Weston's Restaurant Seeks New Owners

Just five months after opening, the owners of Weston’s restaurant are seeking to sell the restaurant.

“The owner is taking offers to buy it at the moment. Let’s put it that way,” said Sheldon Hofferman, owner of the Buckley building at 7145 Main Street where Weston's is located. The restaurant opened in November.

When Patch called Weston’s at the number listed in the phonebook, a recording said the number had been disconnected. The current owner of Weston’s, Norman Bray Wilson, was unreachable.

Though details are not finalized, during April’s Clifton town meeting, the planning commission reported they have received an application about a change of ownership for Weston’s restaurant from Norman Bray Wilson to Daniel A. Albisu, who lives in Clifton. Albisu did not return a call to comment on the possible sale.

On Tuesday afternoon, a “closed” sign was hung on Weston’s front door. Clifton residents, meanwhile, are hoping that the spot can be a successful eatery in the future.

“You need something that has wide appeal and something that is good,” said resident Stephen Effros. “A good, quality restaurant can make it here.”

A History of Setbacks

It is not clear why the owners were seeking to sell their business, but the restaurant has faced a number of setbacks since its opening.

In November, records from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stated that the application for selling wine and beer on the premises was denied.

According to Virginia ABC records of a hearing on Weston’s application, the application was denied because “[the] applicant misrepresented a material fact in applying to the Board for a license,” and “applicant has demonstrated by police record a lack of respect for law and order.”

According to Fairfax County court records, Wilson was arrested in 2006 for public swearing and intoxication. He paid a fine. He has also been charged for driving without a license in 2002.

When initially applying for a permit to open the restaurant last May, Wilson told the Clifton town council that he had a drunk driving arrest in 1996.

The restaurant had also briefly installed off-track betting stations on the premises, according to discussions at a January Clifton town council meeting. After speaking with members of the council, the owners removed the betting stations.

“He voluntarily agreed to pull the machines out of Weston’s,” said councilmember John Powell at the January meeting.

Records from the Virginia Department of Health show that on the restaurant’s last routine inspection in December, the inspector listed one critical violation, which was that the restaurant “does not have a written employee health policy.”