Another business in town that's seemed cursed to constant turnover is the former Arctic Girl drive-in at Broad and Hancock, most recently The Dogg Pound. Vanessa and Juan Molina just signed a lease for the space and plan to bring you Counter Culture Coffee therein at the end of September (knock wood).

Here's what Vanessa had to say when reached for comment: 

I’ve been in love with that building forever, I adore everything retro, drive-ins included!

We’re both children of the '60s and we appreciate that Mrs. Leach has owned the building since 1950 and had the original Arctic Girl from 1950 through 1967. We’re planning to keep the building intact and just spruce it up a little bit, adding a few things here and there, with hand painted signs by local artists.

Our menu will be coffee (we’re working with Counter Culture Coffee, which we’re super excited about), tea, fruit smoothies, handmade juice drinks, vegetarian and vegan food, and baked goods. We might have wine and beer, we’re still undecided on that point. We will be open for breakfast and lunch, possibly dinner on down the road.

We’re planning to have an outdoor Farmers Market in the old Drive-In area, where locals growers can sell fresh produce on a daily basis. And we’re also planning on having flea markets, artist markets, with music and pet adoption days. We’d love to get the community involved in every way possible and we encourage ideas!

We want it to be a happy place for everyone in Athens, and all the surrounding towns, a place where families, neighbors, old and young, can get a fantastic cup of coffee, a fresh fruit smoothie, organic vegetarian and vegan dishes and yummy desserts!

We’re hiring for all sorts of positions, and would also love to hear from local farmers, growers, etc, so please contact us...

You can email Vanessa at [email protected] to take her up on her offer. Here's to breaking curses.