The property that was formerly The Bee’s Knees downtown has been leased to a new bar and lounge concept called Lenox on 10th.
The prime spot on Tenth Street was snatched up quickly, just a few months after the space was put up for lease and about six months since The Bee’s Knees shuttered its doors in November after 20 years.
The two owners of the new restaurant previously helped open Cheddars and Wild Wing in Augusta.
“With 20-plus years of bar and hospitality experience, locally and throughout the country, we’re excited for the future of Lenox on 10th,” said Aris Reed, one of the owners.
Many landlords have bought spaces downtown and are holding onto them and waiting for prices to rise while also being unwilling to invest to improve the space, leading people to think that there are empty buildings downtown and a lack of demand, said Jonathan Aceves, a commercial broker with the Finem Group at Meybohm Commercial, the property’s realtor.
But this isn’t true, he said, as the former Bee’s Knees space was leased quickly with multiple offers at full price. The 3,277-square-foot retail space at 211 Tenth St. across from Tacocat is being leased at a rate of $24 per square foot annually, or $78,648.
John Eckley, vice president with Finem Group, said upcoming developments like The Standard mid-rise apartment complex on Greene Street and the 17-floor historic Lamar Building will help Lenox on 10th with foot traffic.
“These developments along with the coming streetscape projects are going to make a compelling case for more to live downtown,” he said. “For many, it seems we’re hitting a crucial tipping point.”
