'Restaurant Accelerator' in Talks to Launch in Torpedo Factory Space

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The public will see few outside changes when the City prepares to take the reins at the Torpedo Factory Art Center come Oct. 1. Founded in 1974 in an old munitions plant, the Torpedo Factory is home to the largest collection of publicly accessible working artist studios in the country.

Here's what we know about any possible changes coming to the Alexandria art center during the transition period:

Changes coming to cafe space?

EatsPlace Washington, which bills itself as a "food incubator and restaurant accelerator" is in negotiations to take over a cafe space at the Torpedo Factory, EatsPlace co-owner Katy Chang said Monday. The space at the Torpedo Factory is currently occupied by Bread & Chocolate; no one answered the phone at the Bread & Chocolate Torpedo Factory or King Street locations Monday morning.

Chang said that she's excited about the possibility of moving into the space and opening a second location. "We're a food incubator, we work with local entrepreneurs," she said. That can mean anyone from caterers to food truck chefs to established restaurant chefs who want to try something new, she noted. If EatsPlace opens in the spot, as early as October, Chang said her company will seek input from local residents, will be open for regular hours and will work to become part of the surrounding neighborhood.

Torpedo Factory CEO

Torpedo Factory CEO Eric Wallner is leaving his job at the end of September, after declining an offer from the City. It doesn't appear the City is in a hurry to replace him -- there is no Torpedo Factory CEO job description on the City jobs Web site.

Diane Ruggerio, deputy director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, is overseeing the transition period at the Torpedo Factory.

Artists

Artists who rent space at the Torpedo Factory have been offered three-year leases instead of the typical one-year lease. Artists are also no longer required to be a member of the Torpedo Factory Artists' Association (TFAA) in order to rent space at the center.

The artists' association has created its own vision for how the center should move forward. TFAA calls for the creation of a "new, collaborative Torpedo Factory board comprised of representatives of TFAA, the City of Alexandria, and the Art League, the art education organization." The new board would oversee the Art Center and execute the business plan, according to a news release from the artists' association. See the entire TFAA plan here.

The current Torpedo Factory Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Torpedo Factory's Main Hall, if it sticks to its every third Wednesday monthly meeting schedule.

Members of the 2016 Board are (according to the Web site):

Mike Detomo – President, Representing the Alexandria Commission for the Arts
Michele Hoben – Vice President, Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Penelope Barringer – Treasurer , Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Pat Miller – Secretary, Representing the Community At-Large
Vacant – Representing the Community At-Large
Michele Hoben – Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Maria Hopper – Representing the Community At-Large
vacant – Representing the Community At-Large
Eric Nelson – Representing the Community At-Large
Diane Ruggiero – Representing the City Manager’s Office
Ralph Rosenbaum – Non-Voting Member, Representing the Alexandria Archaeology Commission
Andra Patterson – Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Lisa Schumaier – Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Susan Sherwin – Representing the Art League
vacant – Representing the Community At-Large
Marian Van Landingham – Representing the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association
Patricia Washington – Representing the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association
Suzanne Willett – Representing the Community At-Large
Eric Wallner – Chief Executive Officer

Location of Torpedo Factory Art Center (Google maps):

PHOTO of Torpedo Factory Art Center courtesy of Visit Alexandria