Longtime Cabbagetown grocery store, grill likely to close

ATLANTA — A popular neighborhood grocery store and grill plans to close for good at the end of the month.

The owner of Little's Food Store in Cabbagetown said the building needs repairs that he cannot afford.

"I love the food, the atmosphere is really cool. It's kind of trendy but it's out of the way," said customer Taylor Poole.

The sign says "since 1929," but that chapter will end for Little's Food Store when it closes at the end of December.

"We've been robbing Peter (to) pay Paul for months, keeping things going and it all kind of just caught up with us," said store owner Brad Cunard.

Cunard said the historic building on Carroll Street needs expensive repairs, foundation work, siding and a new roof.

"We get a lot of water anytime it rains. This last deluge of water over the past two weeks, really we felt that," Cunard said.

The recent rains have dried up business and a lack of parking is also an issue. Loyal customers are sad to see it go.

"It made me very sad. Makes my soul hurt," Poole said.

But their support could make a difference. Cunard said there is a grassroots effort to keep Little's open.

"Our responses have been great. Facebook posts about us starting a Kickstarter campaign so we can try to raise funds so we can stay open," Cunard said.

But he said without a miracle, this neighborhood spot will soon be just a memory.

Cunard said he's told his eight employees about his decision to close.

Channel 2 Action News will stay with this story to see if the fundraising effort raises enough money to keep Little's open.

WSBTV