Three Eateries Confirmed at Tucker Meridian

Eateries join committed anchor tenants in Tucker  

Coffee & Bagels, a new co-branded restaurant from Einstein Bros Bagels and Caribou Coffee, has signed on to open at Tucker Meridian in the new city of Tucker.   

Located at the corner of Northlake Parkway and LaVista Road, Tucker Meridian represents the redevelopment of an older, lowrise professional complex.   The center will be anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sprouts Farmers Market, Ross Dress for Less, DSW and Hobby Lobby.  

Coffee & Bagels will occupy a nearly 2,600 square foot space on the LaVista Road side of the project, alongside existing restaurants Folks and IHOP.  Plans call for the restaurant to have a drive-thru but sources indicate that it has not yet received SLUP (Special Land Use Permit) approval.   

Coffee & Bagels represents the first time the two brands have been partnered together under the same roof AND under the same ownership.  Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels previously had a number of dual-branded units in metro Atlanta including locations in Toco Hills (now Einstein Bros. only), Marietta (now Smoke + Duck Sauce & Piu Bello) and East Cobb (vacant).  

German private equity firm JAB Holding Company purchased Caribou Coffee in 2012 and added Einstein Bros. in 2014.  In addition to the coffee and bagel chain, JAB also owns Peet's Coffee & Tea, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Intelligentsia Coffee, Mighty Leaf and Krispy Kreme.    

In researching this post, I discovered that the company has plans to add Caribou Coffee back to the Toco Hills location and rebrand the unit as a "Coffee & Bagels." Caribou left the location in early 2013.   The change is due to be completed early next next year.  The vacant East Cobb location could be an ideal candidate for similar treatment.    

There is already a Coffee & Bagels in Athens at UGA and another expected to open in the coming months at Novare's soon-to-open apartment high-rise Atlantic House.  Located at the corner of West Peachtree & 14th Streets, the tower is being built in place of what was previously a freestanding Einstein Bros. Bagels.    The Coffee & Bagels brand was launched last year in Colorado.

Joining Coffee & Bagels at Tucker Meridian are Newk's Eatery, a sandwich shop started by the founders of McAlister's  Deli, that could give nearby Jason's Deli some competition.  Jimmy John's is also expected to open in the project along with Sport Clips, VIP Nails and of course, Mattress Firm.    

There are a number of other spaces that are "pending" with leases expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.    If all goes well, the first shops should open May/June 2017.     

What Tucker Meridian opening are you most excited about?  Are you surprised to see Caribou Coffee again be partnered with Einstein Bros. Bagels?  What other tenants would you like to see added to Tucker Meridian?  

Please share your thoughts below.