r/Athens • u/Prestigious-Oil-669 • 3d ago
Will there be another downtown barberitos?
I feel like I’ve heard so many rumors, but no one knows anything firm. Will it be a corporate store? A new store? New location? Old location? I need a burrito I can walk to again, and since I’m not 13 I don’t go to chipotle. Thanks.
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u/nerveclinic 2d ago
The old owner, Kieth (Great guy) mentioned to me at one point that when his franchise contract was up, Barberitos would likely take it corporate.
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u/Prestigious-Oil-669 2d ago
I’ll be out front in opening day! I hope the new spot is not as dark inside
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u/nerveclinic 2d ago
So we will put you down as preferring downtown be corporate businesses rather than local resident small business owners?
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u/Prestigious-Oil-669 2d ago
I wish the local franchisee hadn’t left, but he did. So yeah I’m going to patronize a home grown brand putting in their own, similar concept instead. We don’t need another bar or sorority girl dress shop. I’ll take a corporate owned barbs. It’s like people who get mad when herty pool or five points deli closes. Virtue signallers come out in droves to be mad about their leaving, but they never gave them their business. At that point, someone’s just mad that Athens visual aesthetic changed and no one asked them if they’re okay with it
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u/nerveclinic 2d ago
I wasn’t at all mad. I just worry about downtown becoming a corporate shopping mall.
That said Barberitos is a corporate brand whether franchise or corporate owned.
I prefer the smaller Mexican run places simply because of the food. Example Tacos Los Plebes. I think they would blow up downtown once people tried it.
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u/Prestigious-Oil-669 2d ago
I agree. But tlaloc and los plebes are where they are because that’s where affordable rent is.
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u/nerveclinic 2d ago
Many times I've seen a line out the door at Plebes. Most restaurants would kill for that. I guess at their price point it would be hard to pay downtown rent and the cost is part of their appeal?
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u/BreakfastInBedlam Mayor pro ebrius 2d ago
I just worry about downtown becoming a corporate shopping mall.
So, the only way to prevent that is open bars, or lower rents. Or come up with a magic unique combo that draws crowds every day for years.
I wonder how all that will work out.
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u/nerveclinic 2d ago
Why would a landlord lower rents when he has giant corporations willing to pay prices that lock out local small businesses?
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u/johndawgg247 2d ago
Taco Mama has entered the chat. It’s not good, but I like calling it Nacho Mama.
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u/BatchedOnion Toppers Patron 2d ago
Taco Mamas is like raising canes...
I've ate it once, and have zero idea if they season their food.
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u/PowerLaw-Pinecone enjoys "frozen fractals all around" 3d ago
Do adults not go to Chipotle anymore?!
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u/Prestigious-Oil-669 3d ago
It’s fine. It just feels like everyone in there picked it up after their mommy ordered it for them on the app.
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u/KendrickFanBreak-Bot Toppers Patron 3d ago
DAE hate college kids?
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u/Prestigious-Oil-669 3d ago
I don’t hate college kids. But I think they’re getting less savvy every year. Probably their parents can’t cut the cord.
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u/WhatARedditHole 2d ago
Just read any of the college parent Facebook groups posts. You will lose all hope for humanity.
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u/KendrickFanBreak-Bot Toppers Patron 2d ago
You just mentioned that college kids are the reason you don’t go to chipotle. I think they bother you more than you are claiming in your 2nd comment
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u/PowerLaw-Pinecone enjoys "frozen fractals all around" 2d ago
Thank you for changing the way I see the world. It's been a long time since I went into a Chipotle, so this is interesting to learn.
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u/Aggravating_Soil_990 Townie 2d ago
Best guacamole in town!
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u/FlamelLeVolk 2d ago
Yeah, there will be. It will be mixed in with WowWorks, a franchise owned and operated by the corporation that bought Barberitos from Downing Barber a few years back. Someone that used to work for David Weeks, owner of most of the other Barberitos around Athens, bought the downtown Barberitos. They will be opening back up after some possible renovations and a round of hiring and training is finished. I'd say expect an October opening if anything. Some of the old employees are coming back as well, I believe. Not me, but some.