Isabella Eatery Suddenly Shuts Down: Report

TYSONS, VA—Mike Isabella has shut down Isabella Eatery in Tysons Galleria Friday, Aug. 24. It had been in business for less than a year. He had reportedly been negotiating with the landlord to keep it open.

"Perhaps it was because of the way I presented our offerings at Tysons Galleria," Isabella said in a statement, according to The Washington Post. "Perhaps the space was too grand or perhaps the dining public was just not as excited as we were about a ‘restaurant emporium’ like the one we tried to provide. Whatever the reasons, we gave it our best shot."

Reports surfaced earlier this month of the food hall struggling. Since it opened late last year, Isabella Eatery downgraded from originally nine concepts into one menu aside from Retro Creamery and Non-Fiction Coffee.

Isabella previously told Washingtonian the sexual harassment lawsuit from a former employee caused his businesses to suffer. The lawsuit was settled earlier this year. He faced other lawsuits from landlords for unpaid rent.

Other signs of troubles for Isabella Eatery included employees reportedly not seeing checks go through and an anonymous real estate professional claiming the space was seeking potential buyers, according to Washingtonian.

Four of his restaurants have closed amidst the lawsuits, The Post reports. Requin Brasserie at the Mosaic District closed this spring and Graffiato in Richmond closed in June. Isabella's original Graffiato in DC's Chinatown closed in July.

Here are snapshots from the last day in business:

Image via Shutterstock