Last of a Kind: Atlanta Restaurateur Sells Iconic Fine Dining Establishments

Ray Schoenbaum, the acclaimed owner of three landmark fine dining restaurants, has announced his retirement and sale of his restaurants, marking the end of an era for Atlanta’s culinary landscape. On Wednesday, metro Atlantans nostalgically waved farewell to an iconic chapter in the city’s gastronomic scene.

The originator of Ray’s on the River, Ray’s in the City, and Ray’s at Killer Creek, Schoenbaum, announced his retirement and sale of his restaurants to Kennesaw, GA-based TEI Hospitality. The news marks a new chapter for these treasured restaurants and their loyal customers, albeit the details of the purchase remain under wraps until its finalization.

Retirement is the culmination of Schoenbaum’s lifetime passion for hospitality and cuisine. Schoenbaum has been lauded for his dedication to quality, service, and community participation since launching Ray’s on the River in 1984.

Along the Chattahoochee River, Ray’s on the River has offered a retreat from city life with its beauty and refinement. The restaurant has been associated with romantic feasts and milestone celebrations for generations of Atlantans.

He brought his exquisite food and great hospitality to downtown Atlanta and Alpharetta with Ray’s in the City and Ray’s at Killer Creek, solidifying Schoenbaum’s culinary legacy. Each site is distinct in its ambiance and environment, but all share a commitment to excellence and an exceptional dining experience.

These renowned enterprises’ fates are uncertain when ownership changes. Ray Schoenbaum’s legacy and devotion to culinary quality will live on in Atlanta and beyond, regardless of whether the restaurants’ names will change.

During farewells and thoughts, thankfulness for Schoenbaum’s culinary talents and memories is felt. As Atlanta bids farewell to one chapter, TEI Hospitality prepares to uphold Schoenbaum’s traditions and ideals while setting a new direction for these cherished institutions.