Our News
October 5, 2022
Five Retail Concepts to Open at Container Village at Lee + White
Owners Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners are integrating a container village at the mixed-use destination to provide affordable and unique opportunities for small businesses.
ATLANTA, October 5, 2022 – Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners, co-investors in Lee + White, an adaptive reuse mixed-use development in Atlanta’s historic West End, are welcoming five new retail concepts to its container village, scheduled to open in late October/early November. Ackerman Retail Senior Vice President Kelly Wilson, who is leading the retail and food hall leasing efforts at Lee + White, has completed license agreements with concepts ranging from an electric bike shop to retailers offering eco-friendly products, specialty goods and gift items.
Ownership is creating the container village to expand the unique retail offerings at Lee + White and to provide an affordable opportunity for startups and small businesses seeking brick-and-mortar space to sell their products. Not requiring a traditional lease, all occupancy costs for container retailers – including power and other utilities – are included in a short-term license agreement.
Featuring brightly painted exteriors and glass-door storefronts and entries, the shipping container spaces occupy a prominent position on the property facing White Street next to a paved path providing access to the Westside Atlanta BeltLine.
The container retail concepts include: Atlo, specializing in eco-friendly refills of everyday products; Coastal Green Wellness, a seller of organically produced CBD and hemp products, opening its second Atlanta location; Edison Bicycles, a locally-owned business selling its own brand of electric bikes, launching its third Atlanta location; Erin Smith Art, offering unique greeting cards, gift items and party supplies; and Highfalutin Press, selling a variety of gift products and specialty items.
“There’s no better or more affordable way for a business to get a start in a brick-and-mortar location than at a container space like this,” said Kelly Wilson. “We’re excited about the unique mix of businesses that will be opening in our container village providing an affordable alternative for retailers to grow their businesses, and we are thrilled that sustainable and eco-friendly products are part of the mix of items offered.”
The container spaces are limited to soft-goods retail and services, as the containers are not equipped with infrastructure for food uses. The retailers opening in the container spaces will be able to draw customers from the surrounding Lee + White breweries, retailers, restaurants and office tenants, as well as pedestrians using the popular BeltLine trail, which is accessible via four direct entrances at Lee + White, unmatched by any other development in Atlanta.
Acquired by MDH Partners and Ackerman & Co. in September 2019, the ongoing redevelopment at Lee Lee & White is adding a 19-vendor food hall, creative office space, new retail and the “Great Lawn” gathering and event space. Vendors lined up for the food hall, scheduled to open in early 2023, include Lake & Oak BBQ, The Original Hot Dog Factory, Gekko Hibachi & Sushi, Honeysuckle Gelato and Pastaholics, with more to be announced soon.
Carbice, a nanotechnology innovator launched as a startup at Georgia Tech, recently celebrated the grand opening of its 23,367-square-foot headquarters and production facility in Building 1050.
About Lee + White
Reimagining the West End’s former “Warehouse Row,” Lee + White is Atlanta’s next trendsetting adaptive re-use project. Already a go-to destination for foodies and beer lovers, Lee + White’s next phase of development is bringing creative offices, a food hall, retail, and expanded BeltLine access. This transformation continues in a spirit that recognizes the West End’s rich history. The growing tenant roster at Lee + White includes ASW Exchange, Best End Brewing, Boxcar, Carbice, Cultured South, Doux South Pickles, Honeysuckle Gelato (production), Hop City, Lake & Oak Restaurant, Mac Stadium, Monday Night Garage, The Overlook Boulder + Fitness, Plywood People, Southeastern Management, Westside Dental and Wild Heaven Beer.
The roster at the Lee + White food hall, opening in early 2023, showcases a mix of local favorites and regional and national concepts. Eateries to date include Honeysuckle Gelato, Gekko Hibachi & Sushi, Lake & Oak BBQ, Mochinut, The Original Hot Dog Factory and Pastaholics.
About MDH Partners
MDH Partners is an Atlanta-based real estate investment company managing its discretionary funds targeting industrial real estate across the United States on behalf of its institutional investors. Founded in 2005 as the successor to a fifty-year-old local real estate development company, MDH Partners has led and/or participated in over $4 billion (75 million square feet) of acquisitions, developments, and asset management as an advisor and investor. For more information, visit www.mdhpartners.com.
About Ackerman & Co.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ackerman & Co. is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm focused on providing quality investment, brokerage, management and development services in the Southeast. The company, founded in 1967, retains an expert team of more than 100 real estate professionals. To date, Ackerman & Co. has developed and acquired more than 37 million square feet of office, medical, industrial, retail and mixed-use space, has 4.5 million square feet under management and maintains an investment portfolio valued at $1 billion. For more information, visit www.ackermanco.com