Business & Tech

Waterfront Restaurant Proposed for King Street

City staff are recommending approval of a new restaurant at the foot of King Street that would include outdoor dining.

Old Town Alexandria businessman Jody Manor is proposing to open a restaurant on the Union Street waterfront at the corner of the unit block of King Street by the Torpedo Factory.

The space is currently occupied by the City of Alexandria’s Old Historic Alexandria museum store.

The restaurant  — open breakfast through dinner — would have 76 indoor seats as well as 20 outdoor spots along King Street and 54 seats along the city marina plaza area.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Wine and beer would be available for on- and off-premise sales.

The store would have large-screen televisions behind the counter for entertainment and kiosks with Old Town marketing information. Office of Historic Alexandria retail items also would be located in the space, according to the applicant, Waterfront Market LLC.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Manor is also the owner of the Bittersweet Café and the chairman of the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association board of governors. The business partner listed on the application is Orawan Jitwiwat.

Waterfront Café's owners are proposing to install two new doors as well as a stoop, signage and new awnings. Any exterior changes to the spots at 101 and 107 N. Union St. would be subject to approval by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) and the matter is currently on the BAR’s May 15 docket.

The Planning Commission must review the proposal to use part of the city marina for outdoor dining and is expected to consider the issue Tuesday evening at its regularly scheduled meeting.

City staff is recommending approval of the new restaurant. City Council is scheduled for discussion and a vote on it May 18.

At least one person who frequents King Street opposes the outdoor dining portion of the restaurant although supports the general proposal.

Robin Marquis wrote the Planning Commission opposing the idea, saying "the waterfront is crowded enough without removing 800+ square feet of walking space." Marquis added that diners often tie up their dogs while enjoying dining outdoors making navigation difficult.

"Another issue to consider is the fowl population on the waterfront" which may encroach on the walkways should a restaurant be positioned there.

  • Interested in signing up for the Old Town Alexandria Patch free, daily email newsletter? Find out more here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here