Bidding adieu to Reston Town Center, Clyde’s prepares to unveil next course

Clyde’s of Reston, an American bar and restaurant, will permanently close its doors tomorrow, ending 31 years of business in Reston Town Center.

But even as it auctions off iconic memorabilia and customers flood in for the restaurant’s final days, the company tells FFXnow that a lease at an undisclosed location in Reston for a new restaurant concept is “very close” to finalization.

The closure of the business in what is the primary urban heart of Reston — the town center — is emblematic of how some say that the community has evolved with multiple mixed-use, high-density areas in development.

Clyde’s announced that it would shutter its location at 11905 Market Street earlier this year. Kevin Keller, the company’s operations director, says the decision was motivated by the company’s desire to grow as it neared the end of its lease.

“We felt that despite our 31-year-run, we were going to look at other real estate in the area,” Keller said. “Recently a lot has changed in and around the town center and we wanted to take this opportunity to look at other spaces.”

He added that high-density areas in Reston are continuing to expand, providing more options for businesses.

But the relationship between Boston Properties and the management team behind Clyde’s and other restaurant concepts continues to remain strong.

“We have a great relationship with Clyde’s and this was a sort of a mutual decision to move on,” said Jake Stroman, Boston Properties’ co-head of the Washington region and an executive vice president. “We remain strong partners and friends.”

Since it opened 31 years ago, Clyde’s of Reston became part of the fabric of the community.

Throughout the past week, the restaurant has seen a flurry of business, as customers relived birthdays, anniversaries, and other iconic celebrations. Visitors snapped photos and checked out the restaurant’s decor for one last time before the end of an area.

“When you close something after 31 years, you understand the impact it had the community,” Keller said.

Clyde’s has 13 locations across the D.C. area. The one in Columbia, Maryland — Reston’s sister city — also became a beloved fixture of a major urban center until it closed in 2020 after around 45 years of business.

Clyde’s of Reston is currently auctioning off most of its decor, with a bidding period closing on Wednesday (May 25). But a few pieces near and dear to staff and the community will remain with the company for its future concept.

The company declined to state where the expected lease is anticipated and whether or not its plan involves Old Ebbitt Grill — a concept that grew out of the original Clyde’s.

“We’re excited,” Keller said. “At the location we’re looking at, we’re close to signing a lease.”

The rumor mill in the community has been churning, with some anticipating a new lease at Reston Station, which is becoming another mixed-use neighborhood rivaling the town center.

On that, Keller could only say that there are plenty of “good rumors” are circling.

“It’s not about being in one central area anymore. There’s tons of opportunities for us to build a brand-new pretty penny,” he said.