I am extremely disappointed in this change and to think that we are losing one of our only family friendly restaurant is disgusting. Once again I feel that our Mason District Leadership is letting us down but hey we get a sidewalk. I can not imagine why we need any more pharmacies in Annandale. I personally will not go to Walgreens on principal.

Fuddruckers is the only place in Annandale big enough for end of year sports parties. Also Fuddruckers is a HUGE supporter of schools through their restaurants nights. This is a huge loss for the community.

This is terrible! Seriously a Walgreens within shouting distance of a 24hr CVS? Not a good move for Annandale!

I'm surprised anyone cares, most communities try to keep chain restaurants out of their neighborhoods. One of the best things about living here is the food: The farmers market, ethic grocery stores and the restaurants are amazing. I can't believe anyone would even want to go a Fuddruckers considering all of the choices around Annandale.

Great another drug dealer in Annandale! We need a Walgreen in Annandale like we need another Korean restaurant, ridiculous! Fuddruckers is the last decent non-ethnic family restaurant left in Annandale. Simply sad news and a huge loss for the Annandale community. Thank you Fuddruckers for all the great years and community support, you will be missed.

I didn't frequent Fuddruckers but I can see how it would be a great gathering place for families and kids. I deplore the loss of any American restaurant in the Annandale area. Walgreens is a good drug store, but in this case, the Annandale community absolutely does not need another drug store, especially since it will be just a minute away from CVS. What kind of thinking is that? We need a good American restaurant for families to go to! I would welcome a place like a Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel or a mom-and-pop American restaurant. Where is the Mason District leadership on this matter? They should be courting good restaurants to come to our area. This just reinforces my thoughts that when I retire, I will definitely be moving out of Annandale. I am tired of driving miles to get a decent, home-cooked American meal.

Thanks for your comments and votes so far! Interesting to hear the various opinions from residents. We're also seeing some comments on our Facebook page and Twitter account. From Twitter, in a reply to @AnnandalePatch: "Excellent news. I'd love a Walgreens closer (and more accessible) than Old Town." Comments on our Facebook post: "oh bummer. we love Fuddruckers!" and "UGH to another drug store!!!"

Would much rather see a Baskin Robbins or Krispy-Kreme ... something fun ~ not another drug store ... whose dumb idea was that?!

This is TERRIBLE. I LOVE Fuddruckers, it's always so fun and such a treat to go there. I'm so disappointed. There is a CVS practically across the street, what are they thinking? I'm saddened by this news.

How about Fuddrucker's moving into the space recently vacated by Bloom?

Wow I've been eating at fuddruckers for almost all of those 20+ years it's been open. Still the best burger in the area. But I sure am glad there will be one more pharmacy to choose from, as any one of the 30 CVS's within three miles of my house are just a little too inconvenient to get to

It figures a nonresident, Maryland politician is selling-out to Walgreens! I worked in this location in the late 70's as a busboy @ Three Chefs Restaurant! Later frequented Fuddruckers countless times with friends, family and numerous extended family relatives visiting the area. What a shame & great loss to the Annandale community!!

Hey great idea about the vacated "Bloom" at the corner of Columbia Pike and Gallows road! Take note Fuddruckers! We want you to stay in the area... no need for another drug store..across the street from one another...yikes.

I am deeply saddened and disgusted at the recent news... I frequent this Fuddruckers since I first came to the States 15 years ago. In fact, this is the place I take my kid now when sghe's done with ballet recital, soccer season or just an affordable burger that actually tastes like meat!!! Besides that, there are so many memories and most of all it was such a staple in the Annandale area!!! I live a block away and I can tell you this place is favored by lots of people so it cannot be a "going under" situation. My bet this is due to pure greed.
As I live in Annandale I can tell we are people of traditions, we attend the same Annandale fair, the yearly parade, the same nasty K-mart and we out of habit go to the same grocery stores all the time. Recent case with Bloom which actually brought some higher quality groceries and better customer service than our local Giant and Safeway (where everyday the lines for registers rival Thanksgiving day), yet they have recently closed and Safeway still sucks!!
I don't even wanna think about the traffic delays this will bring... that corner is always a mess anyways, I am now going to have to leave my house 20 minutes earlier than when I leave now as I go down Backlick to get to work...
They should be ashamed of themselves.... SMH

I've updated the story with a response from Fuddruckers. Thanks for your comments!

This is a disgrace.. Fuddruckers is a landmark.. the center! meeting point of Columbia pike little river and Backlick roads.. It has been a staple in annandale history and NOTHING can take its place.. This is a tragedy if it goes.. i remember the black magician on Wednesdays! anyhow boycott w.e. takes its place! only Godzilla can save this city at this point...

I am also in disbelief that this is happening.. There are 15 places within 2 miles of the Fuddruckers location that sell drugs an medications and ground has been broken for a new CVS at 236 and Woodburn Rd. My hope is that Walgreens last about two months less than Bloom did,,, Hopefully the kiss of Death will be swift..

I can't believe this! I have lived in Annandale my whole life and Fuddruckers has always been a staple of Annandale. Their is probably no better landmark or group gathering place in our town! Furthermore, we certainly do not need ANOTHER drug store. I will not shop there.

Everyone should flood Rona Kramer with e-mails: info@ronakramer.org. Also flood the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization with e-mails: http://www.fcrevit.org/contact.htm. It also wouldn't be bad to contact Supervisor Gross, the Washington Post, corporate Walgreens, and corporate Fuddruckers.

I tried to send Rona Kramer and email this AM and it bounced back. After doing a little research on the web and making a call, I found out she is no longer a Maryland Senator. I could not find an email for her on the web - if someone can find it and post it, I would love to get my email to her. I did send it to several of our local leaders in the hopes we can make a difference in our community!

I will be emailing anyone I can.. I doubt that it will do any good, because the corporate wheels are already in motion, but it's worth a shot I guess. I certainly will NOT be shopping at Walgreens, EVER. Maybe we can stage a protest.. Hahaa

Just emailed everyone that was suggested on this thread. Thanks Patch for letting us know.

I am boycotting Walgreens!! I don't understand, with all the pharmacies in the area, why would they move in? No need for another one. Why couldn't Kramer give the contract to another store or restaurant instead? I wish we can get the community together and stage a protest!

It seems like Rona Kramer sold out to the highest bidder. It would have been nice to consult with the Annandale Chamber of Commerce as well as residents on what we would like in the middle of our town. I personally have no use for Walgreens and will truly miss Fuddruckers!

Let's tear down the old cannon and open a Mrs. Fields!

Over the years in Annandale we lost a Big Boys, Caldwells, Mainstreet Grill, The Black Orchid, Tom Westins, RJ Gators, Ribster's, and now Fudds.  You have to leave Annandale to find American fair other than Silverados.  You can't count the many fast food joints as these are not unique. There's a CVS right across the street. Why is it needed when you have K-Mart, Safeway and Giant Food pharmacys. Losing Ribster's was already a big loss just to be replaced by another Korean restaurant.

I emailed Penny Gross on this manner a few days ago and never heard back. I do not think the Mrs Gross is working for Annandale. We need leadership to come in and encourage business to join our Annandale family that are needed not another unneeded pharmacy. I agree Todd and email everyone you can to let them know how you feel. PC Motorhed is also correct about all the great restaurants that have left. I loved Tom Westins and Caldwells and truly miss them. Thank you Patch for keeping us updated.

I second the notion to take the cannon and stage a blockade when they try to break ground... And we should pain the walls CVS red... LOL!! :-D.

We should paint 'Go Away Walgreens!!' on the walls.. In fact, Fudds should put that up on their SignBoard!!

It seems that our community lack the leadership both in attracting the right businesses and/or make the community aware of the situation before it gets this far. It appears that everyone on this thread is very passionate about the cause of saving Fuddruckers and Annandale from further spiraling. If that is so than I say we get organize as a group and move forward with this cause. My only concern is whether Walgreen purchased the property or is leasing it. Does anyone know the true status of the property?

How about Walgreen can move over where Bloom used to be or the old Pet shop behind Popeyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Annandale High School community got ripped apart by the school boards redistricting and now we are losing another part of our family community. It's just NOT RIGHT!!!

Laurie - I 100% agree with you. I think we need new leadership because our current leadership just does not care about the Annandale community. Be is school board or district supervisor.

Its funny how I hear people talk about how there is a lack of leadership in the community, yet people still vote the incumbents in. Too many "blind" voters who just vote with the status quo. I heard one Gross supporter on another blog saying how she has done her best to revitalize the area. I wonder what their definition of 'best' is. I told him how one obvious way to revitalize the area is to make it more visually appealing. A big way is to clear day-laborers lining the streets. All the loitering affects the businesses in the area. Our leadership can help revitalize the area by considering this issue.

The real solution to day-laborers is to go to the source and stop those hiring them. That's not an easy issue. As long that it's an attractive way to get a job is to hang out along Little River Turnpike, this will not change. You can provide them a place to go to but where will that be and how will that be enforced. There's no easy solution unless there's a law against hiring them is the only way you'll stop the loitering.

I just emailed the property owner and Penny Gross. My subject line was: Not another drug store! Would make a good hashtag for a Twitter campaign!

THREE CHEFS_remember them? they were once in the same spot as Fuddruckers! we need good american restaurants in Annandale! Boycott Walgreens! I think the Bloom space would be great for FUdds!

i worked in that building when it was Three Chefs Restaurant , will be sad seeing a great building torn down for some new eyesore.

I think the old Roomstore location would be perfect.

Maybe its not in the same league, but Silverado is a great family restaurant and is very busy most evenings. I have no problem with Fuddruckers, but don't forget the locally owned folks at Silverado.

To:PorterJervis: I love Silverado's but if your kids are loud you do not feel as comfortable as you do at Fuddruckers. I love that Silverado's does give my kids balloons but life with young kids is less stressful at Fuddruckers.

CD Agreed. Fudd is much more kid friendly.

I lived in Annandale all my life until I went away to college. I don't think there is really any other place like Fuddruckers in Annandale that has been a cornerstone to family and social life. You will hear and read of countless stories of people having childhood and family memories at Fuddruckers. It was literally the place to go with your soccer team after your ABGC season was over. It was the place to go to after church on Sundays. It was the place to go to on any night with the family. It was the best place to get a milkshake. It was the best place to run into old friends. There's no place like Annandale's Fuddruckers. One can go to any suburb, city, or town to find a Walgreens, but one will never find a place like Fuddruckers. Hope they still decide to keep it where it's been for almost 25 years.

I am saddened by the news of Annandale's Fuddrucker's closing. This restaurant represented more than just burgers, salads and video games. It was the also the platform for fostering relationships and strengthening familial bonds; all done over great food in a warm atmosphere. I would doubt that a Walgreens could ever offer the same type of welcoming experience and somehow the smell the makeup and medication just doesn't compare to the that of baking rolls or hot chocolate chips cookies. Farewell, old friend! You will be missed.

I hope that Walgreens offers the employees of Fuddruckers an opportunity to work with them. It would be sad to see the Fudds workers just put out on the street. I'm craving a Fuddrucker's burger now. Yum!

Great to see the discussion still going strong here. Thank you all again! I just spoke with Toni Niece and she confirmed that Fuddruckers will close on Sunday, April 29.

I agree about the blooms location. Fudruckers needs to stay in annadale!! I grew up eating there and it is really the last family resturant in annandale. I hope they consider everyonea thoughts and keep fuddruckers in annandale.

Why promote brick and mortor retail as more purchasing is conducted on-line? How many pharmacies does Annandale need? If telecommuting increases, less folks will be forced to wait while traffic chokes through 236...so why continue to promote that type of retail there

I'm a long time resident of Annandale, and a long time patron of Fuddruckers. My family and I miss it already. I consider their burgers to be the best in the gourmet burger business for your money. They are far superior to Five Guys, Red Robin, etc. What is especially galling is that Fudd's was one of the last American joints in town. Annandale's great if you want Korean, okay if you like Latino, and a non-entity for anything else. Let's face it, Annandale is not really an American town anymore, and it is not a place to consider moving into if that's the kind of place you want to live. My son and I pulled up into Fudd's parking lot the other day hoping for one more last hurrah there, but we were too late. Four cars pulled in right behind us. "It's closed?" one guy asked, "Where can I go around here for a good burger?" I went over his options now. He said he'd just moved into the area from Vienna, and I wondered why he would have done that. Further, I'm amazed that Walgreens would think this a place for a pharmacy, especially considering the fate of the Annandale Rite-Aid. I'm not inspired to go there. Already got to pass two pharmacies to get there.

I verry disappointed in wha they have done, Wallgreens hasn't done anything the empty fudruckers is still standing there looking deserted and deperssing remind me of I am missing. I wish Walgreens would make up its mind and start something.
Karen Fleming