Atlanta's restaurant landscape is shifting again, with two popular establishments announcing permanent closures in recent weeks.
Guac y Margys, the margarita bar with locations at 661 Auburn Ave and 1115 Howell Mill Road, closed on June 22 after nearly a decade in business. The dual-location operation had built a loyal following along the BeltLine and at Interlock with creative margarita offerings served in jugs and a vibrant patio scene.
Owners attributed the closure to mounting operational costs and intensifying competition, deciding not to renew their leases. The BeltLine closure represents another loss of a gathering space in a neighborhood that has seen significant turnover in recent years.
Days later, Palo Santo held its final service on June 27. The five-year fixture at King Plow Arts Center on West Marietta Street had built a reputation for elevated Mexican cuisine paired with live music and craft cocktails.
Unlike Guac y Margys, the closure was not owner-driven. King Plow Arts Center decided not to renew the restaurant's lease, determining that Palo Santo no longer aligned with the venue's broader vision. Ownership expressed optimism about future concepts in development.
The closures reflect broader pressures facing Atlanta's independent restaurant operators. Rising rents, labor costs and supply chain expenses have created a difficult operating environment, particularly for establishments without deep corporate backing.
However, new concepts continue to arrive in Atlanta's dining market. Buckhead added Mai Thai Kitchen and Bar, a new Thai fusion restaurant featuring dishes such as squid ink tom yum lobster and crying tiger ribeye steak.
At 1115 Howell Mill Road—the former Guac y Margys location—LikeMinds opened as a sprawling 14,700-square-foot pop-up concept with live music, vinyl, craft cocktails and a full kitchen. The space, which opened after BrewDog vacated the BeltLine location, is slated to operate through September 2026.
