Bethesda Restaurant, Persimmon, Sold to Employees

Persimmon, a popular and highly regarded Bethesda restaurant on 7003 Wisconsin Ave for 25 years, has been acquired by its employees from founders Damian and Stephanie Salvatore. The deal closed on May 8. Terms were not disclosed.

“Deciding to sell wasn’t an overnight decision,” said Stephanie. “It’s taken a while to think things through, such as figuring out our next steps professionally and personally. We have an amazing team of professionals who have helped prepare us for this day. After 25 successful years, we decided this was the right time.”

The Salvatores opened Persimmon over Memorial Day weekend in 1998, weeks earlier than they had planned, because they were down to $44 in the bank. It was slow going at first, but a Washington Post review later that year in which critic Phyllis Richman praised Damian’s “grown-up food” changed everything: The average number of nightly customers went from 30 to 140.

One of the new owners, Zaki Azzedine, a server at Persimmon for more than a decade, said he and his colleagues plan on extending the restaurant’s hours and opening for lunch. “Other than that,” he said, “we plan to continue to be a neighborhood gathering place with the same outstanding food and service.” Azzedine added: “We’ve been working for Damian and Stephanie for a long time. We have always felt like Persimmon is our home. Damian and Stephanie have given us the opportunity to keep it going and achieve our goals.”

Stephanie said she and Damian wanted to sell to their employees because they have been so critical to the restaurant’s success. “We’re excited to see them take ownership,” she said. “They have a great base to begin with, and I’m sure they will continue to grow and add their own personal flair to Persimmon.” The Salvatores, who live in Garrett Park, will continue to operate the two other restaurants they own, Wild Tomato and Sal’s Italian Kitchen, both in Cabin John.