Things looked pretty typical at the Atlantic Station Publix on Dec. 16. People shopped, shelves were stocked and employees rang up items. But there were major differences: A sign announcing the location would shutter on Dec. 27, and a group of people outside protesting the closure.
On Dec. 1, Publix shocked residents and employees when it announced the anchor grocery store would leave Atlantic Station after 10 years in business. It caused an uproar.
Residents said the closure would create a food desert, and urged Publix to reverse its decision. The grocer made no changes. So a cohort of people opposed to the closure took the streets on Dec. 16, and held a small protest outside the grocery store doors.
“Let that sink in,” Atlantic Station Civic Association President Satya Bhan said. “In less than two weeks, right after Christmas, we will lose access to our only walkable, accessible full service grocery store in our neighborhood.”
For many residents including Bhan, Atlantic Station’s live-work-play model was appealing for its walkability. Some are car-free entirely, and others like senior citizens and people with disabilities rely on the easy grocery access.
Once Publix closes things will get difficult. There is a Target nearby with groceries, but the nearest full-service grocery stores are Whole Foods on 14th Street and Lidl on Northside Drive.
“A community of this size cannot be left without food access, and when something this fundamental is at risk, communication and a long term plan is what we’re asking for,” Bhan said.
When the closure was first announced, many residents pointed to mismanagement on the property owner side. Atlantic Station is managed by Hines, a global real estate firm. But Atlantic Station Management said they were just as surprised by the announcement.
Different people have different explanations for the sudden closure. Publix is also closing its Chamblee location on Shallowford Road this month, and some point to a broader corporate strategy. Others suggested a history of Publix mismanagement, or high rents on the property itself.
But the store simply decided not to renew its lease after two decades in business. Bhan said he understands leases and business realities, but that everyone needs to “move forward with the seriousness this moment requires.”
His group’s big ask is simple: “I’m just hoping Publix will reconsider,” Bhan said.
It’s unlikely the grocery store will reverse its decision entirely. Bhan said they should at least delay the closure until a new tenant can take over. In the meantime, his group created another list of demands for Atlantic Station Management.
Bhan cited three asks, targeted at Hines: a clear path to grocery continuity, near term access solutions and a “collaborative, transparent process” moving forward.
Members of the protesting group met with Atlantic Station ahead of the Dec. 16 protest, and had a “productive” conversation. But they went ahead with the public event to keep up pressure – on Publix and on property management.
In a public statement, Atlantic Station Management said they “wholeheartedly share residents’ interest in maintaining convenient access to everyday services and remain aligned in our commitment to the long-term vitality of the community.”
Management said it is working to keep up grocery store access as Atlantic Station finds a new tenant, much like the residents demand. One move is adding a grocery stop on the Atlantic Station shuttle bus route. Management said it is also “exploring other short-term solutions.”
Bhan echoed management in his remarks on Dec. 16. He said the community isn’t trying to create “controversy” with the public pressure, just solutions.
“Atlantic Station was once held as the example of what urban development could be, and we believe it still can be,” Bhan said. “But a walkable neighborhood without grocery access is not complete, and a strong neighborhood is one where residents are heard, needs are addressed and partners show up when it matters.”
Atlantic Station needs a much stronger connection to Georgia Tech than it now has and the Publix closing is simply opportunity for someone else. The school keeps expanding to the west and to the south, away from Atlantic Center, and downtown ain’t jumping the Connector as was anticipated.