Havabite Eatery, a cherished family-owned restaurant in Old Town Fairfax will be closing its doors at 10416 Main Street on March 31, 2025, after 47 years of serving the community. Havabite Eatery is a staple in the Old Town Fairfax, offering homemade Greek, Italian, and American cuisines.
We were able to talk to Ida, whose family owns Havabite Eatery. Despite sticking it through 2 rent increases during the pandemic, the restaurant is closing simply because of the landlord’s unwillingness to renew the lease. Ida does not know what the landlord is planning for that small have-a-bite of a space. They even reached out to Mayor Read and so far it appears that Ida’s cry for help might become a broken heart on March 31.
“I learnt everything about business in that building. Everyone that came to eat became a friend. We saw weddings and funerals. That building means the world to me. And I feel like someone snatched my baby away from me,” said Ida during our brief conversation. “We started from nothing and step-by-step, year-by-year, we have built a reputation, a faithful clientele, and an embedded place in the heart of this town. We’ve seen children grow into adults, families expand, and the city thrive. Old-Town Fairfax City isn’t just our business location, it is our home,” continued Ida as she became tearful and sadder.
Ida’s heartbreak has been echoed across 100s of Facebook posts. “Yes I delivered pizzas in the iconic red delivery car as an FHS senior. My daughter Mary Walton was also a server there. Literally hundreds of Fairfax kids grew up sitting on those stools eating Greek gyros and souvlaki,” Chap Petersen posted on Facebook.
Their petition states – The reality we face now is threatening our existence in this beloved town. The intrinsic value we bear in the fabric of Fairfax City transcends profits and losses. We — just like so many small businesses — are a representation of the American Dream, the spirit of entrepreneurship, and the backbone of our economy. Therefore, we are turning to you, the community that has known and grown with us. We are asking for your support in making voices heard that we wish to remain in Old-Town Fairfax City. Together, we can weave a narrative of economic sustainability, shared history, and communal growth.
Haveabite’s change.org petition to Mayor Read has gathered over 600 signatures in less than three weeks. Along with their heartfelt plea to stay open in the current location, they are asking the Mayor to retain the character, stability, and heritage of Fairfax City.
Ida handed the phone to her son Saeid, owner of Mazadar, located at 11725 Lee Hwy, Fairfax – near the Fairfax County Government Center. Saeid mentioned that the two restaurants will be operating from the same location until Havabite can go back to their old home or find a new home in the City. I asked if they would still have my favorite avgolemono soup on the menu. Saeid said come by to grab some soup! We will continue with Haveabite’s story in the next edition of The Fairfax Independent. In the meantime, please visit Mazadar because Havabite is on the menu!
The link to Havabite’s petition to preserve the heritage and stability of Old Town Fairfax City and keep local businesses is available on the following change.org website.
Author
Tania Hossain is the editor, publisher, and co-owner of The Independent News Press, a consortium of local print and online newspapers in Virginia. She focuses on writing about community issues and advocates for local newspapers, both print and online, especially in the age of Ai from selfie filters to betting on military strikes. A Merrifield resident, she is a keen backyard gardener, loves forest bathing and a curious biohacker, believing that proactive health keeps one out of the costly illness industry. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine launch, she feels fortunate to be running this newspaper.
