Ed Hardy Scouting Atlanta For Next Retail Store?

Rumor has it that reps from Ed Hardy have been in talks with property managers in the Buckhead area for one of their retail stores. Already open in California , New York and internationally in such locales as Dubai, South Africa and Japan, Atlanta, with its heavy hip hop presence is seen as a great location for this line. Personally, I sense the brand waning in popularity, just as the Von Dutch line did years ago, really hot, to really NOT! As the brand becomes more and more available and more and more counterfeits are available, it loses what made it desirable, its exclusivity! Rumored to be located in either Lenox (which definitely has the room) or The Shops Around Lenox, don't be surprised to see a "Grand Opening" and "Grand Closing" within a short time span.

Raving Brands Sells Another Concept To Franchisee

On the heels of Raving Brands sale of its Mama Fu’s Asian House to then franchisee Murphy Adams Restaurant Group, comes word that it is unloading its coffee concept, PJ’s to New Orleans Roast LLC and New Orleans Brew LLC. Franchisees since 1995, New Orleans Roast and New Orleans Brew currently own and operate five New Orleans area PJ's Coffee locations. After purchasing the New Orleans based specialty coffee chain in 2002, they expanded the brand throughout the southeast but experienced problems in growing a niche, and had many company and franchised stores heavily damaged after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The company from New Orleans, returns to its home with the intention of developing additional stores in the future.

Chanel or Prada To Open At Lenox

After months of speculation, it has become evident that either Prada or Chanel will be moving into the space adjacent to Hermes, left vacant when Nicole Miller relocated to the upper level. According to mall officials, a lease has been signed but an official announcement has yet to come. Prada, once mentioned as a possible replacement for the current Hermes space (Hermes moves to The Streets of Buckhead next year) appears to be the probable tenant while there was also word that Chanel had signed a letter of intent to open a flagship boutique in Lenox, with the obvious location being somewhere in the "Luxury Wing". Expect to hear more from me on this in the coming weeks.

No Surprise Here, Liz Claiborne Closing Metro Outlet

As sales of her banner brand continue to fall, Liz Claiborne's outlet at Discover Mills has announced their closure. One of the original tenants when the mall opened in 2001, the line has had trouble maintaining a customer base with its staid line. Everything in the store is priced to move, all merchandise is $3.99 until they close permanently on 3/26.

Kroger Takes A "Fresh" Approach To Organics

The Kroger Co. has announced it plans to close their current store at the corner of Peachtree and Piedmont Rd. as of May 30 and reopen as their new "Fresh Fare" concept late this Fall. The current site known to many Atlantans as the "disco Kroger" as it was once adjacent to a disco within the shopping center, should provide a perfect location for Kroger to test the concept in Atlanta. Realizing that a simple "Natural Foods" section within the store was just not cutting it, the new Fresh Fare by Kroger will most likely have expanded meat, seafood and produce offerings as well as more organic and natural foods. A larger wine selection is also probable given the extensive selections at the original Fresh Fare stores on the west coast. With Publix scouting an Atlanta area site for their organic Greenwise Market (most likely in Buckhead) as well as the current Whole Foods on West Paces, not to mention the two Fresh Markets close by and the soon to open Trader Joe's, Buckhead residents will have a number of healthy choices for their organic grocery needs.

Bob Amick At It Again, This Time A New Orleans Influenced Concept

Bob Amick, the tireless restaurateur who brought us the original Mick's and most recently with his Concentrics Restaurant Group, STATS it at it again, this time on North Highland. With plans to restore the old pipe factory at 240 N. Highland, Amick will launch Parish: Foods & Goods. Amick has retained designer Taylor Dawson to help restore the the 1890s building. Parish seems to have it all, with an "Eatzi's" like grocery selection along New Orleans style po' boys available to go not to mention the second level restaurant with New Orleans-style classics and live jazz piano. After being pushed from a scheduled January opening, Parish is now set to open in April.

5 Seasons Brewing Adds A Third Location

5 Seasons Brewing, currently with its original location at The Prado in Sandy Springs as well as a second location in Alpharetta on Old Milton Pkwy. will open a third location this year. Originally scheduled for an "early 2008" opening it seems that the opening may instaed occur closer to mid-late Spring. Located in the Brickwork's development in West Midtown, the restaurant will be multiple levels and should be a welcome addition to this growing community.