New Restaurant, Church, coming to Georgetown from owners of Buffalo Billiards, RocketBar, CarPool, Bedrock Billiards and Nanny O’Briens

courtesy Jamestown

From a press release:

“Looks like Georgetown Park is heading to Church. Jamestown LP announced today that Tin Shop Group, the company behind several of DC’s popular restaurant, casual dining and entertainment establishments including Penn Social and Crystal City’s Highline RXR, has signed a 10-year lease to occupy the 5,919-square-foot Canal Level space of the Georgetown Park retail complex. Founded by recognized restaurant entrepreneurs Geoff Dawson and Peter Bayne, Tin Shop Group aims to provide something for everyone with its newest concept Church – an approachable restaurant and taproom offering casual cuisine, cocktails and craft draft beer, as well as a comfortable space for light meals, coffee and meetings.

Tin Shop Group’s Church is Jamestown’s first tenant to occupy the lower level Georgetown Park area with grand opening plans slated for Summer 2016. The new location will benefit from Georgetown Park’s ample parking, featuring one of the largest parking garages in the heart of Georgetown. Bill Miller and Alex Walker of Miller Walker Retail Real Estate Brokerage represented Jamestown in the deal. Plans call for the transformation of the lower-level space, formerly part of Georgetown Mall food court, into a sophisticated, industrial-designed space, which will accommodate guests for an evening out or an afternoon away from the office. Dawson and Bayne will convert the space to include soft lighting and feature several fire places, deep comfortable seating and large communal tables. Tin Shop’s mission is to create a relaxed space for lunch, dinner, coffee or a meeting.

The Church concept will provide Georgetown with a “home away from home” locale that provides a warm and welcoming feel that will attract nearby residents and office workers alike. Not only will it primarily serve as a restaurant with a lounge, it will also provide local residents and nearby office tenants with a unique, relaxed space for coffee and meetings. The new space will provide seated meals and catered lunches as well as a quick grab-and-go option and a Vigilante Coffee program.

“We believe the creation of a mixed use third space will provide a positive environment for the people that live in, work in, or visit Georgetown,” says Dawson. “It will be a place to gather and create, a place for all the different communities within Georgetown.”

Known for revolutionizing the alehouse concept and embracing the “rest and relaxation” philosophy, Dawson is no stranger to the DC restaurant and bar scene. He has designed, built and operated more than 25 establishments over the past 22 years. Recognized for his ability to create venues with distinctive and fun atmospheres, Dawson continues to develop evocative concepts. Many of his popular DC-area establishments are part of the Bedrock Management brand, where he serves as partner and co-founder. These include: Buffalo Billiards, RocketBar, CarPool, Bedrock Billiards and Nanny O’Briens, to name only a few.

“We came to Georgetown for the opportunity to be part of a vibrant, storied community,” adds Dawson. “Peter and I are both native Washingtonians and feel that Georgetown wrote chapters in each of our personal histories. We want to be part of the positive growth and renaissance that Georgetown is currently experiencing.”