A new restaurant serving up Italian cuisine will open next week in Falls Church.

Thompson Italian (124 N. Washington Street) comes to the area on Wednesday, Aug. 14, after owners and married couple Gabe and Katherine Thompson wanted to reestablish roots in the area. The owners previously owned four eateries in Manhattan, according to a press release.

“I grew up just a few miles away in Arlington, so when we had the chance to move from Manhattan back to this area with our kids, it was a true homecoming,” Katherine said.

The couple plans for the eatery to be a family-friendly environment and will offer a variety of seasonal dining options along with a kids menu.

The specials for the restaurant’s opening include ricotta gnocchi with lamb ragu, roasted garlic bread, “Summer Berry Pavlova” and mascarpone cheesecake. It will also serve wine — glasses range from $9 to $14 and bottles are around $40.

The restaurant will be open for dinner from 5-10 p.m every day except for Tuesdays. They plan to add a lunch and brunch menu within the coming months, the press release said.

“The Thompsons — who wrote the bestseller ‘Downtown Italian’ — are excited to serve casual Italian food that stirs the imagination in a family-friendly setting that they’re deeply connected to,” the press release said.

Photos courtesy of Thompson Italian

What started as a small Tysons startup quickly gained attention from high-profile investment firms.

Vest originated in 2012 as an independent entity before partnering with the international investment firm C’boe. Instead of renaming the company, they integrated the two titles and became C’boe Vest (1765 Greensboro Station Place).

The company attempts to create a safer model of economic investment by offering a type of “insurance,” CEO Karan Sood told Tysons Reporter.

The company markets their products and services to financial advisors who in turn manage investments and money for single entities, like families or individuals.

“We have a unique product for the marketplace. In some sense, we compete with anyone who helps make investments,” Sood said.

C’boe Vest offers a service called “Target Outcome Investments” that sets them apart from the pack, Sood said. Their models work with financial advisors to protect their investors from the natural risk associated with the stock market.

Intellectual Rights

One of the largest struggles facing the company is a lack of security when it comes to intellectual property and legal protection. “In the investment space, it is hard to protect intellectual property through conventional methods, such as patents,” he said.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled in the past that many tactics of investment companies are not eligible for patents and the office discourages startups from applying for them, Sood said.

Investment companies are required by law under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to disclose certain aspects of their business model that makes a patent difficult to obtain. Sood told Tysons Reporter that they don’t necessarily see this as a problem as the company tries to be transparent with clients.

“Our secret sauce, so to speak, is out in the open,” Sood said.

There are three smaller startups testing out similar models to C’boe Vest, but Sood doesn’t seem worried that they are trying to “emulate” its models since he said C’boe Vest has the experience and innovation on their side.

Keeping Local Roots

When the company first opened its Tysons headquarters in 2014, Sood said that they assumed the location would be temporary. They chose it because it was a central meeting point for employees, the co-founder was from the area and real estate was affordable, he said.

“I got the sense there was more capacity here,” he said.

Sood still said he considers the company to be in its startup stage. “We think of ourselves as a pioneer.”

Image via Google Maps

The Market at Tysons Corner finally reopened after moving to a smaller location.

The new convenience store location made its debut on July 30 on level two of the mall. Patrons can find it near the Nordstrom.

The market continues to offer a variety of goods to customers, including soft drinks, snacks, toiletries and other items someone would expect to find in a convenience store. The shop will also sell packs of beer and bottles of wine.

The Tysons Market won’t be the only convenience store in the mall — 7-Eleven is expected to open on level one of the mall. A sign indicated that 7-Eleven applied for their license to sell alcohol.

Hours of operation for the Market are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Yet another nail salon is preparing to open in Tysons Corner Center.

Beauty Nail Bar will join two other nail salons and various beauty services already in the mall, including Angel Nail and Modern Nail Studio.

It will be located next to the Paul Mitchell School on level two of the mall.

Todd Putt, a spokesman for the mall, told Tysons Reporter that there is no opening date yet for the nail salon.

No details on the expected hours of operation have been released yet.

Fairfax County Public Library is trying something new this year — a county-wide, adult summer reading challenge.

In years past, various branches held individual challenges for adults, but after demand rose, the county designed a unified program, according to Mary Mulrenan, a spokesperson for FCPL.

“A small committee worked together to create a system-wide program that would provide a way for all library customers to participate,” she said.

So far, participants have turned in 1,534 logs to the library — significantly more than they originally anticipated, according to Mulrenan. “We are surveying customers and to date, 73 people have completed our survey. Out of this number, 92% have rated it excellent or very good and 95% will participate again next summer.”

Anyone interested in participating can pick up reading logs at any local FCPL branch or print them out on the website. The nearest location is the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike).

To complete the challenge, participants must complete two reading logs, each consisting of a challenge to read or listen to four books and complete one other task, like trying out the library’s research database or following FCPL’s social media accounts.

Participants who return one log will be given goodies such as free snacks, discounts, fine forgiveness at the library or free entry to a Fairfax County recreation center.

Upon completion of a second log, participants will receive a drawstring bag and be entered into a drawing at the end of the summer for a canvas bag filled with a Barnes and Noble gift card, a journal and a portable beach blanket. Individual branches may offer additional prizes, according to the county library website.

Anyone interested in participating can still turn in reading logs until Aug. 31.

The library plans to offer more incentives next summer, due to this year’s high demand.

“It’s wonderful that we have exceeded that number and we still have time (one month) to gain more finishers. We also hope to encourage more businesses to sponsor coupons,” Mulrenan said.

Image via Fairfax County

Tysons Corner Center now offers a new mattress store where shoppers can nap.

The Casper Sleep Shop offers the full array of mattresses, pillows, bedding, furniture and dog beds. But, the location also allows guests to book a nap at a “mini home” if they want to actually test out a mattress for themselves.

“Inspired by the comforts of home, the store reimagines how we shop for sleep,” a spokesperson for Casper said.

The store opened in the mall on Thursday, Aug. 1, according to a spokesman for the mall.

Get the sleep you’ve always dreamed of at our new Casper Store on level 2 across from Macy’s pic.twitter.com/1GxHVObzou

— Tysons Corner Center (@ShopTysons) July 26, 2019

This is one of 30 similar Casper Sleep Shops across the county, according to a press release. Most products at the stores are available for customers to take home that day and also available to ship directly to their home.

Casper is an international brand based out of New York but shoppers can also find a smaller selection of products in specific stores like Target and Hudson’s Bay.

The store is open 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Also in the mall, shoppers might notice a new display in BrandBox.

Peloton decided to set up a new 3D pop-up to drive foot traffic to their larger location, according to a store representative. The mini location opened on July 25 to advertise the company’s treadmill, rower and subscription fitness services.

Peloton has a store on the second level by Lord & Taylor.

Photos courtesy Casper Sleep Shop

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 (Aug. 5)

• Sound Check Bingo — 7-8:30 p.m. at Caboose Commons (2918 Eskridge Road) — Music lovers have the opportunity to test their skills by guessing songs and artists after hearing a short clip of music.

Tuesday (Aug. 6)

• Tysons Corner Book Club — 7:30-9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria Food Hall (2001 International Drive) — Members will be discussing Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming” near Andy’s Pizza. This event is free.
• Tuesday Trivia With John W. — 7-9 p.m. at Caboose Commons (2918 Eskridge Road) — This trivia session will feature a variety of topics. It is free to attend.

Wednesday (Aug. 7)

• Summer Rooftop Hit Workout — 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Lululemon Athletica (2920 District Avenue) — Lululemon sponsors this free workout class. All fitness levels are welcome.
• Chanel “Working Woman Wednesday” Beauty Masterclass — 6:30-9 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue (2001 International Drive) — This event will feature makeup tutorials from Chanel. Attendance is free and dessert will be provided.

Friday (Aug. 9)

• Meet E.A. Dustin — 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (2921 District Avenue Suite 180) — This local author will discuss her book and signing copies of “Save Me Twice” about WWll.

Saturday (Aug. 10)

• Stop the Bleed Workshop — 1:30-4 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library (101 E. Maple Avenue) — CERT and FEMA will teach attendees how to stop bleeding in case of an emergency and save a life if necessary. This is open to everyone 16 years of age and above.
• Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band — 8 p.m. at Wolf Trap at the Filene Center (1551 Trap Road) — This live musical event will feature musicians who have played alongside Ringo Starr. Tickets start at $45.
• 29th Anniversary Block Party — 1-4 p.m. in McLean (1440 Chain Bridge Road) — The McLean Community Center will host a celebration for the 29th anniversary of the old firehouse. This free event offers free admission and there will be live music, games, food and activities for all ages.

Sunday (Aug. 11)

• Tysons Farmers Market — 9 a.m. at The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center — Every week, local businesses gather to share their goods with the community. Entry is free, and activities for kids will be available.
• Live Music with Eli Lev — noon-3 p.m. at Caboose Commons (2918 Eskridge Road) — Folk singer and songwriter Eli Lev will perform live for the audience. This free performance will likely include music from his upcoming album.

Image via Eli Lev/Facebook 

What started as a Jewish bagel market in Tysons now serves up bagels and breakfast with a Korean twist.

The family-owned Tysons Bagel Market (8137 Leesburg Pike) began serving customers in 1994. Though ownership switched hands throughout the years, it is currently run by couple Nari Ha and Sang Sun Han, along with their daughter Jisoo.

The family acquired the business back in 2001 after the then-owner decided to sell the market and move onto another venture, according to Jisoo, who took on the role of company spokesperson.

Since then, they’ve incorporated their Korean heritage into their recipes, Jisoo said, adding that they are always trying out new things and making cultural changes to the menu, like their omelets.

Prior to the family’s acquisition of Tysons Bagel Market, her father always wanted to run a business, Jisoo said, but wasn’t sure how.

When they acquired the bagel market, the family “went in without knowing anything about bagels” — they were not even sure how to make a bagel or run a bakery, she said, adding that the previous owner gave them tips and tricks on how to be successful.

Today, Tysons Bagel Market operates seven days a week from 5 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. Jisoo said they bake thousands of bagels every week in a variety of flavors — her favorites are the blueberry and jalapeno ones.

The business continues to grow as they now offer wholesale production and see people from “different regions” frequenting their restaurant.

Jisoo said her family wants to continue serving the community with their fresh bagels made with wholesome ingredients.

Wayfair opened a new pop-up shop at Tysons Corner Center today (Thursday).

No more than 20 feet long by 15 feet wide, the store is on the second level right by the door to The Plaza and offers a small sample of Wayfair’s extensive home goods online inventory. Each corner of the pop-up displays decor for a different room in the home — bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room.

“We want people to come and get inspired,” Molly Delaney, the marketing director for Wayfair, said. She added that the items are “great for hosting or any type of party.”

On a tour of the space, Delaney pointed out a variety of colorful rugs and copper drink tumblers to Tysons Reporter and emphasized the “vibrancy” of the space. She also noted that Wayfair is excited to have the space open in time for the back-to-school shopping season, and customers can expect merchandise to shift several times based on customer input.

Other items found at the store include candles, decorative pillows, wall art, lamps and colorful baskets.

Delaney said that by 11:30 a.m. on opening day dozens of people had already stopped to check out the space.

All of the items at the pop-up store, except for the chairs, are available for purchase on the spot. “We are excited people can grab and go,” she said.

The Tysons location is one of four other Wayfair pop-ups throughout the country, including Schaumburg, Ill.; Durham, N.C.; and King of Prussia, Pa.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. until the mall closes at 9:30 p.m. every day. The pop-up space will remain open through Oct. 31.

Tysons may soon get a rebranding to encourage economic growth.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering investing up to $1 million dollars in the Tysons Partnership, which plans to rebrand the area while establishing a “sustainable business and funding model” for the nonprofit association.

Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth introduced the proposal, which also is backed by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, to the board on Tuesday, July 30.

“The Tysons Partnership is implementing a multi-year, place branding strategy and campaign for Tysons. They have engaged with a design firm to develop a place branding strategy to elevate Tysons and create a shared message for the diverse range of stakeholders,” according to the proposal.

Tysons Partnership hopes to have the strategy development done by December, so that it executed next year, according to the proposal.

The board tasked County Executive Bryan Hill to examine the potential use of these funds between $500,000-$1 million before it decides if the investment would be worthwhile.

Any funds granted by the board would also be matched by private donors, according to the proposal.

Image via Fairfax County