Courtesy of Kathryn McCrary Photography
Last year, the local dining scene experienced a wave of closures as beloved restaurants shut down for good. Rising operational costs and shifting consumer behaviors left many culinarians unable to keep cooking. But behind every empty kitchen are years of memories. Here, we look back on some of our favorites, in the order of their closing.
January
The original Highland Bakery in Old Fourth Ward is no more (part of the building is being transformed into a gymnastics studio called Intown Tumbling). A smaller Highland Bakery outpost continues to serve sweet-potato pancakes and more on the Georgia State University campus downtown. Bocado Alpharetta, formerly Bocado Burger, stopped fighting for attention in the Avalon parking lot. Instead, owner Brian Lewis launched a new version of the restaurant focused on pizza in Sandy Springs in September. Perhaps most notable, the first South African restaurant in the United States, 10 Degrees South, ended its 26-year run when chef and co-owner Diane Anthony opted to retire. The spirit lives on through her son, co-owner Justin Anthony, and his local spots Yebo and the Cape.
Courtesy of DBA
February
DBA Barbecue owner Matt Coggin was overwhelmed trying to manage three restaurants. His mother had become the unofficial CFO, and she wanted to retire. So after 15 years in Virginia-Highland, DBA Barbecue served its last ribs. Today, its food is available in Chastain and Clarkston.
March
Food stall TKO (the Korean One) was replaced by Buena Papa Fry Bar in the Southern Feedstore in East Atlanta Village. TKO Chef Lino Yi says the restaurant will continue as a pop-up.
April
Restaurateur Tal Baum decided not to renew her lease for Israeli fine-dining spot Aziza and neighboring stand Falafel Nation at the Westside Provisions District, instead turning her attention to Atrium, Carmel, Rina, and Bellina Alimentari. Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub—known to regulars as KPub—said farewell after 14 years on Dresden Road in Brookhaven. It recently announced it will make a return this summer at a Chamblee location, with a new name and menu. Korean fried-chicken spot and Georgia Tech hangout Pijiu Belly commemorated 10 years of service before its owner retired. In Decatur Square, Waffle House—a fixture of the area—closed abruptly, leaving bar-hoppers to satisfy their late-night munchies elsewhere.
May
Poncey-Highland lost one of its last cost-conscious, non-chain establishments when the Best Sandwich Shop closed, nine months after Bantam & Biddy owner Shaun Doty shuttered sister spot the Wurst Beer Hall next door. Down the road, Punk Foodie ceased hosting pop-up restaurants when it gave up its Ponce City Market stall, turning its efforts to the digital landscape. In the ‘burbs, Snackboxe Bistro’s Laotian cuisine is no longer available in Doraville—only at the Duluth location.
June
Che Butter Jonez moved its flagship location from Cleveland Avenue in South Atlanta to North Druid Hills in Brookhaven. Owners Malik Rhasaan and Detric Fox-Quinlan also had a restaurant called Butter + Scotch planned for South Downtown that has since been put on hold.
July
In June, a major water main break downtown resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses. Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks never recovered from the water damage. Eric Simpkins relinquished his hold on the Midtown restaurant space formerly known as Rwby, which replaced the Lawrence just a year prior. La Santa Tacos & Bar has since opened there.
Courtesy of Katie Bricker Photography
August
Morningside-Lenox Park residents were surprised to stop by bakery and market the Buttery and find it boarded up. Owner Linton Hopkins remains mum on the reason behind the seemingly out-of-the-blue closure. Less shocking to some was the end of Rooftop L.O.A. at the Interlock on the Westside. Mandy and Kelvin Slater—also owners of Nine Mile Station on the roof of Ponce City Market—tried to generate multiple sources of revenue, from private social-club memberships to pool parties and events, and all eventually proved unsuccessful. In Grant Park, Eventide Brewing gave up its Beacon location, citing a 30 percent increase in costs. Restaurateur Louis Soon sold Alpharetta’s South Main Kitchen just months after a major renovation and menu overhaul. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar will be taking its place.
Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee
September
Highly anticipated cabaret supper club Damsel lasted only six months in the Works, despite the dedication of owner Dave Green (the Select), Broadway choreographer Otis Salid, and chanteuse Loren Rosko. The 10,000-square-foot, Roaring 20s–inspired space currently sits vacant, as Green determined the project “unsustainable.” Chef Todd Ginsberg discovered a proven concept is not enough to predict success and ultimately shuttered the General Muir outpost in Sandy Springs due to lack of business.
October
The brewery boom of the last decade seems to have hit its ceiling, as popular hangouts like Elsewhere Brewing closed in both Grant Park and West Midtown. Meanwhile, Emory students and CDC staff said sayonara to sushi spot BoruBoru after eight years in Emory Point, and the coastal vibes of Boho115 quietly disappeared after just two years in Decatur Square.
November
Jesus and Martha Lopez started out making Mexican dishes in their home kitchen. In 2003, they took over a red, one-story building across from Oakland Cemetery, from which they proceeded to serve margaritas and tacos at Mi Barrio for the next 21 years, before retiring. Dessert-wise, Buckhead sweets lovers will have to get their sugar fix elsewhere, as Georgetown Cupcake ceased selling its frosted treats.
December
The end of the year correlated with the end of an era for breweries like Best End and Torched Hop; the former filled beer cups for five years on the West End and the latter did the same for nine years on Ponce. The Bookhouse Pub, too, shuttered its cozy digs after Portman Holdings announced plans to redevelop the area. Just down the street, funky breakfast spot Java Jive baked its last fluffy biscuit. What owners Steven Horwitz and Shira Levetan will do with the vintage pastel stovetops that decorated the space is to be determined. Across town, chef Todd Ginsberg and business partners Shelley Sweet and Jennifer and Ben Johnson made the tough decision to end West Egg Café’s long run on Howell Mill Road, citing a decrease in sales after the Covid-19 pandemic. Likewise, Buckhead bar and party spot the Ivy raised a glass one final time to make way for a new, not-yet-revealed concept. Around the same time, El Torero owners Manuel and Carol Magana resolved to retire after 44 years of serving authentic Mexican fare at nine locations. (The closed Chamblee spot was the last in their possession.) In Summerhill, Junior’s Pizza served its last pie, blaming the economy and a need to focus on family.
Photograph courtesy of Junior’s Pizza
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