Buckhead: New Business Openings Galore

Good morning, Buckhead. Mayor Dickens took some heat at City Hall this week — seven hours' worth — defending his $5.5 billion neighborhood reinvestment plan before a skeptical council, and that's just one of several city hall storylines worth your attention right now. Meanwhile, closer to home, there's a wave of new business news on Roswell Road and in Buckhead Village that's worth a scroll.

- News — The school board is pushing back on Dickens' tax extension plan, the mayor went nearly seven hours defending his $5.5B neighborhood vision, and the Waymo fleet is back on Atlanta roads after a storm-related pause.
- Business — Buckhead's restaurant scene gets a serious new contender with Luella opening on Roswell Road, LoveShackFancy plants its first Georgia flag in Buckhead Village, and Cupcakin' Bake Shop quietly closes after 17 months.
- Events — It's a packed week at Chastain Park with Charlie Puth on Wednesday and Khalid on Thursday, plus French Montana kicks things off Monday night at Buckhead Theatre.
- Government — The full City Council meets Monday to vote on the FY2027 budget, new property tax rates, and several Buckhead-specific items including a $7.8M forest land acquisition on Randall Mill Road and a landmark designation for New Hope AME Church.
- Construction — A gut renovation is underway at a Roswell Road laundromat, SR 400 tunnel rehab is active, 52 post-storm tree permits flooded in, and pothole crews have their work cut out across W. Wesley, Andrews Drive, and a dozen other spots.

Let's dive in.

Green Box Homes makes regenerative landscaping easy and accessible. They grow beautiful, abundant, and sustainable yards one charming home at a time.

Sustainable design - Eco-friendly practices and materials that create sustainable designs, enhancing the natural environment and promoting biodiversity.

Green installation - Ecological designs brought to life by carefully shaping land, soil, water, and plant communities into resilient, living systems that grow healthier and more abundant over time.

Stewardship - A stewardship package that ensures each project matures gracefully, stays healthy, and continues to improve ecologically over time.

Start your transformation today!

NEWS

Atlanta school board members seem skeptical of mayor's tax extension plan
Mayor Andre Dickens' proposed tax extension is running into resistance from an unexpected corner — the Atlanta Board of Education. For Buckhead homeowners already keeping a close eye on property tax burdens, a rift between city hall and the school board over how education dollars get raised and spent is very much worth following.

Downed tree blocks traffic in Buckhead
Late May's heavy rains did a number on Buckhead's tree canopy — and the roads underneath it. If your commute felt rougher than usual last week, you weren't imagining it, and lingering debris on wooded neighborhood streets means it's worth staying cautious for a few more days.

Atlanta mayor defends $5.5B neighborhood plan at city hall
Mayor Dickens went the distance at city hall — nearly seven hours' worth — defending his sweeping 20-year, $5.5 billion neighborhood reinvestment plan before a skeptical council. He didn't mince words: "I'm Atlanta born, I'm Atlanta bred. And when I die, I'm going to be Atlanta dead." Whatever you think of the plan, nobody's questioning his commitment.

Atlanta festivals, events and parties to check out during the FIFA World Cup
Atlanta is gearing up to be one of the World Cup's marquee host cities, and the festival calendar is shaping up to match the moment. Expect street parties, watch events, and a serious uptick in foot traffic across the city — plan your routes accordingly, and maybe lean into it.

Waymos back online in Atlanta after flooding, safety concerns
Atlanta's autonomous Waymo fleet is back on the road after the recent flooding prompted a temporary safety pause — a reminder that even self-driving cars have their limits in a Georgia downpour. Service has resumed, so if you've been relying on the driverless option, you're back in business.

BUSINESS

Luella - opening - Brothers Jamey and Benjie Shirah have breathed new life into one of Buckhead's most storied dining addresses on Roswell Road, where Carbo's Cafe and later The Ivy once held court. Early word suggests this one earns its place in the lineage.

Warby Parker - reopening - The Buckhead location is back open this weekend after a renovation refresh — a low-drama update, but good news for anyone who's been squinting through a cracked lens waiting for it to reopen.

Bottle Depot - opening - Permitting documents point to a new packaged beer and wine shop coming to Buckhead Crossing, which could use a few more reasons to stop in.

LoveShackFancy - opening - The romantically maximalist fashion and lifestyle brand is planting its first Georgia flag in Buckhead Village this weekend — floral prints, cottagecore energy, and all.

Cupcakin' Bake Shop - closing - After about 17 months at 2221 Peachtree Road in The Shops of Buckhead, the bakery has closed — a reminder that even sweet concepts face a tough retail climate.

EVENTS

Monday, June 1
- French Montana and Max B | Buckhead Theatre
- Trivia Night | Johnny's Hideaway

Wednesday, June 3
- Atlanta Law, Real Estate & Construction Networking Event | Three Arches Bar & Restaurant
- Charlie Puth: Whatever's Clever! World Tour | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

Thursday, June 4
- Khalid: It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- Under Pressure Pop-up at Brush Sushi | Buckhead Village District
- Larry Venturino | The Punchline

Friday, June 5
- Summer Fridays | Buckhead Village District
- Cathedral Singers Concert | The Cathedral of St. Philip
- Forte Friday - Twilight of the Gods | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Saturday, June 6
- Feathers 5K | Brookhaven, GA
- Young the Giant: Victory Garden Tour with Cold War Kids | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village
- Noise Complaints Presents The Late Night R&B Experience Tour | Buckhead Theatre
- Buckhead Veterinary Clinic Grand Opening | 3655 Roswell Road suite 130b

Sunday, June 7
- Basque in the Sun at Gypsy Kitchen | Buckhead Village District
- 3 Guys Burgers & Buys – Sunday Nights at L3 | Local Three Kitchen & Bar
- The Art of Hatmaking | Buckhead Village District
- Sewing Workshop with Happily Dressed at Todd Patrick | Buckhead Village District
- Feldman Clothing Pop-Up at Todd Patrick | Buckhead Village District

Markets move. Headlines catastrophize. Inside the noise is the story that matters — the opportunity, not the fear. The Daily Upside: global business and finance, reported without the alarm.

Read for Free Now

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta City Council Committees

It was a busy week across City Council committee rooms, with confirmed action on several fronts and a packed agenda of proposals still awaiting final votes. On the public safety side, the Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee approved a new compensation plan to bring more competitive pay to Atlanta Fire Rescue, gave unanimous sign-off on a $4.7 million equipment contract for APD, and — looking ahead to the summer — approved a temporary open-container exemption for public spaces downtown during the FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19); the committee also voted to require that field drug tests be followed by laboratory confirmation before they can form the basis of an arrest, a meaningful reform to how APD processes drug-related charges. The Community Development/Human Services Committee approved a $1.05 million renewal for BeltLine park maintenance, directed $735,000 in federal HOME funds toward affordable housing at the Sweet Auburn Grande development, and forwarded a $7.85 million proposal to acquire nearly 30 acres along Randall Mill Road for forest preservation — though a sweeping neighborhood reinvestment framework and dozens of land-use rezoning requests were deferred for further review. The Transportation Committee took up over $15 million in trail funding — including an $8 million agreement for the PATH Westside Connector and a boost to the PATH 400 Trail budget — alongside a $6 million state resurfacing grant and a $3.6 million Peachtree Street safety improvement project. Still on the agenda (no minutes yet posted) are the Finance/Executive Committee's consideration of the FY2027 budget and property tax rates, a proposed electronic payment surcharge, and the Zoning Committee's scheduled vote on banning new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District, along with major rezoning proposals for the Chattahoochee Avenue corridor and new rules for medical cannabis dispensaries — keep in mind that any item on an agenda without posted minutes may be tabled, deferred, or withdrawn before a vote is taken. The City Utilities Committee is also scheduled to consider adjustments to solid waste fees, an $8.5 million road resurfacing transfer, new mandatory sewer connection criteria, and a $20 million infusion for sanitary sewer repairs — significant budget moves for residents who care about infrastructure and monthly utility bills.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee
- 2970 Howell Mill Rd NW (Fire Station 26) — A utility easement for Georgia Power is on the agenda to relocate electrical facilities at this station, a required step to advance the Howell Mill Road Complete Street project adding bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and safety improvements.

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee
- 2745 Ridgewood Rd NW — A proposal for construction of a new single-family home under the Metropolitan River Protection Act is scheduled to be heard; agenda items may be tabled, deferred, or withdrawn.
- 3012 Arden Rd NW (New Hope AME Church) — A proposal to designate this site as a Landmark Building and rezone to R-3/LBS to preserve the historic structure is on the agenda.
- 4475 Roswell Rd NE — A Special Use Permit for outdoor dining at an establishment located within 1,000 feet of residential homes is scheduled to be heard.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee
- 3800 & 3910 Randall Mill Rd NW — The committee forwarded to the full Council a proposal to acquire nearly 30 acres at these parcels from The Conservation Fund for forest and tree preservation at a cost not to exceed $7,856,051.93.
- Chastain Park — The committee forwarded to the full Council a correction to the funding source for a $4.5 million city donation to construct a new gymnasium at the park.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta Public Schools — Board of Education — Monday, June 1

The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the FY 2027 budget and consider a proposed contract extension for the Superintendent. Also on the agenda: construction management contracts for improvements at Midtown High School and Maynard Jackson High School, a proposal to purchase Yondr cell-phone pouches for students, and the purchase of 22 new school buses.

- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, June 1 at 11:30 AM

The committee is scheduled to review proposed changes to public comment sign-up rules and time limits at City Council meetings, along with a held resolution requesting POST-certified law enforcement officers at recreation center polling sites during elections. Citizen appointments to the BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board and BeltLine TAD Advisory Committee are also up for confirmation.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, June 1 at 1:00 PM

The full Council is scheduled to take up the proposed FY 2027 city budget and new property tax rates, alongside a $3.5 million police drone-tracking contract and a proposed ordinance banning new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District. Several Buckhead-area items are on the agenda including many of the addresses in the above section discussed in this past week’s meetings.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-B — Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM | Virtual

The NPU is scheduled to vote on a new package store license for "Bottle Depot" at 2625 Piedmont Road NE, and a new hotel retail alcohol license for the Embassy Suites Sundry Shop at 3285 Peachtree Road NE. Event permits for the "Party on the PATH" at 764 Miami Circle and Livable Buckhead's Holiday Market at 3110 Roswell Road are also on the agenda, along with alcohol license changes at 3186 Roswell Road NE and 3393 Peachtree Road NE, and a review of a neighboring NPU alcohol application at 2255 Peachtree Road NE.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-C — Tuesday, June 2 at 6:45 PM | Virtual

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-A — Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM | Virtual

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, June 3 at 10:00 AM

Commissioners are scheduled to consider a $15.6 million, eight-year contract with Motorola Solutions for countywide emergency radio system upgrades, a $12.6 million contract renewal with Grady Health System to operate the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center, and a grant to convert 66 market-rate Downtown Atlanta apartments into affordable housing units. Also on the agenda: a $1.5 million expansion of ride-sharing services for seniors and a grant for restoration of the historic George Towns and Grace Towns Hamilton Homes.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 4314 Roswell Rd NE — Partial demolition permit filed for a 5,706 sq ft laundromat. Ceilings, lighting, and interior elements coming out — the kind of gut job that typically precedes a full repositioning of the space.
- 3445 Peachtree Rd NE — 42 sprinkler heads being added or relocated as part of a renovated commercial space. Sprinkler work at this scale usually means a meaningful interior overhaul is underway.
- 3290 Northside Pkwy NW — Fire sprinkler system getting modified to accommodate an interior renovation on the 9th floor (suite 940). Tied to a master permit already in the system.
- 3340 Peachtree Rd NE — Commercial alteration permit routed for review on an existing office space. Light-hazard classification suggests tenant build-out or refresh work.
- 1050 Lenox Park Blvd NE — Heat pump and air handler replacement at a multi-unit property.

Beyond the headliners: the area saw a wave of routine commercial mechanical work this week — plumbing, HVAC, and low-voltage installs across several Roswell Road and Peachtree corridor addresses. On the residential side, 52 arborist permits for dead, dying, or hazardous trees were filed, which tracks with post-storm cleanup activity across the neighborhood.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Crews are upgrading aging high-pressure sodium lights to LED fixtures along I-75 between Musket Ridge Drive and I-85, about 1.7 miles from Buckhead. Pole and conduit replacements may also be part of the work, so expect some nighttime lane activity along this stretch.
- SR 400 Tunnel Bridge Rehabilitation at the Justin C. Martin Building (Fulton County) — Active rehab work is underway on the SR 400 tunnel just 1.9 miles out. The project includes spall repairs to transfer beams and roof slabs, fire system repairs, and other structural upgrades. If SR 400 is part of your daily routine, watch for potential lane restrictions near this section.
- SR 9 Resurfacing from SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Peachtree Road (SR 9) is getting a fresh layer of asphalt along this corridor to address a low pavement condition score. The stretch runs close to the Paces Ferry area, roughly 2.8 miles from the heart of Buckhead. Expect intermittent lane closures during active paving operations — early mornings and overnight hours are typically when this kind of work ramps up.

Pre-Construction
- SR 9/SR 237/Habersham Road Intersection Study (Fulton County) — A scoping study is underway for operational improvements at three linked intersections: Piedmont Road at Roswell Road, Piedmont Road at Habersham Road, and Roswell Road at Habersham Road. Nothing is being built yet, but this study is the first step toward changes at one of Buckhead's more tangled traffic knots.
- SR 141 Connector: Lenox Road Streetscape & Shared-Use Path – Phase III (Fulton County) — Planned improvements along Lenox Road between Piedmont Road and Phipps Boulevard will add streetscaping and a shared-use path connecting residential, office, and commercial destinations. Pedestrian and cyclist access in the Lenox corridor will see meaningful upgrades once this moves forward.
- I-75 NB Ramps at Moores Mill Road – Roundabout (Fulton County) — A two-lane roundabout is planned for the intersection of Moores Mill Road and the I-75 northbound ramps, designed to improve traffic flow and turning movements. If you use this interchange off I-75, expect a significantly different experience when construction eventually gets underway.
- SR 400 Atlanta Financial Center Tunnel – LED Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Lighting replacement is planned for the SR 400 tunnel near the Atlanta Financial Center. A straightforward but welcome improvement for daily commuters passing through.
- SR 9/US 19 Bridge Replacement over CSX Railroad (Fulton County) — The existing bridge carrying Peachtree Road over the CSX rail line is slated for full replacement. The typical section includes multiple travel lanes in each direction, so when this project moves to construction, expect notable disruption along one of Buckhead's busiest corridors.

Service Requests

Nineteen pothole reports have come in across the area, with W Wesley Rd NW (4 reports) and Andrews Dr NW (2 reports) seeing the most activity, along with Slaton Dr & Pharr Rd, Paces Ferry Rd & Andrews Dr, Piedmont Rd & Pharr Rd/E Wesley Rd, and roughly a dozen other locations. Traffic signals are also getting attention — ten emergency repair requests were filed at intersections including Peachtree Rd & Piedmont Rd, Roswell Rd & Rickenbacker Dr, and Mount Paran Rd & Northside Pkwy, with five additional non-emergency signal complaints at Peachtree Rd & Piedmont Rd, Pharr Rd & Grandview Ave, Manor Ridge Dr & Peachtree Battle Ave, Peachtree Rd & W Wesley Rd, and Old Ivy Rd & Wieuca Rd. Overgrowth in the right of way has been flagged at seven spots, with Northside Dr NW drawing four of those complaints, plus reports at W Wesley Rd NW, Howell Mill Rd & Northside Pkwy, and Northside Dr & Wesley Rd. Five downed trees were reported on Valley Rd NW, Lenox Rd & Burke Rd, Norwich Cir NE, W Wesley Rd NW, and Ridgewood Cir NW — likely remnants of recent storms. A litter removal request was also filed for 26th St NW.