Decatur Breakfast Staple Blames Skyrocketing Rents for Their Closure

Thumbs Up Diner on West Ponce de Leon Avenue closed Sunday after a decade in downtown Decatur, Decaturish reports. The restaurant’s owners blame rising rents in the city just east of Atlanta as the reason for their decision and urge residents to speak out against the recent rent hikes.

A sign posted to the door reads:

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for the last 10 years. I know I speak for the rest of the staff when I say we feel very lucky to have been able to get to know all of you and making memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.

We urge everyone to use their voices to protest the rising rents in this area. Unfortunately, it’s too late for us but you may be able to save other local businesses.”

In the same story, Decaturish reports that DaVinci’s Pizza broke its lease earlier this year due to the high rent at the Decatur location, which owner Jason Black claimed was nearly $11,000 a month — more than his store in Midtown on West Peachtree Street.

Thumbs Up Diner was not the only closure in Decatur. Decatur Market also closed on East Howard Avenue, across from Kimball House. The windows of the market are papered over and a note taped to the door reads, “We are unfortunately closed. Thank you for your support.” The market was only open for nine months. It’s unclear why it closed or if Decatur’s rent increases lead to the decision.

Eater Atlanta has reached out for more details on both closures.

Thumbs Up has five other locations in Westside, Old Fourth Ward, East Point, Roswell, and Douglasville.

Thumbs Up Diner, 174 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur.
Decatur Market, 308 East Howard Avenue, Decatur.