Foxfire fans bid farewell to a beloved restaurant
It was a bittersweet Halloween for fans of the Foxfire Grill.
The popular restaurant at Pinecrest Plaza closed for good on Oct. 31 following a Halloween party that drew a large crowd, including many regulars in costume.
The Jesters to the Left entertained the crowd, as patrons reminisced with the friends made over the years at Foxfire and enjoyed one last meal and drink together.
In September, Foxfire owner Terri Fox announced plans to close the restaurant after Edens, the owner of Pinecrest Plaza, doubled the rent. The space has been leased to a Japanese ramen restaurant called Kajiken.
Related story; Foxfire Grill is closing
Fox opened Foxfire in 2003. “This will be the first time in 20 years that I won’t be working on New Year’s Eve,” she said. Fox would like to open a new restaurant if she can find a suitable location inside the Beltway.
“I’m very upset. I’ve been coming here for 20 years,” said Carol, who came to the Halloween party dressed as a witch. “I love it here so much.”
“This is a great place. It’s better than your mama’s kitchen,” said Donna, another longtime patron. Whenever you come, you always find someone you know, she said. “It’s better than ‘Cheers.’”
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Rachel, another regular in a witch costume, called Foxfire “a place where everyone feels included.” She lauded Terri for employing patrons’ children and hosting wine tastings and Give Back Saturdays, when part of the proceeds supported local charities.
Tammy, who’s been coming to Foxfire for 18 years, said Terri created “a community of friends – everlasting and forever.”
The owner of Pinecrest Plaza, Edens, is a heartless real estate developer who has never cared about their tenants or the local community. All they care about is trying to squeeze EVERY last dollar out of their investment. Years ago, we used to finance many of their shopping centers and negotiating with them was always an extreme challenge. Due to their enormous real estate portfolio, Edens had all the leverage and was able to get anything they wanted from their lenders. Edens carried that philosophy down to their tenants. It’s really a shame that Edens could not find middle ground with Foxfire to protect the community’s few local watering holes. Finding middle ground is not what Edens does. Doing what’s right for the community is not what Edens does. Being a self-serving, maniacal capitalist where the end always justifies the means IS what Edens does so well. They should be ashamed of themselves… but we all know they never will.
Sad to see them close for good at this location. I hope they can find another suitable location inside the beltway soon!
I’m surprised that Edens the owner of the shopping center wanted to double their rent!!
It seems it’s not about building good relationships with your tenants that have been there for years, but it’s all about money!
It’s always money
Taxes don’t go down do they?
Foxfire didn’t care if I couldn’t afford their meals…why blame a good businessman for wanting to make a profit? He doesn’t support your drinking habits.
Terri was great, and loved big dogs, and dogs were always welcome on the oitside seating area! Woof and good luck !
Could they maybe get a spot down the street in Willow Run Center? There’s been a ‘For Lease’ sign there for months. (Beg Gorden Ramsey to come help again. He would probably love it.)
We love you guys always Jim& Annie