Former Le Café Hinds Spot Reopens as Olivia's Café

Restaurants are a tricky business.

Anderson "J.J." Hinds, knows that all too well.

The French-trained chef opened up Le Café Hinds at the corner of Stokeswood and Portland avenues and operated it for several years before closing it.

At the time, he said price points for the meals were a little out of whack for the neighborhood and staffing had been an issue.

The economy didn't help either.

Now, after several years, he's reopened the spot calling it Olivia's Café — named for his daughter — specializing in healthy, French-inspired breakfast and brunch fare.

East Atlanta Village in the last 10 years has seen plenty of change and growth, he said in a recent interview. It's that growth fueled by newcomers and patrons from other neighborhoods, that spurred Hinds' decision to reopen.

He's also looked at other restaurants that have come and gone, saying those closures and have given him a better understanding of what works and what doesn't and what the Village can support.

Indeed, East Atlanta Village has seen its fair share of hot spots go from sizzle to fizzle over the years.

The spot at Glenwood and Haas avenues was formerly the home of Iris.

Then Crave. Then Haas Bar. All three closed for various reasons — ranging from price point for the neighborhood to service — before the very popular and successful Holy Taco called that location home.

Just a block away, at the southeast corner of Flat Shoals and Glenwood avenues is another shuttered spot.

Home to a Jamaican pastry shop 10 years ago, the store gave way to Honey's Kitchen, then Kasan Red and most recently, Chazz Southern Cooking, which opened last year only to close a little more than a month ago.

Focusing on breakfast brunch and now, dinner, just a few days a week, Hinds said he's learned from his previous efforts and has a better read on the economy.

Now, he said, with the economy rebounding, is the time to reopen.