The new Boro development may change the way people live and work in Tysons — or so developers hope.
The Boro has taken more than five years to design and execute, Caroline Flax, a spokesperson for Meridian Group, told Tysons Reporter, adding that it is designed to be its own neighborhood complete with everything residents could want.
“We hope that by bringing a walkable urban experience to what used to be a solely office environment, other projects in the area will follow suit, which will create an overall better experience for employees and residents alike,” she said.
As the development nears completion, businesses and eaters are beginning to open around the area including Flower Child, Whole Foods and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Two new apartment complexes also opened in The Boro near the end of September.
Flax didn’t answer Tysons Reporter’s question about how the new Boro development might affect pre-existing businesses and developments around the area, like Pike 7 Plaza where several new businesses have recently opened.
However she did say, “The Boro offers something different with the neighborhood feel we are trying to achieve.”
Flax was unsure how many people the development will draw to the area, but said that she hopes The Boro will become a model for future developments in Tysons.
“By creating this new neighborhood, it will help knit the rest of the community together with improved infrastructure, access to amenities and to more public transit options,” Flax said.
As residents start to populate the new Boro development, several eateries and businesses have announced opening dates.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is now open. Flower Child and Spaces are not far behind.
Flower Child (1656 Boro Place) is set to open Tuesday, Oct. 15. The eatery will serve up bowls, grains, greens and various wraps, along with organic drinks like kombucha, wine and beer.
Meanwhile, Spaces will open Nov. 11. The co-working space offers various monthly plans starting at $226 per month.
Spaces has already rented several offices, Rocco Nori, a sales manager for Spaces in The Boro said, adding that some customers also chose to relocate to the new location.
“This suite of private offices, meeting rooms and communal areas is flooded with natural light and entrepreneurial spirit,” the website said.
Earlier this week, Whole Foods announced its grand opening for Oct. 30. The flagship store for the Mid-Atlantic region will include a food hall with offerings from Officina, Genji Izakaya, Curiosity Doughnuts and Rappahannock Oyster Co.
A little more than a dozen other eateries, stores and services have yet to announce when they will open.
Construction crews are working to fix the cause of a sizable sinkhole that opened up on the GW Parkway back in March — inconveniencing those who regularly travel on the road.
The sinkhole was caused by a failed drainage structure, Aaron LaRocca, a spokesperson of the National Park Service, which maintains the GW Parkway, said.
The structure was made of brick and was originally built more than 60 years ago, he added.
In an attempt to fix the issue, LaRocca said NPS removed the old system which required them to dig 50-feet underground and crews are now in the process of installing a new drainage pipe.
“We know this construction is inconvenient, and we’re working hard to reopen the lane to traffic as soon as it’s safe,” LaRocca said. “We’re looking forward to sharing an update when the work is complete.”
NPS expects to reopen both lanes of traffic by mid-October, LaRocca said, but restoration for the area is expected to last longer.
National Park Service tells @ABC7News both northbound lanes of the GW Parkway near 495 should finally be open by the end of October.
Only one lane has been open since a sinkhole opened up back in March.
It’s causing bad traffic throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/FnoXOqJYYX— Tom Roussey (@tomroussey7news) September 26, 2019
Map via Google Maps
Two new baddpizza locations are slated to open in the next few months in the Tysons area.
One location will be in McLean at 6263 Old Dominion Drive, while the other one will come to Falls Church at 346 W. Broad Street.
Though the exact opening dates have not been announced yet, owner Joel Salamone said that the Falls Church location is expected to open in late November, followed by the Mclean location in either late December or early 2020.
Baddpizza is known for its “deliciously badd” chicken wings and pizza, according to its website. The chain also offers sandwiches and salads.
Diners can expect the menu to stay consistent between locations, Salamone said. “Our goal is to expand the number of locations in this area rather quickly, so we are focused on keeping things manageable for consistency’s sake.”
Salamone said he plans to host grand opening parties for both of the locations and that finalized dates will be announced within the next month.
Fairfax County police set aside some time today (Oct. 2) to hang out with locals around the county.
The annual “Coffee With a Cop” events are part of a nation-wide initiative to build a rapport with the public by sending police officers to coffee shops to chat with community members.
Over at the Merrifield event this morning, Lt. Tim Field and crime prevention officer Mario Colorado, both from the McLean District Station, fielded questions from locals at Starbucks (8104A Arlington Blvd) from 9:30-11 a.m.
“We are the public face of the county,” Colorado said, adding that the event allows people to approach police in a relaxed environment where they can “overcome the hurtle” of feeling like they are being a bother.
Therapy dog group Caring Angles brought Kyira, a 110-pound Rottweiler with an affinity for lap-sitting, to the Merrifield event this morning. An organization representative said they wanted to support the officers and also educate the community on the benefits of therapy dogs.
Field said he has been serving FCPD for around 33 years while Colorado has served for 22. Both men said they enjoy the event because it gives them an opportunity to visit with community members under happy terms, rather than during an emergency response.
Field said that people often want to talk about a wide variety of topics, ranging from quality of life concerns to fun philosophical ideas.
People will sometimes approach police at the “Coffee With a Cop” events and ask how to resolve personal dilemmas they are facing, like how to help a family member struggling with substance abuse, he said.
For anyone wanting to take advantage of this opportunity, there will be another chance to talk with Fairfax County police at Turkish Coffee Lady in Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road) this evening from 5-7 p.m.
(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) For this weekend only, fashion lovers can check out a pop-up shoe store outside Tysons Corner Center.
Tamara Mellon will stop by with their traveling shoe store from Thursday (Oct. 3) until Sunday (Oct. 6). The 24-foot vehicle will feature women’s shoes in different styles and sizes, a press release said.
“The concept is inspired by the success of the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location at Palisades Village in Los Angeles, which reimagines the luxury retail experience,” the press release said.
Tamara Mellon founded the shop after also co-founding Jimmy Choo in 1996. She wants to make fashion more accessible for women, according to a press release, adding that this pop-up will allow the brand to get to know its customers “face-to-face.”
Tysons is one of 12 stops the shop will make while traveling around the country.
“The TM Closet will replicate the shop’s concept displaying each shoe style in every size, creating Instagram-worthy shoe walls which customers interact with to try on and shop product at their leisure,” the press release said.
Photo via Tamara Mellon
Taco Bamba is celebrating National Taco Day by challenging patrons to a contest raising money for Hurricane Dorian survivors.
This Friday (Oct. 4), each Taco Bamba location will host its second annual “Bambathon” competition to see which of the five locations in the D.C. and Northern Virginia areas will be able to sell the most tacos.
Anyone interested in participating can visit the two nearby Taco Bamba locations at Falls Church (2190 Pimmit Drive) and Vienna (164 W. Maple Avenue). Both locations are open from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Each location that serves 1,500 or more tacos will donate $1,000 to World Central Kitchen’s mission in the Bahamas, according to a press release.
Wold Central Kitchen aims to ease the effect of poverty and hunger. They have served more than 250,000 meals to Hurricane Dorian survivers so far, according to the website. “Meals are being delivered to community centers, clinics, churches, and into local neighborhoods that have been isolated by the storm.”
Restaurant patrons can track the progress of each location on Taco Bamba’s Instagram.
Photo via Taco Bamba/Facebook
Wolf Trap has a variety of acts lined up for October.
After a short break at the end of summer, the venue will kick off the season on Thursday, Oct. 10, with a performance by singer and songwriter Lucy Kaplansky.
Tickets to Kaplansky’s show are on sale now and start at $28. The performance begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Barns (1635 Trap Road).
Later in the month, The Pat McGee Band will headline two shows on Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18, due to popular demand. As a Virginia based rock band, they have played alongside The Who, Counting Crows, Fleetwood Mac and James Taylor, according to their website. Tickets start at $37 and doors open at 6:30 p.m. both nights.
The list of Wolf Trap events in October:
- Oct. 10: Lucy Kaplansky
- Oct. 11: Rain Over Shine
- Oct. Flamenco Legends
- Oct. 17 and 18: Pat McGee Band
- Oct. 19: Jesse Cook
- Oct. 20: Magpie
- Oct. 27: David Finckel on cello with pianist Wu Han
- Oct. 30 and 31: George Winston
Photo via Wolf Trap
The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.
We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!
Monday (Sept. 30)
- Mr. Brown’s Park Dedication — 6-7 p.m. at former Downtown Park (100 block of W. Broad Street) — This event celebrates the transition from Downtown Park to Mr. Brown’s Park, which will now be named after the oldest business in the City of Falls Church. Local officials will be on-site commemorating the renaming.
Thursday (Oct. 3)
- Tysons Reporter Happy Hour — 5-7 p.m. at the Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — Celebrate Tysons Reporter’s first anniversary. Community members will have the chance to grab a drink or a slice of cake with the journalists behind the site. The first 50 attendees will receive a free drink. Rumor has it that there will also be free swag.
Friday (Oct. 4)
- Vienna Oktoberfest — 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Historic Church Street (131 Church Street NE) — This 12th annual event offers visitors a variety of vendors, live music acts, food, kids activities and alcoholic beverages. It is free.
- WellieWishers™ Friendship Tea Party — 2-4 p.m. at American Girl Store (8090 Tysons Corner) — Kids 5 and up are welcome to gather for an afternoon of dining, crafts and a cupcake-decorating. Tickets are $13.50 per person.
- Block Party — 3-7 p.m. at Capital One Center (1640 Capital One Drive) — Capital One is hosting a block party with City Works Eatery and Pour House to celebrate the new mixed-use development space. There will be live music, games, food and drinks available. Admission is free and includes a free drink. There will be over 90 beers on tap.
Saturday (Oct. 5)
- Ribbon Cutting for Synthetic Turf Field — 10 a.m. at Larry Graves Park (300 Hillwood Avenue) — This event celebrates the grand opening of a field in Larry Graves Park that includes striping for several different sports. All are welcome to attend this free event.
- Moon Festival – Tet Trung Thu — noon-5 p.m. at Eden Center (6761 Wilson Blvd) — This Vietnamese festival invites the community to gather for an afternoon of colorful lantern displays, music, cultural performances and food. It is free and all ages are welcome to attend.
Sunday (Oct. 6)
- MPAartfest –10 a.m.-5 p.m. at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd) — This free event invites community members to check out pop-up art galleries, hands-on exhibits, food vendors and live music.
- Tysons Singles Seated Speed Dating — 7-9 p.m. at Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — Singles in the area are invited for an evening of mingling at the Tysons Biergarten. Event organizers request that attendees arrive before 7 p.m. for check-in. Tickets start at $15.
Image via Facebook/Eden Center
Passers-by may notice some new street art around Vienna.
Four local teens from Madison High School teamed up to paint three storm drains around the town last weekend. The works feature nature scenes and can be found outside the Freeman Store (131 Church Street NE).
Midge Biles, the chair for the Vienna Public Art Commission, said that the group often tries to partner with schools to sponsor art installations. For this project, the commission asked their student representative from Madison High School to recruit volunteers.
“The drains turned out beautifully and are all very different,” Biles said. “We are hoping to bring the message of environment and how it is all connected — what goes in the drain ends up in our oceans and has far-reaching effects on our water quality, sea life and beyond.”
The art should last for about six months, according to a tweet from the town.
The project required 10 gallons of paint which were donated by Vienna Paint (123 Lawers Road), Biles said.
In the future, she said that the group hopes to commission more paintings around town.
