Tom Colicchio to close Craft Restaurants at Mansion on February 14
Atlanta no longer plays a part in Tom Colicchio‘s restaurant plans. According to multiple sources, Craft & Craft Bar will close on February 14th. The chef still has Craft locations in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas.
“The restaurant’s agreement with the original owners of The Mansion on Peachtree, Mansion Centre Development LLC, was not assigned to the property’s new owners, 3376 Peachtree Rd – Atlanta LLC, when they took possession of the property in February 2010.
While efforts have been made by both parties to negotiate a new agreement, unfortunately, Craft and 3376 Peachtree Rd – Atlanta LLC could not agree on terms. The restaurant’s chef/owner Tom Colicchio is disappointed to be closing the doors and remains extremely proud of the Craft Atlanta team and all they have accomplished..”
There are a number of changes going on at the Mansion on Peachtree and the outparcel restaurant just seems to be another casualty. Inside the building, the former bar area has now been turned into casual dining. NEO is long gone and has been replaced with a large bar and stage – soon to get larger when they expand into the next room and enlarge the bar (drinking has become more popular and profitable).
Why would the new owners give the boot to a celebrity chef like Tom Colicchio? Seems like it would be to their advantage to have a notable chefs’ restaurant on the hotel property. Maybe the restaurant wasn’t very profitable? Maybe the space was too large? Challenging location? Why isn’t it moving to another Atlanta location?
It should be interesting to see what will take Craft’s place. It is a prime piece of Buckhead real estate and there are many people who drive by each and every day.
What are your thoughts on Craft and it’s pending closure?