Red Velvet Cupcakery Closes At Reston Town Center

RESTON, VA -- Red Velvet Cupcakery has officially closed down at Reston Town Center, the company announced on Facebook.

Shop owner Aaron Gordon, a vocal opponent of the introduction of paid parking in early 2017 at Reston Town Center, announced in March that the store would close, and the restaurant posted May 20 on its Facebook page that it would officially close Sunday, May 27.

"With a heavy heart, the Reston Town Center location will be closing it’s doors on Sunday May 27th, after eight years of making Reston a sweeter place," the post reads. "While we are sad too, we are excited about our next opportunity. Please stop and see us before we go, and follow Little Beast to join us on our next adventure. (The DC China Town location will also remain open)."

Gordon told Patch last summer that the store was almost certainly leading RTC. He said he believed his landlord was pushing him out, possibly in retaliation for leading a group of merchants in opposition to paid parking.

Gordon has been the most visible figure in the merchants' revolt against Boston Properties and their decision to implement paid parking at RTC, which merchants argue has led to steep declines in sales even with the recent rollback in paid parking hours. He says that when he went to his landlord -- he did not mention his landlord by name, although a BXP spokeswoman confirmed that Red Velvet Cupcakery is their tenant -- to negotiate a new lease, they gave him the cold shoulder.

"Our lease at Red Velvet comes up in May of next year, so we've requested an opportunity to speak to them to talk about renewing the lease, and ideally getting some sort of smaller rent," Gordon said in the 2017 interview. "Basically they told us that for all intents and purposes, they're looking for newer, younger, and hipper brands, and if we wait until the end of the year, they might consider us."

Gordon says he's really disappointed at the situation, not just for himself but for the people who have worked in his shop.

"I really love my people," he said. "All my people are great, but I have two women who have been with me forever. One for six years, she goes there, she bakes, she manages the place -- literally does everything you can do. I have another assistant manager, and they live in Reston, and unfortunately" they're caught up in the whole situation, he said.

"I feel terrible," he continued. "So we're going to try to find another space."

A number of people left heartfelt comments on the Facebook post expressing disappointment that Red Velvet Cupcakery was leaving.

"Just bought 6 cupcakes to say farewell and thank you for your wonderful cupcakes and for your efforts to keep parking free at RTC," wrote Eleanor Callahan Smith. "Reston's loss is Chevy Chase's gain. I will miss you!"

"Nooo!!! I LOVE your gluten free vegan cupcakes!! You are my go-to place for these! I am so sad!!" added Sandra Baxter Williams.

Image via Red Velvet Cupcakery