The following article was obtained from: Tomorrow’s News Today
Burrito joint calls it quits after less than a year in business.
Chattanooga-based Mojo Burrito has closed its lone out-of -state location in Dunwoody. The fast casual burrito joint opened in Dunwoody Village on February 19th of this year, and closed November 3rd. Amazingly, the restaurant’s owners signed their lease for the space the week of December 13, 2012. For the roughly 2300 square foot restaurant to have been “in the works” for over a year, but to have remained open for less than nine months is pretty sad click here for the rest of the story from Tomorrow’s News Today.
The city of Dunwoody makes it VERY hard to get open as a small business within its city. I know this all too well personally, as it took me almost a year to get open. No one wants to confront the elephant in the room when it comes to being a new city and the city’s choice of inspector and the only inspector. This story sadly resonates with me because the decision to stay open or call it quits comes to me monthly paying astronomical rent in Dunwoody yet inconsistent patronage. I have talked to small business after small business owner in Dunwoody with the same response. It’s really quite sad.
The entire village on both sides of Chamblee Dunwoody needs to be bulldozed to the ground and rebuilt in the style of many of the newer “town centers” and “avenues” around town, otherwise, this cycle will continue as it has for decades. The current layout is and always has been a disaster. Shame they (we) put so much unnecessary money into the “bike friendly” redo of the village pkwy. I guess the powers that be didn’t think about how in the heck “all of teh residents” will get their bikes to the village pkwy.? If you ride your bike on the road/bike lanes in Dunwoody, you’ve got a death wish… but I digress.
OH my goodness! I just ate there for the first time November 1, and found it delicious! I had one of the BEST fish tacos I’d ever had. Now I’m sad I didn’t discover it sooner!
The fish tacos were ok. But the menu was executed very inconsistently. The price point was definitely higher than Moe’s. And the product was unreliable. Moe’s is right across the street with a well established clientele! I can’t imagine why that particular business would choose that location to start their growth into the Atlanta area.
That shopping center is designed so strangely. Those little niche locations within that shopping center have heck to pay to get customer traffic.
I gave them a shot a few times. Once when we had a coupon and a few others when they had a taco special (Taco Tuesday – $1 tacos.) I agree that it seemed like the execution was spotty most of the times. Priced much higher than Moe’s (have you seen the lines out the door on $5 Burrito Moe Mondays?) It was a bad sign first time we went and the chips were stale. Unfortunately it was a carryout meal so I couldn’t get it fixed. Worst sign that the end was near was last Tuesday when I was in for a couple tacos and they had completely run out of cheese. Next door to Fresh Market and across the street from Publix and you run out of cheese? Sign of bad management/supervision.
If the food is good, it would stay open. We need better small (no chains please) restaurants in Dunwoody. Restaurants like Com’ or Wasabi House, with great food and great service and affordable prices.
It’s really sad because a friend of mine from Chattanooga loves Mojo Burrito there. I went there a number of times and I felt like one of their problems was the people who worked there. I also thought the food was inconsistent. The guacamole was so spicy that it was almost inedible. I totally agree with the way that side of the shopping center is set up. It’s difficult to get into. It’s sad that Dunwoody rent is so high that it’s making it so hard for these places to stay open.
Somewhat related…….I fear that Sprouts will not be here much longer if they don’t shape up their management. I can tell that their employees are so unhappy every time I go there.