Julian Armstrong is no stranger to Congress Street, having grown up working at Bull Moose’s old downtown shop and the Friendly Toast, and now as owner of The Wilder gastropub nearby.
The restaurateur is adding to his downtown Portsmouth portfolio, as Armstrong plans to open a neighborhood bistro-style eatery in the former home of The District, which closed in October 2023. The unit is located in the Worth Plaza, across the street from The Music Hall.
“It happened pretty quickly. It just felt like the right time for me. I’ve always loved that space. I love the open European nature of the sidewalk there and the Vaughan Mall development. I’m excited to bring something else to Portsmouth,” Armstrong said.
Under his business Hanarm LLC, Armstrong purchased the 103 Congress St. building for $1.785 million in early March, according to Portsmouth property records.
The concept for the new restaurant remains under development, but he said it will be announced in the near future.
“It’s still in the works but it’ll be pretty European-influenced (with a) coastal influence, natural wine-focused (with) craft cocktails,” Armstrong said. “It’ll be sort of a more sit down, intimate space but still lively.”
Armstrong anticipates opening his new restaurant and bar by early fall.
The new business will hold about 60 seats inside, about a quarter of which will be at the bar, and upwards of another 60 seasonal outdoor seats.
Armstrong owns multiple local restaurants
In addition to The Wilder in Portsmouth, Armstrong owns Anju Noodle Bar and The Wallingford Dram over the bridge in Kittery Foreside.
In the winter of 2022, Armstrong purchased for $2.8 million the 7 Wallingford Square building in Kittery, home to his two Foreside businesses and Lil’s Cafe, among other tenants.
History of 103 Congress St. in Portsmouth
The District opened in July 2011, directly across from The Music Hall at the junction of Congress Street and the Vaughan Mall. The District was briefly replaced by Lithermans Brewing Company and 603 Bar-B-Q.
Years prior, the building was home to Little Professor Book Center, which closed its doors in summer 2000 amid the dot-com bookselling boom, after more than 30 years in business.
The building, presently surrounded by ongoing construction, still shows signage from Lithermans.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth restaurateur plans new bistro at former District site
Reporting by Ian Lenahan, Portsmouth Herald
