Alexandria’s Zoning Board of Adjustment & Appeals will hear a request moving the metamorphosis of the former Owl Fine Foods into a fine dining establishment called Oliver’s closer to completion. 

 

Renovation at the iconic site began with demolition in 2019. 

 

It paused as legal issues and Covid combined to prevent progress, but once hurdles were cleared last summer the progress has apparently been steady. 

 

Now, owner John Callis is seeking a special exception to zoning to allow commercial use of adjacent property (1120 Palm) and a tract at 2156 Polk to extend business use of Oliver’s Restaurant on property where Owl operated for decades. 

 

The Palm and Polk properties in question are currently designated SF2, requiring an exception for commercial use, an exception previously granted for the Owl property. 

 

Jesse “Jay” Mertens opened Owl in the 1930s. His son Jack later managed it. The grocery closed in 1990.