Many changes are to arrive among the shops at Tech Square in the coming weeks.
This coming Saturday, July 9, GameStop is set to have its grand opening, with free pizza available for anyone who attends. The newly relocated St. Charles Deli, which will now be called Chuck’s Famous, is expected to open by August 22.
To replace the previous St. Charles Deli, Barrelhouse, a gastro-pub, is moving in and hopes to attract many students.
J. Paul Raines, the CEO of GameStop and IE alum ‘85, helped claim the space for a GameStop near Tech.
GameStop will be filling in the space previously filled by Jazzy Nail and Tan, a nail salon. Despite not having opened yet, GameStop has established marketing relations across the bridge to Tech’s campus. An arrangement with Tech Rec will allow the Student Center facility to feature 10-15 new games a month from GameStop for Tech students to try and test out.
“We have worked out a very mutual and beneficial arrangement,” said Lara Sexton, a retail manager for Tech.
The newly named Chuck’s Famous will be moving in the previous space of Lexington Chocolatier.
“Lexington Chocolatier was not a great fit…It was such a specialty store and expensive,” Sexton said.
The owner of Chuck’s Famous is the same owner of the previous St. Charles. The menu at Chuck’s Famous will be altered by a degree from that of St. Charles, but will remain focused on deli and salad foods. All meat will also be cooked in-house to offer fresh food options every day.
Chuck’s Famous is also working on a partnership with Ray’s Pizza for an additional screen to be used next summer for Flicks on Fifth.
Barrelhouse will feature a 100-bottled beer selection, full bar and elevated pub food. It will be run by the same managers from Graveyard, a bar in East Atlanta Village.
Notably, Barrelhouse’s name features a connection to Tech: it originated from the phrase “I wish I had a barrel of rum” in the Tech fight song, “Ramblin’ Wreck.”
Along with the store changes, Barnes & Noble at Tech Square has also undergone some reorganization. The technology center has been relocated downstairs and is now visible from the street. A former Apple Store architect has assisted in this remodeling.