Back In The Drivers Seat and Back To Basics

After inviting my former partner Caleb J. Spivak to participate in the operation of the site previously known as Repeat Atlanta, I found myself without a site. In early October, Mr. Spivak seized control of the site and I could do nothing. Now, with the site again in my sole control, please bear with me as I get things back to normal. In the short run, both this site www.tonetoatlanta1.blogspot.com, as well as the original one, will be operational. Soon, the two will be consolidated and you can once again look forward to being kept in the loop of Atlanta goings on with Tomorrow's News Today!

Going forward, this site will feature no advertising, paid or otherwise. Instead I will adopt a Craigslist / Wikipedia type model. A Paypal "Donate" button will be available to you, my readers to make monetary contributions. The information provided on this site is free. My time,and money go into providing my readers with useful content, and your contributions, large or small, are appreciated.

Thanks for all the good wishes and words of encouragement, especially over the past few months, you are all appreciated and I'm thrilled to have such a loyal following.

Eli Zandman

News

Changes are again afoot. Update coming soon.

Signs of Life At Phipps Plaza, Vince Opening This Spring

After experiencing relatively high number of vacancies with a number of large tenants either closing or relocating, Phipps Plaza has recently added two new retailers to its mall offerings. A few weeks ago K-La opened; now I have learned that Vince will be opening this April and will occupy 1,700 s.f. on the second level near Center Court. While K-La is nothing special, ( a mini Blue Genes if you will), Vince is a nice addition to the mall. The Phipps Location will be the brands 13th location nationwide and is one of many the retailer hopes to open in the next 12-18 months. This past year retail stores were opened in Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, Orlando, and Boca Raton at Boca Town Center, another SIMON property. The company plans to expand its retail efforts with additional international locations, beginning with a retail store in London. Already sold at department stores such as Bloomingdale's and local boutiques such as Sandpiper, Vince is a mere 7 years old but has become a favorite amongst fashionistas and celebrities alike. Based in Los Angeles, Vince was launched by Rea Laccone and Christopher LaPolice whom had worked together at Laundry in the 90's started Vince "to be the antithesis of a big fashion business." With a price-point above that of some mid scale lines such as J. Crew and below designer labels like Burberry and Marc Jacobs, the line has carved out a good nice in the womens ready to wear market and is making inroads with the newer men's line. The brand’s current offerings have grown to include leatherwear, trousers, detailed tops and outerwear with plans in the coming year for swimwear, handbags, loungewear and shoes.
ToNeTo Atlanta!

Former My Panini to Become BobbyG's Chicago Eatery

The former My Panini at Lindbergh City Center will re-open as BobbyG's Chicago Eatery early next year. One of two concepts thus far to fail in the Lindbergh City Center, My Panini lasted about a year before it closed and neighbor eatery Hot Stix didn't fare much better, closing shortly thereafter. BobbyG's hopes to fill a niche not currently served in the area. Similar to its original location in Alpharetta, the eatery will offer sandwiches as well as "Chicago style" pizzas and hot dogs. With Urban Flats next door offering some pizza, BobbyG's will offer more variety at a lower price point. Urban Flats seems not quite sure what they want to be with prices ranging from the single digits to over $20 for main entree items. Urban Flats seems destined for closure in the first quarter of 2010 unless a new reduced lease is signed. With so many of the nearby condos and apartments empty, the upscale restaurants in the area are having an especially tough time keeping tables filled and the doors open. BobbyG's is capable of competing if not thriving in the area if they can deliver a quality product and higher properly. ToNeTo Atlanta

lululemon Strikes A Pose In Buckhead, Opening November 13th

Canadian yoga apparel company lululemon will open their first boutique in Atlanta next week. After talk of a Buckhead location for what seemed like years, it's finally having its Grand Opening Friday, November 13th. With a showroom in Virginia Highlands, a Buckhead boutique was said to be coming to Ben Carter's The Streets of Buckhead, but with SOB in limbo, it seems as though lululemon just could not wait any longer to supply Buckhead Betties with super comfortable and curve loving yoga and workout apparel. The retailer has selected a prime location for their new boutique, a couple doors down from the Coca-Cola Roxy theatre in a space that was most recently occupied by the short-lived shopSCAD retail store. ToNeTo Atlanta

Alert The Mainstream Media! H&M Opening At Cumberland Mall

After I broke the news June 2 that Swedish retailer H&M would open its fifth Atlanta store at Cumberland Mall this Fall, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Atlanta Business Chronicle have finally picked up the story as well. Announcing yesterday that the store will open November 19 in Cumberland Mall, both media outlets were nearly five months late on breaking the news. Similar to previous Atlanta store openings, the first 100 shoppers in line will receive an Access to Fashion gift pass valued from $10-$100. Though the number of gift passes as well as their maximum value has deceased by two thirds since the original Atlanta store openings last year, its still a smart promo to get people out and shopping. Additionally, though each source reports that the retailer will introduce the new Jimmy Choo for H&M line on November 14th, neither makes it clear that no Atlanta area store will be one of the "select locations" to carry this line. In the United States the Jimmy Choo line will be available in five stores in New York, four stores in California and one store in Chicago. ToNeTo Atlanta

STELLA Down Like Its Neighbors In Oakland Cemetary

STELLA Pasta Pizza Spirits in Grant Park will be closing at years end. STELLA, the sister restaurant of Osteria 832 Pizza & Pasta from VaHi opened in March of 2008, but never really caught on in the neighborhood. An original member of the "Deathwatch" on my previous site, the restaurant just did not fit with the area. Rich Chey of HomeGrown Restaurants will replace STELLA with his successful Asian concept, Doc Chey's Noodle House in February. ToNeTo Atlanta