Diddy
Closes Justin's Restaurant in Atlanta
After
14 years the music mogul shuts the doors at his popular
eatery.
The
lights are out at Diddy's restaurant,
Justin's in Altanta. The 14-year-old eatery has closed
business for good, reports Access Atlanta. A
spokesperson at Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group
confirmed the closure saying the company will pursue "other
business ventures in music, television, fashion, fragrance
and spirits."


Diddy
founded Justin's, named after his first-born son, in New
York City in 1997. The Atlanta branch opened up the
following year. 


The restaurant, which often hosted many big-name events,
wasn't without its troubles. In July 2011, Diddy was sued after
music executive Tony Austin, a
patron of the Atlanta eatery, was shot in the parking lot.
Austin, former A&R for Def Jam and President of Russell
Simmons Music Group, says he was in his car listening to
music with another man when someone opened fire on the
vehicle. Austin alleged that the proprietors of Justin's
were aware of "dangerous and hazardous conditions" at the
establishment, but failed to provide accurate warning or
security protection. 


The original New York branch of Justin's closed in 2007
after 10 years in business due to a need for a larger
restaurant in the NYC area. A new location was never
opened. 


The restaurant's namesake, Justin Combs, has
been making headlines of his own of late,
as he's been criticized for accepting an athletic
scholarship from UCLA worth $54,000 a year. Some have
complained that because the standout student athlete is the
son of Diddy, who's worth $550 million, he doesn't need the
scholarship and should therefore return it.