What Now Atlanta? reports that Atlantic Station is informing customers that beginning July 11th they’ll have to buy something at an AS retailer if they want the two hours of free parking, which many have become accustomed.

According to an AS sign posted on the site, shoppers will need to receive a validation card from a retailer post-purchase to get that most expected of modern day conveniences – free parking!  New Atlantic Station management is also painting parts of the underground parking deck in festive colors as part of a $2.5 million overhaul.

One must assume that such a policy targets loiterers and cruisers, who have long made it difficult for AS to develop the upscale image it seeks.  It will be interesting to see what impact such a policy will have.  Sure, you just need to buy something inexpensive to get a parking validation, but for most, even that is enough hassle to justify going elsewhere.  Of course, that doesn’t apply to just loiterers, but also shoppers with no specific intents to buy.

What Now Atlanta? has a couple new quotes from Selig regarding this Wal-Mart Suburban Plaza story, but first let me recap.

Tomorrow’s News Today posted this story based on sources and a display of “Suburban Plaza Featuring Wal-Mart” that Selig put up at RECON (The Global Retail Real Estate Convention) in Las Vegas at the end of May.  A separate source also confirmed this, as well as gave some details of the plans that were shown (underground parking, etc…)

Now What Now Atlanta? has this quote from Selig…

“We are thoroughly researching the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza but have no commitments at this time,” [Bill ] Stogner, said. “We are in the process of reviewing our options.”

…“Selig has approached us,” [senior manager of public affairs and government relations for Walmart Glen] Wilkins said. “Walmart is interested in the area but does not have a contract with Selig.”

And while Tomorrow’s News Today stated yesterday that “…nothing is confirmed…”, What Now Atlanta tells me via Twitter that Wilkin’s said the proposal in Las Vegas was created by Selig and not Wal-Mart.

Guess we’ll wait for Tomorrow’s News Today’s response.

First introduced at Sawicki’s in Decatur last summer, “The Spotted Trotter” charcuterie is dailing it up a notch and opening a storefront in Kirkwood later this Spring, according to What Now, Atlanta?.

The delicatessen will offer processed meats and retail from a 1,334-square-foot storefront at 1610 Hosea L. Williams Drive in Kirkwood, according to a permit filed with the City of Atlanta in March.

Kevin Ouzts (”Oots”), chef and owner, confirms the now shuttered Corner Market located in the Kirkwood Park shopping center will be home to The Spotted Trotter.

DM profiled Ouzts last June when he first started selling his charcuterie at Sawicki’s.