Burger-flipping robots aren’t going to take over The Boro after all.
Caliburger is no longer planning to open a restaurant in the Tysons mixed-use development, a public relations representative for The Boro confirmed to FFXnow. The representative didn’t share what led to the change of plans, and Caliburger couldn’t be reached for comment.
The Seattle burger joint, which also operates a food truck in D.C.’s Wunder Garten, signed a lease for a 2,200-square-foot space at 8301 Greensboro Drive back in fall 2019, DC Eater reported at the time. The Tysons location would’ve featured the company’s first-ever full bar, new vegan products, and a burger-flipping robot called Flippy.
The restaurant was initially expected to open in spring 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. A 2022 arrival was later floated, with Caliburger’s food truck even making appearances at The Boro.
When the restaurants Circa and Él Bebe opened at the development last December, property owner The Meridian Group said Caliburger was on track to follow late in the first quarter of 2023.
This is the second time that a tenant planned for the ground-floor suite under the ShowPlace Icon movie theater has fallen through. Adjacent to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the space was destined for a Taylor Gourmet until the regional hoagie chain shuttered in September 2018.
Negotiations are underway with other food service retailers that have expressed interest in the space.
While it won’t address the same need, The Boro confirmed that Sandbox VR’s virtual reality gaming venue is still on its way, though the projected opening has moved from this summer to early October.
The Boro has some company in Tysons when it comes to prospective restaurants stalling. Chef Pepe Moncayo confirmed earlier this month that his plans for a Spanish concept at Capital One Center have been put on hold for now.
The chef’s team told FFXnow that he still hopes to open the restaurant Santi in the future when the economic conditions are “more favorable.”