A new restaurant coming to the Triangle Building in downtown Williamsburg hopes to combine small-plate dining with live entertainment.
The City of Williamsburg announced a lease agreement with KBB Hospitality, LLC Monday for a vacant space in the city-owned Triangle Building, formerly occupied by The Jewish Mother Restaurant.
The space will now be occupied by a tapas culture-inspired bar and restaurant – named Triangle – under the direction of proprietors Anna Krouse, Tyler Eason and Matthew Black.
The three have 30 years of restaurant experience between them. Krouse previously worked as a bar manager in Scotland, and Baston worked as a chef with Colonial Williamsburg. Black relocated to the area from Mississippi four years ago.
Black, who will serve as the restaurant’s bar manager, said the new business would blend food, live entertainment and craft cocktails.
“We’re really looking to bridge the gap between the delis and Merchants Square,” Black said.
Triangle is the first eatery launched by the trio, but Black said the three restaurateurs had explored the possibility of opening a business in the city for nearly 18 months. They looked into leasing the spot in the Triangle Building in 2013, but the space ultimately went to The Jewish Mother.
That business was evicted from the building in August after defaulting on its lease for consistent late and missed payments.
City Director of Economic Development Michele DeWitt said KBB inquired on the space soon after it became available again.
Black said he and his colleagues were attracted to the building’s central location in the city, and its proximity to both students at the College of William & Mary and city residents.
DeWitt said the city was lacking in its tapas offerings, a niche Black said Triangle would help fill. Both said the restaurant’s emphasis on live entertainment would make it appealing to groups throughout the community.
Black said the restaurant was reaching out to members of the Williamsburg arts community, including local musicians and William & Mary a cappella groups.
“People want a safe space to practice their arts,” Black said.
The restaurant has not yet announced its hours, but DeWitt said the lease had been structured to recognize existing city zoning regulations and noise ordinances regarding the live entertainment aspect.
The Triangle Building space is currently being renovated, including the installation of a new bar.
With a May 1 opening date as their goal, Black said he and his colleagues hope Triangle adds to Williamsburg’s nightlife scene.
“We want to have a fun space that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg,” he said.
The finalization of the lease for the new restaurant brings the Triangle Building to full occupancy for the first time since The Jewish Mother’s demise.
DeWitt said she was excited for Triangle’s opening.
“It’s very positive,” she said. “It’s something we think will add to the flavor of downtown.”
Triangle will be the third restaurant to open along the Prince George Street corridor in 2015, joining Oishii Japanese Ramen and Hibachi Grill in the Griffin Arms building and Rick’s Cheese Steak Shop in the Triangle Building.
Correction: This article has been updated to correct the name of one of Triangle’s proprietors. A previous version misidentified chef Tyler Eason.
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