The Grooming Lounge came to Atlanta with high hopes and a great location. Unfortunately it entered the market ahead of one of the worst recessions in America's history. Its abrupt closure last week shocked not only clients and others within Terminus, but even its own staff. A great concept with stellar service, this boutique salon got its start via its hugely popular website and eventually opened locations in Tysons Corner and Washington D.C. Opening in the Terminus 100 project in Buckhead seemed like an ideal location for this chic salon to launch and it very well could have been, just not now. With prices higher than what most men would usually drop on a cut or shave, the experience is definitely a unique one; truly a salon for men, with cocktails and SportsCenter at the same time. The reality is that the Terminus property is aesthetically pleasing but that's about all. Aquaknox is rumored to be closing and its rare to see more than a dozen or so people dining in M.F. Buckhead on any given night. Yogurberry is the best thing at Terminus but is not blessed with Chick-Fil-A like notoriety and is in the breezeway rather than on Peachtree Rd. Cousins Properties might need to adjust its rent if it hopes to avoid the closure of other Terminus tenants. Repeat Atlanta!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Grooming Lounge Trims Stores, Cutting Buckhead Location
The Grooming Lounge came to Atlanta with high hopes and a great location. Unfortunately it entered the market ahead of one of the worst recessions in America's history. Its abrupt closure last week shocked not only clients and others within Terminus, but even its own staff. A great concept with stellar service, this boutique salon got its start via its hugely popular website and eventually opened locations in Tysons Corner and Washington D.C. Opening in the Terminus 100 project in Buckhead seemed like an ideal location for this chic salon to launch and it very well could have been, just not now. With prices higher than what most men would usually drop on a cut or shave, the experience is definitely a unique one; truly a salon for men, with cocktails and SportsCenter at the same time. The reality is that the Terminus property is aesthetically pleasing but that's about all. Aquaknox is rumored to be closing and its rare to see more than a dozen or so people dining in M.F. Buckhead on any given night. Yogurberry is the best thing at Terminus but is not blessed with Chick-Fil-A like notoriety and is in the breezeway rather than on Peachtree Rd. Cousins Properties might need to adjust its rent if it hopes to avoid the closure of other Terminus tenants. Repeat Atlanta!
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What about that tragic bridezilla store in Terminus? Does the BRIDES of DEMETRIOS do any business at all?
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock......
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anon that Brides by Demetrius is the biggest whoring out of primo retail space in the history of Atlanta. Even if they were paying big $$$ Cousins should have had more control of their signage. Its just plain offensive!
I'm sure CFA will make it based on b'fast and lunch with the office crowd. Aquaknox is as good as closed. Its a shame that MF chose that spot. They could do well in buckhead in the right location. It seems that Bricktops is the place that does any biz?? I have been only once and it was decent at best.
Is Flying Biscuit still open??
Yes, Brides by Demetrios is just plain gaudy but they do "well" so I'm told. Being so close to Priscilla of Boston has somehow helped them... whoda thunk it? CFA is genius, great location, minimal size and limited hours to cut labor costs. MF might have done well years ago, but people aren't going out nearly as much as before, and there price point prohibits them from weathering the storm as well as others. Its hidden location doesn't help much either. As for Aquaknox, well yea, not much to say. Bricktops does well cause its the only mid-priced sit down eatery close for many business people. Having dined at that location as well as there location adjacent to SouthPark mall in Charlotte, I can say with the utmost of certainty, it does well, in both cities because of its location and not its service or food. Flying Biscuit has reduced its hours as they have seen a double digit drop in sales but still do well on weekends pre dinner. LOLA is rumored to be in trouble and may close, be sold or re-tool it's menu. Many have said that while the atmosphere is fun and its got a great bar, the food in sub par considering other Italian options in the Buckhead area. Yogurberry is still open and is persevering through a tough time but has carved out a good niche in the FroYo market. If only they had a street side space, they'd be as busy as imitator Yoforia is in VaHi.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, signage has been a key factor in not being able to generate the traffic it needs. I've heard they are working on creating a remedy for this problem, but it seems that as Grooming Lounge has seen, it is a bit "too little, too late". It is unfortunate that the tenants of Cousins Terminus are the ones that need to suffer tho.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with this development is parking. $5 to valet at Bricktops? Please.
ReplyDeleteThat will be a shame if the residents of Atlanta can eat out enough to support their Aquaknox yet the residents of Atlanta cannot. Doesn't say much for our dining scene.
ReplyDeleteCousins needs to better advertise Terminus. I didn't even know half those stores you mentioned existed!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame if any other stores closed. The Grooming Lounge should be a wake up call to Cousins.
Not surprised. No one is ever in there. Terminus does have problems. But we love the Antipasta Bar @ Lola, and the Martini's are great. Good Happy Hour. Worst restaurant in Atlanta, first hand, Aquaknow. They can close tomorrow, as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDelete