For a few weeks last summer, the march of progress threatened the demise of neighborhood landmark, Mr. Henry’s.
When in July 2014 longtime managing partner Alvin Ross retired from Mr. Henry’s, the Quillian family (owners of the restaurant since 1972) was faced with a difficult decision. Current business thought would be to shutter the old business and start afresh with a new and different (read: more profitable) concept, a popular practice on Capitol Hill.
Persuaded by a love of Mr. Henry’s timeless character and its significance to the community, the Quillians chose the road less traveled, they decided to restore the Hill landmark and revitalize the business with the goal of staying relevant to their present day community while maintaining the integrity of the concept; a friendly neighborhood restaurant.
With that goal in mind, ownership brought in family member and experienced Delaware Beach restaurateur Mark Steele who joined Mr. Henry’s as the general manager in August. Mark has settled in DC to be closer to family and is pleased to be part of renewing Mr. Henry’s. With 28 years’ of familiarity with the restaurant and its neighborhood he appreciates its rich history and values the community support.
Since August, Mark and the staff have been hard at work, updating the business without disturbing the essential Mr. Henry’s. The menu has been improved, retaining most of Henry’s classics, with a handful of modern additions. The most notable upgrade to date has been the renovation of the Upstairs space.
The restoration has left intact the historic paneling (salvaged from the old Dodge Hotel) and kept the old world look and feel it was known for in the late 60’s when Roberta Flack made her meteoric rise to stardom. Henry’s Upstairs has kept the look, but is modernizing where needed most: new furnishings, flatscreen TV and a custom beer tower.
Mr. Henry’s will also be renewing its relationship with the music community. Live Jazz will be offered at Henry’s Upstairs on friday nights beginning January 9th with the Steve Scott Project and, on January 16th, with the return of a Henry’s old friend, the Kevin Cordt Quartet.
In addition to jazz music, other performances & events are in planning stages, such as art shows, Bluegrass, Folk, Comedy & Burlesque acts. The newly renovated Henry’s Upstairs is open on Monday evenings for half-priced burgers (a long standing Henry’s tradition), and Friday evenings, with the schedule expanding soon. The space is also available for private events.
With the support of the community, Mr. Henry’s will continue to embrace its role as a Capitol Hill mainstay and a favorite neighborhood hangout.