Greg Johnson has been cooking up the idea to strike out on his own for years.
Four days ago, Johnson, a longtime local chef, opened The Citizen Restaurant in the basement of the Mutual Building on the corner of Ninth and East Main streets.
The 22-seat space was previously home to Clayton’s, a popular lunch spot owned for the past three years by John King. Prior to that, it was occupied by Cup A Joe.
“I always wanted to open my own place,” said Johnson. “I’ve been seriously looking the last six or eight years.”
About three months ago, King put the business and the space up for sale, and Johnson swooped in. The deal closed two weeks ago.
“One of my purveyors told me King was selling,” Johnson said. “He wanted to get out of the restaurant business.”
Johnson, 48, has been cooking in Richmond since 1983. He worked as a chef for five years at Chez Foushee and for the past year served as the executive chef at Amuse at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Johnson wouldn’t disclose how much money he put in to get The Citizen up and running but noted that it took almost everything he had.
“This is my first restaurant,” he said. “I’m opening on a shoestring.”
The Citizen, which Johnson said he named after a restaurant that used to be at 14th and Main, serves breakfast and lunch. Nothing costs more than $6.
Options include a variety of omelettes, sandwiches, tortas, salads and desserts, plus vegan and vegetarian dishes.
He sources much of his produce and other products from Victory Farms and Duling Farm in Hanover County and La Sabrosita, a bakery in Midlothian.
“I try to [source locally] as much as I can,” Johnson said. “I pull from different areas and add my own thing to it.”
Although it has only been open a week, Johnson said he has seen a good amount of traffic, including 20 customers on his first day.
He said most of the customers have been business professionals from VCU, the James Center and the other surrounding businesses.
“It’s really suited for the people that walk downtown,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in a walking destination.”
The restaurant is closed for dinner and on the weekends, but Johnson said that in the fall he’s looking to add a patio and stay open for happy hour.
In addition to The Citizen, Johnson owns a small property in the 1400 block of Hull Street, which he plans to convert into a catering business.
“Once I get this up and going, that will be the next project,” he said.
Greg Johnson has been cooking up the idea to strike out on his own for years.
Four days ago, Johnson, a longtime local chef, opened The Citizen Restaurant in the basement of the Mutual Building on the corner of Ninth and East Main streets.
The 22-seat space was previously home to Clayton’s, a popular lunch spot owned for the past three years by John King. Prior to that, it was occupied by Cup A Joe.
“I always wanted to open my own place,” said Johnson. “I’ve been seriously looking the last six or eight years.”
About three months ago, King put the business and the space up for sale, and Johnson swooped in. The deal closed two weeks ago.
“One of my purveyors told me King was selling,” Johnson said. “He wanted to get out of the restaurant business.”
Johnson, 48, has been cooking in Richmond since 1983. He worked as a chef for five years at Chez Foushee and for the past year served as the executive chef at Amuse at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Johnson wouldn’t disclose how much money he put in to get The Citizen up and running but noted that it took almost everything he had.
“This is my first restaurant,” he said. “I’m opening on a shoestring.”
The Citizen, which Johnson said he named after a restaurant that used to be at 14th and Main, serves breakfast and lunch. Nothing costs more than $6.
Options include a variety of omelettes, sandwiches, tortas, salads and desserts, plus vegan and vegetarian dishes.
He sources much of his produce and other products from Victory Farms and Duling Farm in Hanover County and La Sabrosita, a bakery in Midlothian.
“I try to [source locally] as much as I can,” Johnson said. “I pull from different areas and add my own thing to it.”
Although it has only been open a week, Johnson said he has seen a good amount of traffic, including 20 customers on his first day.
He said most of the customers have been business professionals from VCU, the James Center and the other surrounding businesses.
“It’s really suited for the people that walk downtown,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in a walking destination.”
The restaurant is closed for dinner and on the weekends, but Johnson said that in the fall he’s looking to add a patio and stay open for happy hour.
In addition to The Citizen, Johnson owns a small property in the 1400 block of Hull Street, which he plans to convert into a catering business.
“Once I get this up and going, that will be the next project,” he said.
Congratulations on the restaurant, Greg! This is a much needed addition to the area.
I bought my lunch from Citizen yesterday (a turkey and caramelized onion tortas with cumin roasted potatoes for $5.75) and it was delicious. The different entrees and sides are a great change of pace, this is not your typical burger and fries joint. Downtown, please support Greg Johnson. He is putting out a good product and deserves the business.
Proven experience and a great business model in a location that makes sense. I hope Greg succeeds beyond his expectations – somehow I think it’s a lock. Will have to hit The Citizen for lunch, soon!
Great addition and certainly wish the business well. No better individual could deserve a rewarding challenge as such. All the best with the new establishment Greg.
I was in from Petersburg,Va to visit former co -workers and I got the Turkey with caramelized onions and a side of cumin potatoes and it was beyond words for how good it was . I would certainly eat there again….Glad to have some Good food downtown.