WASHINGTON — Bethesda’s Stromboli Family Restaurant closed after nearly four decades of serving Italian dishes and pizza last fall, but was purchased by its next-door neighbor, the owner of the Moby Dick House of Kabob chain, who said at the time he would reopen Stromboli with only few changes.

That is not happening, at least not now.

Moby Dick has instead moved its restaurant at 7027 Wisconsin Ave. to the former Stromboli space at 7023 Wisconsin Ave. It opened June 26.

“The move next door (elevates) the look and feel of the restaurant to match our current brand’s design. Our Bethesda location opened in 1989, almost 30 years ago. It was ready for a makeover,” said Ned Daryoush, Moby Dick House of Kabob vice president.

The move increases kitchen capacity and adds seating. The new kitchen space includes three grills instead of the previous two.

It is unclear if the company will proceed with opening a new Stromboli in its former Moby Dick location or elsewhere.

“Our focus has been on opening the new space and we are currently still weighing our options on what to do with the existing space. Thirty years in Bethesda has taught us to proceed slowly and listen to our customers. They know best what the community wants,” Moby Dick management said in an emailed statement to WTOP,

Since being purchased by Moby Dick owner Mike Daryoush last fall, the restaurant space had been undergoing a top-to-bottom renovation. It was expected to reopen as Stromboli early this year.

Stromboli opened its Wisconsin Avenue restaurant in 1980 and built a loyal neighborhood following for its family-style Italian menu.

Moby Dick House of Kabob has 23 locations of Persian-influenced kebab restaurants.