There is a contract in on the old Que Pasa building, by the same folks that own the building that houses Captain Buzzy’s. The best part? The folks looking to acquire the building are talking to the experienced and talented Kendra Feather (of Fan favorites Ipanema and Garnett’s Cafe) about opening a new restaurant at the 25th Street location.
One potential issue is that the opening of Que Pasa was reliant upon a Special Use Permit (for a parking waiver). A clause in the original SUP causes it to expire with the sale of the building.
To open a new restaurant at this location, Feather will need a new SUP and the support of the community. Of this, she says:
I do want to have a full service restaurant that is open normal hours. I would like to have the same hours Que Pasa had. I would also like to serve alcohol. […]
I don’t want to open a place that the neighbors don’t want. That wouldn’t make any sense. I want it to be a place they will be proud to have.
42 comments
I was literally at Balliceaux tonight and was thinking how much nicer it would be to have a drink and dinner at the old Que Pasa location.
Few things would make me happier than a successful, serious restaurant with a full bar at 25th and M.
Please don’t play with my emotions.
Huge congratulations to Kendra!!!!
I am so stoked by this idea, I’m *really* hoping that it pans out.
A restaurant under the ownership and/or management of Kendra Feather would be a huge asset to the neighborhood. Her restaurants Ipanema and Garnett’s are top notch and neighborhood friendly.
Go Kendra!
I love love love Garnett’s and would love to see something like that + alcohol in CH. Please make it happen.
I live on the same block as Garnett’s but would gladly drive to Church Hill to eat/hang there knowing Kendra’s behind it.
Kendra, you cold rock my world!
Kendra’s story 🙂
http://www.brandoneats.com/brandon_eats/2009/05/kendra-feather.html
Keep us updated on how the community can help make this happen.
Kendra & her restaurant magic will do great things for Church Hill!!
hooooray! The time is right!
Golly! It sure will be nice to have some more company on the 25th/Jefferson Ave corridor. First Tric-Gardens hqtrs moving in at Jeff & 21st, and now this. Maybe the economy IS finally bouncing back.
Full disclosure: we eat at Impanema every chance we get and hear Garnets is great. Kendra has proved she is a dedicated, talented restaurateur and understands the middle class Richmond (urban) market. She’s certainly got the smarts, and I’m thrilled to hear she might be shining her light on our neighborhood!
Super excited!!! But where is the Que Pasa building?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I recently heard that Bob from Captain Buzzy’s is opening a gourmet pizza shop at the corner of 29th and Broad.
Are they going after two projects at once??
So excited about this! I love Ipanema and Garnetts. Kendra if there is anything the neighbors can do to help in the process let us know!
We live one block away and would support this whole heartedly!!! Let us know what we can do to help. Hopefully the SUP process won’t take 2 years like it did with Que Pasa.
@jmowery – 25th and M Street
@Matt – Bob and Mary Ann Buffington own Buzzy’s, but not the building in which it is located. The owners of the *building* (and the folks looking to make this happen) are Karen and Howard Kellman.
Yeah I can’t wait to see that place back up and running it was so nice inside. I know I’d support an SUP and am sure a lot of our neighbors as well.
Great news! Que Pasa has been sitting there for a while and it’s so good to know the building will be put to use again. I haven’t eaten at Impanema before but I heard it’s delicious. Will be nice to have something again where we can walk and have dinner…at least another option…
go Kendra….
Super tight!!!
This isn’t Kendra’s first rodeo. Give her the chance and that spot will blossom like we pressed fast forward and went smack into Spring. Church Hill needs something like this!
So excited about this news! Impanema is awesome!
I have noticed the broken windows upstairs of the building and was concerned it was going to remain abandoned. So glad it is getting another chance!
#15 Matt – I heard the same thing. Pizza joint coming to 29th and Broad, and I THINK it was also the folks who run Buzzy’s, not totally sure about that part.
Church Hill needs more options, Kendra Feather is the person to bring it!
Please Kendra. Pretty please. We need you in the Hill. It will be loads of fun. I promise! more food, more drinks, more good times!
Heck yeah I’d support a good neighbor-friendly restaurant on the same block as I live. I love the idea of being able to walk around the corner for good. Heck, I love walking to Alamo BBQ for fish tacos and cornbread now and again, too!
I would gladly drive from Oregon Hill to eat here. Not only is it fantastic for Church Hill, but the rest of RVA would like the chance to dine at yet another one of Kendra’s amazing spots!
Yum! I love both of Kendra’s restaurants and think having a new restaurant in the neighborhood would be fabulous!
I have never read 31comments *in a row* on CHPN that were more positive! Ok, some were just neutral, but still impressive! 🙂
Obviously from these comments, Church Hill can support a competently run restaurant. In fact, yall seem to be desperate for it. Whatever that says about your current options, it should be a good turn of events. Chances are, you’re getting good stewards of Church Hill’s cuisine. Can’t wait to visit this place and sit among you.
seriously fantastic news for us east enders!
I, too, have never seen more than five comments go by without a policitcal, religious, or personal agenda. Our citizens are obviously grown-up posters now and are very excited to see this happen. Way to go community! We do need this, and all new ideas and innovation in our area. I was beginning to think Church Hill was turning into the Rust Belt.
Ipanema is my favorite! Please please please, Kendra, take over the Que Pasa space! That would be the best news ever.
I’ll join in and say that I am excited at the prospect of a new restaurant in the neighborhood! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this venture becomes a reality!
This would make our year! Church Hill is starved and thirsty for a great place! Make it happen and we will be there.
Whatever happened to Que Pasa anyway? After all that brouhaha over the special use permit died down, word about the restaurant disappeared too. How long did they last? Anyone know why they failed?
New restaurant has my vote! It will be close to home.
A Feather in Church Hill’s Cap? (And Other Bits) Richmond Magazine
http://www.richmondmagazine.com/dine/blogs.php?blogID=33ee2bb452850b986570fdc9830a0c40
Short Order (Style 11/22/2010)
That’s a great update! I’m happy to hear the project is still churning along. I’m looking forward to having dinner and drinks with my neighbors at this place soon.