(Updated at 3 p.m.) Those waiting on CarPool to make its triumphant return might have to keep waiting for a week — or several.
The beloved bar, which closed its original Ballston-area location on Fairfax Drive in 2017 and moved (temporarily) to Fairfax County, was hoping to open in October. But the global supply chain woes affecting everything from car manufacturing to wire hangers are delaying the opening.
“We are pretty much ready (and have been for a couple weeks now), but have been delayed while awaiting a couple parts needed to repair a couple pieces of kitchen equipment in order to get the final sign-off from the Department of Health,” co-owner Mark Handwerger told ARLnow this afternoon. “This whole supply-chain mess seems to be at the core of the matter, but in any event we are hoping to have things finalized next week.”
Handwerger cautioned that if CarPool is unable to open next week, it will likely have to wait until after the following week’s turkey leftovers are cleared from the fridge.
“It may be after Thanksgiving since I feel certain no one will be doing anything that week and, even if we get things shored up on our end I’m guessing we won’t be able to get inspected and have licenses and the like processed during the holiday,” he said.
The new CarPool is located in the nearly 6,400-square-foot former Greene Turtle and Bistro 1521 space, in the Virginia Tech building at 900 N. Glebe Road.
Photos posted to the watering hole’s social media accounts over the past month show what’s in store when it does reopen: billiards tables, dart boards, lots of TVs, plenty of beer taps, and other old favorites like the antique gas pumps, antique signs, and garage doors. There will also be a large outdoor space and, we’re told, pinball machines.
Photo via CarPool/Facebook