Latest news with #TacoMac
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Taco Mac's Latest Closure Feels Like a Slap in the Face
For years, Taco Mac's Midtown location on Peachtree Street was a go-to for wings, beer, and game-day crowds. But this week, the doors shut for good—and no one gave the staff a heads-up. Fox 5 Atlanta reported that according to former employees, including bartender Brandon Jovan Stephens, the closure came without warning. "I worked Saturday and Sunday like normal," he said. "Nobody told us anything." He didn't hear it from a manager, an email, or a team meeting. Like many others, Stephens found out through a text, a sign on the door, and social media posts confirming what no one at the company would explain: Taco Mac Midtown was permanently closed. "It's frustrating because it's not knowing," he said. "Just be honest. We bust our ass here." The sign taped to the door read "Permanently Closed" and included a vague note that "dedicated team members... will be offered opportunities at nearby locations." But for many staffers who relied on the Midtown gig as their primary income—some supporting families—there's no guarantee of what comes next. This closure marks the third Atlanta-area Taco Mac shutdown in two years. In 2023, the Decatur location shut down after 22 years in business. Just weeks ago, the chain shuttered its original Virginia-Highland location after 46 years, making way for a Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint. Midtown had been the only remaining in-town location. For Stephens and his co-workers, it feels like a gut punch. "We built a clientele with our regulars," he said. "For this place to be shut down like this was just like a slap in the face." What stings even more is the silence. No official explanation. No chance to say goodbye to coworkers or longtime customers. Just a locked door, a paper sign, and a lot of unanswered questions. Despite the setback, Stephens is trying to stay hopeful. "It affected a lot of people that worked here," he said. "But when one door closes, another one opens. That's all we can do—keep going." Why Taco Mac's Latest Closure Feels Like a Slap in the Face first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Eater
3 days ago
- Business
- Eater
Midtown Taco Mac Location Closes Within a Few Weeks of the Original
Just a few weeks after the announcement of the closing of the original Taco Mac in Virginia-Highlands, the Taco Mac in Midtown suddenly shut its doors. According to a report by Atlanta News First, a sign in the window at the store on Peachtree Street read, 'Serving this community has been an incredible honor. We've cherished every moment — from cheering on our local sports teams together to celebrating special milestones. These memories will always be a meaningful part of our journey.' The first Taco Mac opened in 1979. and its expansion locations have been local hangouts for watching sports, baskets of wings, and draft beer. When the original location shuttered, the restaurant chain stated that it was focusing on growth in the Southeast, and the closure was a strategic move. In 2021, Taco Mac closed its long-time Lindbergh location, citing safety concerns. Then in 2023, the Decatur location closed after 22 years on West Ponce de Leon Avenue. Fresh Hospitality, led by CEO and Atlantan Harold Martin, Jr., bought the Taco Mac brand in 2018. Several Taco Mac locations are still situated in areas surrounding Atlanta. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Austell police welcome Cobb County's first-ever female chief
The Austell Police Department has announced the appointment of a new police chief. The city council voted unanimously to name Shameta Jones-Harrell as the new chief. She's the first female chief of police in the history of Cobb County. 'We are so proud of her and we know that she will do a phenomenal job in this role,' the department posted on Facebook. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Governor's office said it will start issuing special tax refund checks this week PHOTOS: 'Itsy-Bitsy, Teenie-Tiny' town is Georgia's third most visited Midtown Taco Mac abruptly closes, second location to do so in as many months [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Keepsake from destroyed home found miles away, returned to Henry Co. tornado survivor
The son who survived a tornado in Henry County just days ago, Malachi Chaney, took his first steps in the hospital Monday. His father, Tray Chaney, said his son celebrated his 19th birthday in the Intensive Care Unit at Grady Memorial Hospital over the weekend. 'I always say he stood up toe to toe with a tornado and came out alive,' said the father. He and his son were thrown from their Locust Grove home when a tornado touched down on their street last Thursday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'Walls are flying to my face, TVs, knives, everything you could possibly think of,' said Tray. 'I'm levitating in the air. My mattress is flipping, and I wake up after being unconscious, and the first thing I'm screaming is my son's name.' Neighbors found his son in the wooded area near their home. Paramedics rushed him to Grady, where he's still recovering from broken bones in his face and torso. Nearly everything the family owned in the house was a loss. 'Everything's gone. Everything's wiped away,' said Tray. Then, on Monday, a woman contacted Channel 2's Courtney Francisco. She found one of the son's keepsakes in her front yard, more than 10 miles away from Locust Grove. 'I couldn't believe that just a single piece of paper made it this far,' said Peggy Ayers. It was a high school honor society certificate with the name Malachi Chaney on it. Her niece, Connie Steele, did some digging online and connected it to the family who survived the Henry County tornado. TRENDING STORIES: Governor's office said it will start issuing special tax refund checks this week PHOTOS: 'Itsy-Bitsy, Teenie-Tiny' town is Georgia's third most visited Midtown Taco Mac abruptly closes, second location to do so in as many months 'I just cried. I would love for them to have,' said Ayers. She could not make the trip to give it to the family at the hospital. So, she passed it on to Channel 2 to bring to the father. Tray Chaney was stunned when he saw the certificate. 'Wow,' said the father. 'This is, it's touching, you know. This right here means the world because it's his name.' He pointed to the name written on the honor society document. Channel 2 spoke with Ayers on the phone. 'I'm so glad I got to talk to you, and thank you for finding something so valuable to my family and Malachi,' Tray Chaney told Ayers. Ayers told the father, 'I know he's going to have some rough times, but let him know he's in a lot of people's prayers, and God answers prayers.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Virginia-Highland neighbourhood loses original Taco Mac store after nearly 50 years
After nearly five decades of serving up wings, beer, and memories, Taco Mac has officially closed its flagship location in Atlanta's Virginia-Highland neighbourhood. The beloved spot, which first opened in 1979, welcomed its last customer this week—but leadership says the brand's story is far from over. Also Read: Bahama Breeze: 15 locations abruptly shut down across the US Many residents were disheartened after Taco Mac shut down its store. However, CEO Harold Martin said, 'This isn't the end of the story - it's a milestone in our journey. We're deeply grateful for our roots in the Virginia-Highlands neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia, and we're more excited than ever for what's ahead,' as reported by The Mirror US. The company has insisted that the closure of the store is a part of its broader strategy for growth. The beloved food spot functions at 27 locations across three states, namely Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. Taco Mac has suggested that it has plans to expand into other states. Meanwhile, the employees who were working at the flagship store have been offered new employment opportunities in nearby locations. In the coming days, the empty spot for now in the Virginia Highland neighbourhood will be transformed into Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint. Also Read: Preakness Stakes 2025 prize money: How much does the winner take home? One of Taco Bell's most historic locations—Restaurant 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona—officially closed its doors earlier this month, marking the end of an era for the fast-food chain. Opened in the 1960s, it was the 31st Taco Bell ever built and had preserved much of the brand's original charm, including a Spanish tile roof and a vintage Taco Bell sign. The closure coincided with the launch of Taco Bell's Decades Menu, which celebrated fan-favourite items from the past, such as the '60s Tostada, '70s Green Sauce Burrito, '80s Meximelt, and '90s Gordita.
