An entrepreneur behind some big names in D.C.’s nightlife scene has turned his attention to Arlington, taking the reins of a Clarendon restaurant.
Antonis Karagounis became the new owner of Wilson Hardware earlier this month at 2915 Wilson Blvd, where he intends to introduce a different, as-yet-unnamed restaurant concept in the new year.
Karagounis is the owner of D.C. nightlife spots like Decades, Rewind and the Mayflower Club. He declined to comment on the specifics of his plans, but told ARLnow he is interested in bringing “something new [and] something fresh” to the three-level restaurant and rooftop bar, which occupies the former Virginia Hardware building built in 1953.
“I mean, [Clarendon’s] a great community,” Karagounis told ARLnow. “There’s a lot of options and experiences. I would like to be able to provide something unique that hasn’t been done before.”
Wilson Hardware opened in 2017 and underwent a $1 million renovation project in 2022, expanding its rooftop, adding a new “garden terrace” and interior design to match a new menu.
The restaurant currently offers a variety of “shareables,” salads, cocktails and entrees like a signature “short rib mash,” as well as weekend brunch. Its rooftop won Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Best of NoVA 2024” vote for “Best Rooftop Bar” and was the 2025 category runner-up.
Karagounis said he plans to manage the Clarendon restaurant as-is through the end of the year, with more rebranding details to come over the next few months.
