Upscale Restaurant To Open In Anne Arundel County, Replace Recently Closed Brewery

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An upscale American restaurant will open this summer in the Annapolis Town Center.

J. Alexander's Restaurant is slated to debut this June or July. The business's parent company confirmed the news to Patch on Thursday. Eye On Annapolis first reported the story on Feb. 17.

This will fill the vacancy left by Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, which recently closed its location at 1906 Towne Centre Blvd.

J. Alexander's and Gordon Biersch are owned by the same parent company, SPB Hospitality.

"The change has to do with the trade area and the fact that this location is ideal for a J Alexanders vs a brewery restaurant in Gordon Biersch," SPB Hospitality's Interim CEO Josh Kern told Patch in an email. "While the Gordon Biersch concept is near and dear to our hearts, changes in consumer trends is something we constantly review, and we believe this change will [be] better for our guests."

J. Alexander's specializes in wood-fired cuisine served in a modern, elevated setting.

Favorites include the prime rib and steak. The menu also features fresh seafood, sandwiches and entrée salads. J. Alexander's will have a full bar with an extensive list of wines available by the bottle or the glass.

This will be the first J. Alexander's in Maryland. The restaurant's sister brand, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, has locations in the Westfield Annapolis mall and the Towson Town Center.

Patch visited the Annapolis Town Center on Feb. 20 to see if there was any progress on the former Gordon Biersch and future J. Alexander's.

A sign posted outside the building said Gordon Biersch closed on Feb. 5.

"Thank you for the many great years of support," the sign said.

The corner restaurant, located next to Tempur-Pedic, is still empty. There are only a few leftover chairs and beer taps remaining.

All the Gordon Biersch signage was gone. There was not yet any J. Alexander's branding.

Customers can learn more by visiting jalexanders.com and spbhospitality.com.

Changes At The Annapolis Town Center

Gordon Biersch was one of the original restaurants from when the town center first opened in October 2008, Eye On Annapolis said. Ziki Japanese Steakhouse and P.F. Chang's are the only original eateries left.

Gordon Biersch is not alone in its closure. Bed Bath & Beyond announced last month that it will soon shutter its town center location at an unknown date.

Balancing out these closures, the Annapolis Town Center has several recent additions.

A new furniture store, called Gabby Home Furnishings with Summer Classics of Annapolis, opened around the New Year. Pottery Barn cut the ribbon a few weeks later. An outdoor ice-skating rink debuted this January. And Life Time, a luxury gym, joined the town center in fall 2022.

Do you know a business that's opening, expanding or closing in Anne Arundel County? Email jacob.baumgart@patch.com with the details.

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