The DNC Building stands on a site that has been part of Gaithersburg's mercantile history since before 1894. A triangular building previously occupied the site, according to the 1894 map. The present 2-story building was built circa 1915 by JL Burns and was among the first commercial properties constructed on East Diamond Avenue on the Gaithersburg Milling and Manufacturing site in the 20th century. Its first floor housed a post office and a confectionary store, while offices occupied the second floor. A fire destroyed the building in November 1923, and it was rebuilt on the current site circa 1924. Since the 1930's it has housed a restaurant and local bar, including Offut's Beer Parlor, Frank Calloway's Restaurant, and Jerry Barber's Jerry's Restaurant. In 1964, Khrystos Chris Valanos and Lillian Valanos rented the building from Frank Calloway, later purchased it, and remodeled it by covering the brick with paneling and adding a mansard-style cornice. Chris' Steakhouse remained an Olde Towne institution until it closed in 2006, the same year Chris died.