Changes are coming to 2408 Wisconsin Avenue NW, the former location of Mason Inn, a sports bar which closed a little over a year ago. Mason Inn was a popular place among a younger crowd for drinks and to see a live band or a game on the big screens, yet it had trouble with acceptable profitability and was hit in recent years with underage drinking charges and a police raid of a marijuana distribution party conducted by some patrons. (See prior article)
Thomas Tsianakas, the new owner who purchased the building 2 years ago has a proactive plan to get a great new restaurant to open soon. Mr. Tsianakas is not content to sit back and advertise the potential of the space to prospects. Instead, he has undertaken a bold demolition, expansion and renovation plan to attract a new restaurant owner. He has hired a noted local architect, Eric Gronning of Gronning Architects to manage the project. Demolition is near completion and permits (including structural, electrical, mechanical and zoning) are pending for construction, including a second floor on this one-story building with a roof deck in front overlooking Wisconsin Avenue. Mr. Tsianakas plans to make the space "restaurant ready" with a partial build to allow a restaurant owner to customize to their needs. The renderings on the front window are samples of "what could be", not necessarily what it will be. It's a bold plan, and maybe what is needed to attract a good tenant quickly.
Mr. Tsianakas said he is committed to getting a restaurant in the space which will be a good fit for the neighborhood. Permit approvals and build-out are expected to be completed by early fall, so it's possible we could have a great new restaurant in Glover Park by the beginning of next year.