Quarterdeck to Close, Ending 31-Year Arlington Run

Photo courtesy of
‘Every Food Fits: Don’t Bother Us, We’re Crabby!’
courtesy of ‘staceyviera’

Today is certainly a sad day for Arlington and Washington residents whom seek to find solace in a local crab feast anytime between Tax Day to Columbus Day. In an e-mail distributed to the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association, Lou Gatti, owner of the Quarterdeck Restaurant, announced that the venue would shut its doors after 31 years:

After 31 years, the Quarterdeck Restaurant is closing. I was at the helm for the last 15 years. For the last 2 ½ months, I have been trying to get a new lease that we could live with. On numerous occasions, I understood that we had an agreement only to be surprised later with a lease that said otherwise. It’s a long story, but we are finished. The building, which is almost 70 years old, needs major repairs and updates; the landlord expects us to do them all. Not happening.

No specific timetable was mentioned for closing, just “soon.” With the growth of residential development in this area of Rosslyn, it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the old building once Quarterdeck moves out.

Dave Levy is a PR guy by day, a media researcher on the side and a self-proclaimed geek. He blogs often about how traditional media adapts – or tries to adapt – to the growing digital media world at State of the Fourth Estate. You can follow Dave on Twitter for various updates about everything from sports from his previous home in Boston to eccentric and obscure pop culture references. Read why Dave loves D.C.

3 thoughts on “Quarterdeck to Close, Ending 31-Year Arlington Run”

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  2. QUARTERDECK HAS NEW LEASE

    For a while, it looked like we would have to close. This was finally settled today. We have another 15 year lease. It seems that the landlord, who has also been my friend for the last 15 years, and I had trouble reaching an agreement; it took 3 months. In retrospect, it reminds me more of a family disagreement; now, everything’s back to normal.

    I want to thank all of you for the kind emails and the memories of the Quarterdeck you shared. Like you, I have always loved the Quarterdeck from my first visit, which was over 3 decades ago. The most moving story was from someone who lamented she would not be able to bring her children to the QD, as her parents had done with her.

    Patrick Morrogh, a nine year veteran of the QD and a manager, will take over the day to day operations. I think the younger folks need to implement fresh ideas. At 62, I will still be in charge of something, but I don’t know what.

    We will be updating our website: http://www.qdrest.com .

    Thanks to all of you

    Lou Gatti

  3. Pingback: Quarterdeck Isn’t Closing After All » We Love DC