34 Responses to “new restaurant coming to 25th Street?”

1. posted by Celeste at September 29, 2007 3:06 pm :
   

   Umm…Isn’t the 400 block between Broad and Marshall? And I can’t tell clearly from the picture but isn’t that the post office on the right side?

2. posted by john_m at September 29, 2007 3:12 pm :
   

   That was a typo w/ the library/post office. The block # is right, though: the post office is at 414 North 25th.

3. posted by Bill Hartsock at September 29, 2007 10:04 pm :
   

   The 400 block is between Marshall and Clay. The restaurant is being developed by the son of a friend of mine, who was interested in buying the movie theatre building for a performing arts center. I called the owner and he said he would sell it for $450,000. I guess that won’t happen!! Let’s see how long it takes to have the movie theatre property get developed. Has anyone heard about the possibility of the Post Office moving to another location?

4. posted by Ray at September 30, 2007 10:10 am :
   

   $450,000? I thought that I saw it advertised several months ago for $200,000 some.

   Whatever the asking price is, it seems this property could be placed on the city’s blighted property registry. Nothing has been done to improve it and it has, in fact, deteriorated over the past few years. It’s really a disgrace.

5. posted by Kathryn at September 30, 2007 9:25 pm :
   

   Thanks to you all for your concern about the theatre…it does mean a lot to me. I am actually the developer and i have been jumping through hoops to get the project going. if you would like a full update, please do not hesitate to contact me at wileycoyotes@msn.com. If you don’t know the details, it is best to not be so dismissive of the efforts that are going on…

6. posted by Celeste at September 30, 2007 10:34 pm :
   

   Katherine, if you are truly the ‘developer’ that you claim to be - why don’t you just post what you are doing or planning to do with the property? Seems pretty simple to me.

   I just looked up the address on the city’s website, and it appears that you don’t own it? The following is from the city’s website -

   12/11/2006 n/a WILEY KATHERINE IDID2006 42427

   It looks like it was transferred on December 11, 2006 for an unspecified amount of money?

   Anyway, if you really want to calm the concerns of concerned neighbors, why not just post what is going on?

7. posted by Celeste at September 30, 2007 10:45 pm :
   

   Kathryn, you may well be the developer, but here’s here’s what I read on the city’s website, which would lead people to wonder why, if they called the owner, why they are asking 450,000 or even 200,000:

   PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 418 N 25TH ST
   420 N 25TH ST

   MAP REFERENCE NUMBER: E0000337009
   GPIN:
   OWNER: JOHNSON R EARL & GAIL W
   ASSESSMENT MAILING ADDRESS: 10702 GREEN MT RD
   ASSESSMENT MAILING CITY: RICHMOND
   ASSESSMENT MAILING STATE: VA
   ASSESSMENT MAILING ZIP CODE: 23233
   PROPERTY CLASS DESCRIPTION: B491 Commercial Shell
   LAND USE DESCRIPTION: Commercial
   LAND VALUE: 36,000
   IMPROVEMENT VALUE: 41,400
   TOTAL VALUE: 77,400
   LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 0075.00X0118.00 0000.000

   SALE INFORMATION:
   DATE CONSIDERATION GRANTOR DEED REFERENCE #
   7/29/1977 n/a n/a ID000724 01375
   9/9/1997 8,000 n/a ID09700 19744
   4/25/2003 90,000 ROBERTSON HERBERT SR & IDID2003 14678
   12/11/2006 n/a WILEY KATHERINE IDID2006 42427

   ASSESSMENT INFORMATION:
   EFFECTIVE DATE CHANGE DESCRIPTION LAND VALUE BUILDING VALUE TOTAL VALUE
   1/1/2007 Reassessment 36,000 41,400 77,400
   1/1/2006 Reassessment 24,700 40,600 65,300
   1/1/2005 Reassessment 23,500 38,700 62,200
   1/1/2004 Reassessment 20,400 35,200 55,600
   1/1/2003 Reassessment 18,500 32,000 50,500
   1/1/2002 Reassessment 16,800 29,100 45,900
   1/1/1998 15,000 26,000 41,000

8. posted by Ray at October 1, 2007 9:04 am :
   

   Kathryn, if I were you I’d take Celeste’s advice, be proactive, and post what your plans are for the theatre as well as the problems you have encountered with the the city.

   You also might want to take it a step or 2 further by briefing the Church Hill Assn., the Union Hill Assn., any other local neighborhood associations, and the Mayor’s Roundtable as to what you are doing with the site, which is, unfortunately, a major eyesore in the community. Never know, maybe you could get some needed neighborhood support and assistance for whatever it is you claim to be doing with the property.

9. posted by Kathryn at October 2, 2007 2:04 pm :
   

   Thank you all for your continued comments…I have received a couple of nice e-mails from people who are not so combative!

   By the way, if you did a geneology search, you might be able to find out that my maiden name is Johnson. Those are my parents, but thanks for calling me out on it.

   Best,
   Kathryn

10. posted by archie bunker at October 2, 2007 2:47 pm :
    

    Kathryn,

    There are a LOT of folks in the area who would be thrilled to see a theater go in there. (And, having a bar/restaurant next door would be gravy.) Although I would concede that there can be a “combative” atmosphere around here at times, that’s not really the tone I’m getting. I sense skepticism. But, to the extent you’re going to need community input on your project, I think you’ll find that if your plans are to turn that building into a theater, you’ll get a substantial amount of support from the locals. (Although I’m sure somebody will complain … it’s human nature.)

11. posted by Kathryn at October 2, 2007 5:18 pm :
    

    Just so the rumor does not get started…there are no plans for a theatre there. A feasibility study was done for whether one could survive, and there is no way that I, or anyone else could possibly make it happen. Sorry if that is what you were looking for…

12. posted by archie bunker at October 2, 2007 5:34 pm :
    

    Oh, sorry … I guess I read something into your post above that wasn’t there. Still, most of us would love to see the space used.

13. posted by CH neighbor at October 3, 2007 9:13 pm :
    

    Any ideas on what is going on with the Church Hill Market? Can the owners for that property either renovate or sell to someone that will?

14. posted by CH neighbor at October 3, 2007 10:02 pm :
    

    Where is the rest of my post?

15. posted by john_m at October 4, 2007 5:50 am :
    

    CH neighbor: Read this, please.

16. posted by Bill Hartsock at October 4, 2007 5:55 pm :
    

    Kathryn, I disagree with you that the building could not function as a theatre or multi-use center. The problem would be the acquisiton cost. The renovation costs could be covered by grant programs and tax credits. I personally know an organization that could make it work if you would work with them.

17. posted by jp at October 4, 2007 10:27 pm :
    

    i was wondering if keeping it a ruin, a usable maintained ruin, one that wouldn’t keel over and kill someone, would make sense. it could still be a meeting space, films could still be shown, there just wouldn’t be a roof! it would be romanesque. or anything else you would like to call it to make it sound cool. i guess there is no profit in that, but there is a certain aesthetic and uniqueness in having a usable urban ruin in our midst. a city park of sorts. a weird semi-outdoor community center. it would add even more charm to the neighborhood. imagine summer movies in the ruins of an old theater….

18. posted by Ray at October 5, 2007 9:07 am :
    

    That’s actually a very intriguing idea!

    I’m not sure if the homeowners along the north side and behind the space would be enamored being next to an open-air theatre, but, in my view at least, it does have some kitschy appeal.

19. posted by bill at October 5, 2007 9:13 am :
    

    jp, sounds like a mega wide screen patio bar to me that could be profit making

20. posted by Celeste at October 5, 2007 11:02 am :
    

    Key words here seems to be ‘usable, maintained ruin’ - particular emphasis on maintained. That said, I like bill’s idea - there’s the “walk-to” sports bar that’s been posted about elsewhere on this site - mega wide screen, too.

    jp, sounds like you’ve got a great idea!

21. posted by Celeste at October 8, 2007 12:04 am :
    

    I’ve got it! We need the new stadium to be located on 25th Street - where the theater is! Forget renovating the Diamond - just move the plans for the Shockoe Bottom stadium up here - dig down, excavate three or four levels - and put a stadium on 25th Street!

    That solves all problems - the development of 25th street as a commercial corridor will actually happen! There will automatically be plenty of sports bars located nearby! And the neighbors can walk to baseball games! And transportation won’t be a problem - interstate 95 is right down the hill on Broad Street. As to parking - well, if it wasn’t a problem in Shockoe Bottom, it won’t be a problem up on the hill - just park in the bottom and walk up the hill! Maybe the stadium will even provide some sort of transfer service - rickshaw service might even move from Charlottesville to Richmond!

22. posted by bill at October 8, 2007 12:58 am :
    

    celeste, what have you been drinking??

23. posted by Lisa at October 9, 2007 4:22 pm :
    

    The owners origonal intention for the old theater was to convert it into a home.

24. posted by Bill Hartsock at January 4, 2008 12:02 pm :
    

    What’s the latest on the old theatre building on 25th? It’s still sitting there, abandoned.

25. posted by tool-belt-pete at January 4, 2008 6:00 pm :
    

    What’s that posted in the windows of the old Malone’s on 25th Street? My gawd!!! Could it be? Why yes, building permits for “light remodeling”. Shocking!!! And the windows aren’t covered up, you can see right in there: a bunch of guys with tools and materials working. Wow, everything happening right out in the open, for everyone to see.

    Can you hear me now, Inner City Blues?

26. posted by han solo at April 7, 2008 8:06 pm :
    

    hey, i saw a film crew outside of this joint today (april 7). anyone know what was going on? was richard kelly (donnie darko guy) shooting some stuff? or was it just a commercial etc.?

27. posted by teacher at April 7, 2008 9:53 pm :
    

    I am glad you asked I was wondering the same thing. They were set up when I went to work this morning at about 8 and still up when I came home around 530. Kinda exciting.

28. posted by Amy N-B at April 8, 2008 9:06 am :
    

    and the filming continues today…. anyone know anything? John, can you open a thread on this topic, please?

29. posted by Eric S. Huffstutler at April 8, 2008 9:26 am :
    

    Kathryn

    You and your parents will be getting notified by the city’s CDC (Orestis Marcoyiannakis) as there was a Show Cause issued by the courts some years ago and the owner was a No Show for the hearing. That point of interest fell through the cracks until now and must be several issues over this building being a blight and unsafe as well as other undisclosed problems. In short, something needs to happen SOON to this property (418-420 N 25th - East End Theater building).

    For what it is worth, why was it gutteded in the first place and not restored as a theater of some sort 10 years ago?

    Richmond Historical Foundation has also been notified about the building as they are looking for new projects.

    Eric S. Huffstutler

30. posted by Eric S. Huffstutler at April 8, 2008 11:52 am :
    

    Re: 412 N 25th

    The property is owned by SMK Enterprises, Inc. - think the same person who owns/owned the Cold Storage buildings that are now being renovated into apartments? There were minor repair permits issued in January that were completed in February but not sure of anything more recent? It was rezoned not long ago from commercial to resturant use / eat-in use. Seems like a small independent film crew is doing something there? Was this site important or something happened there in the past that anyone knows of?

    Eric

31. posted by Church Hill People’s News » a very tiny slice of Mexico on 25th Street - Richmond, Virginia at April 8, 2008 4:51 pm :
    

    [...] Curiosity about the ongoing activity next to the new restaurant yet to open on 25th Street be sated: Cannes-bound Lucas Krost is producing and creating the visual effects for the movie Border Town, and some of the scenes are being filmed in the store front there. Look for them on Monument Avenue tomorrow… Posted at 4:51PM under RVANews-entertainment | Tags: 25th Street, Border Town, Lucas Krost [...]

32. posted by Ray at April 8, 2008 4:55 pm :
    

    When I walked by this afternoon, the “Director” - at least the guy who said “CUT!” — told me they were a small, independent, local film company.

    The guy told me they are not filming something for the new restaurant and I didn’t ask him whay they are working on beyond that.

33. posted by john_m at April 8, 2008 4:58 pm :
    

    John, can you open a thread on this topic, please?

    >> here you go: a very tiny slice of Mexico on 25th Street

34. posted by Eric S. Huffstutler at April 8, 2008 5:18 pm :
    

    Guess I overlook about the feasibility study concerning the theater building. That may have been so years ago but with Church Hill growing and “local” interests are becoming more popular, the idea may now float but too late as there is now nothing but a hollow shell. Even a dinner theater may have worked or another Byrd type theater?

    Being only a outer wall shell, it would take deep pockets to do anything with it other than tearing it all down and starting from scratch on that property. Unfortunate and a missed opportunity.

    Eric

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