Not Your Average Joe’s Plans December Opening

Not Your Average Joe’s, the new restaurant headed for the former Romano’s Macaroni Grill at 1845 Fountain Drive in Reston, plans to open in December, according to the NYAJ website.

The Massachusetts-based chain signed a lease in August. Construction crews are busy remodeling the space.

The building has been vacant since Macaroni Grill abruptly closed its doors in December of 2014.

The new tenant came somewhat as a surprise as Spectrum, owned by Lerner Enterprises, plans a massive, mixed-use development at what is now a strip shoping center.

Nearly three years ago, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved 774,879 square feet of non-residential use; 1,422 multifamily residential units (with 12 percent set aside for affordable housing) in seven new residential buildings; and underground parking for Spectrum.

No final plans or permits have been filed with Fairfax County, and some development sources think the redevelopment could take about 10 years.

NYAJ has more than a dozen locations nationwide, including Virginia locations in Woodbridge and Leesburg.

NYAJ’s menu includes $1 oyster Happy Hour on Mondays; stone hearth pizza; custom burgers; a wide selection of beer, wine and speciality cocktails; and a large kids menu.

Rendering of NYAJ Reston/Credit: NYAJ