Images: Decatur used car lot making way for standalone Athens eatery

New life is bound for a high-profile City of Decatur corner that’s been a closed, weedy former used car lot for years. 

Athens coffeehouse and restaurant concept Cafe Racer, founded in 2018, is branching out to metro Atlanta for its first location outside the Classic City at the southeast corner of East College Avenue’s intersection with Commerce Drive in Decatur. 

Demolition of former vehicle-sales offices is underway at two adjacent properties in question—541 East College Ave. and 170 Commerce Drive—where Decatur Auto Sales shuttered about four years ago, just east of Decatur’s historic downtown district. 

Cafe Racer’s motto is “Cafe + Donuts + Other Stuff Too,” and plans call for serving coffee and breakfast (including biscuits, tacos, and breakfast burritos) each day and booze and fare such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, hot dogs, and soft serve ice cream later. The business currently operates two locations in Athens, at 2343 W. Broad St. and 377 Oak St.  

In Decatur, designs by Studio BNA Architects call for a modern-style, 3,861-square-foot structure on the .67-acre property. 

According to site plans, bicycle parking, outdoor seating, turf areas, and sidewalk-adjacent landscape zones will also be part of the project. Plans call for the new building to be sited right at the corner in question, with parking largely tucked behind it. 

Café Racer successfully petitioned the Decatur City Commission last year for a special exemption to increase its maximum number of surface parking spaces from 19 up to 30, though the location is designated a mixed-use district intended to create walkable environments on pedestrian scales served by public transit.  

At the time, Cafe Racer reps argued MARTA’s Avondale station is nearby but still more than .3 miles away, suggesting the majority of patrons would drive to the restaurant. On-street parking nearby either isn’t allowed or wouldn’t be safe or aesthetically pleasing for people on foot, applicants argued in August 2025.  

“The proposed parking exception will enhance public safety and traffic on public streets by ensuring patrons of the proposed restaurant have ample parking spaces, so as not to [queue] into Commerce Drive,” applicants wrote. “Furthermore, the traffic pattern established by the parking lot will facilitate a smooth flow through the [café property].” 

Head up to the gallery for more context and visuals.

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