Retail shakeup in store for Candler Park’s charming old retail strip

Retail shakeup in store for Candler Park’s charming old retail strip Josh Green Wed, 04/29/2026 - 08:08 One of eastside Atlanta’s most cherished neighborhood retail hubs is quickly changing.Following the closure of longtime tenants Flying Biscuit Café, Kelly’s Closet, and Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party (now in Grant Park) in recent years, the historic commercial strip in the 1600 block of McLendon Avenue is undergoing a retail resurgence right now. [CLARIFICATION: 3:11 p.m., April 30: Kelly's Closet closed its former location but has reopened in another space toward the building's eastern corner.] Recent leasing and build-out activity is happening on the southern side of the street, opposite Candler Park Market and Gigi's Italian Kitchen & Restaurant. Here’s a rundown: In part of Flying Biscuit’s former space (the original café location, opened in 1993), Atlanta-based writing studio and nonprofit Lostintheletters opened a brick-and-mortar home base last year. That now serves as a bookstore and creative space. Immediately next door, to the east, a boutique concept called Lucille’s—described as a “luxury gift store for the romantically inclined”—has renovated the corner space. Overview of the building in question on the south side of McLendon Avenue in Candler Park. Google Maps The space set to open in coming weeks as Lucille's (it's since been painted dark blue.) Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Expect a curated selection of home décor, candles, books, jewelry, accessories, and more, with “a focus on luxury, sustainability, wellness, and pleasure,” per Lucille’s website. The business is tentatively targeting an opening in early June. But the most significant changes to the strip are coming at the western end of the building, where a coffeeshop and ice cream concept from the same owners are claiming the formal bridal boutique and Dr. Bombay’s (next to La Fonda Latina).Part of that space is being remade as the fourth location of Little Tart Bakeshop, following others in Grant Park, Summerhill, and at Krog Street Market. The rest of the space, where Dr. Bombay’s operated, is becoming a sister desserts concept. Little Tart Bakeshop owner Sarah O’Brien told the AJC in August that business will feature soft-serve ice cream but won’t be another Big Softie outpost. Little Tart Bakeshop is claiming the former Kelly's Closet bridal store (painted white) at left, with an ice cream concept planned at right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Westernmost storefront of the Little Tart sister space in question, next to La Fonda Latina. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Exactly when the coffee-sweets combo might open isn’t clear. Inquiries to Little Tart Bakeshop and the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization haven’t been returned this month. But by all indications, the Candler Park retail row will be back to fully leased liveliness soon. As seen this week, interior work is ongoing at the Little Tart Bakeshop and dessert concepts to the right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta ...Follow us on social media: Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram • Candler Park news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta) Tags 1653 McLendon Ave. Lucille’s Candler Park News Candler Park Retail McLendon Avenue Little Tart Bakeshop Big Softie Atlanta Architecture Atlanta History Dr. Bombay’s La Fonda Latina La Fonda Lostintheletters Flying Biscuit Café Atlanta Coffee Shops Atlanta Coffeeshops Atlanta ice cream Gigi's Italian Kitchen & Restaurant Candler Park Market Candler Park Neighborhood Organization Images Overview of the building in question on the south side of McLendon Avenue in Candler Park. Google Maps The space set to open in coming weeks as Lucille's (it's since been painted dark blue.) Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Little Tart Bakeshop is claiming the former Kelly's Closet bridal store (painted white) at left, with an ice cream concept planned at right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta As seen this week, interior work is ongoing at the Little Tart Bakeshop and dessert concepts to the right. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Westernmost storefront of the Little Tart sister space in question, next to La Fonda Latina. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta Subtitle “Romantically inclined” retailer, coffee shop, desserts bound for historic McLendon Avenue storefronts Neighborhood Candler Park Background Image Image Before/After Images Sponsored Post Off