Reviewed by: Patience Itson
See Faulkner University’s demolition on Atlanta Highway + what’s next
Reading time: 2 minutes
Have you noticed the old Montgomery East Plaza along Atlanta Highway looks a little different lately? Faulkner University is continuing to revitalize the former shopping center it purchased back in 2020.
The latest phase of work brings noticeable changes to the property: the distinctive two-story structure at 5485 Atlanta Hwy., which long housed Root Salon and other local businesses, has been demolished.
Faulkner University demolishes former Root Salon building
All that remained of the multi-use building in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 was the concrete slab. The structure was constructed in 1987, according to ARC Realty, which marketed and sold the commercial property to Faulkner University this summer for $535,000.
City records show a demolition permit was issued earlier this month and crews with Jettison Environmental, LLC expect to finish site cleanup this week.
While there are no immediate construction plans announced for the specific footprint, clearing the building increases visibility for Faulkner’s state-of-the-art College of Health Sciences, which is housed in the former Burlington Coat Factory space.
What’s open + coming to the Atlanta Hwy site in Montgomery
Several tenants have relocated as Faulkner University continues redeveloping the shopping center. The Montgomery County East Satellite Probate Office closed in 2025 and workers are currently prepping the space for a new nursing simulation lab.
Today, only a handful of businesses remain open at the Faulkner University-anchored site:
- Mr. Chen’s Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market
- Lek’s Taste of Thailand
- Beauty & Beyond (set to move across the street)
What memories do you have of the old Montgomery East Plaza and what would you love to see Faulkner University bring to the plaza next? Tell us your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram.
