Summers Restaurant is going to lose their lease this Jan and go on a month to month basis. The landlord wants to turn the place into a McDonalds. Several SEs are working on some strategies with Arlington community leaders to try to save the place so will let you know how you can help. Besides the soccer community, there are tons of other sports fans and community groups who use Summers as a gathering place (oh yeah and regular folks eat there!) In the meantime Joe is looking at other spaces in the Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon corridor (and he'd be open to NW DC). If anyone has any leads on a space he needs 5,000 sq feet with exhaust access for grills and roof access for satellite dishes. He is working with a real estate agent but would appreciate any help. Summers # is (703) 528-8278. K
I agree. As someone who lives a block up clarendon blvd from Summers, I do NOT want a crappy Mcdonalds, increasing traffic and stuff. I don't really go to Summers, but at least it doesn't have a noisy, crowded drive thru.... so I say, SAVE SUMMERS.
Is this a sure thing?? I'm not a huge fan of Summer's, but I really dislike the thought of losing one of the area's most Soccer-friendly establishments to a McDonald's. However, assuming that a new location (in the same general area) is found, I'm thinking it could be a good thing. One of the reasons that I don't go to Summers much is because I feel like I'm at a Denny's instead of a bar. A new location might be a chance to create a new Summer's with the same ol' footy but a better place to hang. Don't know if others agree, but that's my take.
Hopefully the new place will be close to the Metro, too. Not having to drive home from Summers is a big plus for me.
The viewing party DCU held at Georgetown Station was awesome. I think it all comes down to supporting whatever establishment caters to us "soccer lunatics" A place a little further away from the Arlington jail and courthouse wouldn't hurt my feelings either.
It's actually more complicated than that. It's my understanding that that whole block is quite likely going to be redeveloped in the next couple of years. When I learned this I expressed concern and was told that Summers should be safe for a year or two. There was no mention made of a Mcdonald's. The scheme I heard involved the entire block. I believe that the owner of the land has several options for redevelopment. I guess my point is that everything is up in the air as to what is going to happen to the property and when. However, it's certain that eventually Summers will need a new home. But you didn't hear it from me.
Joe wants to renovate (it's been 20 years) but because the landlord wants to develope the space differently he told Joe no. I believe eventually the entire block will be sold and turned into an office building (almost every block there is). If Joe moves it takes about 9 months to a year to build out a place so people would have to watch their games elsewhere (and then there's the risk they won't come back). I would think he'd like to have a new place ready before having to move. K
I imagine he's including design time in this estimate. There's no conceivable reason why a 5000 SF restaurant fit-out should take that long. If he hires a top class architect <ahem>, he'd have all the pitfalls worked out in advance. A similarly scaled restaurant/pub in my building started their fit-out about a month ago, and I'd say they have about 3 weeks until they're ready to open. They also had the whole thing (everything from exterior woodwork and signage down to the 'authentic' Irish antiques for the decor) shipped over on a container ship from Dublin.
Yeah, I would guess it would depend on the state of the space he'd move into and what he wanted to do. K
Lease negotiations alone can take months. Actual construction really shouldn't take long but the permitting process in Arlington can be challenging. I think Kim's timeline of a 9 months to a year is probably right on.
I agree, the point of my post was that people would likely still be going to the current location while the design and lease negotiations were taking place. Ideally, Joe could figure out a way to fund his operations and the new lease and fit-out, thereby eliminating a time without service.
My girfriend lives 2 blocks from there. Believe me, everything over there is going to go soon. It's a shame too, because what made that area "cool" to live in is getting priced out the market.
Yeah. Now that all the people moved there to patronize the cool restaurants, things are going to change to fast food. Maybe McDonald's can put a television in where we can watch soccer?
Unless that place folds and Joe could move in, no. After the guy who tried to organize those WC viewings got fired, they wanted no part of soccer fans. They want to be a swanky nightclub and function hall for weddings, etc. (Which is fine, whatever). K
What happened exactly? Was the guy fired because he tried to organize WC viewings? If so, I would like to know more. Tim
Summers punching out. That would blow big time. That place is a icon. Named one of the top five sports bars in the area and Number one for soccer on the east coast. I live in Arlington North and live 4 blocks from Summers. That place is the main reason I like living here. I spend a lot of time watching sports there and hanging out because I have no life I'm a Summers regular. Thinking of putting a CrapRonalds there? There is already a Pizza Slut, Slugway, Taco Smell, Boston Market and Wendys there. Fast food overkill. What a disgrace, famous Summers ousted for a McDonalds and greed. Times do change and Summers being there 20 years is more than the average restaurant stays in business. So they lasted well over the average time. I hope Joe, the staff (Mark, Chris, Johnny, etc) and Summers management find a spot in N. Virginia hopefully near a metro. It will be the new, larger and improved Summers. Not that it is not good now. Find a spot where sports is appreciated in this town.
Clarendon/Courthouse is going downhill I've lived in the Clarendon/Courthouse area for almost ten years and the whole area hit its peak one or two years ago. Now it's turning into another Ballston/Chevy Chase. Once all the little mom & pop places are run out by office buildings and Crate & Barrels then all you'll have left are skyscrapers and Mercedes SUVs. Everything that makes Clarendon/Courthouse a cool and fun area is going to have to give way to relentless march of Starbucks, McDonalds and Gap.
Re: Clarendon/Courthouse is going downhill While I agree with your basic sentiments, I have to point out that Ballston and Chevy Chase have dramatically different characters and demographics. Also, retail development in Clarendon is much further along (and much more upscale) than Ballston.
thats too bad. i saw a few matches there (Leeds whompin WBA, and Chelsea v Scum) during my brief spell living in DC. seemed like a nice place.
I thought Mcdonalds over built and that is the reason for the down turn in there profits. How busy is the wendys around the corner. Does it warrant another fastfood. I live right there for a couple of years. The level of clientail must be getting lower to have a micky DEES move in. cheers