Big Changes Coming to the Avenues of East Cobb Shopping Center

These days you can buy anything from Armadillo to Ziplock bags from the comfort of your couch!  Brick & Mortar Retailers across the country are feeling the pinch as more and more consumers are electing to shop online than in person.    

A recent study by USB Bank predicts that 50k retail stores will close in the next four years!  And 25% of shopping malls will close.

Nothing stays the same forever, so retail developers are finding ways to rethink the shopping experience and capitalizing on the changing retail landscape.

The Avenues were initially opened in 1999 and were part of a new trend in shopping.  Developers realized that the cavernous interior spaces and big food courts in the regional malls were no longer as appealing for shoppers.  The Avenues was pedestrian-friendly sideways, with single-story shops and restaurants accessible from the outside.  

People loved it, and so did retailers.  The Avenues was a bustling shopping center with big names such as Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, and Banana Republic.  

But nothing stays the same forever.  With the rise of online shopping over the last few years, we all realized that it was a lot more convenient to order from Amazon than it was to traipse around trying to find it. 

So, I’m curious…comment below if you prefer to do your clothes shopping online or if you are hanging onto the sport of in-person retail shopping.  About 90% of what I buy is bought online (except groceries) these days.

With retailers closing their doors, shopping malls across the country (including the Avenues) have been struggling and looking for new ways to entice shoppers back. 

Alas, along comes North American Properties, who entered into a Joint Venture with PGIM Real Estate in 2021 to redesign the Avenue's features to attract more young families that are moving out of the bustling city center and coming to the suburban areas.

The developers noticed that the community came out in droves whenever the Avenues had an event - like a holiday event.  Often gathering in the parking lot.  

So the goal is to provide an 8000 square foot outdoor covered plaza.

The new design will include 

• A full equipt stage
• An LED screen for movie nights
• And a shaded garden area for dining and relaxing

Flanking the plaza will be two new “jewel box” buildings constructed of a lot of glass and open up to the plaza featuring outdoor dining, fire pits, and seating.  

Organizers say when the plaza is complete later this summer, they will begin hosting over 100 events a year.

Including movie nights, live music, yoga, kids' events and more.  

East Cobb residents will have an outdoor space to gather and enjoy the backyard feel.

To get a feel for what they are proposing, I suggest you visit some of the other developments they have redeveloped with a similar concept, including the very popular Colony Square and Atlantic Station in downtown Atlanta and the Avalon in Alpharetta.  I was at Colony Square in December, it was a rainy, cold Wednesday night, but the place was hopping!  It looks like so much fun.

The Avenues of East Cobb is set to become a hub of activity for the Marietta area. With its vibrant mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and residential options, the development is sure to create a unique and exciting atmosphere for the community. It will surely be an exciting addition to the area, and we look forward to seeing it come to life.

If you would like to know more about purchasing a selling a home in this area, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Just click the link below to schedule a quick call.