Depressed economy or not, people have to eat. And Smyrna-Vinings Patch is no exception to this rule as a new crop of restaurants takes root in the area including a bagel shop, two new cafes and a Caribbean grill.

The Akers Mill area readies itself for three new restaurants in 2012. The Brooklyn Water Bagel Company is set to bring its franchise to the area later this spring. The Boca Raton-based casual eatery will open in the former Soup Garden location at 2945 Cobb Parkway.

Brooklyn Water Bagel Company operates under the philosophy that the most important ingredient needed to make bagels is water. That’s why the company uses a 14-step process to “Brooklynize” the water for that fresh from the borough taste.

The bagel shop isn’t the only eatery coming to Akers Mill. Zoë’s Kitchen is moving in down the street next to the Vitamin Shoppe along Cobb Parkway. The restaurant will occupy the former Krispy Kreme Donuts location, which has been vacant since the 1990s. Based in Birmingham, Zoë’s Kitchen at Akers Mill will be one of three new Georgia locations. The café offers soups, salads and sandwiches made from fresh ingredients.

Construction of Pollo Tropical continues in the Akers Mill shopping center at 2955 Cobb Parkway. The restaurant specializes in Caribbean dishes like grilled chicken, mojo pork and guava barbecue ribs. This continues the South Florida-based chain's return to the state (a location opened in Lawrenceville this past summer) after three establishments closed in Georgia more than 15 years ago.

The Grape in Vinings Jubilee closed its doors at the end of 2011, but the space won’t stay empty long. Café at Pharr has announced that it will open its fifth location in the space. There are currently locations in Buckhead, Chastain and Miami Circle with a Brookhaven spot on the way.