Development News: Brewery Owners ‘Crazy Like a Fox’

What is it about the front corner retail space in the new Spectrum condominium?

The original rendering displayed at the site showed an “Anne Baylor” shop scheduled to open in Fall 2006.

Of course, that was merely the architect’s musing. Later, much later, Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant had concrete plans to open in the spot.

The recession killed that. Then we got the news that Mad Fox Brewing Company was all set to go. Mad Fox signed a letter of intent with Spectrum developer Waterford in February.

It turns out that the Mad Fox folks are crazy — like a fox. They’re ready to build the brewery as soon as they can find someone else to pay for it. Someone called an “investor.” We hear they’re not even asking at the banks, looking instead for individuals with deep pockets.

According to the City’s Economic Development Office, Mad Fox reports it’s “making great progress” in its search for those kind of people. Assuming investors come forward, Mad Fox plans a November grand opening.

Looking for somewhere to invest that inheritance? Contact Director Rick Garvin:
rick@madfoxbrewing.com

Northgate Broker ‘Beating the Bushes for Prospective Tenants’

Back in February we reported that the old Pearson Funeral Home would never see another Halloween. According to the EDO report, it was scheduled to be knocked down in March to make way for the Hekemian Northgate development.

Then in March, our contributor A.C. Miller wondered whether developer Hekemian could really find the financing in this market to begin construction. They could, and they had, we were told subsequently.

And yet — the funeral parlor still stands. Perhaps when the bulldozers begin rolling we will have a sign that the economy is turning around.

Restaurant Run-Down

Here are the latest EDO timeframes for new restaurant openings:

Flippin’ Pizza (in the Flower Building) — the sign is up, and doors should open by late May.

Foster’s Grille (in the Spectrum) — late summer.

Pizzeria Orzo (in Pearson Square Tax Analysts) — Pizza oven from Italy arriving “any day now”; then 18-week build-out should begin.

Meat in a Box, a take-out-only kabob enterprise, hopes to open in May on South Washington Street at the end of the Atlantic Marble & Granite building. (Only in America?)

Condo Countdown

Spectrum: Two residential units should be settled by end of May, bringing the total to 33. That’s 2 for May, 2 for April, 2 for March, 3 for February . . . perseverance wins the prize. The mixed-use building contains 189 units. On the commercial side, 63 percent of the office condos have been settled — not too much progress from March, when the EDO reported that 75 percent of the office condos were either sold or under contract.

Pearson Square Apartments (nee Condominiums): 93 percent leased, up from 87 percent in March.

Post Office Awaits Stamp of Approval

First it was April, then maybe May, now “sometime in June” for the new Post Office to open in the Flower Building (800 West Broad).

Wheeling & Dealing in the New Car Market

Our February story on the success of the Kia automobile (sold by Don Beyer) noted our reluctance to call the other three new car dealerships in the City to ask, how’s business? The reluctance was well-founded. In March, Koons Dodge just up and died. Fortunately for the City, the Koons family had another dealership in their back pocket and immediately moved in Koons Nissan from Arlington to occupy the premises.

So now the question is, what about International Motors on South Washington Street, the City’s Saab dealership?  We haven’t dared to ask, although clearly it rests on the fate of the Saab brand. Majority owner GM is shedding Saab at any price, and the Swedish government says it has no interest in a bailout. As Dorothy would say, “I don’t think there’s anything in that black bag for me.”

Washington Post Calls Falls Church ‘Off the Beaten Path’

The Washington Post invaded our turf while we were preoccupied with the City’s budget and other pressing matters. Tania Anderson wrote last week:

Sorry Falls Church. Route 7, which you lovingly call Broad Street, has traditionally served as a means for me to get from Alexandria to Tyson’s Corner. I’ve failed to check out the cute little shops and restaurants that line your busy, narrow corridor, some of which has a speed limit of a mere 25 mph.

Wait until Tania discovers our new red light camera on Broad. And speaking of Broad Street, I can’t swear that George Washington knew it by that name, but he sure never called it “Route 7.”

The cute little shops Tania discovered are New to You, Quinn’s Auction House, Stifel & Capra, Bedo’s Leatherworks, Penzeys Spices, and Hole in the Wall Books. All are on Broad Street except the auction house on North Maple.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Ready to Break Ground

The Planning Commission approved BJ’s site plan April 20, so it’s full speed ahead at the old Noland Bath site on Wilson Boulevard. A lot of Arlington residents and Falls Church residents alike might be surprised to know BJ’s will be inside Falls Church City limits. But hey — even if we can’t fit our elementary, middle, and high schools inside the City, at least we’ll have BJ’s.

Like Costco, BJ’s is a “members-only” kind of place. The annual fee ranges from $45 to $80, depending on the level of “benefits.” But I just received in the mail a trial membership free offer. Just one catch: BJ’s plans to open by March 2010. My free membership expires in September 2009. Just as well, because like Groucho Marx, I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.