LUXE Atlanta of West Midtown's Brickworks development, has announced they will be ceasing operations no later than October 31. Currently they have a "Big Ass Sale" in progress with 50% savings on everything in the store. (Assorted furniture, display units and a fax machine are also being sold during the sale.) Open since 2007, the store was the brainchild of Jenn Ripley and opened in partnership with Lanny West, Leslie Fram and Carole Davenport. At first, basically a permanent sample sale, a boutique T.J. Maxx of sorts, the store was one of the first to open in the development. With a solid clientele built up from its earlier incarnations, the store seemed destined for every Buckhead Betty's Saturday shopping list much like Loehmann's is for some.
Offering a boutique setting while still maintaining the highest possible quality and customer service, LUXE Atlanta partnered with numerous charitable organizations and hired interns from local colleges. Sadly though, as much as everyone wanted the store to succeed, the surrounding area never grew the way it was expected to. Rather than additional complementary retail in the area, specifically in the Brickworks, restaurants, galleries, offices, studios and a grocery were the only tenants to materialize. As good as the PR and the offerings were, LUXE Atlanta was unable to succeed with such limited additional offerings in one of the worst recessions in generations.
As for Jenn, she now runs a similar operation, once again a traveling business known as Archive Agency. Leslie is now co-host and Program Director of WRXP, New York's Rock Experience. Lanny will continue to assist in the operations of Studio 1*FIVE*O. Carole Davenport can most likely be found cheering on her grandchildrens' various sporting activities, watching UGA football or on rare occasions, shopping! Repeat Atlanta!
Clear, the new wireless broadband internet service provider has set up shop in Buckhead. Opening in Selig Enterprises shopping center at the corner of Piedmont and Peachtree in the heart of Buckhead, they are growing fast, maybe a little too fast. Taking the space Orvis vacated when they moved to their new store down the road, the new store was putting signage up when we dropped by earlier this week. Just last month Repeat Atlanta spoke with Scott Selig and he seemed not to have anyone lined up for the space,surprsingly, days later a building permit was up and this week the store will open. Perhaps its a short term lease, though the extensive remodel of the space make that unlikely. Clear also opened in Novare's Viewpoint project in Midtown in August.
With extensive multi-media advertising throughout Atlanta, from radio to TV to MARTA, Clear is on a mammoth of marketing blitz. Clear, a Registered Traveler Program by the same name failed to secure financing this year and ceased operations as of June 22nd. Clear is owned by Sprint Nextel Clear Sprint/Nextel, 51% stake with Ex-Clearwire shareholders owning 27% and a consortium of Comcast, Time Warner, Intel, Google and Bright House investing $3.2 billion to own the balance. Repeat Atlanta!
Bill Hallman Studio, the new concept store from Bill Hallman will open this Thursday, October 1st in part of the old Blue Genes at the Shops Around Lenox. Having taken the space to the far left, Hallman's first order of business was removing the marble / metallic staircase and repainting the walls. Repeat Atlanta stopped by this weekend and caught the whole family getting in on the process with Hallman's wife and daughter helping in the store set-up. A hybrid retail store and design studio, the new store will carry Hallman's new line as well as other chic apparel for men and women. Hallman is said to be planning an ever popular and cost effective pop-up shop in Lenox Square for this holiday season and will add the long rumored Westside boutique early next year. Unknown is what exactly either will be like but the Westside boutique is most likely to be located in the recently renovated White Provisions. Repeat Atlanta!
This just in to Repeat Atlanta! A confidential insider has informed us that Sebastian's Closet in Buckhead will close its doors for good in the coming weeks. Located on Peachtree Road in the heart of Buckhead, Sebastian's Closet is based out of Dallas, Texas and opened the Buckhead store in July, 1991. The store completed an extensive renovation and relaunched the concept just under two years ago but has seemingly failed to attract the customers necessary to stay in business. Appealing to the affluent male consumer, Sebastian's was once quite popular but had fizzled in recent years. Ken Barber, former million dollar salesman at Sak's Fifth Avenue, was brought in to breath new life into the store after its relaunch but left shortly after to launch his own store. Ken Barber Clothing in West Midtown, carries men's suits, denim and knitwear, as well as cufflinks and ties. Ken Barber Clothing, fellow West Midtown boutique Sid Mashburn, and Miller Brothers Ltd. in Buckhead have probably taken at least some business from Sebastian's and each offer a shopping environment more in tune with today's male shopper. A Google search will show there is still a Sebastian's Closet in Dallas, Texas and another in Tacoma, Washington that is apparently a woman's consignment store now. Another day, another closure in Atlanta retail.
Just when you thought Midtown couldn't get any better, it has! Adjacent to Sembler's Midtown Place shopping center on Ponce de Leon Ave, construction has begun on a brand new CVS Pharmacy! As intown residents, Repeat Atlanta could not have been more pleased by this new infill, NOT! Maybe its just us, but it seems like everywhere you turn these days there is either a Walgreens or a CVS. In Buckhead, there are now two of each within two miles of one another. With a Rite Aid up Ponce, Walgreens at North Ave and another CVS on N. Highland, not to mention the two Publix and one Kroger pharmacy, how many pharmacies does that area really need? While yes, the area that the new CVS is located on was vacant and an eyesore, we think something better could have been done, but that's just us. Repeat Atlanta!
Bill Hallman, long rumored to be opening a location in Buckhead will be doing just that in the coming weeks. Occupying what had been one of the most well known Buckhead boutiques, Bill Hallman will open his shop in part of the old Blue Genes in the Shops Around Lenox. The space that once housed the kids store and later the outlet, and eventually "Green Genes" is the space Hallman will be opening in. With little cosmetically being done to the space, the one notable change will be the closure of the space to the other store fronts and the removal of the marble staircase. Blue Genes, which had been burglarized more times than they'd like repeated was seemingly unable to recover from their most recent theft earlier this year. While messages were posted both on the store front as well as their website claiming they would reopen in early July, that has yet to occur and seems less likely given Hallman's opening. The one possibility being that that the Blue Genes sisters would reopen in an even smaller space than they most recently occupied. Bill Hallman and Blue Genes next door might be a good fit. The girls could stick to clothing and accessories for women, and Bill Hallman, do what he does best, make men look their best. For now, all we know is Bill Hallman Buckhead is scheduled to open with the next 30 days and that Bill is once again designing his own line that will be sold in both his boutiques and his online store. Repeat Atlanta!
Façonnable finally opens at Lenox. As we first reported last June , Façonnable has now opened its first store in Atlanta, at Lenox Square in Buckhead. Occupying a portion of the former Polo Ralph Lauren space in the main corridor of level one, almost half the staff came from the recently shuttered Mark Shale across the hall. Previously an exclusive house brand of Nordstrom in the U.S. and later purchased by Nordstrom in 2000, the brand was sold in 2007 to M1 Group, a Lebanese private equity group. The new plan for the brand is to open boutiques in select locales from coast to coast. Repeat Atlanta!
Bobby Jones, one of the original retailers within the "Luxury Wing" at Lenox Square closed this past weekend. Following the closures of locations in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and a relocation of their in-store shop in Hickey Freeman's 5th Avenue store, the only remaining stand alone location is in Naples, Florida. Parent company Hartmarx filed bankruptcy this past January and was subsequently purchased by Emerisque/SKNL North America in late June. While a number of outlet stores remain open, its appears the brands new owners are trying to minimize the number of full line retail locations. As the space at Lenox is quite small, hopefully it wont be vacant too long. Maybe Judith Leiber wants to come back? Repeat Atlanta!
Insperience Studio, open since 2003 in Buckhead has closed to the public and will shift its focus to their retail sales. Located next to Marshall's in Coro's shopping center at the corner of Piedmont and Peachtree, the store had given consumers a chance to try out and learn about Whirlpool's portfolio of brands and appliances prior to purchasing. Though the studio will remain in the rear of the building, KitchenAid Culinary Store will be the entities new name and will show in new signage soon. The official transition will take place in early October. This will be the second store in the U.S., another similar is located downtown Greenville, in Ohio. Repeat Atlanta!
Inman Park is getting their first grocery store and it's not a chain! It's called Savi Urban Market, and it's taking up a new building on Elizabeth street- right behind the popular Fritti and Sotto Sotto eateries. The new building itself is across the street from a store called "At The Collective" (which neighbors may recall was the old Inman Perk). Details of this new concept are slowly becoming available but the fact that it's a local market and not another chain store sounds good enough already. Savi Urban Market hopes to create a neighborhood, more compact version of a Whole Foods, with elements of The Fresh Market as well. Select produce, beer / wine and a deli counter are all planned. With an opening set for mid-late September, they will open right as Emory has resumed classes. Repeat Atlanta!
As first reported by Repeat Atlanta last June , Zegna has been confirmed to be opening a signature boutique in Lenox Square. Scheduled to open next fall, it is unknown at this point what space has been set aside for the new boutique but is said to be located within the Luxury Wing. At Repeat Atlanta, we're hoping the space is the old Nicole Miller space on level 1 currently occupied by PURE(ly Clueless) Denim. Look for an official announcement on the Zegna opening in the next six to eight months. Repeat Atlanta!
LoveSac Alternative Furniture Co. is preparing to make its southern debut with two stores opening in Atlanta this month. Coincidentally, both are in SIMON malls, the Mall of Georgia and Lenox Square, which begs the question: is SIMON offering incentives for multiple leases with a retailer, perhaps lease one, lease one for half price? The Lenox Sqaure location is scheduled to open July 22 and the Mall of Georgia location is to open July 25. As Mall of Georgia is not exactly a regular destination for Repeat Atlanta, our main focus will be their Lenox Square location. Located on the upper level of the mall across from Hollister Co. in the old Select Comfort, the 701-square-foot space seems small if furniture is to be sold. The answer to this is that "Sacs" are sold in a compressed form, compressing the size of the item as a Food Saver condenses and compacts food. When removed from this packaging the foam within the sac expands and the sac fluffs up to its actual size. With prices ranging from $209 for the "KidSac" to $969 for "The Big One" and multiple thousands of dollars for the "Sactional", Repeat Atlanta is hesitant to bet on the success of this store. Founded in 1998 by Shawn D. Nelson, winner of Sir Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" reality show, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2006 but has since emerged with ambitious plans for future growth. With 25 stores open to date and another seven opening this fall, Mr. Nelson seems convinced that his luxury items will sell in the current economic climate. Repeat Atlanta! What are your thoughts on this concept? Leave a comment and share your opinions and or experiences with the Repeat Atlanta community.
While retailers everywhere are experiencing significant declines in sales, a few are expanding. Thrift and consignment stores are popping up in vacated spaces around the Atlanta area more than ever... even in Buckhead! Goodwill signed a lease for a nearly 33,000 square-foot retail and donation center in north Buckhead at 3906 Roswell Road, just north of Piedmont Road. The space was most recently home to one of metro Atlanta's last Stein Mart stores which closed earlier this year. Neighboring retailers High Country Outfitters and Atlantic Wine remain open. No official opening date has been announced though with alterations to the building in progress, its likely the store will be open in time for the back to school season. Repeat Atlanta!
Lenox Square has successfully landed another local retailer to relocate within its mall. Blue Corset Co. recently closed in East Andrews boutique and will reopen in the "Luxury Wing" of Lenox Square later this summer. Blue Corset is a purveyor of fine lingerie and is known for impeccable customer service. Taking 1,200 square feet adjacent to Neiman Marcus on mall level, the space was formerly home to Hermes. At one point there was talk that both Tom Ford and Zegna were interested in the space but apparently they both pulled out. Hermes on the other hand might now wish they had stayed as they are in a temporary location next to Fado Irish pub on Buckhead Ave. Hermes is awaiting the completion of what Ben Carter's "The Street's of Buckhead" where they will be one of the signature retailers. Repeat Atlanta!
Just last month there was talk that Smith & Hawken would relocate its corporate headquarters to to metro Atlanta. Now parent company Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. announced it will close the chain by the end of the year. Dave Smith and Paul Hawken founded gardening tool importer Smith & Hawken in Mill Valley, California 30 years ago but sold it in 1993 and had not been involved much under recent owner Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. who purchased the company in 2004. In an attempt to breath new life into the troubled company Scotts brought in co-founder of Home Depot, Pat Farrah, to overhaul Smith & Hawken. Many insiders, including the founders themselves, blame the company's downfall not only on the poor economy but on Scotts' broadening of the Smith & Hawken store offerings. Locally, Smith & Hawken operates stores on Peachtree road near Peachtree Battle and in Marietta at the Avenues East Cobb. Liquidation sales are to begin within days with all stores in line to close by year's end. Smith & Hawken's e-commerce business was discontinued earlier this week.Repeat Atlanta!
After a splashy opening just over three years ago, Artefacto is throwing in the towel in Buckhead. The Brazilian furniture retailer's bi-level location at Two Buckhead Plaza, with great Peachtree Road exposure, seemed the ideal location for this retailer, but apparently it just wasn't meant to be. The store's president and owner Paolo Bacchi's dream for his company to be a success in Atlanta seems to have fallen short, but South Florida on the other hand, has been successful for them. A new Aventura location will open within the next few weeks. While the Atlanta location was not meeting sales expectations, it seems that South Florida consumers have been less affected by the economic downturn. Artefacto Atlanta is currently running a sample / closeout sale with savings of up to 70%. The store is to close for good no later than mid-August.Repeat Atlanta!
Lenox Square adds to its lineup of personal care retailers with the addition of Carol's Daughter.Located on the first level, the store will occupy the space most recently home to Whitehall Jewelers.When the Lenox Square store opens later this fall it will be the chain's ninth, though the line is sold at Sephora as well as select Dillard’s and Macy’s.The line's tagline, “beauty by nature” is meant to represent just that, the fact that their beauty products are all made from natural ingredients.Carol Price’s daughter, Lisa Price began peddling her homemade hair and body products at local flea markets in the early 1990’s.A few years later she opened what would become her flagship boutique in Brooklyn’s FortGreene.The success of her initial retail outpost led to national media coverage including The View and on Oprah.African-American herself, Price has won numerous awards for her entrepreneurial spirit including the National Black MBA Association's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2000.With an ever growing African-American population in DeKalb and Fulton counties, the new Lenox store is sure to be a hit with locals, not to mention the large numbers of out of state visitors that frequent in Lenox on the weekends.Let’s hope Carol’s Daughter is the diamond in the rough that Lenox has been looking for to fill their vacant space. Repeat Atlanta!
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!
The announcement that many saw coming has arrived, Ruehl No. 925 will cease to exist by January 2010. Referred to on promotional materials as "Post Grad by Abercrombie", the retailer never got a foothold on its demographic since its September 2004 launch and its stores were confusing to consumers and expensive to construct. The stores exterior was built to resemble a Greenwich Village apartment and the interior had rooms such as a library and study to keep with the theme. The basic idea was smart on the part of Mike Jeffries, Abercrombie CEO and Chairman, create a store where those consumers that are out of college ( age 22-35) could shop and still get the quality and style of A&F but a little more grown up. At one point, there was talk of Ruehl opening at Lenox Square or Phipps, but just as GAP canned their Forth and Towne concept before it could open at Phipps, Ruehl won't get the chance to outfit the Atlanta market. The one bright spot, Abercrombie's Gilly Hick's chain appears to be doing well and is said to be scouting cities around the country for future expansion. Gilly Hick's launched early last year and is an Australian themed intimate apparel retailer officially labeled "The cheeky cousin of Abercrombie & Fitch". While I'd by lying if I said I understood or liked the name, I think it has the potential for Hollister-like success. With fifteen stores open to date in various cities across the country, Lenox Square would make an ideal new mall for the young brand. Repeat Atlanta!
San Francisco-based luxury garden retailer Smith & Hawken is said to be looking at relocating its corporate headquarters to metro Atlanta. With overall retail sales the worst they have been in decades, Smith & Hawken was hit especially hard as its products are luxury items and are often the first to be cut from consumers budgets. Pat Farrah, interim head of the company has said Atlanta would be the best fit for the company if they can become viable. If the move takes place, Sembler's Town Brookhaven development is said to be in line for a Smith & Hawken flagship store. More details to follow. Repeat Atlanta!
LUXE Atlanta of West Midtown's Brickworks development, has announced they will be ceasing operations no later than October 31. Currently they have a "Big Ass Sale" in progress with 50% savings on everything in the store. (Assorted furniture, display units and a fax machine are also being sold during the sale.) Open since 2007, the store was the brainchild of Jenn Ripley and opened in partnership with Lanny West, Leslie Fram and Carole Davenport. At first, basically a permanent sample sale, a boutique T.J. Maxx of sorts, the store was one of the first to open in the development. With a solid clientele built up from its earlier incarnations, the store seemed destined for every Buckhead Betty's Saturday shopping list much like Loehmann's is for some. 
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