Key points:
- Fire caused MetroFresh to temporarily close at Midtown Promenade on Monroe Drive in Atlanta.
- A lithium battery from a leaf blower sparked the blaze around 11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.
- Owner Mitchell Anderson asks people to continue patronizing MetroFresh at its Peachtree Street location in Midtown.
The Midtown Promenade location of MetroFresh will temporarily close following a fire on Feb. 27 that caused significant damage to the restaurant.
A lithium battery from a leaf blower sparked the blaze in a mop and storage room near the kitchen around 11 p.m. last Friday. While the fire was quickly put out, it caused enough smoke damage to the kitchen and dining room to make the restaurant inoperable.
Owner Mitchell Anderson said in an email to supporters that the fire could have been much worse had it not been for people at a neighboring business detecting smoke and calling the fire department. MetroFresh typically closes at 9 p.m. on Friday nights.
“Now we are in the process of talking to our insurance company and figuring out what to do next. We will definitely keep you posted,” Anderson said.
He didn’t provide a reopening timeline for the Midtown Promenade restaurant but indicated MetroFresh could face challenges, as Anderson negotiates repairs and financing with the insurance company.
Instead of letting food go to waste, Anderson and his staff organized a “fire sale” this past Saturday to sell off ingredients and pre-made dishes that would otherwise be thrown away.
Anderson asks that people continue patronizing MetroFresh at its Peachtree Street location in Midtown, one block north of the High Museum.
Rough Draft reached out to Anderson for comment on the fire and plans for the Midtown Promenade staff. Check back for updates.
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20 years of MetroFresh in Atlanta
MetroFresh celebrated 20 years at Midtown Promenade in 2025. Anderson, a former actor, opened the restaurant known for its daily soup, salad, and sandwich specials, in 2005. At the time, the restaurant had less than 50 seats and a small kitchen. Since then, MetroFresh has doubled in size, launched a coffee and wine bar, and now serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
In 2019, Anderson opened a quick-service location of MetroFresh in the lobby of One Midtown Plaza on Peachtree Street. This location only serves weekday breakfast and lunch, and features happy hour on Thursday evenings until 7:30 p.m.
MetroFresh, Midtown Promenade, 931 Monroe Dr., Midtown (temporarily closed)
MetroFresh, One Midtown Plaza, 1360 Peachtree St., Midtown. Open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Thursdays for drinks until 7:30 p.m. Validated parking.