Century-Old Colonnade Marks 100 Years in Atlanta
Atlanta independent restaurant operators can see how a restaurant sustained a century of operation through two locations and three ownership groups.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Atlanta City Council issued a proclamation honoring The Colonnade's 100th anniversary, presented by Councilmember Alex Wan at the Nov. 2 council meeting. The restaurant, now on Cheshire Bridge Road, is owned by Lewis Jeffries and Paul Donahue, who bought it in 2024.
Why it matters
Few restaurants remain in operation for a century, and The Colonnade's longevity under three ownership groups offers a useful case for operators weighing how to sustain a dining business across changing neighborhoods and customer bases. The proclamation calls the restaurant a City of Atlanta treasure, a recognition that carries no direct regulatory effect but signals civic standing.
The Colonnade has operated for 100 years, first on Piedmont Road in 1927 and on Cheshire Bridge Road since 1962, with the current owners acquiring it in 2024. The owners have pledged 100 acts of giving back during the anniversary year, though the source does not quantify the value or reach of those commitments.
The players
The Colonnade
A long-running Atlanta restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road, known for its century-long operation and its popularity with the LGBTQ+ community and senior citizens.
Atlanta City Council
The legislative body of the City of Atlanta, which issues proclamations and exercises local policy authority over businesses operating within city limits.
Alex Wan
A member of the Atlanta City Council who presented the proclamation honoring The Colonnade.
The details
The proclamation was presented during the Nov. 2 Atlanta City Council meeting by Councilmember Alex Wan, and it describes The Colonnade as a legend, an institution, and a City of Atlanta treasure. Co-owner Paul Donahue thanked the city for the honor. The restaurant is known for its popularity with the LGBTQ+ community and senior citizens, and the owners' three-generation ownership history is part of the story.
Timeline
1927: The Colonnade originally opened on Piedmont Road.
1962: The restaurant relocated to Cheshire Bridge.
2024: Lewis Jeffries and Paul Donahue purchased the restaurant.
Nov. 2, 2026: Atlanta City Council presented the 100th anniversary proclamation.
2027: A book about the restaurant is expected.
Market Landscape
The Colonnade's relocation from Piedmont Road to Cheshire Bridge in 1962 and its three ownership changes place it among long-tenured independent restaurants that have adapted their location and ownership over decades. The source does not identify a named industry cycle or competitor strategy against which to benchmark its longevity.
Operators of long-running restaurants should note that longevity and community ties can outlast changes in ownership and location, which matters when planning succession or relocation. Owners weighing a sale or a move may want to review the terms with qualified counsel or an accountant before committing.
The takeaway
A century of operation across two locations and three ownership groups shows that a restaurant's community standing can carry it through transitions in leadership and geography. Operators planning a sale, succession, or relocation should treat local recognition as an asset and have a qualified accountant or attorney review any transaction terms.
What happens next
The owners' 100 planned acts of giving back are to be carried out throughout the anniversary year, and a book about the restaurant is forthcoming in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Openings & Closings stories tracking how Atlanta businesses enter and leave the local market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.
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Should Atlanta do more to protect long-running local restaurants like The Colonnade?
