Business
Business

Why might a $3B intown Atlanta empire move to the burbs?

By Matt Kempner
Oct 9, 2015

Charlie Loudermilk and his son, Robin, are two of Buckhead’s biggest boosters.

But now Aaron's, the rent-to-own empire launched by the father and once led by the son, is planning to move from its tower in the Buckhead Village to Cobb County, according to Robin Loudermilk. He has his own, somewhat surprising thoughts about the plan.

Aaron’s isn’t commenting.

Aaron's founder Charlie Loudermilk, 87, surprised Aaron's employees at the company's annual National Managers Meeting in New Orleans.
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Founder Charlie Loudermilk surprised Aaron’s employees at the company’s annual National Managers Meeting in New Orleans.

The elder Loudermilk is "Mr. Buckhead," according to Sam Massell, the president of the Buckhead Coalition, an elite business group founded by Charlie Loudermilk. But the Loudermilks are no longer on Aaron's board or leading the business.

“This would never have happened if he was still CEO,” Massell said of Charlie.

Find out more about what may be behind the potential move, in the latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

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