CRU Lounge Announces Four More Atlanta Locations

The largest Black-owned nightlife chain is expanding its Atlanta footprint.
CRU Lounge Announces Four More Atlanta Locations
Photo: Official

CRU Lounge is expected to open four new locations, in Union City, Douglasville, Marietta, and Morrow, in addition to the hookah lounge’s upcoming Alpharetta location.

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The hemp and hookah franchise, owned by Atlanta-based entrepreneur Dennis McKinley, already has four locations open in Atlanta, with locations in Memphis, Austin, Dallas, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Miami, Macon and Phoenix on the way. With the addition of the four upcoming Atlanta spots, CRU has officially become the largest Black-owned nightlife chain in the country.

Each of CRU’s four new locations is expected to open within 90 days. The Union City spot, at 5100 Goodson Connector Road, will come equipped with a bowling alley, a DJ booth, and an outdoor patio, and franchisee Jason Reese says the new place will “be like CRU on steroids.” Boasting 4,000 square feet and two stories, it will be one of the largest CRU lounge locations in the country.

Reese referred to the new “CRU Lounge and Lanes” as a family-friendly spot during the day with big nightclub vibes after 10pm. He is currently planning a grand opening for Labor Day Weekend.

The Morrow location, at 1905 Mount Zion Road, is keeping in line with Atlanta brunch culture, and will offer bottomless brunch on weekends. It’s is expected to open at the end of July, and franchisee Jessica Booth says they’re doing a full build-out. “When I met Dennis McKinley, the owner, we realized we had a lot of the same visions and thoughts about CRU,” Booth, who used to own a restaurant in the Old Fourth Ward, tells What Now Atlanta. “We just knew it would be a great fit.”

The CRU Lounge in Morrow will boast 3,500 square feet, and do indoor service only for now. Booth hopes that in about six months, she’ll be able to have garage doors installed and provide outdoor service for customers, as well.

As for the Douglasville and Marietta spots, we don’t have many specifics yet (though the Marietta location will also have a patio). We do know that, like the locations in Alpharetta, Union City, and Morrow, the Douglasville and Marietta locations are expected to open within the next three months, at 8440 Courthouse Square West and 3000 Windy Hill Road SE, respectively. Expect nightly specials, a nice selection of hookah, food, and drinks, and as always, great vibes.

Sydney Rende

Sydney Rende

Sydney Rende is a freelance writer and soon-to-be graduate of Syracuse University’s MFA program in Creative Writing. Her work has been published in The New York Times Style Magazine, The Michigan Quarterly Review, The New Ohio Review online, and Carve Magazine. She lives in Southern California, where she’s completing her first short story collection and desperately trying to conform to surf culture.
Sydney Rende

Sydney Rende

Sydney Rende is a freelance writer and soon-to-be graduate of Syracuse University’s MFA program in Creative Writing. Her work has been published in The New York Times Style Magazine, The Michigan Quarterly Review, The New Ohio Review online, and Carve Magazine. She lives in Southern California, where she’s completing her first short story collection and desperately trying to conform to surf culture.
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