Arlington's Willow Restaurant to Close Sept. 19, Owner Says

After a decade in Ballston, Arlington’s Willow Restaurant & Nosh is closing, according to owner Brian Wolken.

In a note posted to Facebook, he notes that “like a great many things in life, it is complicated. It is a confluence of events really: vastly increased competition, a commercial vacancy rate in Arlington that has more than doubled in the last few years and a landlord who has unrealistic expectations about what the space is worth on a monthly basis.”

The restaurant, located at 4301 N. Fairfax St., will countdown with dining and drink specials and culminate with an Irish wake on Sept. 19.

Here’s Wolken’s entire message he posted this week to Facebook:

Willow Restaurant is closing on September 19th.

I wish I had a nice, concise answer as to why. But, like a great many things in life, it is complicated. It is a confluence of events really: vastly increased competition, a commercial vacancy rate in Arlington that has more than doubled in the last few years and a landlord who has unrealistic expectations about what the space is worth on a monthly basis.

And don’t even get me started on what has happened to fine dining in the last ten years:).

But despite all the challenges, turmoil, and eventual failure, I am still very grateful! Mostly, I am grateful for the people, both those that dined here and those that worked here. Yes, I can be a grizzly bear, but I have realized that this business is really all about the people. Tracy, Kate & I have made a habit, for better or for worse, of putting the guests and the employees first. We wouldn’t have had it any other way. I am very proud to have worked with so many amazing people! In a cruel twist of fate our current crew contains some of the best employees we have ever had. I am going to miss them. They are straight up ROCK STARS!

And let’s not forget our guests, so many of whom have became a part of our family. They are kind, generous, prideful and loyal. And just so we are clear, without your support, encouragement and warm regards Tracy and I would have packed it up a long time ago.

I encourage everyone to get in one last visit; we would love to see you!

So a tip of the hat to all those who are a part of Willow, the last ten years were for you:).

Onward and upward!!!!!

PHOTO via Willow Twitter