As reported here by various commenters in the last couple weeks, NAVO church has moved out of its current digs of the old “Big H” property at 630 East Lake Drive in Oakhurst.
The DNO reports this morning that the church is moving its services to the AMC movie theater at North DeKalb Mall, leaving the former grocery store space empty yet again.
Let the calls for a Trader Joe’s commence.
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does anyone know how much rent is on that Big H space or who to contact to get more info? Just wondering if it might fit a specific venue that a group i work with is looking for. I’ve never been inside…does anyone know, is it open & warehouse-y?
Good luck. The owner of that space is notoriously shady.
Contact Bruce Cohen with Vision Properties, http://www.visionpropertiesinc.com.
Good luck with that! But if you do, ask when the Trackside/5th Earl space is going to be rebuilt. Then post his response here so we can ROFLMAO’ing!
seriously the guy does have a long history of not being so great of a property owner.
I guy I used to know very, um, well is the guy who built out Mulligan’s. The landlord totally screwed him.
TRA-DER JOES! TRA-DER JOES!! TRA-DER JOES!!!
OK, got that out of my system…for now.
Isn’t it funny how some people’s idea of church sounds like my idea of hell on earth?
I think we all know that Trader Joe’s is not a possibility, at least any time in the near future in that location, or in Oakhurst in general. Just not enough population density and thru-traffic for their business model.
HOWEVER, the owner/landlord problem aside, wouldn’t it be awesome if the old Big H space could be used for a permanent indoor/outdoor farmer’s market. You could consolidate many of the local one- or two-day a week farmer’s market gatherings into one prime location. You could cordon off a portion of the huge parking lot out front for vendor stalls and also have permanent space inside, with refrigeration even.
Yeah, I know this would never happen, but I can dream…
An indoor/outdoor farmer’s market at Big H is a fantastic idea.
Excellent idea. I would never have to leave Oakhurst limits. Rock on!
I heard rumors about a dollar store but I think it was just that – rumor.
Was inside for the strategic planning meetings, and it was not a bad space; seemed to be pretty open with some good structural “bones.” Would make a good farmer’s market for the winter (East Lake and Decatur consolidation perhaps?) I think J_T’s suggestion has merit ….
Roller or ice skating or skateboarding rink? Get the kids off the infrastructure and onto the rink?
The worst of all possibilities is about to go into that space.
There is going to be outrage and protests in the streets.
care to elaborate a little more? what could it be?
A Republican campaign headquarters?
A non-locally sourced restaurant?
A Wal Mart?
A non-locally sourced Walmart run by Republicans?
A non-locally sourced Walmart run by ZOMBIE Republicans!
C’mon you can’t be that obtuse.
Oh yes he can–he’s from Kentucky.
Anyone here go to Navo?
Gotta be honest. I know nothing about the church, but the name and logo have a somewhat cult-ish feel to them…
Never attended services there. But during the Oakhurst Fall 5K they opened their doors so the little ones participating in the tot trot could come inside out of the rain. There were a kind group of folks. Neither cultlike or zombiesque.
And what is it with the people in this town and logos?
So they were kind and invited children inside, uhmmm–did they have Kool-Aid too?
[joke, please no flames, brimestone or treacle]
Now that you mention it, the man introduced himself as Mr. Jones.
(not)
The linked DNO article says the name is Hebrew for “we will go.”
(What’s the Hebrew word for “here we go AGAIN!” ?!? )
Whitesnake.
Paging Mr. Coverdale.
Sorry about the earlier comment. A bit too harsh considering I know nothing about the church.
Did some investigating and they’re a member of the Mosaic Alliance out of Los Angeles. Seems like a sound organization.
I like the logo. I think it’s the whole NAVO/NOVA similarity that threw me off. NOVA = outer space = scientology, oh my!
why not a small art house movie theater a la Midtown Arts? I’d kill for something showing indie movies in our ‘hood.
I was once chatting with the Candler Park Market owner and he told me the Big H property owner had tried to get him to expand there, but he wasn’t interested. As for “the worst possible scenario” I believe I heard a few years ago from someone who lived in the ’hood that the whole thing was going to be razed for some more fine “condos up top, retail below mixed-use.” (Which is my idea of worst possible use). I don’t think we need Trader Joe’s, just an enterprising soul to bring a neighborhood market and I would love for there to be a music venue/movie place down at the other end.
I must disagree, Mike. The worst possible use is the one we have right now – no use. This place is an eyesore and a blight to an otherwise thriving business district. Time for Bruce to step up and do something positive. Past time, actually.
Why in the world would a mixed use condo/apartments/retail be a bad use of that property?
The simple answer: condos don’t sell too well and when they do, they don’t retain value.
NAVO was actually a part of the Methodist Church – an attempt to reach out to people who prefer a more contemporary place to worship vs. traditional churches – I went a couple of times and it seemed like a great vision and was a very open and warm environment to all and really did some great things around the community, so no, not cultish at all – good luck to them
nelliebelle: thanks for a great chuckle / laugh!