Maple Ave’s Tim Ma One Step Closer to Opening Shaw Restaurant

A popular Northern Virginia restauranteur is one step closer to opening a restaurant in Shaw.

According to public hearing notice documents released today by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), Ma’s new restaurant, Freehand, has officially applied for a liquor license for an “upscale restaurant” in the mixed-use development called “The Shay” at 1924 8th Street NW.

The new restaurant will include a sidewalk cafe and seating for 99 patrons, and will be open until midnight every day, according to the notice.

Tim Ma, who owns popular NoVA restaurants Maple Ave and Water & Wall, was reportedly working on the new restaurant as early as February.

Though details regarding the opening date are still sparse, Ma told the Washington Post he expected the new restaurant to open some time next year.

Photo via TheShay.com