Five & Ten Restaurant Eyes Move

Although there are still plenty of zoning issues to work out, hopes to relocate his by the end of the year. Currently located at 1653 Lumpkin St., the restaurant has had issues with adequate parking and seating. 

Acheson is excited about the possibility of transforming a large historic home – 1073 Milledge Avenue – into his future restaurant.  The property is currently under contract.  He appreciates the support the Five & Ten has received from the city and its patrons over the years and believes the move will be a positive change for the town and the restaurant. 

“It's a slightly larger building,” he said, “and a beautiful old house. [The current location] has been a fantastic restaurant to grow, but it's always been a little shabbier than chic. This gives us the option of having a place that's truly beautiful.” 

Wes Rogers, President and CEO of , is the prospective owner/developer of the Milledge Avenue property. His company owns around half a billion dollars worth of student housing across the nation, including about 1,300 beds in Athens. 

"I live in Athens, was born and raised here," Rogers said, "and have been a huge fan of Hugh and Five & Ten. We like to invest in the community."

Rogers and Acheson have been friends for years, so when Acheson expressed an interest in relocating, they formed a partnership and settled on the Milledge Avenue property.  

"It's a fantastic location," Rogers said, "close to the Five Points area, so we will get a lot of the same pedestrian traffic. The current owner has done a fantastic job renovating it. It's the best looking building on Milledge Avenue."

There are no plans to make significant changes to the house, other than building a large kitchen out back and expanding the parking. 

“It offers a little space for more refinement and the ability to store more wine and older vintages,” Acheson said. 

It will take at least 90 days for the zoning issues to be worked out, followed by four to five months of renovating the existing space. The house is currently zoned for commercial office use. 

“We are proud of being a good employer in Athens,” Acheson said, “and always try to put our best foot forward in the town.” 

That goodwill extends to finding a suitable new owner for the current restaurant.   

The move will be discussed at the March 21 meeting of the Athens Historic Preservation Committee.