Duck Chang’s will stay in Annandale
After months of uncertainty, Duck Chang’s restaurant has secured a new five-year lease with an option for a five-year extension.
In late 2021, owner Peter Chang learned that the new owner of the retail center – identified only as 4415 John Marr LLC – was requiring him to totally renovate his restaurant or leave when his lease expires in August 2022.
4415 John Marr is planning to put a Mega Mart grocery store in the former Party Co. and AnnSandra space. AnnSandra relocated to Bethesda in March.
A vape shop is expected to open in the spot next to Duck Chang’s formerly occupied by Annandale Cleaners.
Duck Chang’s, an Annandale fixture for over 46 years, specializes in Peking duck.
Peter Chang is happy he will be able to stay in the same space in Annandale. “The big monkey’s off our back,” he said, noting he won’t have to go through the expense of finding another vacant storefront and moving.
However, the process could have been handled better, he says.
Related story: Duck Chang’s faces an uncertain future
To date, Chang has not had any direct conversations with the landlord or the new property manager. In the months since the shopping center was sold, and even when he faced eviction and the new lease was offered, “no one has actually reached out to us,” he said.
He credits Re/Max agent Mike Marcey for establishing communications with the landlord and working out the new lease.
When Chang faced the possibility of having to totally renovate the restaurant, his son launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $50,000.
According to the new agreement, Chang is no longer required to totally renovate the restaurant. He is planning to use the GoFundMe contributions – which will be treated as income and thus taxable – for interior cosmetic improvements, including repairing the bathrooms, fixing up the reception area, and installing new ceiling tiles and lighting in the kitchen.
Soaring prices for contractors, however, mean the money won’t go as far as anticipated. “We have a lot on our plate trying to figure things out,” he says.
Chang is also concerned that “it looks like the landlord won’t put in the Mega Mart for another year or so.” Meanwhile, “the shopping center will look dead. That is very disturbing for me at the moment.”
Chang appreciates the support from his customers. “It was heartwarming. I felt the love from the community.”
Yay!
I will eat here soon to support, the owner is awesome and will talk to you about his restaurant, very friendly.
Good news!
This family business is an important part of Annandale’s economy and cuisine scene. Thanks for sharing this positive news, AT!
Wonderful! However a nasty vape shop next door? I hope fumes don’t filter in through the HVAC system.
that is now 2 smoking related businesses almost within sight of each other, the other is by Juke Box diner that just opened a month or so ago. Annandale, we can do better………
more vape shops!
Definitely need more Vape shops to increase competition and drive down prices.
In the current economy, vaping is being utilized more than ever for stress relief.
Certainly vaping is better than other more quick acting but much more deadly alternatives.
Sad, but true.
Susie, the libertarian economist made my day!
Wonderful news
So glad to hear. I’ve been eating there for years and everyone I’ve recommended them to is pretty much a lover of Duck’s!!!
We beed to get rid od the vape shops. They make the sre look trashy.
Holy Duck! I was hoping their location wouldn’t chang.
this new vape shop is almost within seeing distance of the new one that opened a month or so ago near the diner- two within a block of each other. Annandale, we can do better than this………..
Who is doing all the vaping? There are a ton of vape shops in Annandale & you can buy stuff at gas stations and possibly grocery stores, so how is there enough of a market? I read where it’s now seen as actually worse than cigarette smoking. And the fruity and minty flavors are being banned to discourage teens & preteens from taking up the habit. Or are some of them fronts for even less savory businesses?
what you read is wrong.
Yeeeeehsssss. I am so glad you are staying, Pete.
I will be there soon
I’m so pleased to learn that Duck Chang’s Restaurant will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Congratulations to Peter and his family and thank you Mike Marcey of Re/Max.