The team behind Mason Social is in the planning phases of opening a 163-seat Mexican restaurant on lower King Street called Urbano 116.
Justin Sparrow, Chad Sparrow and Larry Walston Jr. opened Mason Social, in Alexandria's Parker-Gray neighborhood, in 2015.
The 116 King Street building is owned by Charlotte, N.C.-based Asana Partners. This winter, the spot was home to a pop-up retail venue, which will be moving and opening in the first floor at ALX Community's Founder's Hall.
The Alexandria Planning Commission gave its stamp of approval for the restaurant Tuesday night, over a few objections from residents who said parking could become an issue. The proposal next goes before City Council Feb. 24.
The restaurant will seat 163 in a nearly 4,000 square foot space and will feature limited live entertainment (acoustic guitar). Proposed hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays.
The two-story brick building where Urbano 116 will open was constructed in 1885 by brothers John and Harry Aitechson, as a machine shop and storage for their business. The property later became part of the 1975 Small Mall and has been used for various forms of retail over the years.
