My little soapbox:

If the landlord thinks he can nickel & dime our beautiful Midtown culture w/ some silly boutique or wireless retailer which does not improve our community’s culture, then he has something coming. Outwrite utilized every square inch of that tiny space & did so efficiently by offering so much more than simply books. I will personally boycott any new tenant that does not provide a welcoming space for us to congregate.

Gay Themed Tenants:

- Another "multi-use business model with a wifi-cafe area" - easing the overload caribou will likely experience now while providing whatever niches will be profitable.

- Non-profit LGBT community center with cafe, maybe a small movie screen area for docu-screenings, an Atlanta gay history educational wall, etc. Plaza theatre is not a non-profit theatre, so why not a non-profit community cafe, arts & media center?

- Georgia Equality Offices with a cafe area raising money for state LGBT political causes & charities.

- Partnership of local LGBT churches for a LGBT Spiritual Center & non-profit cafe.

Local-Ind Business:

- Highland Bakery - mini baked goods area & coffee shop cafe (HB has 3 small coffee-shop locations on GT campus little known to non-GT folks)

- The Olive - greek restaurant/cafe

- Cafe Intermezzo "Express" - !!!!!

Regl-Natl Business:

- Panera Bread

- Coffee shop to compete w/ Caribou & accommodate former Outwrite regulars

These are just ideas - Help me Brainstorm!

Obviously the non-profit ideas are less realistic since the landlord is wanting to make more money... but still.

I wonder how much the rent was? I have been trying to find out, but have been unsuccessful so far.

Boy Next Door or Brushstrokes should relocate here. Or go back to what it was 16 years ago before Outwrite....a gay club, in keeping with the neighborhood theme.

Previous comments by Drewboo sums up the situation .. need something to compliment the midtown neighborhood for the GLBT community. Any thing less will fail ...

I'd like to see something unique. I don't think it has to necessarily be gay-centric. A non-chain that this diverse neighborhood can enjoy. Something that adds to the unique character and fabric of Midtown, like Outwrite did. No clothing. Definitely no wireless retailer. Not sure we need more coffee. Perhaps another bookstore...

Whatever it is, I hope it is something which continues the "hang-out" atmosphere, and remains either in or strongly supportive of the LGBT community. There seems to be a lot of competition/saturation in the food/bar environment in that immediate area. Not sure what would fit there, but it's sad to see an icon fall.

How about a nice bakery/sweets/coffee shop? Imagine fresh yummy baked goods and great coffee at any time of the day,,,,

I want to say a bar, but a) would there be enough room for a kitchen and b) part of the appeal of Outwrite was that it was appropriate for those who didn't want to/weren't old enough to drink.

I vote for a chill lounge that stays open late with live music, open mic, spoken word, etc. Those glass windows are meant for performance. Why not keep encouraging Atlanta's creative talent? Love to see something like Java Monkey or Churchill Grounds.

hum prime local = $$$$ rent , there really is everything we need right there , so nothing to compete with the other local businesses , I think Atlanta needs a "fun " rental place , like NY , LA , Chig , two person bikes , 3 wheel bikes , segways , fun activities to buy or rent , i went to so many places looking to buy a kite one lovely spring day , three hours later ... nothing but a empty tank of gas and a headache ...

I think the key is a local business (no nat. chains) that caters to the whole midtown population, and comes in quickly!! A couple ideas that first come to mind---a good NY Bagel Shop (Midtown Bagels), something like the Irwin Street Market- with multiple vendors selling anything from ice cream, to baked goods, to fresh produce, a Yoga/Pilates Studio--even somewhere where community members could hold exercise classes, a Small Live Music Venue- similar to Star Bar, smaller version of the Eye-Drum--we don't really have a place for live music shows in Midtown, a sushi/karaoke bar, a coffee - bar - something like Octane or Park Grounds ( allows dogs), A bar similar to Ormsbys (game room--along with drinks and food)- Maybe Gilberts could expand to provide this in the area, Deep Dish Pizza Bar---Pizza Antico, or a bourbon and blues bar. I guess you could say that these are all the things that I think Midtown is missing within in walking distance from the park!

I vote for bagels! Let's get a good bagel / coffee shop that will ease pressure on Caribou Coffee and Flying Biscuit. It'll be a great attraction for all the running clubs and weekend park visitors.

a strip club ha!

I heard someone say blues bar! That would be amazing.

I'd certainly love the addition of a good bagel place like Belly General Store. Yum.

how about a place that doubles as a bagel shop/deli during the day and transitions into a blues bar at night?? :) i like the sounds of that...I think Midtown really lacks a good neighborhood bar/tavern with good food that isn't too expensive or trendy. I used to love going to McCray's and I think something like that on that corner would do really well

Whatever it is, they will have to be able to make the newly advertised rent, $7,696 per month, for the space, which seems a bit outrageous, and would certainly rule out non-profits, and a lot of independent establishments. If that was what Outwrite was paying, I am surprised they made it this long. A bar may the only thing to work there.

I'd love to see the original structure stay put, but see a mid-rise (6-8 stories) of apartments build on top of this. Sub-divide the ground floor space into multiple retail spaces, and get better density out of the site.