Jason Shaw
From the descriptions of potential tenants of the Promenade at Virginia Gateway offered by Peterson Companies vice president Paul Weinschenk at Tuesday evening's Board of County Supervisors meeting, residents have taken to deducing with whom the developer is actively negotiating. In his presentation, Weinschenk revealed they had signed letters of intent from several restaurants and women's apparel stores. However, via social media, people seem confident that they have identified at least two of the restaurants. The restaurant with several locations in the Midwest, that Weinschenk described as "a unique concept that is affiliated with a winery" could be
Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. The company, which their website describes as "an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, and Napa-style tasting room and retail gift store…all under one roof," matches the details that Weinschenk revealed. According to the
Nation's Restaurant News, "The chain with four locations in the Chicago suburbs and one to open soon in Indianapolis plans to open one to three new stores next year through a growth facility from private-equity firm KarpReilly LLC." Weinschenk also announced that the Promenade will also include a restaurant with whom the Peterson Companies already have a relationship in Downtown Silver Springs, the Washingtonian, and the National Harbor. “These guys are more of a quick-serve restaurant; their build-out is unique, idiosyncratic, fun and sexy,” he said. “It’s a totally different way of having the sort of food product that these guys offer.” This restaurant could be Portuguese/Mozambican themed
Nando's Peri-Peri, which one contributor on Topix.com's Bristow Forum offered verification.
"Nando's was on the list they leaked earlier this year,"said "Brian" of Bristow.
While Weinschenk confirmed that Peterson Companies had discussions with Starbuck's over a drive-thru concept store, he has given few details on an upscale Italian restaurant that is new to the United States.
While none of these establishments have been confirmed as tenants of the Promenade at Virginia Gateway, until concrete information about the new lifestyle center emerges, residents will continue to speculate about potential businesses.
On Bristow Beat's Facebook page, commentators have expressed their desire for a number of restaurants and retailers including: Coastal Flats, Trader Joe's, Farm to Fork, Uncle Julio's and the Container Store.
