RUMOR: What’s Missing in Downtown?
I often find myself needing cheese for dinner. (Here’s a little insight into my culinary prowess: melt cheese on or into whatever it is you’re cooking, and it will taste better). I work in midtown and live just east of downtown and thus constantly curse the lack of “pick up some cheese on the way home” options. It’s tough to go a mile out of your way on a bicycle, and completely out of the question in this heat, so I plan my route meticulously. I’ve also found it’s best to minimize my “hangry” time before dinner.
Which is why I got all excited when I heard a rumor about the next tenant for the space next to the CNN Center (the now-shuttered Golden Buddha) …. a GROCERY STORE? Fair warning: there’s a chance this rumor turns out to be someone just being wishful, but I sure have my fingers crossed. Boy would another Trader Joe’s be nice.
Anyone think a grocery store can survive here? Between tourists looking for sunscreen and snacks, GSU students, and Fairlie Poplar/downtown residents for a small, basic destination for staples? Or is it destined to leave me cheeseless on the way home?
That space needs to be a Jasons Deli. I don’t think a grocery store
can survive there, and I have a feeling it won’t be a grocery store
but a full size convenience store and tourist trap.
If someone had the nerve to try it, it could probably do really
well. I’ve never been inside Golden Buddha, so I’m not sure how
much space is in there, but maybe it could be the size of the
mini-Kroger than used to be near City Hall. With so many people
working and staying in hotels within a ten-minute walk from there,
and almost no options for take-home food downtown, they certainly
wouldn’t have to worry about competition. My job is just a couple
of blocks from there and I’ve had to get on MARTA and go all the
way to the Publix near Midtown Station to get half a gallon of
juice during the day.
I’m with you … “cheese on everything”, right up until the day
before the diet starts. (Can’t help it … I’m in the wedding
business)!