'Save IOTA': Clarendon Community Trying to Prevent Cafe's Shutdown

ARLINGTON, VA — Dozens of people gathered at the Clarendon Courthouse Civic Association Meeting this past week to oppose a proposal that would significantly alter the current site of IOTA Club & Cafe.

IOTA, which is located at 2832 Wilson Boulevard and has hosted the likes of John Mayer and Norah Jones, is part of a property that is being targeted for rezoning and redeveloping. A growing group of locals have organized a campaign to stop this from happening, and 75 people attended the Feb. 22 meeting to oppose Regency Centers' plans for the area.

“When we started this campaign, we didn’t know whether anyone else would join us. We love IOTA and wanted to do whatever we could to help save it.” said Save IOTA co-founder Melissa Mannon in a statement. “The response has been amazing and we are inspired by the outpouring of community support we have seen in just one week.”

A paper petition has collected more than 140 signatures so far, and a Change.org petition has 129 supporters as of Sunday morning, organizers say.

"We, the undersigned, oppose the plan to rezone and redevelop the buildings that contain 2832 Wilson Blvd (IOTA Club & Cafe)," the petition states. "IOTA has been a landmark business in Clarendon for more than 20 years and has hosted performers such as John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Great Big Sea and Norah Jones.

"IOTA is a beloved neighborhood institution that brings immense cultural value to our community and it is one of the only venues for local musicians, poets, and other artists to collaborate and perform. The proposal to rezone and redevelop 2832 Wilson Blvd will forever change the cultural landscape of Arlington for the worse."

The next public meeting will be with Regency Centers on March 29 at 2801 Clarendon Boulevard in the Clarendon Education Center from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Image via Save IOTA