Johns Creek lands well-known Atlanta restaurants for future town center

By Tyler Wilkins – Staff Reporter, Atlanta Business Chronicle

A future town center in Johns Creek is convincing well-known Atlanta restaurants to enter the suburbs for the first time.

Toro. Development Co. has announced the first batch of restaurants and retailers planned at Medley, which is rising on top of a former office park in one of the most affluent and diverse communities in the state. The redevelopment will add 900 residential units, 110,000 square feet of offices and 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space.

One of those tenants will be Little Rey, a Piedmont Heights staple created by chef and restauranteur Ford Fry. The restaurant, known for its chicken al carbon, serves a menu inspired by North Mexican cuisine. The new location at Medley will be the first expansion of the concept outside of Intown Atlanta.

“Little Rey is a place for the neighborhood," said Fry in a news release. "It’s about enjoying wood-grilled flavors, delicious margaritas and our holy grail pancakes, plus it’s all centered around families, so the Johns Creek community is a great fit."

Medley Johns Creek — A batch of restaurants and retailers are sold on locating at Medley, a town center rising on top of a former office park in Johns Creek.

Here are the other tenants that have signed onto the project so far:

CRÚ Food & Wine Bar: The concept by Patrick Colombo features more than 300 wines with food pairings, such as cheese flights, stone-fired pizzas and sharable plates. Existing locations can be found at Avalon in Alpharetta and The Battery in Cobb County.
Fadó Irish Pub: Founded in Buckhead in 1996, the Irish-themed pub will also venture into the suburbs for the first time. It offers brunch, lunch and dinner, as well as European and local craft beers and cocktails.
Lily Sushi Bar: The restaurant, founded in Alpharetta, features a menu with Japanese cuisine, locally sourced produce and carefully crafted cocktails.
Lucciano's Gelato: The family-owned company started in Argentina and uses state-of-the-art technology to combine local and Italian ingredients with Belgian chocolate.
Knuckies Hoagies: The Atlanta-based sandwich shop packs rolls with freshly sliced meats, cheeses and produce. It also serves cheesesteaks, pressed Cubans, salads, soups and handcrafted desserts.
Summit Coffee: Founded in North Carolina, the certified organic roaster focuses on serving coffee in an approachable environment. It will also have a craft beer and wine program. Medley will be the company's fourth location in Georgia.
Cookie Fix: A gourmet cookie shop with freshly baked cookies and to-go cookie dough. Medley will be its first Georgia location.
AYA Medical Spa: The Atlanta-based spa offers medical-grade skincare products and cosmetic treatments. It has several existing locations across the metro area.
BODY20: The boutique fitness studio offers an electro-muscle stimulation suit and 20-minute personalized sessions with certified coaches.
Sugarcoat Beauty: An award-winning modern nails and beauty bar operating in Atlanta since 2010. It offers manicures, pedicures, lashes, facials and hair care services.

Toro Development Co. expects to break ground on the project later this year and wrap up the first phase in fall 2025. Demolition crews are now removing an office building currently on the 42-acre site, located at McGinnis Ferry Road and Johns Creek Parkway. The firm is actively seeking an Indian restaurant, fitness concept, steakhouse and dress boutique for the project, said Kimberly Goetz, vice president of leasing, in a news release.

"Brand alignment is important to us, and we are intentionally seeking tenants who share our values and know how to deliver exceptional guest experiences," said Mark Toro, who founded the namesake firm and played a crucial role in creating Avalon in Alpharetta, in a statement.

The team for Medley includes Franklin Street Senior Director Len Erickson and Senior Associate Kaitlyn Theriot for retail leasing; Stream Managing Director Bryan Heller for office leasing; architect Nelson Worldwide; engineering firm Kimley-Horn; and landscape architect Site Solutions.

Full article: https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/05/17/johns-creek-first-tenants-announced-town-center.html