Duke's Grocery, New Cava Mezze Eatery Coming To Potomac

POTOMAC, MD — Two new restaurant leases have been signed at Potomac Place, according to JLL, the commercial real estate firm. One is for a new Duke's Grocery and the other is an unnamed Italian eatery from Cava Mezze Group.

JLL’s Mid Atlantic Retail Group said Monday the leases at the Zuckerman Gravely-owned shopping center, Potomac Place, in Potomac are for Cava Mezze Group to open a new concept in 2025 in the former Renatos space and Duke’s Grocery. In its first venture outside the District, Duke's Grocery will replace the former Lock 72, and will open imminently, the news release said.

Cava Mezza Group, which began in 2006, will place a new concept in Potomac, offering Italian-inspired cuisine, its founder said.

Cava will bring a "Mediterranean touch to their dishes, using the freshest ingredients and drawing from the Italian coastline, where mountains meet the sea. Led by Chef Aris Tsekouras, who also oversees Julii, Melina, and Bouboulina, the menu will feature fresh crudo, classic Italian meatballs, fried mushroom polenta, handmade pastas, burrata, and the ever-popular chicken parmesan,” said Ted Xenohristos, founder and chief concept officer at Cava.

The sixth location of Duke’s Grocery, a DC-based British-style gastropub, will open at 10128 River Road. Look for indoor and outdoor dining options at the Potomac Duke’s, plus a coppertop bar.

Duke’s Grocery is known for serving one of the best burgers in D.C., the owners said, and will feature a regularly updated menu, offering dishes made from scratch, sandwiches, salads, and full service bar featuring cocktails and beer and wine.

Its Proper Burger is ranked as one of the D.C. area’s best burgers, with two patties, gouda cheese, charred red onion and sweet chili sauce, DC Eater said.

Other Duke's Grocery locations are in the Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and Navy Yard areas of Washington, D.C., with a Duke's Counter sister location in Woodley Park/National Zoo.

“As a resident of Potomac, I am particularly enthusiastic about the addition of these two new restaurants,” said Andy Corno, managing director of JLL, in a news release. “This marks a significant step in the evolution of this cherished community hub. Potomac Place is the heart and soul of our neighborhood, and while we have fond memories of the restaurants that previously occupied these spaces, we eagerly anticipate this next chapter with an opportunity to support these new, homegrown restaurants. We warmly welcome Duke’s Grocery, and a brand new concept from the founders of Cava here.”

Suburban retail real estate options are in low supply. According to JLL research, retail has an average vacancy of only 4.3 percent.

“Core grocery-anchored shopping centers like Potomac Place are thriving right now,” Corno said in the news release. “Businesses are growing and expanding. That, coupled with a lack of new supply, is what’s driving value to our shopping centers.”