from the Bronx, Varsano has spent years perfecting his own version of his favorite New York pie and after international trips and many experimental variations of bread, ingredients and temperature; he has created his perfect pie. Repeat Atlanta!

Y-3 Closing Buckhead Boutique

Since its opening in 2005 the Y-3 boutique has struggled to gain a sizable following in Atlanta. The first Y-3 boutique in the U.S. when it opened, it was popular with a cult following and many Asian travlers with prior knowledge of the line. Opened by relatives of Adi Dassler, the founder of Adidas, the Bente family had the passion to create a unique shopping experience but under corporate control since 2007, the store has been ignored and the sales have lagged. Having been turned into an outlet of sorts in recent months, a store once popular with the likes of Usher and Akon has been stocked with mostly past season merchandise. After the opening of stores in Miami and New York and the recent announcment of an official outlet store to be located in Orlando, it was only a matter of time. With an 8 year lease signed, Adidas corporate has chosen to close the store rather than attempt to salvage it. Closing sales are now in progress, with the store set to close for good in late October. Repeat Atlanta!

Buckhead Boutique Blue Genes Goes Green?

If you've been by Blue Genes in Buckhead lately, you've probably noticed that their "outlet" store located in what was formerly their kids store is clear and empty. What you may not know is that the space will become "Green Genes", no, not literally green jeans, but a sort of jean recycle operation. Similar to that of The Buffalo Exchange, Plato's Closet or Rag-O-Rama, Green Genes will buy your "gently used" denim for $10 (cash) or give you credit of $30 (credit) to use in store. The new concept should fare well in these harsh economic times, cause everyone can't drop a paycheck on a pair of jeans! Now you can get the designer vintage feel, at the a fraction of the price. The store opens Friday October 3rd, with its Grand Opening Saturday the 4th . Repeat Atlanta!

Does Nike Need Two Stores In Buckhead ?

With the near opening of Nike's new concept store, will Niketown at Phipps continue its operations? When the Nike store at Lenox was women's only, it was one thing, but now with the opening of what seems to be a scaled down more up to date version, it seems plausible that the Phipps location would close if the Lenox concept is a success. Having been in Phipps for what seems like a lifetime, rent has got to be an issue having a space of that size. While the clientele differs dramatically from Lenox to Phipps, to reach what amounts to a larger more diverse customer base in a newer, "cooler" store, it seems the obvious choice to close the Phipps location. Repeat Atlanta!

7 For All Mankind Steps Into Lenox

This past weekend, 7 For All Mankind made a quiet entrance into the Atlanta market. After much anticipation and lots of work, their latest boutique opened on the main level of Lenox Square, next to Coach and in a portion of the former Polo Ralph Lauren space. A very subtle exterior, with the 7 logo placed to the right of the store on an elegant metallic surface, the interior is warm and welcoming with earth tones and a waiting lounge area set up in the back. The store carries a wider selection of 7 merchandise including handbags, coats and shirts for men and women. Repeat Atlanta!

abercromie Kids Moving Into Pottery Barn Kids

When Pottery Barn Kids moves into the former Pottery Barn store on the upper level of Lenox Square, another kids store will take its place. Abercrombie Kids, a store missing from ITP ATL shopping since its inception is said to taking the space when the PB move occurs. With Pottery Barn Kids / PB Teen expected to oepn late this fall, expect to see abercrombie open sometime in the 1st quarter of 09. Repeat Atlanta!

Room & Board Confirmed In West Midtown

Finally, what was a dream becomes reality! Minneapolis based Room & Board will be opening a new store in Atlanta next year. The new store will be located within the new White Provisions development at the corner of Howell Mill Rd. and 14th St.
Repeat Atlanta!

Former Clubhouse Primed For A "Grand" Addition

After The Clubhouse closed this week, I immediately began to think of what may come to take its place. My best guess, and what I'm making my official prediction... The Grand Lux Cafe! A new concept developed by The Cheesecake Factory, the chain has been expanding of late with 3 stores in south Florida in the past 24 months. Word has it that Atlanta was on their list of upcoming markets. Having seen and eaten in their Town Center at Boca Raton (another SIMON property) location myself, I think it would be perfect for the space! Repeat Atlanta!

The Clubhouse At Lenox Not "Where You Belong"

This just in from Repeat Atlanta reader Tom Sullivan: the Clubhouse restaurant at Lenox Square has closed. As I was just at the mall this past weekend myself, this seems to have been an overnight development. A sign in their window reads 'lost lease." Lenox guest services seems to have been caught off guard themselves, as they seemed to have no knowledge of the closure. Though the restaurant is still listed as mall tenant as of tonight, the Atlanta location is off The Clubhouse corporate website. Having been in the front of Lenox Square for what seems like a lifetime, they never seemed to be especially busy nor were they often mentioned in any restaurant guide books. For me, on my few dining experiences inside, they seemed to be similar to a Chilis or Longhorn in food quality, but closer to Prime (its upstairs neighbor) in price. Overall, it's a restaurant I don't see as being missed by a lot of people, except maybe for the employees who seem to have been left in the dark as well. Repeat Atlanta!

Costco Confirmed For "Town Brookhaven"

After first reporting Costco's plans for two locations ITP earlier this year, one has now been confirmed. Costco will open a new store within Sembler's "Town Brookhaven" development on Peachtree Blvd. The new store is scheduled to open sometime in the third quarter of 2009. Still up in the air is their long since planned location within North DeKalb Mall in off North Druid Hills Rd. After receiving word months ago that an agreement had been reached pending some property arrangments, no new information has been received and no date has been set. Repeat Atlanta!

New Concept Takes On Former Pie Bar Space... Good Luck!

Eros World Tapas Bar, a new concept from George Karameros and Nikitas PanagoPoulos. Having traveled the world and enjoyed cuisines from Japan to Mexico to Jamaica and many in between, they have created "World" to house all their favorites from their travels. Wednesday through Saturday a DJ will spin tunes from around the world as well on their outdoor patio! With such an eclectic mix and an unproven restaurant site, its anyones guess as to how this new restaurant will fare.

Make a reservation!

Check out their site!

"Top Chef" Blais Leaves Home

After less than a year on the job, former "Top Chef" finalist, Richard Blais has resigned as executive chef of Tom Catherall's "Home" restaurant on East Paces Ferry. Having been retooled and renamed from "Posh" this past Spring, the addition of Blais made a reservation difficult to obtain, and saw the restaurant earn a 4 star review, it will be interesting to see how they fare without the Celebrity element. Repeat Atlanta!

Spoon Goes For Seconds On Moreland Ave.

Spoon, a popular Thai resaurant on Marietta Street, behind Georgia Tech, will be opening a second location by years end. Located on Moreland Ave, in Ormewood Park Shopping Center, this new location is sure to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Repeat Atlanta!

Pano's Grande Cafe Opening Next Spring In Sovereign

Buckhead Life Restaurant Group it at it again! This time, Pano will open a French style cafe to be located within the new Sovereign tower on Peachtree Road. Though much of the building itself is complete, little if any interior work has been done, so as of now, the opening is set for Spring 2009. Repeat Atlanta!

Fox Sports Grill's Majority Owner Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Westlake Village, California based B&B Restaurant Ventures LLC recently filed Chapter 11 protection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. B&B holds an 80 % stake in the seven unit chain with Fox Broadcasting Co. owning the remaining 20%. In recent months two locations have closed in Irvine, California and Nyack, New York. The Irvine location was the first to open and at one point was a large revenue producer but heavy construction in the area surrounding the restaurant caused a huge downturn in business which is said to be the main cause of the closure. Their Atlantic Station location is said to be their top producer and not scheduled to close. This news that their Atlantic Station location is their top revenue producer comes as a complete shock given that people don't believe that Atlantic Station does well nor was it the right mix of tenants. For the moment, I'll give them props as Fox Sports Grill appears to be a hit where so many other establishments have missed. Repeat Atlanta!

New Thumbs Up Diner Opens Monday on Marietta Street

Thumbs Up diner, a local favorite for a delicious breakfast, will be opening a third location this Monday, September 8th in West Midtown. This new location will be situated close to both the M Street Lofts as well as a variety of area boutiques such as LUXE Atlanta and 1*FIVE*O. Breakfast is served throughout the day, with whole wheat biscuits and homemade berry preserves, stone-ground grits and "the Heap" of fried potatoes. Repeat Atlanta!

Its Official! InterContinental Coming To Midtown Atlanta

After months of rumors and speculation, InterContinental Hotels Group announced today, they will put a new hotel in the planned 1400 Peachtree development at the corner of Peachtree and 17^th streets. Atlanta-based land investor, Shailendra Group LLC, and real estate investment firm Jamestown, have hired renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP to design 1400 Peachtree. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s designs have reshaped skylines from the East Coast to the Middle East. InterContinental Hotels Group, with its North American headquarters in Dunwoody, owns the InterContinental Buckhead, one of only four hotels in Atlanta that hold Five Diamond ratings. With the Buckhead property said to be on the market, expect InterContinental to groom the midtown project to mirror the service of its Buckhead property. Repeat Atlanta!

More More More... H&M Opening In Kennesaw and Buford

After taking what felt like an eternity to make their way to the Atlanta market and countless delays opening their flagship Atlantic Station store, it appears H&M is finally on track. Opening a new store in Town Center mall in Cobb county tomorrow (9/4) and another store in the Mall of Georgia (10/9). Town Center, like the North Point store, will carry women and girls’ clothes and accessories, and the Mall of Georgia store will have offerings for the whole family, in line with those of the flagship Atlantic Station location. Similar to previous openings, though with fewer and lower denominations, the first 100 people in line will receive scratch cards with the chance to win up to $100 to be spent on merchandise that day. Repeat Atlanta!

Atlanta Fish Market To Become "City" Fish Market?

Recent talk of Atlanta Fish Market being renamed to match Buckhead Life's soon to open City Fish Market in Boca Raton Florida has people thinking, why? Atlanta Fish Market, with its colossal fish on Pharr Road has been a staple of ATLANTA since it opened, and to rename it so generically seems quite counterintuitive to say the least. You have a successful establishment, not an easy feat these days, why change what is a proven success? Save a few dollars on stationary and matches? Come on, would you go watch the "City Braves"? Repeat Atlanta!

Trader Joe's Buckhead Opening Soon!

As first reported by Repeat Atlanta back in January, Trader Joe's will be opening a new store in Buckhead. Taking much of the space that formerly housed OfficeMax, the new store is scheduled to open by late October. While the site is the same as it was when it was an OfficeMax, Trader Joe's had the left portion of the building downsized and the driveway widened to allow for two way travel; something that was always previously troublesome. The entire building was also gutted and remodeled, with many new windows added. The Trader Joe's will join Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, and the upcoming Kroger concept "Fresh Fare," as purveyors of healthy grocery options in the area. Repeat Atlanta!