Oakhurst - Plans to develop empty strip mall? (Atlanta, Savannah: rent , property)

[mistersocks]

Any Oakhursters know if there's a plan to do something with that huge empty strip mall on East Lake Drive? I'm talking about the one by the village with the Mulligan's sports bar (not sure if that bar is defunct or not).

Seems like a great place for a supermarket, but I'm new to these parts and am still getting used to the idea of unused buildings and empty lots. In Los Angeles, whenever a storefront becomes vacant, they immediately put a donut shop in.

[cmtiger]

Bruce Cohen owns that property. He owns several other properties in the area that are more or less sitting vacant. He has had offers on it before, but they have fallen through. He does not give the appearance of being very motivated to do anything with that property. My understanding is that the rent that he wants for the property is more than anyone has considered to be viable. Being the "Nice Southern Gal" that I am ... that's all I'm going to say about it.

Little chance of it becoming a donut store. What that area really needs is a fantastic burrito joint.. like the Tortillas that they used to have on Ponce.

Ahhhh... the good old days.

[plessthanpointohfive]

This idea of re-using old storefronts is just catching on here (from what I can see) so I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually gets some use.

I'd love to open my own supermarket....

[LovinDecatur]

Funny this topic came up...I was wondering about that space the other day and about what an opportunity there is around it. Of course, even when Oakhurst Village was at its' lowest years ago (70's), I used to think that it was a cool place just waiting to happen.
A specialty grocery would be great, like Sevenanda, would be great...but that, evidently, is a tough nut to crack. A company out of TN tried it in Oak Grove when I lived there (Village Market), but it didn't fly. Too bad...the space is still empty today.

[plessthanpointohfive]

I think the only reason Sevananda still exists is ebcause it predates Whole Foods by several decades (at least in Atlanta). I don't think another mom and pop organic store could do well with a Whole Paycheck around every corner.

But, it could be something like the Candler Park Market where they devote 1/3 of the store to beer and wine, have a deli in the back, sell fountain sodas and ice cream, other goods and sundries and have a small outdoor eating area.

I think something like THAT would fly.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by cmtiger

What that area really needs is a fantastic burrito joint.. like the Tortillas that they used to have on Ponce.

If you can track down Charlie Kerns (owner of Tortillas) you could probably talk him into opening a new shop in Oakhurst...maybe not a Tortillas, but something. I know he is still at least somewhat interested in expanding his empire, which includes Eats, The Local, Hang Fire (in Savannah) and perhaps some other places.

[plessthanpointohfive]

I keep meaning to go to Eats...I'm over there all the time...

[mistersocks]

Interesting...so where do you grocery shop in Oakhurst? East Lake Publix?

[cmtiger]

We go there or the North Decatur Publix. ......And when I'm in the market for half rotten produce, I head on over to the Kroger on DeKalb Industrial.

[LovinDecatur]

The city of Decatur could really use a great grocery store.