Artie's Restaurant In Fairfax City To Re-Open March 1, After Recovering From 2020 Fire

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Six months after a late-night fire destroyed much of Artie's Restaurant, the popular Fairfax City eatery will host a grand re-opening on March 1.

"It's going to be Artie's as guests remember it," said Erica Herrera, the director of marketing at Great American Restaurants. "We'll be back for lunch and dinner, so they can expect their favorites on the menu. They can expect, essentially, no huge changes from how Artie's has been."

To celebrate the grand re-opening, Artie's will be hosting its own take on the happy hour in its taproom. "Happy on the Hour" will offer draft beer and wine by the glass at $2 from 2-3 p.m.; $3 from 3-4 p.m.; $4 from 4-5 p.m.; and $5 from 5-6 p.m. In addition, half-price appetizers will be available from 2-4 p.m. in the taproom.

Originally opening its doors on Nov. 20, 1978, Artie's is one of the oldest restaurants in the Great American Restaurant chain, which is based in the Washington, D.C. area. Among the company's other local eateries are the Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield and Centreville, Coastal Flats in Fairfax Corner and Tysons Corner Mall, Ozzie's in Fairfax Corner, and Mike's American in Springfield.

Related: $75K In Damage To Artie's Restaurant Caused By Exterior Fire

In the immediate aftermath of last September's fire, Artie's staff members were shifted across the company's other restaurants.

"We'll be bringing a lot of our staff back, but of course we're looking to staff up as well," Herrera said.

Related: 2-Alarm Fire Damages Exterior Of Artie's Restaurant In Fairfax

In January, GAR began conducting offsite interviews and training for new Artie's employees. The company will be hosting an in-person hiring fare from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Tuesday and Wednesday. The interviews will take place at the restaurant, which is located at 3260 Old Lee Highway in the Fairfax Circle Shopping Center. Candidates can also apply for employment online.

"We're really just looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Artie's and continuing on into the future with this neighborhood favorite," Herrera said.