The Classics specializes in steaks. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
The Classics restaurant at 8606 Colesville Rd. will close at the end of February after about 4½ years of operation.
The closing had been rumored since before Christmas, and news of the change began to trickle out over the weekend from restaurant guests.
ARS Silver Spring LLC, the parent company of The Classics, filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Maryland Bankruptcy Court on Aug. 4, 2017. Public documents show the company listing 1-49 creditors, with $50,001-$100,000 in assets and $100,001-$500,000 in liabilities.
In the latest legal action Feb. 9, there was a filing of a “Joint Motion to Approve Stipulation/Settlement Pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019,” and a “Joint Motion to Shorten Time to Respond to and Set Hearing on Joint Motion for Approval of Compromise Pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019.”
Restaurateur Michael Landrum started the restaurant in the summer of 2006. Landrum founded Ray’s the Steaks in 2002 in Arlington, Va., and quickly earned a reputation for offering high-quality steaks at reasonable prices.
He opened Ray’s the Classics in the summer of 2006 following the same formula, adding dishes such as Southern fried chicken, veal chops and rack of lamb.
Later, long-time employees Elliott Rattley and Nick Lopata bought the restaurant, taking over on July 1, 2013. They dropped the “Ray’s” name and trimmed the menu to focus on steaks.
Rattley told the Source last night via email that a press statement was forthcoming today; in that event, this story will be updated as warranted.