Potential Tenant For Old Village Wharf Site
Large restaurant lot at Hollin Hall Shopping Center has been vacant for over a year
Photos
Demolition crews working inside the old Village Wharf restaurant stirred interest Monday in a site that's sat vacant in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center since November 2010.
As Delano Demolition worked inside to remove pieces from the site, site property manager Alex Medellin told Patch he's in the process of finding a new, long-term tenant.
"It may be a bistro-type restaurant," Medellin told a curious couple passing by. "We're not sure until the ink dries on the contract."
Medellin wouldn't reveal the potential new tenant because a final deal hasn't been reached. However, he said he wants to make sure they find the right tenant.
"I know everybody's hungry for a really nice place, but we've been very careful about waiting to get the right place for everybody," Medellin said. "We want a family type restaurant."
Regardless of what replaces the Village Wharf, Medellin said some work is needed on the site.
"We're cleaning it up for another restaurant," Medellin said.
Since it's closure, the Fort Hunt community has widely discussed what would replace the Village Wharf and when.
Mike Smith
10:10 pm on Monday, January 9, 2012
I'm really happy to read this and hope they announce the new owners soon. While they say they want a "family restaurant" I really hope that's true and they select an owner that appeals to all with affordable food and drinks. I'm still holding out hope for Glory Days though. Glory Days does a lot for the community and would be a great fit!!!
Marsha Douglas
10:30 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
My husband has been saying the same thing since the Village Wharf closed that Glory Days would be a perfect fit.
monkeyrotica
6:58 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A "family-type" "bistro-type" restaurant? If they can pull that off, more power to them. I'd be happy if they just weren't horrible. Every year, we'd try The Wharf to see if it had improved. It never did.
Jennifer Hemingway
8:27 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Bistro family restaurant? Okay... Just make sure they have (1) friendly, quality service, (2) good food, (3) an ABC license. They'll need all three to survive.
ET1221
1:51 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
I am so happy to see action again at the location! The entire community is waiting anxiously. We too would love to see a Glory Days-type place in there... Good family food, drinks, a big sports screen(s), a place for friends and family to gather, maybe a place for local musicians to perform in the evenings... A Bistro? Maybe, but that term worries me.
Curveball
4:20 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A question about journalistic style:
In the initial quote, you gave this attribution: Medellin told a curious couple passing by.
Was Medellin informed at the time that his comments were for this article?
If not, you're not doing it right.
Brian C. Krebs
2:30 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
Curveball, yes. I was interviewing Medellin on the record when he stopped to talk to the couple. I reiterated to him what he said to them after he returned to my questioning.
Thanks for reading.
Bethany Peterson Ming
12:35 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
What happened to the tables inside? One was from the Liberty Ship John Brown that my father served on in the Merchant Marines. I'd love to get that table, at least the top and the John Brown plaque that was on it. It would bring back a lot of good memories for my 83 year old dad. Thanks, Bethany Ming
ET1221
9:21 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
Didn't they have an auction of some sort last year? I was concerned about the big sailfish/marlin, which used to hang in the High's (now 7-11) across the way for many years. The woodwork, tables, lamps, and all were mostly gathered from boats and wharves. I found that fascinating and very charming! Unfortunately the auction went on without any real local notice that I was aware of.
Mike Smith
11:14 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
I stopped by this weekend and noticed that they've gutted the room closest to the bank. They've also moved all of the tables and kitchen appliances into the room closest to the Rite Aid. It's amazing how big the space actually is. Hopefully they'll continue to make progress on the site and will fill it with a new tenant before the spring!!!
ET1221
12:17 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wonder what they are doing or have done with all that woodwork/beams/tables? Hope it has been donated or reused somewhere and not just thrown out. That would be tragic.
Mike Smith
10:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I heard a rumor that the new restaurant will be called River Bend. I'm not sure if this is true but hopefully Brian or Beth at the Patch can confirm the rumors with the management company.
Mike Smith
11:07 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Brian - Just following up to see if you've heard anything more on the new restaurant?