A notable building along North Main Street is getting ready for a new chapter. Chamblee Tap and Market has entered into an agreement to purchase the historic J. G. Lewis Building (Collier Building) at 2881 N Main Street, a three-story brick structure that has watched Downtown Kennesaw change for more than a century.
The agreement was formally approved during the April 15, 2026 meeting of the Kennesaw Development Authority. A motion to authorize the purchase and move forward with closing passed with a unanimous 5-0 vote, clearing the path for the deal to proceed.
The J. G. Lewis Building itself is hard to miss. Â The roughly 10,300 square foot building spans three stories and sits right in the Central Business District. It has seen partial renovation work over the years, including an opened-up ground floor and the early stages of upper-level buildout.
The building is named in honor of James “Glen” Lewis, a prominent local businessman and former Kennesaw mayor who originally built the three-story brick structure in 1903. However, for much of the mid-to-late 20th century, it housed Collier Parts, a beloved local hardware and auto parts store. Although the shop closed in 1996 and the building sat vacant for the next three decades, generations of residents still remember it as the Collier Building.
City leaders have long viewed the site as a strong candidate for a mixed-use setup. The ground floor is well suited for public-facing uses like dining or retail, while the upper floors have flexibility for office space or residential-style layouts. It is a building that can stay busy morning to night if handled right.
The building is within walking distance of several established restaurants and bars, along with the United Bankshares Amphitheater, which regularly draws large crowds for concerts and events. That steady foot traffic can turn the right concept into a reliable stop before or after a show.
Parking, often the sticking point in older downtown areas, has also been part of the conversation. The City of Kennesaw has indicated a willingness to support redevelopment with nearby parking options, helping smooth out one of the more practical challenges tied to older properties.
While full details on the concept have not been publicly shared, the incoming operator already runs a location in Chamblee. That track record offers a clue at what could take shape here, with a food-and-drink focused concept that fits comfortably into a walkable downtown setting.
A local twist on the name would not be surprising either. A shift to something like “Kennesaw Tap and Market” would keep the identity intact while giving it a bit of hometown flavor. Nothing has been confirmed on that front, but it would not be the strangest rebrand Main Street has seen.
There is also another addition on the horizon. Reformation Brewery plans to open a new location in a new building a few doors down at the northwest corner of Main Street and J.O. Stephenson Avenue, with an anticipated debut in 2027. The brewery is known for its craft beer, spirits, and an easygoing setup that keeps people hanging around longer than planned. Put the two projects together, and this section of Main Street could soon have a lot more energy, especially on nights when the amphitheater is in full swing.
For now, the approval is the beginning of the transition from long-standing structure to something new. The building has already lasted well over a hundred years. With the right approach, it may end up becoming one of the more interesting stops in Downtown Kennesaw’s next phase.
Address:
2881 N Main St
Kennesaw, GA 30144
