Urban Flats A Hit At Lindbergh

Urban Flats seems to have come out of nowhere and become a success almost over night. Though it is a chain restaurant, it seems to have carved a nice niche in the market, attracting both local office workers and neighbors in the surrounding condos and apartments.
Repeat Atlanta!

My Panini Apparently Not "Everyone's" Panini

My Panini, a Panini concept based here in Atlanta has closed it first location. After openinga little over a year ago, the concept struggled against competition from both Taco Mac and Hot Stix. I visited myself a couple times and was never impressed. Their food was alright, not great and for being a Panini shop, their bread was terrible. While their interior is aesthetically pleasing, the logo and branding could have better been achieved by a 9th grader. No surprise here one bit! Repeat Atlanta!

Atlanta Abuzz About aloft

As if Atlanta did not have enough amazing hotels either open or in the works, aloft hotels, a vision of W Hotels has plans for 4 new properties in Atlanta in the next few years. Properties have been announced in Savannah, Alpharetta and two in Atlanta, one Buckhead the other near Hartsfield - Jackson. The concept behind the brand is a smaller "little sister" of the hip W Hotel brand. The Buckhead location is the most fascinating with the location listed on the aloft website as "Intersection of Peachtree Road and Piedmont Road" and a scheduled opening of June 1, 2010. As it stands now there is no open land at that intersection though there has been talk that within the next few years the Rooms to Go will close, possibly leaving an opening for aloft. The aloft hotel brand was born in 2005 with the first hotel having just opened this past year in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Repeat Atlanta!

Verizon Wireless Moving Into New Orvis Shopping Center

With the recent relocation of Orvis to the new shopping center on the former Joe Muggs property, I began to wonder what else would follow. I have now learned that Verizon Wireless will open an outlet of their own in the space adjacent to Mattress Firm on the far right side of the center. The center seems to be doing quite well in a down economy in landing three major tenants, with limited space still available. Judging from the work that has been done thus far, I'd expect to see the store open within 14 days. Repeat Atlanta!

Fresh New Kroger Opens October 19

Fresh Fare by Kroger, the new concept taking the space formerly occupied by the "Disco" Kroger will reopen October 19. The new, healthier Kroger will feature an 82 seat Bistro and have an expansive wine cellar as well as many other organic options. Repeat Atlanta!

Aja Brings An Innovative Approach To Former Emeril's

Atlanta based Here To Serve Restaurants plans to open their new restaurant "aja" next month. The concept behind this new restaurant is Asian Fusion, a first for H2S. Taking the space that formerly housed the notorious Emeril's Atlanta, aja brings a new concept to a great space. With acclaimed restaurateur Tom Catherall and his team of visionary chefs at the helm, aja is sure to be another Here To Serve success! Look for a "soft" opening Novemebr 7th, and Grand Opening November 8th.

**Though it was initially reported that former Top Chef contestant Dale Talde would be running the kitchen, recent reports indicate he opted to stay put up north. (No word on whether the departure of Richard Blais, {a friend of Talde's} from Here To Serve's "home" played a part in his decision to turn down the aja gig) Repeat Atlanta!

Orvis Reels In A New Location In Buckhead

Orvis, the established retailer of outdoor goods will be relocating to a new Buckhead location in the coming days. Having been in the Container Store anchored center at the corner of Peachtree and Piedmont roads for years, their new location will be just north a block or so. The new store where signage is going up today will be aty the far end of the new shopping center that sits on the land formerly home to Joe Muggs. Aside from Mattress Firm on the far right, Orvis will be the only other retailer to open thus far. Repeat Atlanta!