A new casual restaurant may open in Tysons as B.GOOD considers expansion to the area.

Though the new location or opening date has not been announced, a press release noted. In addition to the new Tysons location, the company is looking for people to open new franchise locations.

“People shouldn’t feel bad about going out to eat, and B.GOOD is a breath of fresh air to people who want to know exactly what they are eating. We are thrilled to bring our ‘Food with Roots’ to Tysons,” said Ed Yancey, the B.GOOD vice president of franchise development.

The eatery originated in Boston around 2003, and all locations offer a variety of grain bowls, salads, burgers, milkshakes and smoothies. They also have a kids menu, takeout, catering options as well as an on-site dining room.

The company updates its menu seasonally and do not use artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They also claim to use locally sourced ingredients, according to the press release.

The company is looking for franchise owners who have restaurant management experience and embrace the “farm-to-table” concept.

Currently, there are 80 locations around the world — including a few others already in the Virginia area.

Photo via B.GOOD/Facebook

Around half the attendees at last night’s McLean Citizens Association’s Planning and Zoning Committee meeting left abruptly after discovering that the contentious Newport Academy wouldn’t be discussed at the meeting.

Kim Tomsen, a McLean community resident since 1975, spoke up early in the meeting and began asking the committee about the future of Newport Academy, which would bring a for-profit mental health care facility into a McLean neighborhood.

Her concerns were quickly shut down by Rob Jackson, the committee’s chair, who said that Newport Facility was not up for discussion or on the agenda, since there was nothing “pending” on the matter.

In May, the zoning administrator determined that the facility is a congregate living facility, which is not permitted as a by-right use at the location. Newport Academy wants to appeal the decision.

Now, the fate of the Newport Academy is in the hands of the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals, which are not likely to make a decision until September when the board is back in session.

The committee proceeded to discuss various items on their agenda including home businesses and modernization of zoning ordinances before community members decided to voice their concerns. Tomsen was among the first of more than a dozen people to leave the room after realizing that none of her concerns would be addressed.

Tomsen and a handful of people that Tysons Reporter spoke to said they saw online that the committee would discuss Newport Academy.

The brief committee agenda posted online before the event outlined three topics for discussion that evening — none of them relating to the controversial Newport Academy or commercial housing in residential areas.

“Then it’s a waste of our time to attend,” Tomsen said to the committee members and attendees.

“If someone put that online, they misled you,” Jackson replied back to her.

A Facebook user named Tom Shen, the founding member of the “Fairfax County Rehab Facility Discussion” group, posted an update in the group Monday (July 290 evening asking members to “help protest against commercial housing in residence zones” by showing up to the Tuesday, July 30, meeting.

It is unclear if this was the only message online requesting the presence of people opposed to commercial housing in residential areas. Tysons Reporter reached out to Shen to ask about the post, but has not heard back.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) once again faces a transportation dilemma as it looks ahead to the upcoming school year.

The county recently made an all-call for new bus drivers. The district is short-staffed by roughly 100 drivers — primarily in the McLean area, FCPS Director of Transportation Francine Furby said.

There are two hiring events coming up on Tuesday, July 31, at Cedar Lane School (101 Cedar Lane) in Vienna and the Thursday, Aug. 8, at Edison High School (5801 Franconia Road) in Alexandria. Both events will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

This isn’t the first time FCPS faced a bus driver shortage. According to WAMU, there was another county shorage in August of 2017, when drivers were paid $18.82.

Furby said that the issue is ongoing and exacerbated at a national level, not just in Fairfax County. “I think it’s because of the economy now,” she said, explaining that bus drivers tend to take on other positions within the school district due to promotions.

Now, the county will offer drivers a raise to $19.20 per hour — $0.19 cents higher per hour than the salary for the previous school year.

Furby said that FCPS transportation office workers would be pulled out of their current positions answering phone calls from parents and instead be asked to drive students.

While some of the office workers are all set to start in their new roles, Furby said that the other office workers will receive the training and resources required for FCPS bus drivers.

She also said that there is a recruitment bonus of $1,000 for existing employees who refer a friend for a bus driver position.”We do know recruiting people by word of mouth is very effective.”

Qualified candidates need to be able to pass a physical and a drug test, clear a background check, have a safe driving record, take a 5-week course and obtain a commercial driving license. Drivers will be assigned to where they are most needed in the county, according to Furby.

“It can cause students to get into school late and get home late,” she said.

File photo

Tequila Grande will have a new home this fall as owners AJ Prakash and his wife Renu Prakash plan the restaurant’s relocation to Oakton.

They are currently awaiting a city permit so they can move into the former Bob Evans location at 10443 White Granite Drive. The owners hope the new location will be in a position to start serving food to customers by late October.

Tequila Grande announced the move on their Facebook page and asked for recommendations or feedback. Patrons commented on the post — almost all of them praising the current menu and asking to keep it as-is.

“We are super excited to be working towards our relocation,” the post said.

The decision to move comes after controversy when the Vienna Town Council slated and approved the restaurant’s current location (444 W. Maple Avenue) for redevelopment.

Council member Howard Springsteen expressed disapproval of the decision to remodel the existing buildings in the vicinity and turn it into a four-story mixed-use development.

“Look at the turnout tonight and the signs around town. People are not happy, so I’m not going to vote in favor of this,” Springsteen said before the vote passed 5-2.

For the time being, Tequila Grande is still open for business at their Vienna location 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Sunday.

The restaurant offers guests a variety of Mexican cuisine and happy hour specials.

Image via Google Maps

YetiCloud in Tysons recently received a facelift after the owners decided to rework their business model.

When co-founders Tim Marcinowski and Peter Fraedrich began the company, previously called TaskFit.io, they aimed to solve information technology problems for companies using the cloud with assistance from artificial intelligence (AI). But Marcinowski said that their market research showed many potential clients were risk-averse and not comfortable relying on AI.

Instead of giving up on their venture, they decided to switch tactics and rethink how they cater to the needs of clients. They decided to edge away from solutions using AI and instead focused on offering consultations, training and a 24/7 platform support for customers.

“We monitor in real-time and take action in two ways,” Marcinowski told Tysons Reporter.

When an issue arises, the company gives clients an option to either direct YetiCloud on how they want an issue solved or allow YetiCloud to handle the problem as it best sees fit.

When rebranding, the founders tried to synthesize the passion of their customer base and their target goal — which is to simplify and help troubleshoot cloud use.

Marcinowski told Tysons Reporter when renaming the brand, the company began to play with names of a fictional character and settled on a Yeti because “we thought it was funny we could say we solved the big hairy problem of the cloud.”

Currently, YetiCloud works with about 15 clients, four of which are paying customers, according to Marcinowski. The company offers a free version of the software to establish relationships with potential customers to build a brand alliance and product trust.

In the beginning, the company was entirely funded through profits and personal capital from the co-founders. “We had an early potential investor but the terms didn’t match up,” Marcinowski said. He told Tysons Reporter that the investor wanted 6% of all the profits, but he and his co-founder decided to turn down the opportunity.

Since October 2018, the company brought on several new employees and plans to keep expanding. For the time being YetiCloud will remain at the WeWork location in Tysons Corner.

“We definitely have the ability to flip the perception of this area,” he said when discussing the possibility of Tysons becoming the next technology hub, especially with the new Amazon HQ2 and other companies coming to Northern Virginia.

By 2024, Marcinowski wants to have $20 million yearly reoccurring revenue, which he said would help legitimize the company by building a solid financial foundation.

YetiCloud also has a new goal to raise $600,000 from new investors within the next six months.

New companies like YetiCloud must find “alternative solutions to problems that didn’t exist 10 years ago,” he said.

Photo courtesy of  Tim Marcinowski

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!

Tuesday (July 30)

• Ruff Tuesdays — 3:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at Caboose Commons (2918 Eskridge Road) and 4-9 p.m. at Caboose Tavern (520 Mill Street NE) — This brewery invites patrons to come for an extended happy hour and bring their dogs. They will have water and treats for furry friends as well as raffle-giveaways.
• Cinema Tuesday — 9-11 p.m. at Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) — This Tuesday, people at Tysons Biergarten can watch a free showing of “Jaws.” Beer and appetizers will be served.

Wednesday (July 31)

• Culture Shock D.C. — 10 a.m. at Theatre-in-the-Woods (1551 Trap Road) — This hip-hop dance show features a local Culture Shock troupe. The show is suited for ages 7 and up. Tickets are $10.

Thursday (August 1)

• 9th Annual Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies — 7 p.m. at Angelika Film Center (2911 District Avenue) — Fans of the American rock band can watch a feature film, which showcases the previously unreleased June 17, 1991 concert. Tickets are $14.50.

Friday (August 2)

• Movie Night with the National Law Enforcement Museum — 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m. at The Plaza (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — The National Law Enforcement Museum invites the community for a free showing of “Zootopia.”  Popcorn and treats from Lolli & Pops will be provided before the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday (August 3)

• K-9 Law Enforcement-Themed Kid’s Club — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Plaza (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — Kids will have the opportunity to learn about K9 law enforcement by making crafts and watching demonstrations. Attendees can also meet Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority K9 Russell and his handler Corporal Matthew Werner.

Sunday (August 4)

• Free Yoga — 9-10 a.m. at Strawberry Park (2910 District Avenue) — A free yoga class will take place outside for community members. The Mosaic District asks that participants bring their own yoga mat, water and other necessities.

Photo via Mosaic District/Facebook

Fairfax County is looking for volunteers to assist seniors and people with disabilities at the new Lewinsville Center in McLean.

The county needs more volunteers to help take community members to doctor appointments and on grocery-runs, Angela Morlu, a spokesperson for the Department of Family Services, said.

The county’s Volunteer Solution’s webpage has eleven open volunteer positions at the Lewinsville Center — six at the senior center at 1609 Great Falls Street and five at the Lewinsville Adult Day Health Care Center (ADHC) at 1611 Great Falls Street.

Open positions at the senior center and the ADHC include language and music instructors, bingo assistants, dance teachers, donation coordinators and certified fitness instructors.

The centers are also in need of general assignment volunteers who can assist with front desk work, meal assistance or program facilitation.

Anyone interested in the fitness position must be certified in Fairfax County as a Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) instructor and willing to commit to the two required 12-week courses.

According to the Fairfax County website:

The next SAIL Instructor Training will likely be held in August or early September 2019 at Marymount University. If you are not already an approved volunteer with Volunteer Solutions, sign up now so you will be eligible for the course. It takes a few weeks to process new volunteers.

Most of the volunteer positions only require a one- or two-hour commitment each week.

The centers were both completed in June of this year. The senior center features a fitness room and tech access. It also serves as a gathering place for adults over 50. The adult day center helps the mental well-being of seniors and includes amenities such as a library, indoor walking path and garden.

All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and apply for a position through the county’s website.

In addition to the volunteer positions at the two centers, Morlu also said there is “an urgent need” for volunteers with Meals on Wheels, an organization that tackles senior hunger.

The county is looking for a handful of volunteers for Meals on Wheels including a driver who speaks Vietnamese to pick up and deliver meals in the Falls Church area.

Photos via the Fairfax County Government

A new lingerie store is now open in Tysons Corner Center.

A branch of Hollister, Gilly Hicks primarily sells underwear and lingerie for teenagers or young adults.

After originally closing stores nationwide, it was reintroduced in 2017 due to customer demand and the company is still expanding. The opening in Tysons is one of four new locations across the United States, according to a Gilly Hicks press release.

The new location in Tysons is part of a pop-up type shop called BrandBox, which invites companies to rent out “flexible retail concept spaces,” according to the press release.  It is located on the bottom level of the mall near Barnes and Noble.

This fall, patrons of the Tysons Galleria can expand their style choices with the grand opening of a new store.

Ba&sh, an international clothing brand, will soon join other fashion realtors in the shopping mall. The new store is poised to open mid-September, a Tysons Galleria customer service representative, told Tysons Reporter. Once open, it will be located on level one by Saks Fifth Avenue.

This will be the first Ba&sh store to open in the Virginia area — other locations throughout the United States are based in larger cities like New York and Los Angeles.

The company features items that aim to be “timeless and distinctive,” according to the website.

Crescendo Studios now has plans to expand after opening a few months ago in Merrifield.

The education-oriented music studio is looking to use a currently empty space adjacent to the studio’s existing location (8101 Lee Hwy), according to Fairfax County documents.

With the extra square footage, Crescendo would offer both an expanded music education center with group and private lessons and on-site recording studios, according to the application.

The studio’s application in June to the county noted that they would be able to increase their clientele and take on around 90 students.

“The majority of the students are expected to be between the age of 7 and 17, though some adults may also enroll,” according to the application.

The music school’s proposed hours of operation would be noon- 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. The recording studio would be available 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on the weekend.

Crescendo told the county that the expansion would not affect parking in the area.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission is slated to hold a public hearing on the proposal in November.

Photo via Facebook and image 2 via Fairfax County