Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons and Idylwood Plaza and Tysons Station in the Falls Church area will soon have a contact-less pick-up program for their restaurants.
Federal Realty’s Pick-Up program launches next Friday, May 15 in the D.C. area, to allow curbside pick-up for eateries at its properties, according to a press release from Mittie Rooney at the Axiom Communications Group.
“The program is made available to all tenants and customers looking for comfortable ways to return to shopping at their favorite stores,” the press release said. “Customers will be able to place orders directly with stores by phone or on-line, and arrange for same day pick-up, or a time most convenient to them.”
Federal Realty’s three shopping centers in the Tysons area will have the program by the end of the month, Rooney said.
“We see this as a long-term solution to finding even more convenient ways for customers to shop,” Stuart Biel, the senior vice president of regional leasing for Federal Realty, said in the press release.
As Virginia prepares to reopen, the Vienna Farmers Market has an official opening date in June.
Unlike nearby farmers markets that are run by the county, the Vienna Farmers Market is managed by volunteers from a local nonprofit — the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna.
In pre-COVID-19 times, the farmers market would have opened May 2, Michele Wright with the Optimist Club told Tysons Reporter. But Gov. Ralph Northam’s orders telling people to stay home until June 10 and closing down non-essential businesses caused the group to delay the opening.
“In order to open it, we are following the Virginia Department of Agriculture’s guidelines,” Wright said, adding that volunteers and vendors will have face shields, face masks and gloves.
So far, the plan is to have one entrance and one exit and to allow no more than 30 people at a time, she said, adding that vendors’ tents will be 10 feet apart.
“Everyone has to wear a face mask,” she said. “I don’t care whether they believe in it or not.” If people make a fuss about the masks, she said she won’t shy away from calling the police.
Shoppers can expect hand sanitizer, but won’t be able to pick up and feel vegetables or touch the goods. Wright said it will instead be “point and bag.”
Credit cards will be preferred to limit contact. “Cash is a conveyor of germs,” Wright said.
The money raised from the vendors’ fees goes toward community events, Second Story and scholarship funds, Wright said: “Everything is really designed to bring out the best in kids.”
To help vendors who have struggled without the farmers market, Wright said the Optimist Club is connecting them with food banks.
A drive-thru model won’t work for the farmers market since there is limited space at the Vienna Community Center and police would be needed.
The market will be open starting Saturday, June 13, and will be available every week through Halloween, Wright said.
“We need people to be patient and kind and be a community,” Wright said.
Photo via Optimist Club of Greater Vienna/Facebook
Little Birdies Boutique was only open for a few weeks in Tysons Galleria before the coronavirus pandemic forced its now closure. Now, the shop is hiring as it prepares to reopen.
The boutique, which sells kids’ clothing from newborns to size 10, first opened in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood in 2014 before expanding to Tysons earlier this year.
Shanlee Johnson, the owner and founder of Little Birdies Boutique, told Tysons Reporter that online sales, loans and grants have helped keep her business going.
“We’ve always had a strong online presence,” she said, adding that her online sales have doubled since the pandemic.
“Our online sales have been a lot of swimsuits and sandals and shorts and picnic blankets,” she said, adding that she expects popularity to increase for those items.
But the increased online sales can’t make up for the store closures: “It’s not the same as having two stores [open] and online.”
In a normal year, Little Birdies Boutique sells twice as much merchandise during March-May than the rest of year, she said. But this isn’t a normal year.
“March and April [sales] were basically what I do in January,” she said.
In addition to the online store, Johnson said she’s offering virtual in-store shopping, which has been a hit with older customers “who haven’t picked up the online presence.”
While Easter was “rough” since customers weren’t buying dressier clothes, Johnson said people are shopping for extra pajama sets and loungewear or stocking up for next year. Her private label, Pineapple Sunshine, “has taken off even more,” she noted.
To help make up for the decreased revenue, Johnson said she’s been able to negotiate her rent and received a Small Business Administration loan and grant from D.C.
Now that both of the stores are temporarily closed, Johnson said she has settled into her 11 a.m.-6 p.m. workday routine to fulfill online orders: go to Tysons in the morning to pick up clothes, head to D.C. for more clothes and then go to the post office.
“It keeps me busy,” she said. “There is no one at the mall.”
As Johnson awaits information on reopening dates for both stores, she’s looking to hire one to two full-time employees and a few part-time employees for both the D.C. and Tysons stores.
“The Georgetown store was a lot of students,” she said. “They all left to go home. We didn’t do any major layoffs.”
When the store does reopen, she expects the mall will have shorter hours and keep offering kiosks of hand sanitizer. “We’ll require masks and I’ve always been a cleaner,” she said.
Since both of her stores are small, she said she is working to figure out how to maintain social distancing, although she doesn’t expect “tons of people.”
She expects the Tysons location to maintain its appeal among her clientele of new moms, grandmothers and friends of moms-to-be.
“We carry boutique brands, international pieces,” she said. “They are not department store brands.”
Sorry, No Sports — “The Virginia High School League’s Executive Committee voted Thursday to cancel the spring sports season altogether for rest of the 2019-20 calendar year due to the coronavirus outbreak.” [Inside NoVa]
Vienna Hosting Free Small Business Webinar — “Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Vienna-based Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, will lead the first online discussion from 10-11 am Wednesday, May 13.” [Town of Vienna]
Tysons Area ABC Stores Offering Curbside Service — “The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is now offering curbside pickup for online orders at 15 stores in Northern Virginia.” The list includes two in Vienna (8413 Old Courthouse Road and 436 Maple Ave E.), Falls Church (7121 Leesburg Pike) and McLean (1445-B Chain Bridge Road). [Inside NoVa]
When restrictions start to lessen for Virginia businesses, what will the demand be for indoor axe throwing? Not high, according to Mario Zelaya, the CEO and founder of Bad Axe Throwing.
Started in Canada in 2014, Bad Axe Throwing had been popping up in dozens of spots around the U.S. and Canada until the coronavirus pandemic prompted temporary closures for the locations.
The Mosaic District spot (2985 District Avenue, Suite 195) opened in August and allowed groups to reserve spots or drop-in to use axe throwing lanes with throwing coaches in pre-COVID-19 times.
Currently, Zelaya said that all of the Mosaic District employees are laid off and the location is temporarily closed under Gov. Ralph Northam’s orders.
Now that Northam has a proposed plan to ease business resections, Zelaya said data from other Bad Axe Throwing locations will help determine reopening plans in the Mosaic District and for the rest of his portfolio.
“I know for a fact that people are not going to flood in,” he said. “The data we have from Atlanta and Oklahoma City is quite solid in representing that statement.”
The big quandary is how comfortable people will be going to a place for the recreational sport of axe throwing before there’s a cure for the virus, extensive testing or data showing a lower death rate.
While Zelaya says the “very grim” data points to a “long and difficult road to recovery” for his business, he doesn’t plan on closing any of the locations for good.
“We are going to open up [the Mosaic District spot] when we are allowed to and we will comply with state level mandates and suggestions while also implementing our own measures,” he said.
Those measures include completely wiping down all of the dedicated lanes and axes between group events, using every other lane to keep people 6 feet apart, reducing staffing and requiring people to book appointments.
The appointment-only model will be a shift for the Mosaic District spot, which he said was one of the few spots designed to cater more to walk-ins.
Zelaya said he plans to rehire based on seniority, calling it the “most fair and equitable way of doing it.”
“The other thing we want to factor in too is we don’t want to call people back if we won’t have any shifts,” he said. “We can’t have any staff sitting around. That is no longer a viable business option. Otherwise we’re going to bleed out.”
Zelaya has struggled with the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which he claims is because he is a Canadian citizen who owns a large U.S. entity.
While he said he’s glad the PPP loans help businesses cover salaries while they are closed in April and May, he said that there needs to be more relief to help get businesses back open.
“If there is no bridge program transitioning people out of this recessionary period, there is going to be a mass influx of bankruptcies,” he said.
Zelaya said Bad Axe Throwing is in the process of receiving the loan in the program’s second round of funding: “My hope is that the money will get funded and that will help us weather the storm.”
People who want to support Bad Axe Throwing now can book a spot in advance, which means they have to put a deposit between $75-$80 for two people down to guarantee a private spot, dedicated lane and specific time.
Zelaya remains hopeful that Bad Axe Throwing’s target demographic — people ages 20-45 and “outside the at-risk zone for the virus” — will come back out and help re-stimulate the economy.
“I think everyone realizes that the economy is going to open back up,” he said. “It has to open back up.”
While he understands concerns about lifting restrictions, he stresses that businesses need the customers and clients.
“Although people may not support the government’s decision to open up the economy, I think everyone knows at least one person who owns a small business,” he said. “[Owners] are doing it for survival… We essentially are offered to become more in debt for something that is completely outside our control.”
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County’s top official wants increased communication with Gov. Ralph Northam as the state administration considers easing business restrictions.
On Monday, Northam unveiled a three-phase plan to roll back restrictions, which could start as soon as May 15.
The next day, Jeff McKay, the chairman for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and the board chairs for Prince William and Loudoun counties sent a letter urging Northam’s administration to collaborate more with them.
More from the copy of the letter obtained by Tysons Reporter:
We proudly represent more than 2 million residents; just shy of a quarter of the population of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sadly, our three counties also account for 40 percent of all known positive cases and hospitalizations due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Commonwealth. Regionally, Northern Virginia equates for 40 percent of the Commonwealth’s GDP…
To that end, we write to you today to communicate our strong desire to be both briefed and consulted as your administration makes decisions about the reopening of the Commonwealth… We request a discussion with you prior to future announcements about the state’s reopening. This is not an attempt to slow our progress. Rather, a recognition of the need for greater collaboration between state and local governments.
Additionally, we request a weekly phone call between a member of your team and our chiefs of staff… In addition to the reopening, some of the topics our respective teams would like to cover include testing capacity, the acquisition of personal protective equipment, racial disparities, and the methodology used for the distribution of CARES Act funds.
Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) also chimed in this week, posting on Facebook today: “I agree with Chairman Jeff Mckay that Northern Virginia needs to be MUCH MORE cautious than other regions of Virginia in reopening our businesses due to the heightened and ongoing threats here.”
Northam said yesterday (Wednesday) that localities might be able to keep some restrictions as the state begins to reopen, WTOP reported. Now that the governor is poised to provide an update tomorrow (Friday) on localities’ input on the restrictions, McKay is repeating his request.
“Northam joined regional leaders on a call this afternoon to further outline his gradual plans for reopening Virginia,” McKay said in a statement to Tysons Reporter. “Though this won’t be a locality-by-locality decision, he has recognized the need to look at this issue regionally.”
McKay said that he again requested “continued open lines of communication to ensure coordination between our community, D.C., and Maryland, as well as the need for effective communication to businesses and our residents when a decision to reopen is made.”
Fairfax County continues to have the highest reported number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Virginia.
“We are still in the exponential growth phase of our epidemic curve – that means that COVID-19 cases in our health district continues to increase,” according to the county.
As of today, the county had more than 5,000 cases and 211 deaths, according to the state’s health department.
The county says that the high number of cases may be due to three factors: “significant community-wide transmission,” increased testing and the new inclusion of “probable” cases along with confirmed ones.
Black Dog Beer Shop has been open for less than three months in Merrifield, but already its owner has seen a recent uptick in sales — partly thanks to a federal loan.
As craft brewers face coronavirus challenges and many breweries pivot to making hand sanitizer, Tyler Cohen says he thinks his new local craft beer store is faring well, all things considered.
While he doesn’t have months and months of data to compare, he said sales grew 10% from March to April: “That’s a good thing, I guess.”
Cohen, who lives in the Mosaic District, opened the store in February at 2672M Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station.
Before the coronavirus pandemic prompted the governor to enforce restrictions on businesses, Cohen said 10-15 people would be at the store “at all times” on Fridays and Saturdays.
When businesses started to close or switched to delivery, take-out and curbside pickup services, Cohen said most of his customers initially ordered online, but now he’s starting to see more and more people trickle into the store.
“This last weekend we had to stop people from coming in,” he said.
What the Federal Loan Process Was Like
Receiving a loan during the first round of funding for the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program made a big difference to the store’s finances and ability to keep growing, Cohen said.
“We were getting close where we could probably survive another month and then need to pay payroll out of my own pocket, but as soon as we got that [loan], we were able to breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.
Cohen said M&T Bank was “awesome” with telling him what he would need to submit before the application became available and then communicating with him — even on weekends — about the process.
“It was a pretty quick process,” Cohen said, adding that it took about a week after he submitted the application to hear that he was approved for the loan and then another week to receive it.
Cohen said he’s been able to keep all of his staff employed. One employee, who used to work part-time, now has longer shifts and is covering for another employee, who is over the age of 65 and decided to stay home, he said.
As for rent, the store’s landlord offered delayed rent payments for a few months, but Cohen declined. “I think we can afford rent now.”
COVID-19 Changes
The store already had a stockpile of personal protective equipment, but Cohen still teamed up with a friend to make homemade hand sanitizer when his supply got low.
“We went from cleaning a couple of times to cleaning all of the surfaces constantly,” he said.
Another change has been allowing people to buy single cans and bottles of beer.
“Instead of buying a four-pack on something they haven’t had, people will try one or two,” he said.
And the store’s growler fill-ups are less popular too now that customers “want to avoid the touching and contact,” he said.
Speeding up some of his longer-term plans has been one of the biggest challenges Cohen’s faced due to the pandemic.
“The online store was something I was planning on rolling out later,” Cohen said. “[The pandemic] forced my hand.”
But, the pandemic did cause one positive thing Cohen’s black dog, Ash, who inspired the shop’s name — there’s now more time for hour-long walks.
“It’s been an interesting time with him because we’ll both get stir crazy,” he said.
Local Community Support
To get ideas for how to manage the store during the pandemic, Cohen said he and his team talked to local businesses including nearby Inca Social and listened to podcasts about the beer industry.
“The store manager is constantly trying to come up with new ideas,” Cohen said.
Local businesses in the community are trying to show support, he noted.
“I probably buy more beer and take out food to support local businesses,” he said. “We’re trying to help each other.”
Photos via Black Dog Beer Shop/Facebook
The number of COVID-19 cases has now surpassed 5,000 in Fairfax County, according to the latest state data.
As of data released today, 5,045 cases and 211 deaths have been reported in the county, while the City of Falls Church has 36 cases and four deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Statewide, there are more than 21,500 cases and 769 deaths.
Of the state’s 257 outbreaks — most of which are at long term care facilities — 43 outbreaks are in the Fairfax Health District, which includes the county and its cities and towns. Of the Fairfax outbreaks, 40 are at long term care facilities and one each is at a correctional facility, health care setting and educational setting.
Data on the respiratory illness in the state was not available yesterday due to a glitch.
Daily #Virginia COVID-19 data delayed as @VDHgov deals with technical glitch. VDH says it is "working to resolve the error, and will update information as soon as possible."
— Virginia Public Access Project (@vpapupdates) May 6, 2020
Photo via CDC/Unsplash
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted last night to support two projects that would continue urbanizing Tysons.
Now proposed changes to open the Valo Park office complex up to the public and two developments near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tyson West will head to the Board of Supervisors with favorable recommendations.
Both proposed projects aim to enliven Tysons, Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner, the commissioner for the Providence District, noted.
The Planning Commission kicked off its meeting by making a decision on Georgelas LLC’s two proposed mixed-use developments that would redevelop car dealerships along the north side of Tyco Road into West Spring Hill Station and North Spring Hill Station.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the developments back in September. Niedzielski-Eichner requested delays on the decision to allow time for the developer and staff to address concerns with West Spring Hill Station.
Staffer Tracy Strunk outlined the “high points” of the changes the developer made in the resubmission in January:
- reduced residential, meaning the parks and open space is no longer deficient
- “brought mix of uses into closer alignment”
- did new traffic study
- provided new information on connection to Dulles Toll Road
- gave more ideas for how surrounding properties could be developed
While the original staff report recommended denial of the project, Strunk said that the staff now support approving both developments even as the proposal is “still a little light on office.”
In response to the comment about the amount of office, Elizabeth Baker, a senior land use planner for Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh who is representing the developer, said that approved projects in Tysons West include millions of square feet of office space.
“So we have just been very cognizant of the amount of office in the area,” Baker said. “We want to be realistic about what can be built on this site.”
Strunk also noted that the proposed ramp will function more as a local street with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour.
“I fully support these applications,” Niedzielski-Eichner said, adding that they, along with The View and Adaire, will further transit-oriented development in Tysons West and make it an “exciting and vibrant place.”
During its second public hearing last night, the Planning Commission took up the proposal that would allow Valo Park in the North Central neighborhood to attract diners, shoppers and people looking to exercise.
The newspaper giant Gannett and cloud computing company Appian are headquartered at the roughly 785,000 square-foot office park (7950 Jones Branch Drive), which was bought by London-based Tamares a few years ago.
Tamares is looking to add shops, at least two restaurants and either a 5,000-square-foot craft beverage production establishment or restaurant on the roof on an existing parking garage. The owner also wants to open the office complex’s current conference center, auditorium and fitness center to the public.
The proposal did not receive any public comment during the hearing. Planning and zoning staff supported the proposed changes, and the Planning Commission voted to also back the plan.
Niedzielski-Eichner called it “a straightforward attempt to bring more people onto the property.”
Now, the Valo Park proposal is slated to head to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing on June 9. The West and North Spring Hill Station developments will get a public hearing before the county board next Tuesday (May 12).
Images 1 and 2 via Fairfax County
Tysons Company Gets Millions to Scale Up — “Qrvey, the next-generation analytics platform built to change the way companies interact with their data, today announced the close of a $7.5 million Series A investment round to scale up its revenue operations.” [PR Newswire]
Fundraising for Firefighters — “The Woman’s Club of McLean on May 4 donated $5,000 to the McLean Volunteer Fire Department, representing some of the proceeds from the club’s 2019 Holiday Homes Tour.” [Inside NoVa]
Uncertain Reopening Date for Nine Metro Stations — “Metro will only say that it will end in the fall, but is no longer promising it will end the day after Labor Day as originally expected… Metro says the closed Silver Line stations will not reopen until the Orange Line stations are able to reopen also.” [WJLA]
Local News Outlet Honors High School Seniors — Virginia Patch is celebrating graduates by publishing mini-profiles of them from forms that families can fill out. [Patch]
The McLean District Station recently received a kind surprise from a neighborhood in their district – Residents lined up in their yards & driveways, with posters & signs, to thank the first responders for their service. We are grateful to serve in such a great community! #FCPD pic.twitter.com/woyS6rgjkJ
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) May 6, 2020
