The Hall at Ashford Lane, which closed abruptly in July after only six weeks in operation, has a new owner.
New Orleans-based Politan Row, which operates a popular food hall at Colony Square in Midtown, announced today its plan to reopen the Dunwoody dining spot this fall with nine individual food stalls, Bar Politan — the group’s craft-oriented neighborhood bar — and a cocktail lounge.
The 17,000-square-foot food hall, which was previously operated by Jamal Wilson, will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. In a statement released by Politan Row, the location will now be known as Politan Row at Ashford Lane.
“As the food hall environment matures in Atlanta, we continue to be an advocate for the best local talent,” Politan Row CEO Will Donaldson said. “The goal of Politan Row is to be the safe space for flourishing food and beverage startups in Atlanta by offering low-risk, beautiful, functional, and well-located restaurant options.”
The restaurants that have signed on so far include:
● Chef Michaela Merrick, Pretty Little Tacos – a Creole-Mexican Street food option;
● Jack Bai, Gekko — a hibachi and ramen experience;
● Chef Archna Becker, Tandoori Pizza & Wings Co. — an Indian twist on popular comfort staples;
● Niki Pattharakositkul, 26 Thai — authentic Thai food made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients;
● Gregory Vivier, Smokehouse Q — BBQ with a focus on the natural flavors of the meat accompanied by traditional and savory side items;
● Chefs Charlie Sunyapong and Paul Thai, Sheesh — from the team behind Stäge Kitchen & Bar, a new Mediterranean concept focused on the fresh and eclectic.
In an interview with Rough Draft, Donaldson said he is holding the last three stalls in order to “keep the slate open for emerging local talent.”
Donaldson said he has been watching the location since 2020, when Wilson began building out the concept. He visited the restaurant several times after it opened in late May.
“I think the location is a great one,” he said. “However, after it opened, I saw the classic signs that signaled problems for the restaurant – a lack of signage, service issues, and operational issues, like the inconsistent food and the music going in and out at times. These were things that should have been fixed as time went on.”
Donaldson said he was pleasantly surprised by some elements of the Hall’s decor, but will refine it by adding some softer elements “to contrast with the harder elements” in the interior. Plans also include reworking of the entrance area so that the stalls can be more clearly viewed.
Politan Row at Ashford Lane’s cocktail lounge, operated by one of the original creators of Jojo’s, Benton Bourgeois, will advance Midtown’s 1970’s concept 10 years into the future with “a custom design, curated soundtrack, and era-appropriate cocktail flair, focusing on the time period from 1988 to 1992,” according to the Politan Row statement.
The Hall at Ashford Lane, which opened to great fanfare at the end of May, shuttered its doors abruptly on July 5 and left in its wake dozens of employees, some of them undocumented workers, owed thousands of dollars in back wages. Wilson, in a brief statement after its closing, promised to make good on the issue, but most ex-employees say they are yet to be paid.
Donaldson said plans are to open Politan Row at Ashford Lane sometime between late October and Thanksgiving. A job fair that is open to the public will be held about 10 days before the opening. He said all are welcome to attend but that standard hiring practices will be in place, including I-9 verification.
