Bonitt Builders
10 Duke Street, Alexandria.
Around this time next year, a new market and tavern will open in a very, very old warehouse.
Murray Bonitt of Bonitt Builders is teaming up with Alexandria restauranteur Noe Landini to preserve and repurpose one of the last remaining waterfront warehouses in Old Town.
10 Duke Street will become a market/tavern/event space concept called Cooper Mill. The name is a referral to the former mill there that created barrels for the Alexandria Flour Company. The warehouse was also used as a commissary during the Civil War by the Union Army.
Photo by Kate Barton
The site of Coopers Mill, a new tavern, market and event space opening next year on Alexandria's waterfront.
“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.”
The warehouse is two stories and 6,400 sq. ft. It will have a market at the back of the building, a casual tavern on the first floor and a private event space on the second floor. The market will feature grab-and-go breakfast foods and coffee, sandwiches, soups, prepared foods, fresh breads, and baked goods from Landini’s various venues, as well as beer, wine, and other items.
The tavern will have a relaxed casual vibe surrounded by repurposed materials from the building. The special event space upstairs will be the crown jewel of the building, Bonitt said, with lots of light, exposed brick, balconies with views of the park and river, repurposed roof trusses and flooring, with the ability to host events up to 120 people.
“When Murray brought this opportunity to me and asked me to participate, it was a no-brainer,” Landini said. “An incredible building as it stands, but Murray shared his vision, and I simply couldn’t resist. It wasn’t long before we were drawing out a concept on the back of a napkin and before you knew it, we were off. Murray brings a lot to the table with his eye for restoration, particularly on timeless properties and more importantly, his creative ability to do great things with them. Taking a classic property, one that possesses charm and character and marrying it with a modern-day purpose, that’s the Bonitt way and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Bonitt and his firm are behind several notable preservation projects in Old Town such as restaurants Virtue Feed & Grain and The Majestic Café and is skilled in successfully re-purposing historic buildings as gathering places.
Plans call for the reconstruction of the building to begin soon. Lance Ohlsson, of Manage IT, will be the Project Manager, and Carlee Cardwell of Dambly Design will assist with interior finishes. Sanchez/Palmer Architects are handling the design.
