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Clyde's Restaurant Group

From Alfawiki
Clyde's Restaurant Group
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
FoundedAugust 12, 1963; 63 years ago (1963-08-12) in Georgetown, Washington D.C., United States
FoundersTemplate:Ublist
Number of locations
13
Area served
Washington D.C., United States
Key people
Template:Ublist
ParentGraham Holdings
Websitewww.clydes.com

Clyde's Restaurant Group is a U.S.-based entity managing 13 dining establishments throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Established in 1963 to take advantage of revised liquor regulations in Washington, D.C., it introduced innovative operational methods within the local hospitality sector. The group expanded its portfolio by acquiring the landmark Old Ebbitt Grill in 1970 and grew its signature "Clyde's" brand into a modest chain while adding other venues to its roster. In 2019, ownership transitioned to Graham Holdings.

History

On August 12, 1963, investment banker Stuart C. Davidson launched Clyde's of Georgetown, capitalizing on a 1962 legislative change that permitted serving alcohol to patrons standing at the bar—a practice previously restricted to seated customers only. Davidson transformed a former biker bar into the first Clyde’s location, preserving the original oak bar and incorporating an eclectic interior design.[1] It was Georgetown’s pioneer for Sunday operations, brunch service, and employing female waitstaff.[2] Six months after opening, Georgetown University student John Laytham began working as a busboy; he advanced to general manager by 1968 and became a partner in 1970.[3]

The popular 1976 song "Afternoon Delight" drew inspiration from Clyde’s happy hour offerings.[4]

In 1970, Davidson and Laytham acquired the historic Old Ebbitt Grill, established in 1856. Later, in December 1985, Clyde’s expanded by purchasing three prominent Washington D.C. venues from founder Richard J. McCooey: The Tombs, 1789 Restaurant, and F. Scott's.[5] These properties underwent extensive renovations between 2016 and 2018; notably, F. Scott’s was closed to enlarge the bar area of 1789.[6]

Clyde’s broadened its footprint with establishments in Columbia, Maryland (1975); Tysons Corner, Virginia (1980); Reston Town Center (1991); Chevy Chase, Maryland (1995); Alexandria, Virginia (1998); and Washington D.C.’s Gallery Place (2005).[7] The group also operates venues under different names such as The Tomato Palace (1993), Tower Oaks Lodge (2002), Clyde's Willow Creek Farm (2006), and The Hamilton (2011).[8] Developers Boston Properties and Van Metre Companies contributed rent-free land and infrastructure support for Tower Oaks Lodge and Willow Creek Farm respectively.[9] The Hamilton secured a favorable four-decade lease at $20 per square foot escalating to $29 per square foot and received $5 million in tax increment financing; construction costs totaled $24 million.[10] Within twelve months of opening, The Hamilton employed approximately 355 workers.[9]

The Tysons Corner location ceased operations in February 2017 due to redevelopment plans.[11][12] The Tomato Palace closed in July 2017; its space was repurposed into The Soundry music venue which debuted in June 2018 but permanently shut down in July 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[13][14][15] The Reston location closed its doors in May 2022.[16]

In March of 2023, Clyde’s revealed plans for an Old Ebbitt Grill spinoff scheduled to open at Reston Station by 2025.[17] Two months later in May, it acquired Rye Street Tavern located in South Baltimore from NoHo Hospitality with intentions to renovate including adding an oyster bar and outdoor seating; the venue reopened on July 15, 2024.[18][19]

July of the same year marked the announcement of Cordelia Fishbar—a seafood restaurant emphasizing charcoal grilling—at Union Market in Washington D.C., which officially opened on November 20, 2024.[20][21]

Founder Stuart Davidson passed away on August1 ,2001.[2] Co-owner and CEO John Laytham died on January3 ,2019.[22] In July2019 ownership of Clyde’s Restaurant Group transferred to Graham Holdings.[23]

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kelly
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Martin
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kretikos
  4. ↑ Bronson, Fred. The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. New York: Billboard Books, 2003.
  5. ↑ Sun, Lena H. "Clyde's a Recipe for Success." The Washington Post, August 1, 1988.
  6. ↑ Mitchell, Travis. "New Bar at 1789." The Georgetowner, February 7, 2018.
  7. ↑ Mitchell & Stebenne, New City Upon a Hill, p.115.
  8. ↑ Joynt, Carol. "Q&A With John Laytham." Washingtonian, January 5, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named QALaytham
  10. ↑ Washington Post, August 5, 2012.
  11. ↑ Neibauer, Michael. "Clyde's of Tysons to close." Washington Business Journal, January 3, 2017.
  12. ↑ Shapiro, Lisa. "Tysons Clyde’s to Close." Viva Tysons Magazine, January 4, 2017.
  13. ↑ Cooper, Rebecca. "Clyde’s turning Tomato Palace into music venue." Baltimore Business Journal, July 5, 2017.
  14. ↑ Britto, Brittany. "The Soundry opens." Baltimore Sun, May 31, 2018.
  15. ↑ Meyer, Jacob Calvin. "Clyde’s Columbia closes amid pandemic." Baltimore Sun, June 24, 2020.
  16. ↑ Clabaugh, Jeff. "Clyde’s closing Reston after 31 years." WTOP News, February 10, 2022.
  17. ↑ Plumb, Tierney. "Old Ebbitt Grill spinoff coming to Reston." Eater DC, March 9, 2023.
  18. ↑ Yeager, Amanda. "Clyde’s takes over Rye Street Tavern." Baltimore Sun, May 8, 2023.
  19. ↑ Deal-Zimmerman, Michelle. "Rye Street Tavern reopening set for July." Baltimore Sun, July 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ Clabaugh, Jeff. "New Union Market seafood restaurant." WTOP-FM July 31,2023.
  21. ↑ Spiegel Anna. "Cordelia Fishbar opens at Union Market." Axios D.C., November19 ,2024.
  22. ↑ Barnes,Bart."John Laytham dies at74." Washington Post January15 ,2019.
  23. ↑ Maynard Michelle."Graham family buys Clyde’s Group." Forbes August1 ,2019.
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