Alexandria Restaurant Partners principal Scott Shaw and business partner Dave Nicholas aren’t afraid of the so-called curse at 100 King St. The restaurant group, which owns Vola’s and The Majestic and operates Virtue Feed & Grain and Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap in Alexandria, recently signed a lease on the building at the intersection of King and Union streets. The prior tenant, U.K.-based restaurant chain Carluccio’s, abruptly vacated the space in June.

Shaw and Nicholas plan to open a 180-seat restaurant, called Mia’s Italian Kitchen, in early January. The inspiration for the concept is rooted in family for Nicholas. His great-grandmother, with whom he spent summers during his childhood, was from Naples, Italy. Although she didn’t speak a word of English, they communicated through food – something Nicholas became passionate about.