There’s something going on in the Tiki Iniki space in Virginia-Highland, but specifically what isn’t entirely clear. A What Now Atlanta (WNA) tipster said they saw “construction” at the space Wednesday, but there haven’t been any permits filed with the city at the address since Tiki Iniki first opened some two years ago, replacing Illegal Food back in 2018.
What is clear is that Tiki Iniki has closed its doors and Owner Brett Holtzclaw still retains the lease, according to a source familiar with the deal. They said Holtzclaw’s lease is through 2023 and that the space is being converted into a new concept. Holtzclaw on multiple occasions has not responded to a request for comment by WNA this week.
Madhouse Lounge, which operated out of the space as a pop-up under Holtzclaw’s direction in late-2019, might be going permanent in the space — a quick Google search reveals the Madhouse name attached to the business listed at the 1044 Greenwood Ave NE address. Not to mention, the Tiki Iniki Facebook has since been renamed “Madhouse Lounge” with a logo to boot, uploaded earlier this year. Activity on the now labeled Madhouse Lounge’s social media has been non-existent since March. Whether it’s due to the novel coronavirus or Holtzclaw’s parent company Supper Club shifting gears is unknown — but it appears that only now are there any real physical changes being made to the space.
Holtzclaw introduced Tiki Iniki it to the Virginia-Highland neighborhood to great excitement leveraging the brand created by musician Todd Rundgren and his wife Michele. They first launched the Hawaiian-themed restaurant, in well, Hawaii.
