Cooper Mill, Restaurant Concept In Historic Warehouse, Opens In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Cooper Mill, the restaurant concept in a renovated historic warehouse, is now open in Old Town Alexandria.

The restaurant is a market, tavern, and event space at 10 Duke Street. It is named after the former mill at the site and the craftsman who worked there. Cooper Mill has a soft opening in late December and expects to have a grand opening in early February.

The project comes from Murray Bonitt of Bonitt Builders with restaurateur Noe Landini. Landini also owns Landini Brothers, Junction Bakery & Bistro, Pop’s Ice Cream and Fish Market.

"We are honored to be working together on what I think is the last ‘gem’ on the waterfront," Bonitt said. "This year marks 40 years I have been in business in Alexandria renovating old houses and buildings, and Noe’s family recently celebrated their 40th anniversary on King Street. I am thrilled to have Noe as a part owner and the operator of the space."

Cooper Mill, located in a 6,400-square-foot warehouse, has grab-and-go breakfast, coffee, sandwiches, soups, prepared food, fresh breads and baked goods featured from Landini's other restaurants. Customers can also find high-demand market items and beer and wine.

A casual tavern is located on the first floor, while the second floor hosts the private event space with capacity for 120 people, balconies and views of the Potomac River. The tavern features counter service, and the bar is full service. Menu items range from tavern bites and salads to pizzas and Zepps rustic sandwiches.

The warehouse dates back to 1856, when it was used as a manufacturing plant to make barrels for the Alexandria Flour Company. It was later a Civil War mess hall for the Union Army. The Cooper Mill name references the cooper occupation tasked with crafting wooden casks, barrels, buckets, and other similar containers from timber staves. Similar oak staves are featured on the upstairs bar in the event space.

Bonnitt has worked on other preservation projects in Old Town, such as Virtue Feed & Grain and The Majestic Café and has won awards from the American Institute of Architects and the Historic Alexandria Foundation. For Cooper Mill, the warehouse had to be deconstructed brick by brick, and those bricks went back into the restoration. Bonnitt also utilized existing 18th century wood roof trusses, rafters and decking.

"When Murray approached me with this opportunity, it was an easy decision," said Landini. "The building itself is remarkable, but when Murray shared his vision, I was immediately on board. Before long, we were sketching ideas on the back of a napkin, and things took off from there. Murray has an incredible talent for restoration, especially with timeless properties, and his creative approach to revitalizing them is truly inspiring."

Cooper Mill is open for its early morning menu from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily and the full tavern menu from 11 a.m. to closing daily. Happy hour runs 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Dining is first come, first served, and reservations are available for groups of 20 or more.

For more information, visit www.thecoopermill.com.