Saltyard is under new ownership. Chef Nick Leahy has sold the restaurant, located at 1820 Peachtree Road in south Buckhead, to Lee Schulman, as first reported by Eater. Schulman is the owner of Old Vinings Inn.
Leahy made the move to focus on two dining concepts that he plans to open in West Midtown this fall. The twin ventures, French restaurant Aix and adjoining wine bar Tin Tin, will be located in the Stockyards complex at 976 Brady Ave.
"It frees me up to focus on the new projects, which is going to be a big undertaking," Leahy said. "It's a good move if I step back and take a look at the big picture. I put a lot of time, effort and love into that place. It's a chance to step back and focus and hit a home run with Aix and Tin Tin."
Leahy said that opted to sell to Schulman because Schulman is "someone that I had confidence in, who would take care of the staff and keep Saltyard open and moving forward. His plan is to keep Saltyard as it is, with the same staff, the same menu," Leahy said.
Leahy opened Saltyard in 2013 with business partners Christian and Kristy Favalli. The trio had previously worked together at Two Urban Licks. Leahy became sole owner of Saltyard last year.
Old Vinings Inn executive chef Chris Lee will serve oversee culinary operations at both restaurants, Eater reports.
The news comes just a few weeks after the announcement that neighboring restaurant Watershed had undergone a change in ownership, with Ross Jones and Emily Saliers (of music duo the Indigo Girls) selling the Southern dining concept to former Bluetop and Portofino executive chef Matt Marcus. He briefly closed the restaurant to make interior changes and revamp the menus.
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