Clear Storms Atlanta With New Retail Store In Buckhead

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!

The WINNERS of the Celebrity Jewelry Designer Mark Edge Jewelry GIVEAWAY are...

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Celebrity Jewelry Designer Mark Edge Jewelry GIVEAWAY! Our three grand prize winners are:

Katie Putnam!

Derek Anthony Brown!
Gabrielle Mercadante!

But there's more... Repeat Atlanta is also awarding a pair of AMC Theatres -- GuestFirst passes, to FIVE additional Repeat Atlanta Facebook fans! Each pass (of the pair) admits one to any show at any location, any time or date:

Brooke Cynthia Novak!

Jonathan Brimer!

Keelee Butler!

Sarah Lester Williams!
Markol Allen!

As always, thanks for reading. Look for future contests and breaking news only on Repeat Atlanta!

Never Go Thirsty Again With Coca-Cola's Freestyle Fountain

Yesterday, Repeat Atlanta was invited to be formally introduced to the new Coca-Cola Freestyle. As we mentioned in April, Coke’s new “Freestyle” fountain dispenser was in a few test markets and now is in beta testing here in Atlanta and California. Using highly concentrated ingredients within cartridges rather than the normal “Bag-In-Box” syrups, the revolutionary unit is able to offer guests over 100 varieties of Coke beverages. Many of the beverage options had not previously been available in the U.S. such as the full line of Fanta beverages as well as expanded low calorie offerings.

Using technology originally meant for medical purposes, Dean Kamen, the man behind the Segway, and his employees at DEKA spent four years with engineers from Coke working on this new unit. With 27 patents on the technology and several others pending, rest assured this is an experience unlike any other. Locally Coke has teamed with select Firehouse Subs, Willy’s Mexicana Grill, Wendy’s, Popeyes, Subway and Burger King locations for beta testing of the new units.

AMC Theatres Parkway Pointe on Cobb Parkway received the greatest number of machines, five, and is the only movie theatre in the world participating in the tests. The novelty of the unit has not only attracted Georgia Tech engineering students to their local Firehouse Subs on 10th Street, but every day consumers as well. Seeing pictures and reading articles about this machine have some trekking miles to test it for themselves, a welcome sign to restaurant operators. Some test locations have reported double digit increases in beverage sales. For now, the Freestyle units are only in select QSR locations but based on promising early results, expect to see more units across Atlanta and other cities by the second quarter of next year. Repeat Atlanta!

Bill Hallman Studio In Buckhead Opening This Week

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!

Reuben's Licensed To Feed A Community Near You?

Reuben's Deli on Broad Street in downtown Atlanta is said to be in negotiations to license the concept for up to six additional locations in Georgia. Open for ten years on Broad Street near Georgia State University, owner Claudio F. has succeeded where others have failed and for good reason. Having experience in both the sales and service industries, Claudio has turned Reubun's into a favorite not only for the food but for the atmosphere. Serving top shelf meats from the likes of Boar's Head and in a setting reminiscent of New York, you might drop eight bucks, but you'll wait in line to do so. Areas under consideration for expansion are said to include Athens, Decatur, Dunwoody, The Emory area, East Cobb and Midtown. Hopefully your hood will be lucky enough to land one! Repeat Atlanta!

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Says Aloha In Buckhead, Closes

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, an upscale offering from Tampa Bay-based OSI has closed its lone Atlanta area location in Buckhead. Founded by Hawaii's first James Beard winner Roy Yamaguchi in 1988, the restaurant started in Hawaii and then expanded to the lower 48 when it was purchased by OSI years later. Located at the corner of Lenox and Piedmont roads in the lobby level of the Marsh building, the restaurant opened in April, 2001 and closed this past weekend. The parent company has been seeking a buyer for the 30 something unit chain since last year but has apparently not yet found a buyer. OSI also owns established chains including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and smaller chains Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. It recently sold its 38-unit Cheeseburger in Paradise chain. The Sembler Company's Perimeter Place project in Dunwoody is home to the most OSI concepts with an Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and the recently sold Cheeseburger in Paradise represented. Having been to the center multiple times, we're not sure Fleming's will make it much longer, as it, like Roy's, is in a higher price bracket and targets a smaller, wealthier demographic. Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You's Wildfire and Orlando-based Darden's Season's 52 seem to be the two exceptions, both continuing to do well at lunch and be fairly busy at dinner as well. (For the record, our favorite is Season's 52 on Peachtree Road in Buckhead) While it's doubtful anyone will be quick to snap up the former Roy's, there's no doubt in our mind this won't be the last of chain closures in Atlanta, and quite possibly one of many in the coming months... Repeat Atlanta!

Lenox Square Grill, BOCADO, Bistro Niko, Shula's 347, Pure Taqueria & 57th Fighter Group (((Updated)))

After months of delays, articles and advertisements, some of the most talked about restaurants in Atlanta are finally opening. Maybe they'll flop, maybe they'll become a new favorite, but one thing is for sure -- Bistro Niko is and will be known as Bistro Niko!

Lenox Square Grill in the former The Clubhouse at Lenox Square mall is set to open October 15th.

BOCADO in West Midtown is scheduled to open October 2nd according to owner Brian Lewis.

Bistro Niko, Buckhead Life's new French style eatery in the Sovereign in Buckhead is scheduled to open the third week in November

Shula's 347 in the soon to open Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center is scheduled to finally open November 15

Pure Taqueria in Inman Park is opening the third week of October

57th Fighter Group Restaurant is set to reopen during the first week in October

Stay tuned to Repeat Atlanta! for more openings and closings as sadly they seem to come hand in hand as of late. Also, which concept above are you most excited is finally nearing its opening? Add a comment below cause we wanna know!