Bennett’s Market and Deli is closing its SPX Alley location, at 661 Auburn Ave NE, Eater Atlanta first reported Monday. Co-Owners Claire Pearson and Victoria Bennett confirmed the news in an email to What Now Atlanta. The original Bennett’s in Grant Park is staying put.
The restaurateurs said the impact of the pandemic made it impossible to keep two locations going, and deciding whether to keep operating the original Grant Park Bennett’s or the newer location in Old Fourth Ward was pretty straightforward. “We have a very robust and loyal customer base in Grant Park,” Bennett said.
Bennett’s Market and Deli debuted in SPX Alley in September 2019. The addition of a second location arrived after the neighborhood eatery and market was in operation for eight years.
“We are extremely grateful for our eight years serving the neighborhood,” Pearson wrote. “We could not have done it without our amazing team and loyal base of customers. We are always looking to find ways to serve the community and we hope that our friends in Grant Park and Ormewood Park will continue to use us for catering, picnics, lunches, and check out our curated craft beer selections and restaurant quality wines at grocery store prices.”
SPX Alley was acquired by Asana Partners in the same year Bennett’s opened in the development. The Charlotte-based real estate company paid $19 million for the 30,000-square-foot retail portion of Studioplex’s Phase II.
