Amelie’s French Bakery Permanently Shutters, Cites COVID-19 As Cause

'Like many other restaurants we have felt and are continuing to feel the devastation of COVID-19 and made the incredibly hard decision to close our doors in Atlanta.'

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Amelie’s French Bakery is the latest restaurant to succumb to the financial hardships brought on by the novel coronavirus.

The quaint restaurant, at 840 Marietta St. NW, permanently closed its doors earlier this week, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Thursday first reported.

Amelie’s announced the news on its website.

“Unfortunately we have had to permanently close our Atlanta location,” according to the message on the restaurant’s homepage.

“Like many other restaurants, we have felt and are continuing to feel the devastation of COVID-19 and made the incredibly hard decision to close our doors in Atlanta. Thank you to the community of Atlanta for welcoming us and allowing us to serve you for seven years.”

Reps for Amelie’s on Thursday did not immediately respond to What Now Atlanta’s request for comment.

The South Carolina-based chain has five remaining locations, four of which are in Charlotte.

Click here to see our running list of Atlanta-area eateries that have permanently closed and attributed the shutter to COVID-19 and here for the retailers.


[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

15 Responses

  1. I’ve never been there, but it looks like a super-cute concept.
    Dark storefronts are never good.

  2. Hmmmm I’m starting to think that some of these businesses were living from month to month anyway and this COVID situation exposed how unprofitable they were before the shut down for a month before we started doing to go and delivery. Seems like the safest thing to blame the closings on is the virus. But other businesses like. Chic Fil a, Mc Donald’s, Houston’s, five Guys, Chops, Moe’s, slim and huskys, and more are still standing during and after this pandemic. I think the truth is these businesses were not profiting before to have reserves and still be in business during something like this and continuing after the re open because they didn’t have reserves already in place. So corona is the blame instead of not having real cash reserves to stay afloat for atleast 6mos to a year.

    1. But when you think about it, isn’t the fact that the business was closed and then only able to open as to-go for months due to covid? I can’t imagine the to-go business was good, if they did offer it, due to it being a coffee/dessert shop at a totally unfriendly intersection for both pedestrians and cars.
       
      Does a business have to be massively profitable to be successful? As long as they can pay their bills, pay their employees, and provide a good service to the community while turning a minimal profit what’s to say that isn’t successful?
       
      Yes, they closed due to lack of funds, but that lack of funds came from being forced to close/sell to-go only due to covid.

    2. So you list a bunch of corporate fast food restaurants and a Buckhead Life restaurant– and then compare them to a small somewhat independently owned cafe/bakery.
      Six months to a year reserves for a small restaurant business is a fantasy.
      And yes, the restrictions around C-19 are to blame.
      That being said, there are certainly businesses that were already headed downhill that are closing.

    3. Almost nobody has 6 months cash reserves in the restaurant business (or most other businesses for that matter). It’s not like that’s some damning admission when they go belly up.

    4. Wow…those are largely corporate behemoths, likely to survive the apocalypse. Which is sad given how nasty some are, like Moe’s. Amelie’s in Atlanta appeared to get very high traffic from the Tech students, whose population just collapsed w/pandemic. I mean honestly I was shocked to find out they still have 5 other locations, I thought Howell mill was only one. Plus they’ve been able to cover rent/bills for 7 years! in the notoriously tough restaurant industry. Altogether I think it’s a stretch to suggest they were month to month. Seems like the Harp restaurant on memorial might’ve been struggling before their collapse based on wna reporting.

  3. This is such a shame. It was a great place to grab a cup of coffee and hang out. They also had wonderful desserts! Spent some good time there while at GT.
     

  4. Oh no – this makes me so sad. Our office (which we haven’t been at for months) was located near Amelie’s and it was a regular breakfast, lunch, coffee, and dessert spot. It was also a great spot to meet people with easy parking and lots of tables. I will definitely miss Amelie’s!

    1. Gosh with Tech closed and vacant office buildings, I can see why they couldn’t stay open.
      Sad…

  5. Now where will I get my delicious almond croissants ??? . Definitely gonna miss this place. Didn’t know they were a Charlotte based group, with more stores.

  6. Ouch – this one hurts. We’ve got a lot of great restaurants and bars, but nice bakeries like this are somewhat few and far between.

  7. Very sad to see this go as did alot of freelance from this shop before. Hopefully they can come back after this is all done and also in a bit better location

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