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Award-Winning Restaurant Kimball House to Assume Ownership of Its Decatur Building

Kimball House operators reach an agreement to purchase its building, securing its longterm future on East Howard. Plus, omakase restaurant Cuddlefish and a relocated Bennett’s Market open

Kimball House.
Kimball House.
Andrew Thomas Lee
Beth McKibben is the editor and staff reporter for Eater Atlanta and has been covering food and cocktails locally and regionally for 12 years.

The owners of awarding-winning restaurant Kimball House just entered into a $1.385 million sales agreement with Decatur’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to purchase its East Howard Avenue building.

In a time when very few restaurateurs actually own the buildings in which their restaurants reside and developers are gobbling up property all around Atlanta, this agreement likely secures the longterm future of Kimball House in Decatur. DDA chair Conor McNally says that the success of Kimball House helped lead to further growth along East Howard Avenue, which now includes a number of new residences, retail shops, and restaurants like BBQ Cafe, Kelly’s Market and Deli, and the future home of Opo Coffee, from the owner of Taproom Coffee in Kirkwood, across the street. Since opening in 2013, Kimball House has been both locally and nationally recognized numerous times for its cocktails, bar program, and oyster service.

According to a press release, the agreement between Kimball Mill LLC and the DDA was reached Friday, October 14, with funds from the sale slated for reinvestment to help make improvements to downtown Decatur.

Kimball House co-owner Bryan Rackley says he and his partners have already invested more than $750,000 over the last decade to maintain the building and preserve some integral design details of the former train depot built in 1891. The building is under the ordinance protection of the local Historic Preservation Commission. Any changes to the exterior must first be approved by the commission.

“We are even more committed to the preservation of this living landmark as its new owners,” says Rackley in a prepared statement.

According to further reporting by Decaturish, Kimball House’s lease expires at the end of the month and will likely shift to month-to-month until the sale is complete, which should take place in the next 45 days.

Kimball House.
Kimball House.
Square Feet Studio

Brush Sushi in Decatur closes and Cuddlefish takes its place

After closing Brush Sushi on October 9, chef Jason Liang and John Chen are preparing to open casual omakase restaurant Cuddlefish in its place this week. Ahead of its grand opening in downtown Decatur later this month, expect service to be limited and by reservation only. Brush reopens in a new location in Buckhead next year. [IG]

Bennett’s Market and Deli relocates in Grant Park

Bennett’s Market is open in a new location on Cherokee Avenue. Now located in the former Intown Healthy Hound space, the market and deli counter was previously located at the corner of Boulevard and Rosalie Street in Grant Park. Bennett’s is open this week from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will eventually operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. [FB]

A location of Illy Caffe is opening at the Ford Factory Lofts

Italian cafe Illy Caffe is slated to open early next year at the Ford Factory Lofts on Ponce. Expect a menu of coffee and espresso drinks as well as cocktails, Italian pastries, gelato, and a cafe breakfast.

Kimball House

303 East Howard Avenue, , GA 30030 (404) 378-3502 Visit Website

Taproom Coffee

1963 Hosea L Williams Dr SE #R106, Atlanta, GA 30317 (404) 464-5435 Visit Website

BBQ Cafe

310 East Howard Avenue, , GA 30030 (678) 235-3476 Visit Website