Tavern 360 at 360 Pharr Road has closed. The restaurant opened earlier this year as Olde Towne Tavern before getting into a legal dispute with the franchisor and changing their name. The space in which they opened may be about the most cursed restaurant space in Buckhead. Tib's Grill, a higher end concept from the makers of Popeyes, was slated to open there, but abandoned the buildout halfway through. Spondivit's later renovated the space for their needs but didn't last long. Harry Bissett's, of Athens fame, opened in the space in 2008, closing only a few months later. Saskatoon, a peculiar concept in and of itself, foolishly opened in the space in early 2010 before closing in early 2011, making way for the current tavern concept.
Earlier in the week, if you were to call the restaurant, their answering message indicated they are not open Monday through Wednesday, and even when open, they have limited hours. As of ten PM Friday night, the restaurant seemed closed and as best I could tell, liquor and beer had been removed from the bar, a telltale sign of a closure. As of 6pm Saturday, "Space Available" signs were posted by the Shumacher Group and agent Steve Josovitz, the same agent who has leased the space repeatedly, a result of his close relationship with AFC Enterprises, who apparently still holds the lease.
Oddly, though I'm told a management / ownership change had already occurred, the branding on the restaurant's exterior signage continued to reflect Olde Towne Tavern, not the more generic Tavern 360. Additionally, the Suwanee location, which was opened by the original owner of the Buckhead location, Robert Moravek, continues to operate under the Olde Towne branding, despite a message on the restaurant's website making clear the two are not affiliated.
All in all, a very odd series of events and a very challenged location.
What do you think would do well in this space when the current establishment closes? If you live nearby, what would make you dine, shop or patronize this space? Should something other than a restaurant open? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.