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Atlanta Honors The Colonnade's 100th Anniversary

The Atlanta City Council issued a proclamation recognizing the Cheshire Bridge Road restaurant's centennial.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Low mid-century brick restaurant building with a deep awning and tall street trees across a quiet Atlanta road in warm autumn light.
Atlanta's City Council honored The Colonnade on Nov. 2 with a proclamation recognizing the Cheshire Bridge Road restaurant's 100th anniversary. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Atlanta City Council issued a proclamation honoring The Colonnade's 100th anniversary during its Nov. 2 meeting. Councilmember Alex Wan presented the proclamation, which calls the restaurant a legend, an institution, and a City of Atlanta treasure.

Why it matters

Few restaurants remain in business for a century, and The Colonnade is known for its popularity with the LGBTQ+ community and senior citizens. The honor marks a significant milestone for a long-running local institution in Atlanta.

The Colonnade has operated for 100 years, first opening on Piedmont Road in 1927 before relocating to Cheshire Bridge in 1962. Its owners, who bought the restaurant in 2024, plan 100 acts of giving back throughout the year.

The players

The Colonnade

A long-running Atlanta restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road that has operated for a century and is known for its popularity with the LGBTQ+ community and senior citizens.

Atlanta City Council

The legislative body of the City of Atlanta, which issued the proclamation honoring the restaurant's centennial.

Alex Wan

An Atlanta City Councilmember who presented the proclamation honoring The Colonnade.

Paul Donahue

A co-owner of The Colonnade, who purchased the restaurant with Lewis Jeffries in 2024 and thanked the city for the honor.

Lewis Jeffries

A co-owner of The Colonnade, who purchased the restaurant with Paul Donahue in 2024.

The details

Councilmember Alex Wan presented the proclamation during the Nov. 2 council meeting, and co-owner Paul Donahue thanked the city for the honor. Lewis Jeffries and Paul Donahue, the restaurant's third owners, purchased The Colonnade in 2024.

Timeline

  1. 1927: The Colonnade originally opened on Piedmont Road.

  2. 1962: The restaurant relocated to Cheshire Bridge.

  3. 2024: Jeffries and Donahue purchased the restaurant.

  4. Nov. 2, 2026: Atlanta City Council presented the 100th anniversary proclamation.

  5. 2027: A book about the restaurant is expected.

Legacy Business

Surviving a century in the restaurant trade is rare, and The Colonnade's relocation from Piedmont Road to Cheshire Bridge in 1962 illustrates how long-lived Atlanta establishments adapt while keeping their identity.

Atlanta diners can visit The Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge Road, a restaurant that has served the city for a century. The owners' planned 100 acts of giving back may bring community benefits throughout the coming year.

The takeaway

The Colonnade's centennial shows that longevity in the restaurant business depends on adapting to new locations and owners while retaining a loyal community. Residents who value local institutions can support them directly by dining in and participating in their community programs.

What happens next

A book about the restaurant is forthcoming in 2027, and the owners plan 100 acts of giving back throughout the year.

Further reading

For more on local business milestones, see Openings & Closings in Atlanta.

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?