Atlantis Closing: Iconic Alexandria Restaurant Crushed by Pandemic
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Atlantis Restaurant owners Bill and Jim Patrianakos posted a sign on their window telling customers goodbye. The note said simply that “the pandemic has proven to be too difficult” and that on January 24, they would lock the doors forever on the iconic neighborhood family business.
Atlantis Restaurant, located in the Bradlee Shopping Center at 3648 King Street, has deep Greek and Italian roots that stretch back in the neighborhood for 38 years.
“We have so many, good, good neighbors. They come to patronize us 3-4 times a week over the years, but so many, they don’t want to go out. We tried for so many months. So much has changed in the restaurant industry because of the virus,” owner Bill Patrianakos told The Zebra this morning.
The sad news was broken Sunday on the social media site, nextdoor, when Del Ray resident Kate Reich posted about seeing the note in the window, “Atlantis Pizzeria & Family Restaurant is closing.”
“How very sad! Atlantis has been such an important institution to the neighborhood for so very long. This virus has devastated our community and our country. Our family cannot count the number of meals we have shared there for the last 20+ years. They have truly been a generational focal point for our community!” added Brett Melvin, a Seminary Hill resident.
When reached for comment, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson told The Zebra, “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Atlantis has been an institution in our City for a generation. In a community with constant change, Atlantis is a throw-back, a place that has bound the community. They will be missed.”
So sad great place and we visited frequently.
Very sad to read this. The pandemic has been hard for so many. Thank you for many delicious meals and good times, Bill and Jim Patrianakos. Wishing you both the best. Atlantis is truly a neighborhood institution that will be sorely missed.
They will be truly missed great wings and subs
It’s heart braking to read this news. Atlantis has been our favorite family restaurant for many years and generations. The end of the legacy and for no GOOD reason..
Seeing this sign really makes me sad. It’s me and my co workers to go breakfast and also lunch sometimes.
My family eats there at least 3-4 times a week dine in and also when Im craving for pizza they’re always my first choice to call and pick up food😔😔
Good luck to the owners and be safe y’all! Thanks for all the good food that you have shared within our community!
Most of my deep, soul searching conversations took place at Atlantis going back to 1987.
Sad they are giving up the ghost, but typical for a business that didn’t adapt to reality.
They never offered: ONLINE ORDERING, CURBSIDE PICKUP, ONLINE PAYING, limited indoor seating , etc.
I’m sad. Atlantis was my go to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cup of coffee.
I’m sympathetic to this news.. I wasn’t a fan of their food nor a total lover of their food. However,this is sad to hear for any business. Sincerely I hope all helps with them and their future business goals.Prayers for all.
This is the same establishment that during a summer filled with police shootings of unarmed black American citizens, literally gave free meals to police for months. During these promos, both sides of the dining area would be overflowing with uniformed police, eating for free and filling tables that paying customers could have been. I hope that for your sake those same police that you supported and fed can now remember your kindness as your chickens come home to roost. -US Navy Veteran
LIAR.
(1) The restaurant never opened their dining room during this past summer;
(2) Alexandria PD never take free meals;
and, (3) It is uneducated, ignorant people like you who spread hate.
Grow up and earn your right to enter the conversation
Learn to read. I didn’t write “last summer”.
Earn the right? I fought for the right for everyone to voice their opinion, no matter how misguided and uniformed their perspective may be. I served my country proudly, so I am the conversation. Deal with it.
P.S. You’re clearly taking your punctuation cues and comprehension abilities from a seditious traitor. Read and listen. You’ll learn a lot more in life.
Also, how is pointing out a fact spreading hate? Not to mention that what I stated is completely true. If you patronized this establishment as much as you claim to in your poetically waxed comment, then you would have witnessed the sign in the window advertising free lunch to the police. Did I write Alexandria PD? No. I stated exactly what I saw. You weren’t there and clearly don’t give the Atlantis diner your business frequently enough, or you would have seen it for yourself.
So sad. Loved going there
Sign of the times
Atlantis was our place to go. My son and I spent many good hours there enjoying the food and the wonderful atmosphere. It felt like home and we were always welcomed. This is a sad day for not only the owners and staff but also for the many folks in this area.