Foxfire Grill is closing
Foxfire Grill, a neighborhood restaurant on Little River Turnpike in Pinecrest Plaza, is closing. The last day will be Oct. 31.
The lease was up and Edens, the owner of the shopping center, doubled the rent, reports Foxfire Manager Jeff Ammons. While the lease renewal negotiations were going on, Eden informed Foxfire owner Terri Fox that they leased the space to another restaurant.
Ammons heard the new tenant is a franchise ramen place, but isn’t sure.
He doesn’t know if Foxfire Grill will reopen in a new location. “We’re still in shock,” he said.
Related story: Foxfire Grill gets a makeover for Food Network show
Foxfire Grill opened in 2003. “It’s weird that we came through everything in the past few years, including Covid and the economic downturn; we survived for 20 years, and this ends it,” Ammons said.
In 2019, the restaurant got a makeover on the reality show “Restaurant: Impossible,” resulting in an upgraded interior and new menu items.
“We met our goals; we’re bringing in new customers,” Ammons said. “It seems like everyone is pushing mom-and-pop stores out.”
“Our community is so compassionate,” he said. “We’re like family. Most customers are repeat customers. We’re very thankful for them.”
The staff is working on some kind of special event for the last day.
This majorly sucks – Foxfire is awesome. Ramen would be a disappointing replacement in my opinion.
It seems like every business that was located in Pinecrest Plaza eventually closes because the owner of Pinecrest Plaza, Edens, increases the rent beyond any reasonable limit. Edens’swebsite at https://edens.com/.
In a March 2023, ULI (Urban Land Institute) did a survey of what makes a successful retail center, the CEO of Edens commercial property, Jodie McLean, is quoted as saying —
“Retail really serves as a community gathering space. What we focus on more than anything is how can we think about a community and connect with its most engaged citizens.” JODIE W. MCLEAN,
CEO, EDENS
To me, Edens’ focus is money.
I’m sorry about Fire Fox because it is a great restaurant. I hope they can find a new space for the restaurant.
It’s extremely disappointing to me that the property managers leased the property out from under foxfire, but furthermore, it is a bad choice to bring in ramen. First it hurts existing tenants in the plaza, but the market nearby is over saturated with ramen and other similar foods. This had the opportunity to bring new food demographics to the areas, and instead brings in the same
As a restaurant owner, most restaurants who survive the first 3 years, don’t make it after 20 years (which is when all the options for renewal expires). During which time, 3% escalation is compounded annually. Hence the double. Sorry to see you go.
This is interesting and disturbing.
Know what helps when dealing with razor thin margins and compounded rent? Pasta.
I’m not sure that the blue or white collar folks in Springfield will pay a premium for pasta. My guess is that they won’t. With the taco place, burger place, firehouse subs, a ramen will need a strong value proposition to stay afloat. Maybe they can serve farmed tilapia from China.
The rents are too high. I do hope they stay in Annandale. It’s tough losing restaurants/retail. Owning a restaurant through and post-pandemic sounds stressful.
It’s still a busy shopping center and it has been resistant. Ramen could compliment that. Akeno is busy as is Taco Rock. Other restaurants on that corner is no-brainer.
Taco Rock is gross.
Maybe there would be room for them in the new development proposed for the old K Mart site. That would be a wonderful amenity and a great location.
Too many “youths” there to draw any number of families on a regular basis to make that massive place float.
Hey Jodie McLean, your comment about community doesn’t hold water with me. It’s all about $$$s. Disgusting!!!!
Nice Restaurant Foxfire Grill
Doubled the lease — Not Nice Eden – YOU should Be Ashamed Of Yourself
Foxfire check where Dogwoods was at Seven Corners — Seven ON the Barcroft Lake Side
I call BS and identify all those complaining about Eden’s doubling the rent after 20 years, blatant hypocrites.
If any of those complaining individuals own a home, and they are able to sell the home for twice what they paid for it, or more, I am convinced they would do it, and would self-righteously claim they have every right to do it. Even though, in doing so, they are pricing out those who are less fortunate who do not have the money for a downpayment or the income for the monthly mortgage payment.
In my experience, those who are the most self-righteous and the most vocal in condemning others “greed” are the greediest of all.
The Dogwood at Seven Corners is being replaced by another Franchise/Corporate a chain “restaurant.”
For those not paying attention, the much higher rents are affordable for certain Franchise/Corporate Chain Restaurants, but not most, if not all, mom & pop restauranteurs.
Yeah it sucks. Attacking some other corporate entity for raising its rent (return on investment) might help you feel self-righteous and more virtuous than others, but your not.
Their food was terrible but it’s obvious that people liked it. I’m sorry they’re being driven out.
There is not a Dogwood Tavern in 7 corners.
I hope it’s not Jinya, they are everywhere now. Can’t think of another ramen franchise.
Foxfire is…average. Not exceptional – removed most of the menu items from the makeover by Robert Irvine. Like Dogfish Head at 7 Corners, it had its run. All about capitalism and ownership by Edens, which btw, also owns Mosaic and Eastern Market in DC: “it’s all about the Benjamin’s ($100 bills)”, not necessarily the customer service side of ownership. Unfortunately, its Capitalism 101.
Foxfire was perfectly average and I’ve only been a few times, despite living really close by for 10+ years; Nonetheless, I will miss its presence, and mourn the loss of any independent and family-owned business nearby, regardless if I frequented it.
Can we start aa petition to Eden? This is such a neighborhood asset and just the kind of restaurant needed. I like Asian food, but we are already saturated. There’s a ramen place in Mosaic too.
I live in walking distance from Foxfire but rarely went after the makeover. Menu change was weird and prices jumped a lot but am still sorry to see an independent local restaurant with an obvious following probably replaced by a chain. We stop at Pinecrest rarely because the options are “meh” and parking lot is a deathtrap.
This is absolutely the saddest news I have come across in a long time. Just devastating. Terri and Jacki have made this wonderful restaurant a place we Annandalians could call our own for so many years. Eden’s proves once again that greed is more important than relationships. Karma is a bitch and we can only hope that T&J are taken care of in the most successful way. Our neighborhood watering hole MUST find a new location here in Annandale. We love you Terri and Jacki and appreciate all the hard work you have put in at Foxfire over the many years for your loyal fans, customers and friends. “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.” A.E.
AMEN!!! Love Foxfire, the owners, the staff – you’re all wonderful! Hang in and let’s hope you can find a home very soon and very close by!
Doubling the lease is how a property owner pushes out unwanted businesses. I’d be curious to know whey Edens thought a ramen chain was more desirable than Foxfire. Also, is that chain paying the higher rent or are they getting a break? Either way, I hope Firefox relocates to a commercial area that needs and values a local restaurant.
Based on all the comments on a previous article, it would appear that many of the virulent whiners, who incessantly whine about having too much Korean cuisine and too many vape shops in Annandale would love to have Foxfire relocate to central Annandale.
And yet. How much you wanna bet that if Foxfire relocated to central Annandale the biggest whiners about the new Korean restaurant coming to Annandale would be no-shows? Guaranteed.
Thats horrible. We love Foxfire and there are already so many ramen places.
I’m amazed at how many people are upset about losing a mediocre, overpriced restaurant. There are so many options that are far superior.
You, Sir – obviously don’t know what a happy get-together for many friends a place like Foxfire is. Go back and see “Cheers” and you’ll get an idea just how important a neighborhood bar is. Hope you find your hang-out place! Lene j🎈
I could’t agree more, Lene! Well said.
Horrible news. It’s one of the few semi-upscale restaurants in the area. I’ll never forgive Eden for letting Whole Foods leave Pinecrest years ago. Eden is not hooked into the needs of the community. I hope the Ramen Noodle joint isn’t another junk eaterie place which that shopping center seems to attract.
I didn’t know there was a Whole Foods there. When did it close?
In 2005/2006.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2006/jan/19/whole-foods-opens-its-doors/
I bet eventually it will become a retail/ residential place like every other plaza like it’s not enough apartments in the area..
I’m so sad to see Foxfire go, and hope they will reopen somewhere in Northern VA. I love enjoying a meal on their patio and really appreciate how well they take care of their canine customers!
I drive all the way out there from Old Town just to get coconut cake. It’s wonderful and made in-house. Really disappointed and hope they can open in another location so I can get my cake!
Another ramen joint? Count me out.
Local band Jesters to the Left http://www.JesterLeft.com helped the Foxfire Grill Community celebrate last Tuesday with LIVE music at their Last Hurrah party.
Listen to Terri’s heartfelt speech here and some dancing to Honky Tonk Women:
https://youtu.be/kzg77XpphXU?si=e0zxWVLbXnYPqVbo