re: so when did Herschel's place in athens close?

Nothing has ever really survived there. It's kind of hard with Mellow being right across the hall and then Amici and Barbs and all those other bars across the street. It's odd given the prime location there on Clayton.

ETA: To that end, I'm wondering if Saucehouse on Broad is ever going to open. So many construction projects going on that need to get done before the fall, including the new apartments and shops between Hull and Lumpkin on Broad. They're also building another Cookout closer to downtown which I'm pretty stoked about.
You've also got the old location where Yoforia was next to Waffle House now open. Need to get some tenants in these places before the busy season starts up.