Waterfront Market Seeks Input on Offerings

The Waterfront Market, a new quick-service eatery preparing to open in the Torpedo Factory Arcade near City Marina, is seeking input through an online survey on what potential customers would like to see offered at the restaurant.

The survey asks what carryout food is most desirable to potential customers, what time of day customers would like the cafe to open for coffee, and what type of foods the market should carry, among several other questions.

Signs posted on the market storefront, which formerly housed the Historic Alexandria Museum Store, advertise salads, sushi, sandwiches, coffee and snacks.

Along with quick-service food, the restaurant will offer grab-n-go takeout items and home (and boat) staples like produce, ice, beer, wine, milk and bread.

The eatery and market are expected to open in September, according to The Waterfront Market website. Jody Manor, owner of Bittersweet Café, received approval from Alexandria City Council for the new market in May.

The 150-seat restaurant will have outdoor seating, including along the waterfront. Manor will pay the city a little more than $11,000 a year to lease public space long the marina for the outdoor seating.

Council unanimously approved the restaurant proposal and the outdoor seating in the spring, but Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg said she believed the three-year lease at $11,000 a year for the public space was too meager.

The public area, which currently has a few benches and lampposts and is a popular stomping ground for river gazers and pigeons, will be transformed with new outdoor seats underneath a motorized canopy awning.

The Waterfront Market survey is available by clicking here.