I’m not questioning what Ms. Orr told you – and it might be technically correct since we never got to the point where they would continue operating at a reduced rent – but I was in meetings where we talked about various levels of reduced rent that would be acceptable and I’m fairly certain those offers were extended to the Two Sisters and their prospective purchasers.

I’m not sure at what point it occurred, but at this point the land is actually owned by the EDA and not the City so the topic came up at most of our monthly meetings over the past 5-6 months.

I do know that the agreement had some kind of clause that could require them to vacate with 30 or 45 days or something – in the event that the City Center project got under way. I imagine an operation like the Post Office would need to proactively avoid being in that kind of situation (hence their move) – but the Two Sisters would have been able to move with such short notice. I could be wrong, but I’m almost certain that the City and the EDA never asked Two Sisters to vacate.

Also, while I’m fact checking, the City only owns the Post Office parking lot, not the building (it is privately owned). It is kind of entertaining to think that back in the summer of 2006 people thought City Center construction would start sometime in 2007 – oh well.

At some point I’m probably treading on details that aren’t supposed to be public so I’ll wrap it up by saying that I really don’t think the Two Sisters closed shop because the City or EDA was trying to force them to close shop, and I know the EDA has been working for months to try and keep something located there (it’s one of the few sources of revenue for the EDA – we need every penny we can get).

Regarding the first point, co-owner Sandra Orr stated to me personally that the City never reduced her rent.

Regarding the second point, before you joined the EDA and before the Falls Church Times existed, Nick Benton reported the following in the Aug. 23, 2006, News-Press: “The U.S. Post Office in the downtown 300 block of W. Broad Street has been officially notified by the City of Falls Church that it must be prepared to move by sometime in the spring.” The story implies that the adjoining 2 Sisters Coffee Co. would also have to move by the end of 2007.

You can read that story at:
http://www.fcnp.com/follow-the-news-press-on-twitter/137-post-office-told-by-fc-to-move-by-spring-as-city-center-plan-readied.html

In fact, the EDA tried to keep them operating in that location and even offered to work with potential new owners to make a transaction viable.

I’m bummed they’re gone!

By the way, the lot is for rent. If anyone is interested they should call 703-248-5491.