After 25 incredible years of serving our wonderful community, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the upcoming closure of our family-owned restaurant on January 31st, 2026 due to the current economic climate and unsustainable conditions. This decision was not made lightly, but as our family looks toward a new chapter, we find it is time to say goodbye. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, laughter-filled dinners, and the privilege of being part of your celebrations and everyday moments for a quarter of a century. You have been more than customers; you have become an extended part of our family, and we will forever cherish the memories made within these walls. Thank you for the honor of serving you at the original and first Agave in the country.

(From the Owner: Jack Richard Sobel)

After managing and operating multiple restaurants in Atlanta, I opened my dream in Cabbagetown on October 13th, 2000 in the heart of Atlanta in order to bring a taste of my hometown (Albuquerque, NM) to Georgia. I completely renovated the historic Cotton Mill General store and built out two additional dining rooms along the way. We quickly became one of the highest rated restaurants in Atlanta and known as a pillar and staple in the community as we continuously supported our local neighborhoods and donated to hundreds of charities over the years.

I do take full responsibility for stepping away after decades in the business (due to medical issues and age) and entrusting others to run the restaurant the correct way, having an ownership mentality and treating each guest like a food critic which was our opening mission. I returned in late 2023 to a disaster where the restaurant was basically bankrupt and in deep debt. I could have walked away, but I felt compelled to save the jobs of 32 employees and take back over with the help of my immediate family. I immediately sold my car, my stocks and my son's college fund to put into the business to keep it going. My son, Jacob, volunteered to resign from his job as well as college at Kennesaw State University to bring the restaurant back to it's original glory. He has exceeded our expectations and through his hard work, he became our General Manager.

Since this period, I have poured all of our family resources into paying off back debt to accountants, paper and chemical suppliers and food purveyors. We have also had to put well over $100,000 into new equipment and repair deficiencies in regards to the historic building including plumbing and electrical. Also, the astronomical loss of sales due to continuous flooding that the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management can't seem to repair has been staggering.

Just when we started to see the light of day, more bad luck continued to strike as the current economics of a full service restaurant no longer make sense. We are spending thousands more per week on rent, food, liquor, insurance, accounting, utilities and all essentials.

I have not been paid in over two years, our son does not have a college fund and we are out of resources to continue unfortunately.

I am proud, however, at how we have been currently operating. We have improved the quality of food and service over the last two years and our reviews have never been better.

The most important reason I am starting this gofundme is for our incredible staff, some of whom have worked at the restaurant for decades. while they stick with us to the the end, I want to help each and every one of them financially when we close and help them navigate to new positions elsewhere. Typically, we run a big Holiday gift card deal in order to give out Holiday bonuses to the crew, but I can't in good conscience sell gift cards knowing we aren't going to make it.

Please help, not me, but our incredible staff...

Chef Jack

agave restaurant