999 Peachtree To Become Yet Another Eatery, No Apple

Despite rumors that Apple would take the space, midtown's former The Grape at 999 Peachtree is becoming yet another sit down establishment. Empire State So is on schedule to open by spring 2010 and is expected to be another eatery jumping on the ever popular farm-to-table-style cuisine. Chef and owner Hugh Acheson may find Atlanta a little more fickle and competitive than Athens where he runs the successful Five & Ten and The National.Athens, with the University of Georgia and its thousands of students, and few quality sit down restaurants, provides a unique environment in which his other two concepts have thrived. Midtown Atlanta, more specifically the location he has selected for his new concept, may prove challenging. With limited parking and a lot of nearby competition, we wish him the best of luck given the state of the economy. You can rest assured there won't be a Repeat Atlanta Cafe anytime soon. Repeat Atlanta!

At Long Last, Brick Store Pub Grant Park Opening

Brick Store Pub, currently with one location in downtown Decatur, is soon opening its long awaited second location in Grant Park. The Pub will occupy an older building at the corner of Ormewood and Confederate Avenue in what is becoming a hot spot for cool eateries. Opened since 1997 in Decatur, the Pub has become not only a neighborhood favorite but a place for out-of-towners craving a variety of hard to find draught and bottled beer. Owners Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore opened sister establishment Leon's Full Service this past February at which point the new Brick Store location was put on hold. Leon's is now up and running, and the group moved forward with its plans for the Grant Park site. Having recently applied for their liquor license, it's only a matter of time before Grant Park residents their very own Brick Store Pub. Repeat Atlanta!

Bureau on Edgewood Closed, Now Cenote and or 327?

The Bureau which closed weeks ago and was to become a new eatery, has instead sat idle. While its website now claims its name to be simply "327", its address on Edgewood Avenue, a sign on the building reads "Cenote Coming Soon." Cenote is also visible on what seems to be permanent signage, a neon sign. No word from anyone on what exactly is happening with this space but clearly it be a while before anything opens. With two floors with which to work, the Bureau utilized much of the top floor for artwork and the bottom for a bar and restaurant. Repeat Atlanta!

Larry's Giant Subs FIFO At Sembler's Prado

Sembler's Prado redevelopment seems to be the final resting place for a new sub concept. Larry's Giant Sub's, which opened months ahead of many of the other eateries at the Prado redevelopment, has closed for a "remodel," but sources say the place was cleared out and they don't see any evidence of a remodel. The restaurant's phone number has been disconnected though has not been removed from the corporate website. Larry's Giant Subs, based in Jacksonville, Florida, has two other Georigia locations: one in Fayetteville and another in Roswell. Nearby eateries, EVOS and Fuego Mundo seem to be doing just fine. Fuego Mundo, a new local Latin American concept, opened its first eatery at the Prado and has plans for a few more already. EVOS, a Florida based concept, chose the Prado for its first location in Atlanta. With another outlet already planned for Novare's Viewpoint development in midtown, the eatery serves "healthy fast food" like air fries and baked burgers. Repeat Atlanta!

Bill Hallman Banking on Buckhead in Former Blue Genes

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!

Juicy Green Virginia Highlands Location Discovered

Juicy Green will go head to head with Yoforia when it opens its new Highlands location this fall. Despite earlier information from a Juicy Green rep, the new location will be on N. Highland rather than Virginia. Located less than a mile down, on the same side of the road, Juicy Green's new Highlands location at 1046 N. Highland Ave. is across from Moe's & Joe's and down from Chico's. Its space most recently housed Eco Bella Organic Lifestyle Boutique, but had been vacant for a while. Its steetside location, within walking distance of many intown residents is perfect for exposure though we're a little concerned with opening a new yogurt shop in the fall, when most eateries of its type experience the most difficulty in attracting customers. Repeat Atlanta!

Zaya Mediterranean Rolls Into Former Depot at Emory

Inman Park eatery Zaya Mediterranean has opened its second location, this one on Emory University's campus. A joint partnership with Sodexo, Emory's food service provider, and Tarek Tay's, Zaya Mediterranean, the new eatery just opened and has been packed even before classes start! Taking the space of what had most recently been "The Depot", Zaya is a welcome addition to the food offerings at Emory. With the Mediterranean Grill at North Decatur and Clairmont Roads, Zaya has a clear advantage over its nearest competition as is surrounded by frat houses and dorms. Don't be surprised if Zaya pops up at other local college campuses in the near future. Repeat Atlanta!