Members of Tucker City Council, in a split decision, voted to approve a 7 Brew drive-thru in downtown Tucker during a meeting on July 13.
The 7 Brew, a drive-thru-only coffee shop, will be located at the site of the yellow house, the former location of the Shops at Tucker House gift shop, on the corner of Lawrenceville Highway and Lynburn Drive. The yellow house, which is not eligible for historic preservation, has been empty since the city incorporated in 2016.
The council vote was divided on the project, with Mayor Anne Lerner, Virginia Rece, Cara Schroder, and Amy Trocchi in support and Alexis Weaver and Vinh Nguyen opposed. The plan has been controversial because of the car-centric business model.
“The community vision for downtown is not one that has drive-thrus,” Weaver said during Monday’s meeting.
Rece agreed that the project was not “perfect” but said she prioritized putting “quality business owners in empty buildings.”
According to a disclosure statement included in the zoning application packet, Andrew Alexander, the property owner, made donations to four of the council members in 2025. Lerner and Orlando received $3,300 each, and Rece and Schroeder received $1,000. These donations were not discussed during Monday’s meeting.
In other business, the council approved a home daycare on Lavista Road, allowed for additional height to luxury townhomes coming to downtown, and confirmed appointments to volunteer city boards.
Attorney Michelle Battle was confirmed as a member of the Tucker Public Facilities Authority, Tommy Lester III and Ted Rhinehart were confirmed as director of the Downtown Development Authority, and Robin Biro was confirmed as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The council also issued two proclamations recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month and Disability Pride Month.
During next month’s meeting, the council members will conduct a second reading and vote on an ordinance to amend the plan to update the Transportation and Trails Master Plan.
These amendments will include standardizing sidewalk and bike facility standards, ensuring connectivity to communities, adding a multi-use path along Chamblee Tucker Road, and strengthening the Safety Action Plan.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for August 10 at 7 p.m.
