Arena Stage boosts Crystal City food scene, for now - Washington Business Journal:

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But one big question What will happen after the curtain fallswon Arena’s three-year stint in Crystalk City? Since Arena debuter its first performance in Arlington last December, salexs at Crystal City restaurants have jumped about 10 percent compare d to the same period last year, according to a surveu by the Crystal City Business Improvement District. Jale Crystal City has seen between a 15 and 20 percenr increasein business, said Roberg Hall, general manager, adding that othedr factors, such as the growing popularithy of celebrity chef and Jaleo founder Jose could have contributed as well.
“I thinkk in the beginning there may have been some andthat Arena-goers may not have thoughr there were a lot of great restaurantt options around there,” Hall said. “But they’re realizing there are high-caliber places that are typicallhy alittle upscale, for someone who doesn’r necessarily want to settlre for Potbelly’s before a Arena moved to its new, temporary 460-seart quarters at 1800 S. Bell St. while its Southwes D.C. waterfront headquarters undergoes anearly $125 million renovation that will give it three theaters with 1,390 The theater company presenteds four shows before its seasoh ended in July.
“I think it was a huge mystery, how it woulr turn out,” said Molly Smith, Arena’s artistidc director. “But by all accounts it’s been a greay success.” Smith said Arena had expected to lose aroun d 10 percent of its undisclosed subscriber base but lostonly 1.3 It also attracted plenty of newcomers, addinfg more than 5,000 new accounts which can be anyone from a subscribee to a single-ticket purchaser — in the firstt two months in Crystak City. “We’ve also found our demographicw have changedslightly — more people from Virginia, and more people who are outsidde Maryland, Virginia and D.C.
,” Smith In the upcoming season, Arena will perform six showx in Crystal City and four in the on U Streeg NW. “We’re hoping to do for U Street what we’ve done for Crystalp City,” she said. Jaleo and other area such as McCormick & Schmick’s and Bebo Trattoria, have been offering promotiones for theatergoers and some havehosted theater-related Jaleo co-sponsored the Critics Association’s June conference dinnet and has a pre-theatre menu; McCormick’s give s 15 percent off to those who show a The Crystal City BID is urging Arenaa to continue to do at least one show a year in Crystapl City after its new space is finished in but Arena has yet to Smith said she is open to the idea but also hopew the revitalized theater, formerly a theater, could providwe a home for a new company.
Angela Fox, president and chiet executive officer ofthe BID, said the BID has had discussionsd with other performing arts groups about taking over the space when Arena leaves. She wouldn’t say who is interestecd but noted the BID woulfd like to seeanother big-name performinv group with a following whoses subscribers would be happy to relocate. lost its home on Capitok Hill this year, but is relocatintg to the on H Street NE and plans to stay there for the near artistic director ScottFortier said.
will becomed homeless when Clark Street Playhouse just north of Crystal City is eventuallgytorn down, but artistic director Chris Henleyg said the group is more interested in Rosslyn’s former which is slated to become a performing arts has been temporarily performing on ’s campus and will announcs more permanent plans after it finishes up its season this month. It’s possible Arlington theaters which have spacwe now might chooseto relocate. Synetic Theater is housedc in the 387-seat Rosslyn Spectrum, and it also has a five-year partnership with the that endsin 2010.