InTucker Magazine

Business Boom – July 2022

Tucker is undoubtedly one of the fastest-rising business destinations in the Metro Atlanta area.  Each month, the Business Boom will seek to show different examples of how Tucker’s business scene is flourishing. This month’s column is written by our Business Outreach Coordinator, Angela Brooks.

New shops continue to open at Hugh Howell Marketplace, one of Tucker’s newest retail centers.

The kickoff of the mixed-use development located at Hugh Howell Road and Mountain Industrial Boulevard, was in the first quarter of this year with Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Piedmont Urgent Care, and anchor store Publix supermarket. They were soon followed by The Joint Chiropractic, ATI Therapy, and Queen Nail Bar.

Buffalo Wild Wings GO, a new scaled-down to-go format of its namesake company, was actually the first tenant to open its doors. Co-Owner Mike Thurman says business has been great!

“In addition to the steady flow of construction workers and others completing the center’s build out, we’ve gotten customers from the elementary school down the street and from some of the businesses in the North Royal area.”

“It’s a beautiful complex,” he added. “I believe it was a home run for the development space with Publix being here and because there were no other grocery stores in this area.”

Thurman was also excited to share that he recently added something unexpected to his expansive wings menu – hamburgers!

“We got delayed by supply chain issues, but our grill is up and running, and we now have four amazing burgers that we’re anxious for our customers to try!”

In June, Scenthound owner Bill Gray opened his third metro Atlanta location in the Marketplace. When asked what brought him to Tucker, he responded that he’s seen the recent growth in development and interest in the metro Atlanta community and folks wanting to move out this way.

Scenthound is a wellness-centered, membership-based dog grooming franchise. According to the company, its model takes a unique approach to grooming focusing on five core areas of routine and preventive care: Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth (SCENT) as in Scenthound.

“Having friends living in the Stone Mountain area, I knew that Tucker was a terrific opportunity to service a lot of dog parents who probably don’t have easy access to a dog grooming establishment such as ours focused on health and hygiene,” said Gray.

He went on to add that when he saw what Branch properties was doing with this development, “I immediately knew that Scenthound would provide a great complement to the lineup of retailers and that they are going to be here to meet the convenience needs of the Tucker residents.”

“Here’s a place where you can get your groceries, you can get a great meal, get your nails done and so on. There’s a lot of diversity here in this plaza that allows for everybody in the family to get what they need.”

“It is a great center and a strong location,” said Branch Partner Brett Horowitz. Although the shopping center was sold to investment management firm Stockbridge, Branch Properties continues to oversee tenant inquiries. “The swift interest in leasing space is a testament to the continued growth and interest in locating in Tucker,” he added.

Antico Sporto, The BOK (Bite of Korea), First Watch, Flawless Jewelry & Phone Repair, gusto!, Magical Waxing, and Chase bank are in construction and anticipated to open in the second half of this year.

With a keen eye to the future, having local, expansive retail choices for the retention and attraction of a talented workforce will undoubtedly serve Tucker well.