The team behind one of Fairfax County’s most popular brewery brands is eyeing a space in Lorton to house a new dining concept.
The owners of Bunnyman Brewing are in the “final stage of negotiation” to secure a second retail space at the Workhouse Arts Center, co-owner Sam Gray told FFXnow.
Because Fairfax County owns the campus, the Board of Supervisors needs to approve the lease for the targeted building, located at 9517 Workhouse Way. The board voted last week to authorize a Sept. 30 public hearing on the proposed lease for DrinkLocal LLC, Bunnyman’s parent company.
Targeting an opening next spring, the planned restaurant will be more traditional and complement Bunnyman, Gray says. It would be neighbors with the current Bunnyman space, connected by a large outdoor patio area.
“The entire space between the two buildings will be open for outside events, seating, shared food and more beverage choices,” Gray said. “The space will allow for larger events and shared love with our friends at the Workhouse.”
Gray, a retired Fairfax County firefighter, launched Bunnyman Brewing in Burke (5583 Guinea Road) with friend Eric Barnett in early 2021.
The brewery, which now has three locations, opened its Lorton location last summer, playing a key role in increased activity at the complex.
“As a result of new campus activations provided by [the Workhouse Arts Foundation] and DrinkLocal LLC, campus activity has significantly improved, resulting in a 56% increase in campus visitation from 2023 to 2024,” county officials said.
Bunnyman’s owners were drawn to the Workhouse Arts Center due to its previous life as a correctional facility, which made it the ideal place for a brewery inspired by a grisly urban legend to open up shop.
“We love this location,” Gray told FFXnow in July 2024 after the Lorton outpost opened. “It fit right into our legend of the Bunnyman. It’s a beautiful building and a great area. Just like Burke, we are hoping to have an awesome neighborhood that is proud to have us be a part of.”
The Board of Supervisors approved the lease for Bunnyman in 2022, as work to restore and renovate the former prison buildings known as W-13 and W-15 was still underway. Bunnyman now occupies W-13, while the new restaurant will take over W-15.
Fairfax County’s proposed lease would last 10 years with options for renewal. DrinkLocal would be required to pay a base monthly rent of $8,781.25, along with a percentage of its revenue, but no rent is required for the first year of the lease, and the rate would be cut in half for the second year, per county documents.
The Workhouse Arts Center campus, which began the current chapter of its life in 2008, currently hosts a variety of artist studios, gift shops and more. An art-inspired mini golf course opened this spring, and an outdoor “Kiln Yard” for ceramics is also coming soon, according to its website.
