A Hole In One More Space At Lenox As Bobby Jones Closes

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!

Waffle House Smothering and Covering Downtown Colleges

Following the opening of a Waffle House at Underground Atlanta early last year, not far from Georgia State University, another location is opening not far away at the soon to open Parker H. Petit Science Center at Piedmont Ave and Decatur St. A 10-story science and research facility, the building is due for completion next spring. Waffle House has plans to follow that timeline with hopes of opening their eatery in late spring. Waffle House seems intent on feeding grits and waffles to as many Georgia State students as possible, but they're not stopping there. Waffle House will also open at Technology Square, not far from Georgia Tech. Located at 5th and Spring, the Waffle House will open in the former American Apparel space, next to Tin Drum Asia Cafe. With hopes to open by late this year, or early next year, Georgia Tech students are already getting excited after word of its opening started to circulate this week as classes started. Repeat Atlanta!

Things Getting Sweet Downtown as Thai Gourmet Morphs Into Juicy Green

Due to what's being called a "personal emergency" by its owner, Thai Gourmet eatery on Broad Street downtown closed earlier this month. On Broad St., an area trafficked by Georgia State students most often, its possible they simply wanted to try a fresh concept. In its place the owner is opening a Juicy Green concept. Juicy Green, similar to the likes of Yogurberry, Yoforia and Pinkberry, and is locally owned with plans for expansion. Their first location in Norcross is their only location open currently as they closed their additional location in Alpharetta months ago. New plans call for the opening of the Broad Street location by late September or early October and an additional location in Virgina Highlands on Virginia Ave. in the coming months. Moving into the Highlands is a clear attempt to take on rival Yoforia in their home territory. For the record, our favorite remains Taro from Yogurberry in Buckhead. Repeat Atlanta!

KitchenAid Culinary Store Gets Cooking In Buckhead

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!

El Toro Taking Closed Redfish A Creole Bistro Space On Memorial Drive

The recently shuttered Redfish A Creole Bistro is being taking over by Mexican concept, El Toro. After opening in 2006, Redfish was named best new restaurant and best Cajun-Creole cuisine that same year by Creative Loafing. Gregg Herndon, formerly of Tiburon Grille and Taste of New Orleans opened the eatery on Memorial Drive between Cabbagetown and Grant Park and it had done well early on but seems to be the most recent victim of the recession. El Toro, a local Mexican chain with locations in Chamblee, Atlanta and Sandy Springs will open in the space in the coming months. Repeat Atlanta!

Krust When You Thought Atlanta Had Enough Pizzeria's -- Krust Pizza Cafe Opening Soon!

Maybe there is something in the air, maybe its the recession, or maybe, just maybe, its gonna be a really good pie.  Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure, another pizzeria is opening in metro Atlanta. Krust Pizza Cafe is preparing to open at 2030 Bolton Road, just inside 285 south of Smyrna. According to the eatery, they are on track for an  August 23rd opening, but with no website up and little else known about the concept or its owners, time will tell whether this pie can take a slice of the local pizza market. Repeat Atlanta!

Bakeshop Strikes Gold With Prime Location In Midtown

The former Gold Star Cafe & Bakery in midtown is getting a new bakery concept. Located at 903 Peachtree in the same shopping center that includes Noodle and Little Azio, the bakery is said to be called Bakeshop and is being designed by local firm ai3. Repeat Atlanta sources indicate minimal changes are being made to the existing hardware within the eatery, just an updated, new look and feel. Being developed and run by local owners, not franchisees of a large chain, Repeat Atlanta hopes this new concept is a success, as the midtown neighborhood could sure use it! Repeat Atlanta!