ARLnow reports that Ray’s Hell Burger and Ray’s Hell Burger Too have closed amid a dispute between restaurateur Michael Landrum and his landlord. “Landlord has changed the locks,” says a sign on the door, according to ARLnow. A handwritten note reads, “Please visit us at Ray’s to the Third while we take a quick break.”

Landrum filed a lawsuit against the landlord, Colonial Village Shopping Center, in November. Citing the pending litigation, he declined to comment on the record to Y&H and ARLnow. “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” he told Y&H.

Landrum, who hosted President Barack Obama and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev at Ray’s Hell Burger in 2010, is determined not to let the closure derail his inauguration celebrations. Landrum posted on Don Rockwell to say that he will offer free “L’il Devils” cheeseburgers at Ray’s to the Third—-which is across Wilson Boulevard from the closed burger joints—-on Jan. 20 and 21 with the request that diners make a $5 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria.

More details on the closure and landlord dispute as we have them.

Ray’s to the Third, 1650 Wilson Blvd., Arlington

Photo by Darrow Montgomery