ATLANTA — A staple in Buckhead for more than 30 years will not reopen. The ownership group of Buckhead Diner announced Wednesday that they are permanently closing.
The restaurant had closed during the pandemic, but said they'd reopen after social distancing restrictions were lifted. The restrictions were lifted, but the restaurant didn't reopen leaving many to wonder if and when it would.
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group said they made the decision to not renew the lease for the restaurant at 3073 Piedmont Road "to focus on other new and highly anticipated endeavors."
“It was with a heavy heart that we made the decision to not renew our lease for Buckhead Diner,” Niko Karatassos, President of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group said. “For nearly 35 years this was the spot to be and be seen. It will forever be remembered as one of, if not the greatest, American restaurant in the country. We are happy to have hosted many celebrities and loyal locals over the decades.”
11Alive News partners at the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported earlier this week that the property, in which the restaurant sits at, sold for $6 million to Jim Cumming's Trillium Management Inc. Cumming is known for many Atlanta landmarks over the years, including The FlatIron Building and the former downtown headquarters of Oxford Industries Inc.
Buckhead Life Founder Pano Karatassos called the restaurant one of his favorites. Karatassos worked with restaurant designer Pat Kuleto, known for the Fog City Diner in San Francisco.
Buckhead Diner won the “Best New Restaurant Design in the World” in 1988 from the International Hotel and Restaurant Design Magazine and it, along with sister restaurant Chops, was selected as one of seven American restaurants as a prototype at Euro Disney in Paris, France, in terms of menu and décor.
11Alive's Jeff Hullinger reflected on the diner's history on social media. You can read it here.