Another business to close at Atlantic Station; residents say their community is ‘crumbling’
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Another business is set to close at Atlantic Station.This month, the Publix and the DSW shoe store in the mixed-use Atlanta neighborhood announced they were shutting their doors for good.On Thursday, a spokesperson for Atlantic Station said the lease of the Banana Republic will expire naturally at the end of January. “You’re literally seeing a community that was in creation for 20 years crumbling in front of you,” said Satya Bhan, president of the Atlantic Station Civic Association. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DSW to close at Atlantic Station early next yearAtlantic Station, which opened in 2005, markets itself as a live-work-play community. The neighborhood, which has 6,000 residents and 9,000,000 annual visitors, was redeveloped 20 years ago using TAD [Tax Allocation District] funding. That funding expired at the end of 2024.Bhan said the loss of their community’s sole grocery store will be devastating for those who do not own a car, like himself. “People without cars are kind of scrambling because we don’t have a grocery store that’s walking distance or easy to get to safely,” said Bhan in an interview on Thursday.Bhan said the Atlantic Station Civic Association is hosting a rally on Tuesday at 5 p.m. outside the Publix storefront urging city leaders to step in.“We need answers,” Bhan said. “We need city officials, we need Hines, we need Morgan Stanley, everybody to come to the table.”Hines is the real estate developer and Morgan Stanley is a capital partner.Atlanta News First reached out to Hines about the neighbors’ concerns, and for details on what businesses will move in to replace the three stores that are closing.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Publix in Atlantic Station to close permanentlyA spokesperson for the PR firm representing Atlantic Station management provided Atlanta News First with this statement:Publix and DSW have served Atlantic Station since 2005, and we recognize that news of their upcoming closures may be concerning to some residents. These transitions are part of the natural cycle of a shopping district, where retailers routinely reassess store footprints and lease timelines. DSW’s departure follows its natural lease expiration, while Publix’s decision reflects the grocer’s broader market strategy. Banana Republic’s lease will also expire naturally at the end of January. These changes are not connected to the expiration of the Tax Allocation District funding.Atlantic Station continues to welcome new concepts, including recent openings, such as the expanded Atlanta Falcons & Atlanta United Team Store, Art Station ATL and MINISO. Playa Bowls and Busy Bee Café are set to open in 2026, underscoring continued investment in a diverse retail mix.Leasing efforts to replace DSW have been underway for some time, with a focus on identifying a long-term tenant that supports Atlantic Station’s future vision. Publix’s upcoming closure – one of two locations the company has announced it is closing in Atlanta – provides an opportunity to reimagine the long-term use of that space and consider concepts that bring added value to the community. A grocer is among the priority categories we are currently pursuing as part of that process, and our specialty leasing team is evaluating short-term activations to help maintain convenience and service for residents during the transition. We will share further updates as plans are confirmed.Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
