The Mount Vernon Shopping Center has big news this week, with the entrance of a big tenant, and new life for a pharmacy that was supposed to be leaving.
The long-anticipated Big Play, a family-friendly complex with bowling, laser tag, arcades, mini-golf, and a restaurant, will open on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m., according to an announcement by the company.
In related news, the CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Jett Ferry and Mt. Vernon roads will not close as previously thought, according to CVS officials.
“Our lease on the property was set to expire, however, after discussions with the property’s new landlord, we’ve entered into a new lease and will continue to serve patients and customers at our Dunwoody CVS store,” Roslyn Guarino, senior manager, corporate communications – external affairs of CVS told Rough Draft.
Longtime CVS customers had decried the store’s closing, saying the popular pharmacy is the only one conveniently located in the northern part of the city.
During Matt Weber’s What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, Valerie Inglesby of Big Play Atlanta revealed that the company had purchased the entire shopping center and renegotiated the CVS lease in early December.
“We’re excited to have them as one of our major anchors, along with a new major tenant Burn Boot Camp,” Inglesby said.
Enhancements to the center include a repaved parking lot and the installation of security cameras, she said, which “will bring up the value of the surrounding real estate.”
Inglesby said Big Play is already taking reservations for private events, and that the calendar is filling up.
Big Play, which replaces a revolving door of failed grocery stores in the shopping center, is also occupying space that had housed Camelot Jewelers and O’Brian’s Tavern.
It will include a private party room, large televisions, and a full-service restaurant called Woody’s that will serve smash burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken quesadillas, and salads.
After Thursday’s grand opening, Big Play will be open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.