Lunchtime patrons of the Carpool bar and restaurant on Fairfax Road in Arlington called the establishment a neighborhood institution and decried plans to tear it down and replace it with condominiums.
“This is one of my favorite places,” said Kelly, an Alexandria resident who works near the bar who refused to give her last name. “I think [tearing Carpool down] is taking away from the area. It’s very unique.”
The Donohoe Cos., which owns the land the Carpool sits on, submitted plans to Arlington County to build a 188-unit high-rise on the land. Bedrock Management owns Carpool, which has a second location in Herndon, as well as Buffalo Billiards in the District.
Carpool stands out among the buildings surrounding it because of its small size. Condominiums and office buildings tower over the bar, which was once a garage.
Its past is reflected in the decor. Old gas signs and license plates hang on the walls among numerous televisions. About 30 patrons ate there Friday afternoon while watching the first game of the World Cup, news and college baseball. Pool tables sat unused in the back of the bar, which in the evenings is usually packed with young adults.
Dawn, a Springfield resident who works near Carpool and refused to give her last name, said she has been coming to the bar since it opened 11 years ago. People who live and work near the bar would be sad to see it torn down, she said.
“This is a great place to come and hang out with friends. A lot of people will be very upset if this place goes,” she said.
According to Arlington zoning code, Donohoe, as owner of the land, can build the condominiums by right. If the company wants to go ahead with the plans to tear Carpool down, the county cannot stop it.
Jorge Carcamo, the manager on duty Friday afternoon, said he has been working at the bar since two weeks after it opened in 1995. He said he would be sorry to see it go.
“Who doesn’t like working here? Everyone likes it here,” he said.
