Tarina Hodges has spent the last few years selling gourmet hot dogs from a pop-up. On Aug. 7, Pepper's Hotdogs moves into its first permanent location, a ground-floor space in the Flatiron Building at 84 Peachtree St. Hodges plans to host a grand opening celebration on Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., to mark the milestone for her small business.
Regular hours at the new spot will be Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A pop-up that kept growing
Hodges started Pepper's in 2022, and the pop-up is still running in its fourth year. This spring brought a bigger stage: in April, Pepper's opened a stand at the Outfield Market at Truist Park, home of the Braves, where it served an exclusive ATL Dog. Hodges had been hunting for a permanent home for some time before the Flatiron Building on Peachtree Street emerged as the right fit.
She pointed to the location itself as part of the draw, describing downtown as central and historic, and noting the building sits across from Georgia State University. "It's walkable, connected, and there's a real sense of energy and growth happening downtown. I wanted Pepper's to be part of that movement," Hodges said.
Timing that lined up on its own
The opening lands in the middle of Black Restaurant Week, which begins Aug. 3 and continues through Aug. 17. Hodges told Rough Draft the overlap was not by design. "It actually wasn't planned that way, but the timing couldn't be more perfect," she said, adding that opening during the event feels like a full-circle moment that reflects what Pepper's stands for.
That connection goes back a few years. Hodges first took part in Black Restaurant Week in 2023, seeing it as a chance to join something that celebrates and supports Black-owned food businesses, and as a way to introduce her brand to the city. She is now entering her third year as a participant.
What to expect on the menu
According to Hodges, the new location will feature an expanded menu compared with the pop-up, with premium hot dogs, a turkey burger, melts and sides. Diners can also expect a build-your-own-dogs section with topping options such as caramelized onions, turkey chili and truffle aioli.
Hodges also plans a rotating hot dog of the month at the Flatiron location. The first one, in August, is an elote dog.
A home in Atlanta's oldest skyscraper
The Flatiron Building, now known as Flatiron City, opened in 1897 and holds the title of Atlanta's oldest skyscraper. Today it houses offices and workspaces along with a Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee location. Pepper's will share the ground floor with the coffee shop, right next door.
Hodges does not see the Flatiron as the last stop. She said she sees more brick-and-mortar locations ahead and wants Pepper's to build a strong presence across Atlanta and beyond. "This is just the beginning," she said.
Reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.