by Atlanta, GA – Shoppers have one final day to visit the Publix grocery stores at Atlantic Station and on Shallowford Road before both locations permanently close on Saturday, ending nearly two decades of service at the Midtown site. The closures have raised concerns among residents who depend on nearby, walkable grocery access.
Publix confirmed earlier this month that it would shut down both stores, stating that “several factors went into the decision,” though specific details were not disclosed. For many nearby residents, the announcement came as a surprise and has prompted questions about food access, mobility, and what might replace the stores.
Incident Summary
The Atlantic Station Publix has long served as a daily stop for residents, workers, and visitors in the area. With its closure, Atlantic Station will be left without a full-service grocery store within walking distance, a significant change for a community designed around mixed-use living.
Joshua Randle, who frequents the store during his lunch break, said the location had become part of his everyday routine.
“Once a day, you know, like, I come on my lunch break,” Randle said. “Now I’ll have to figure something else out.”
Community Impact and Concerns
Residents say the loss is particularly challenging for people without cars, including seniors and individuals with mobility limitations. Satya Bhan, president of the Atlantic Station Civic Association, emphasized that the issue affects a broad segment of the neighborhood.
“A lot of us don’t have cars. We have a lot of elderly population, and people in wheelchairs who specifically moved to this neighborhood for the easy access to groceries and retail,” Bhan said.
Community members have organized a petition urging Trader Joe’s to consider opening a store in the vacated space. The petition has gathered more than 500 signatures, though the company has not confirmed whether it is evaluating the location.
Efforts to Bridge the Gap
According to Bhan, discussions are already underway with multiple grocery operators.
“I understand there are multiple grocery stores, at least five, that are in talks currently in bringing back a full-service grocery store to Atlantic Station as quickly as possible,” he said.
In the interim, Atlantic Station management is adjusting transportation options to help residents access groceries. The neighborhood shuttle will now include a stop at the Kroger on Howell Mill Road.
“There will be a little bit of a gap,” Bhan said, “but we’re trying to make sure the gap is minimal.”
Atlantic Station management declined to comment on potential new tenants but released a statement noting that its leasing team is focused on “curating a tenant mix that complements and enhances the property.”
Nearby Publix Alternatives
While the closures reduce convenience for many, residents still have access to several Publix locations nearby.
For Atlantic Station shoppers, five Publix stores are located within two miles, including The Plaza Midtown, Howell Mill Village, Ansley Mall, Publix at Piedmont, and Peachtree Battle Shopping Center.
Customers who used the Shallowford Road Publix have multiple alternatives within about four miles, including locations at Briarcliff Village, Town Brookhaven, Chamblee Plaza, Cambridge Square, Shamrock Plaza, and Toco Hills Shopping Center.
Additional Retail Changes Ahead
The Atlantic Station retail landscape will continue to change in the coming weeks. The DSW store at Atlantic Station is scheduled to close on January 24, and Bhan said he was told during negotiations that a Nordstrom Rack may be coming to that space, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Station Publix will close at 7 p.m. Saturday, earlier than its usual 10 p.m. closing time, while the Shallowford Road location will also shut its doors the same day. Despite the disruption, residents remain optimistic that a new grocery store will eventually return.
“There is a lot of demand for a full-service grocery store in Atlantic Station,” Bhan said. “I think everybody should be looking at it very seriously.”
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