First Google Fiber Space NOW OPEN in Atlanta...Kinda

A portion of the completed inside of the new Google storefront

Google Fiber storefront quietly opened earlier today.

Nestled in a 2,500 square foot space in Sandy Springs Plaza, Google Fiber has set up its first storefront in metro Atlanta. The store, occupying a former RadioShack, officially opened to the public earlier today, but does not yet display any exterior signage. 

As of today, the Google space, suite 355, is listed only as "Leased" on Regency Center's website.  According to the property's leasing agent Leslie Mintz, this was done at the request of "the tenant."    

For now, only a small portion of the space is open to the public, with plans to allow public access to more of the space in the weeks to come.  Currently, the store is providing current Google Fiber customers support and speaking to would-be customers about the service, its benefits and costs. When the space is fully functional, the store will be known as "Fiber Space," the term given to Google Fiber stores that offer more services and provide demos of the service itself.   

At least one associate at the store came to Google from Apple and has experience in Apple's retail stores.  The Google concept will definitely take some cues from the way in which Apple runs their stores, but will also make it a very Google-like experience.  

The only evidence I could find over the weekend 

Would-be customers are able to stop by to also receive updates on service availability and, if you are really lucky,  receive one of the coveted Google Fiber Georgia map t-shirts.  (I stopped around 1 PM today and was the first customer at the store and was told that they have "limited quantities" still available.)   

The coveted Google Fiber Georgia map shirt 

The store will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10AM-5PM, Tuesday and Thursday 10AM-6:30PM.   Weekend hours will likely be added in the weeks to come, likely coinciding with the rollout of the expanded store offerings.  

Sandy Springs Plaza, anchored by Trader Joe's, is located in the 6300 block of Roswell Road, between Hammond Drive and Abernathy Road.  The Sandy Springs location replaces what had been a satellite location within Google's Atlanta headquarters in midtown. 

Interestingly,  it was earlier today that the Google Fiber website updated its location to reflect the Roswell Road address and not the Midtown location on 10th Street literally in front of my eyes.

Google occupies the unmarked space to the left of Roasters 

Other satellite "Space" and or support stores may be added to metro Atlanta in the weeks and months to come, but for now the Sandy Springs location is the only place to receive in-person support and information.  

Officially introduced to metro Atlanta last January, Google Fiber will offer customers two compelling internet options: 

Basic Internet 

Up to 100 Mbps upload and download speeds.

$50 per month 

Gigabit Internet

Up to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds. 1TB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.

$70 per month

They will also offer a combo package. 

Gigabit + TV 

The full Fiber experience Up to 1,000 Mbps upload and download speeds. 

150+ channels. Record up to 8 shows at once. 

1TB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.

$130 per month 

Google Fiber service is coming to nine major cities in metro Atlanta, including Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna. Fiber will also be available in select commercial and residential buildings in the greater Atlanta area including Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.

Existing Fiber Space stores are located in Kansas City, Missouri, Austin, Texas and Provo, Utah.  

Do you already have Google Fiber, and if so, what are your thoughts?  Are you excited to have Google Fiber in metro Atlanta?  Do you feel that Google Fiber pricing is competitive enough to make you switch services?

Please share your thoughts below.