Chequers Chain Comes to an End in East Cobb, Sage Opening Soon

Chequers East Cobb as seen on opening day from their Facebook page 

Seafood chain to shutter 

Chequers Seafood + Steak, an upscale restaurant from the Leawood, Kansas-based Houlihan’s Restaurants, Inc. will cease operations at its East Cobb restaurant as of Wednesday, May 25th.  The restaurant, which opened in mid 2014, relocated to East Cobb from Dunwoody where its former property is now part of the upcoming State Farm campus. The Dunwoody restaurant opened in April of 1983, lasting 31 years in that location.  When it closes, the East Cobb Chequers will have lasted barely two years.  

Chequers East Cobb was located in a 6,900 square foot space which previously housed sibling concept Houlihan's.  The restaurant was located in an outparcel of the Target-anchored Merchants Festival at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Roswell Roads.  

The closure of Chequers' East Cobb restaurant will leave the chain essentially dead with zero locations under the Chequers moniker.  Houlihan's continues to operate locations under its flagship brand as well as Bristol Seafood Grill, Devon Seafood + Steaks and J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Grill. There are currently three Houlihan's in Georgia: two in Columbus and one in Savannah.  

Sage Woodfire Tavern, part of locally-based The Infinite Dining Group, will reportedly open in place of Chequers.  If all goes well, Sage could open as soon as mid- August.  James D. Liakakos, owner of Infinite, currently operates Sage Woodfire Tavern locations in Alpharetta and Dunwoody as well as Spice Brick Oven Kitchen - Tapas Bar in Alpharetta.  

The Sage in Dunwoody at Park Place, across from Perimeter Mall, occupies a former Houlihan's.  The Sage in Alpharetta occupies what I believe was built as Canyon Cafe and later renovated into Stockyard Prime.  The Spice in Alpharetta occupies a former Joe's Crab Shack.  

Will you miss Chequers in East Cobb?  Are you surprised that Chequers lasted so briefly in the new location? Do you think Sage Woodfire Tavern will find greater success in the space?

Please share your thoughts below