Chamblee Tap and Market is getting ready to jump city lines. The food-and-drink operator has agreed to buy a three-story, century-old building at 2881 N. Main St. in downtown Kennesaw, potentially setting the stage for a new hangout a short walk from the United Bankshares Amphitheater. The Kennesaw Development Authority recently signed off on the sale, although neither city officials nor the owners are saying much yet about what will go inside or when it might open.
The authority's approval came at its April 15 meeting, according to Kennesaw.com, which reports that the agreement authorizes the purchase and moves the deal toward closing. That local report describes the Main Street property as a roughly 10,300-square-foot brick building that has already seen some renovation, including an opened-up ground floor. Officials have indicated that the street-level space is well suited for dining or retail, while the upper floors could be reworked for office or residential use.
Historic Building Poised For A New Chapter
Commercial marketing materials list the structure at about 10,332 square feet and dating back to 1903, positioning it as a historic, three-story candidate for mixed-use redevelopment, per LoopNet. Those listings cite prior partial renovations - including the opened first floor and partial buildout upstairs - that could help speed a conversion to new uses such as restaurants, short-term housing or office space. Brokers also play up the location, pointing to Main Street foot traffic and the nearby amphitheater as built-in support for evening business.
Operator’s Track Record
Chamblee Tap and Market was founded by partners David Heymann and Jeff Kimmel and debuted its original Chamblee food hall in 2024, according to Eater Atlanta. That location features vendors including South End Smokehouse and Sidecar Coffee, and the venue's website currently notes that the taproom is closed for alcohol sales while nonalcoholic and THC beverages are still available, per Chamblee Tap and Market. The team has not yet detailed what they will do with the Kennesaw property; What Now Atlanta reports it has reached out to the owners for comment.
Main Street Momentum, For Now
City officials have been steering this particular parcel toward reuse for a while. Kennesaw and its development authority moved to take control of 2881 N. Main St. in 2024 and set aside funds to purchase the site, according to the Cobb Courier. The Kennesaw Development Authority is also backing other nearby efforts, including a Reformation Brewery taproom and distilling facility planned for the corner of Main and J.O. Stephenson, with a target opening in 2027, per the Kennesaw Development Authority. Together, those projects could deepen nighttime activity along Main Street, although city staff and brokers note that the Chamblee Tap and Market building will still need significant renovation before any new concept can welcome customers.
In the meantime, downtown neighbors and regulars will be watching permits, KDDA filings and any public design plans to see what kind of food-and-drink destination ultimately lands at 2881 N. Main St. What Now Atlanta reports there is no confirmed timeline yet. Updates will follow once the operator files permits or sets an opening schedule.
