Upcoming Midtown food hall Politan Row Thursday announced two new eateries slated to open alongside the Colony Square hospitality destination later this year: Jack Bai’s hibachi bowl concept Gekko and Michaela Merrick’s Creole-Mexican street taco concept Pretty Little Tacos.
The company also revealed it will open with a multi-day celebration June 24 – 26, 2021. Both Gekko and Pretty Little Tacos will debut their first brick-and-mortar locations at the food hall.
“You are going to see food from these two entrepreneurs that you couldn’t find anywhere else,” Will Donaldson, founder, and CEO of Politan Group, said in the announcement. “That’s the fun part about developing new restaurants in our food hall. We provide a lower-risk alternative to traditional restaurant ownership that fosters learning and growth in the aspiring restaurateur while they cultivate their brand.”
The newest concepts opening at Politan Row at Colony Square this summer are:
- Gekko, a hibachi and sushi experience by Jack Bai, will serve bowls that are “colorful, fresh and lighter than hibachi fare.” Currently operating as a food truck, a fan favorite is the spicy ponzu tuna bowl.
- Pretty Little Tacos is a Creole-Mexican street taco concept founded by Michaela Merrick in May 2020. An industry veteran, Merrick launched in Triton Yards last year. Pretty Little Tacos is known for a focus on Birria, a beef taco that is dipped in a flavorful broth, which is trending everywhere. In addition to the popular dish, she offers street taco favorites of chicken, oxtail, shrimp, and steak options. Merrick also plans to offer vegan alternatives, as well as dessert tacos, including peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake, to her space at Politan Row.
“Opening a new business is risky, but opening a new business during a pandemic was unheard of,” Merrick said. “While it was challenging, I learned a lot about myself and my business and was blown away by the support received from the community. I’ve been looking to expand and Politan Row was the perfect opportunity. I am so excited to be a part of this unique experience and to bring my tacos to the hustle and bustle of Peachtree and 14th Streets.”
The grand opening celebration for Politan Row at Colony Square will kick off on Thursday, June 24 with a ticketed VIP event, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 25, and all-day festivities for the community to enjoy on Saturday, June 26.
Guests will be invited to explore the food hall and its community spaces, including its central bar, secret bar, 20,000 square feet of indoor seating, and 22,000 square feet of outdoor dining space, brought together by a large opening wall that opens up the interior space to engage with the outdoors.
The food hall is connected to the mixed-use’s 10,000-square-foot open-air Plaza, which will host weekly with yoga, live music, comedy acts, and movie nights.
“Working with these local entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into reality — in the midst of a global pandemic — has been nothing short of inspiring,” Adam Schwegman, partner and SVP of leasing at North American Properties, Colony Square’s developer, said. “We have greatly enjoyed getting to know the vendors so far and look forward to helping them grow their brands in Midtown’s Living Room.”
