Another Atria’s restaurant is closing. The Pleasant Hills location will become a Juniper Grill in October.
Atria’s Facebook post said it’s a new chapter ahead. The restaurant will remain operating until the transition to Juniper Grill, a sister company. The last day for Atria’s will be Sept. 1
“We truly appreciate your loyalty to Atria’s during the many, many changes we are experiencing. Please know that you matter to us. All of the relationships, friendships, parties and family gatherings we have celebrated together,” the post said.
The majority of the employees will remain.
The plan is to re-open at Juniper Grill on Oct. 1. It’s located in Bill Green’s Shopping Center.
Patrick McDonnell, CEO of Restaurant Holdings, the parent company of Atria’s and Juniper Grill, said the demographics in that area are changing and guests are looking for more wine and spirit offerings and updated menu items.
The Pleasant Hills’ Atria’s has been a top-performing restaurant, he said, which is why they decided to transition it and not sell it, he said.
“Guests who 20 years ago were 10 years old are now 30 and looking for something different,” McDonnell said. “We’re excited for this new chapter.”
Other Juniper Grill locations are in Peters Township — the first, which opened in 2010 — Murrysville, Cranberry and a restaurant in North Carolina. He said they also plan to continue to expand Juniper Grill outside of Western Pennsylvania.
Juniper Grill “is an affordable quality dining experience, specializing in American Cuisine with a fresh Cali vibe,” according to its website.
The menu includes soup and salads, burgers, seafood, steaks, brisket and chicken as well as tacos and several side dishes.
The Atria’s in O’Hara was sold in 2023 and is now Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar.
McDonnell said at this time the Peters and Murrysville Atria’s will not have major changes. The Mt. Lebanon location will be re-branded to 1930 by Atria’s, the year the original restaurant opened. Look for that change sometime in October. The establishment will also have upgrades to its wine and spirits menu such as more bourbon options as well as food selections.
“In this business, you have to continue to do things to stay relevant,” McDonnell said. “You have to change with the times. We’ve found that Juniper Grill is attractive to everyone, young and old. We will see how things go but you have to keep refreshing.”
