The Athleta store in Tysons Corner Center plans to offer a monthly fitness bootcamp starting this weekend.
The free bootcamps are set to take place at the Fashion Court on the second level across from Nordstrom. Attendees can expect themed workouts, giveaways and snacks, according to the event page.
Tysons Corner Center recruited Athleta to create the monthly series, which will vary depending on the month and time of year, Todd Putt, the mall’s senior marketing manager, said.
Todd said that the bootcamps are a new take on the former Tysons FitClub.
“Bootcamps used to happen weekly when it was Tysons FitClub,” Todd said. “Attendance varies, but the goal is to have around 50 people attend this series, monthly with the joint collaboration with Athleta.”
The first one will be held on Sunday, March 1, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Attendees can expect a yoga instructor, Todd said, adding that the format and class offerings will change from month to month.
The Market at Tysons Corner has closed its doors at Tysons Corner Center.
In the summer, the market relocated into a smaller space on the second level near Nordstrom.
“Tysons Market was struggling with sales and never really got the attention in their new location,” a spokesperson for the mall told Tysons Reporter, adding that the store also struggled “with some financial difficulties.”
The market sold a variety of goods to customers, including soft drinks, snacks, toiletries and other items someone would expect to find in a convenience store, along with beer and bottles of wine.
The mall still has convenience store options for shoppers, including a 7-Eleven is on the first level near BrandBox.
Fairfax County is seeking proposals that would revamp the former home of the Container Store into a pop-up space.
The site sits across from Embassy Suites by Hilton by the Spring Hill Metro station. After the Container Store relocated from 8508 Leesburg Pike to 8459 Leesburg Pike in 2018, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors bought the site.
The county announced yesterday (Monday) that the new Department of Economic Initiatives has an inaugural pilot aiming to “transform vacant commercial spaces into economic development destinations,” and its first commercial space will be the Leesburg Pike spot, according to the press release.
Rebecca Moudry, the new department’s director, told Tysons Reporter that the “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained” project is a “bold initiative” focused on supporting small businesses, encouraging creative placemaking and supporting the Made in Fairfax Network, which helps local producers.
Moudry, who started as the director in October, said that the “pretty small” department is staffed by 11 people and is embedded within a larger county structure that works with partners like the planning, transportation and economic development departments.
The department chose “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained” as its first project to fit into the bigger picture of people moving away from suburban and office environments to urban, multi-modal options, she said.
“It’s actually what we’re trying to do,” she said about the project’s name. “We literally want to activate this particular space.”
Currently, the county plans to add a new street that would connect Leesburg Pike and Greensboro Drive, the Washington Business Journal reported last year.
Moudry said that it could take three to five years before the county kicks off the road work. Until then, the initiative looks to turn the vacant 19,000-square-foot storefront into a useful space.
While Moudry said that other programs in the region and around the country have focused on pop-ups and activities, Moudry said that “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained” is looking for pop-ups that will last longer than usual.
“We’re not talking a weekend or a couple of months,” she added.
The county is accepting applications that intend “to develop, implement, manage and market an activation program” until April 20, the press release said.
“Dynamic pop-up, cultural, artistic or community-oriented programming aligned with these goals will be encouraged to ensure that the space functions as a vibrant asset and experience for residents and visitors,” the press release said.
Moudry said she hopes the applicants generate new ideas and innovate concepts. “We have a set of goals and parameters for what we’re looking for within the space,” she said.
Two tours of the space for applicants and their potential contractors will be held at 1 p.m. on March 9 and March 23, Moudry said.
Once the application window closes, Moudry said the staff will take a few weeks to review the proposals and talk with potential operators about lease agreements. The goal is to launch the chosen proposal this year — potentially in the fall.
People interested in learning more can visit the Fairfax County website’s Activate Fairfax page.
Image via Google Maps
Updated 2/26/2020 — Corrects D’Orazio’s title.
After months of deliberation, the Vienna Town Council still has not decided on a course of action for the parking situation for the upcoming redesign of the Patrick Henry Library.
At the council’s meeting last night (Feb. 24), Mayor Laurie DiRocco lead a conversation regarding a potential timeline for the project and deliberated cost and design options along with the fellow council members.
The parking will serve not only as parking for the library (101 E. Maple Ave) but also for nearby businesses in the town as well.
The parking was the main topic of debate. Currently, there are two options that the council can pursue, according to Michael D’Orazio, Vienna’s deputy director of planning and zoning. One option would include 84 spaces with two levels of parking above the ground-level library, while the option would have 188 spaces and three levels of parking.
Regardless of the option chosen, the town will be responsible for paying either 35% or up to a maximum of $1 million for the design phase, according to a presentation given at the meeting– meaning the town will be getting a better deal.
For the two-story option, the town will have to pay the smaller amount of either 25% or $4.5 million For the three-story option, the town will need to pay either 40% or $9 million.
Working on the current timeframe, the design phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2022, according to the meeting presentation.
If the Town Council decides to back out of the project at this time, they would only receive a 50% rebate on design costs from Fairfax County, according to D’Orazio. If the town were to back out in Sept. 2021, it would receive an 85% reimbursement.
“That seems higher than I was told on this several years ago,” Councilmember Howard Springsteen said at the meeting, expressing concern over the financial burden on the town.
To help pay for the costs, the mayor said that the town will be applying for grants to help supplement the budget.
To save money, Fairfax County also agreed to waive permit fees for the project, which will save roughly $400,000-$700,000 for the town, according to DiRocco, who said she wants to save the money for a “cushion.”
Going forward, town councilmembers said that they will continue discussions on the best course of action for the parking situation in the town.
Image courtesy Town of Vienna
The Langley School, a private school in McLean, wants a multi-million-dollar makeover.
Today (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved issuing $21 million in revenue bonds by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to the school for a renovation.
“The bonds will be entirely supported by the revenues of The Langley School,” according to county documents.
County documents said that the funding will help cover the costs of renovating, equipping and acquiring a three-story academic building that would serve as the school’s “hub,” along with:
- flexible learning spaces
- primary school facilities
- fifth-grade space
- library
- music facilities
- renovating existing campus primary school facilities
“In addition, the applicant requested the ability to pursue refinancing or refunding certain prior debt, funding reserves, capitalized interest and/or swap breakage costs related to the proposed bonds or the prior bonds and funding certain costs of the issuance of the proposed bonds,” the documents said.
The school (1411 Balls Hill Road) teaches kids from preschool to eighth grade.
Image via Google Maps
Updated 10:50 p.m. — Corrects proposed performance times.
British music enthusiasts may soon be able to enjoy food and drink at an upcoming restaurant in Vienna.
The Hawk & Griffin Pub wants to offer guests a place to listen to live music while grabbing something from the bar or kitchen at 405 W. Maple Ave, according to town documents.
Currently, a brick building built-in 1988 occupies the site.
The owners are hoping to include options for indoor and outdoor performance space on a patio for both solo and small group acoustic performances, the documents said.
“Musical performances will be a way to help create the authentic British public house atmosphere,” the application for zoning approval said.
Proposed performance times would be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. or 9 p.m. to midnight, depending on the season.
The proposal is set to go before the Vienna Planning Commission tomorrow (Feb. 26).
Photo via Google Maps
A Mexican restaurant plans to debut in the Vienna area this week.
El Sol plans to open at 262 Cedar Lane SE, Suite C in the Cedar Park Shopping Center on Thursday (Feb. 27), according to a press release.
Restauranteurs Alfredo and Jessica Solis, brother and sister, are behind El Sol, which currently has a D.C. spot, along with Mezcalero and Anafre, which are also in D.C.
Jessica will lead the kitchen, while Alfredo will manage Mezcalero and Anafre, according to the press release.
“We just set out to cook the food we grew up eating and now we have four restaurants. It’s incredible,” Jessica said in the press release.
Diners can expect traditional Mexican foods like street tacos, carne asada, gorditas and other items.
The menu includes a dish where a mixture of cheeses prepared atop the grill in a large plant leaf and another one with a bowl of oysters, shrimp, fish, octopus, avocado and spicy tomato.
More from the press release:
El Sol is an anchor tenant for the plaza which is currently undergoing redevelopment,” the press release said. “This is also the Solis’s largest restaurant at 80 seats and 3900 square feet…
The Vienna shop is a family-friendly full-service establishment that also offers weekend brunch, just like the D.C. location. A full bar highlighting mezcal and tequila is also be available.
Unlike El Sol D.C. and the other Solis restaurants, the Vienna restaurant has a private dining space that can accommodate up to 20 guests.
The restaurant plans to open at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Photo via El Sol/Facebook
Welcome back from the long weekend! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
McLean Rep Lauds Environmental, Housing Efforts —“Buoyed by his party’s sweeping victories locally and statewide last fall and the infusion of new blood on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor John Foust (D) was upbeat about a host of initiatives Feb. 20 during his annual “State of McLean” speech to the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce.” [Inside NoVa]
Falls Church Officials Face $1.207 Million City Hall Overrun — “City Manager Wyatt Shields said the cost can be absorbed by the surplus the City built up in the current fiscal year by delaying a first payment on the bond for the new high school and otherwise favorable (low interest rate) economic conditions.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Woes About Broad-Washington Project — “Public access to the parking lot, a surface lot sitting directly behind Thompson Italian, Clare and Don’s and adjacent the State Theatre, is considered by those businesses among their most critical assets for attracting the customers they need to succeed.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Vienna Business Leaders Talk Advocacy — “Vienna’s business owners galvanized and spoke out last July when the Council briefly flirted with rescinding an approved mixed-use rezoning at 374-380 Maple Ave., W. Business people who spoke at the six-hour-long meeting that began July 15 offered a perspective that wasn’t being heard, said Bollettino, adding it was fortunate the Council did not move forward with the proposal.” [Inside NoVa]
After Reggie Holmes was laid off from his job, he decided to take control of his career path and begin his own business, Enthuse Creative.
Since its founding in Tysons around 2013, the company has branched out to offer customers a variety of branding, strategy and design services — helping clients develop a unique sense of identity, according to Holmes.
Enthuse Creative operates as a multi-functional branding agency to help companies distinguish their talents and focus their efforts. Though the final product will vary depending on a clients’ needs, Holmes said he wants to help people target their own sense of identity and market.
Regarding the creation of Enthuse Creative in 2013, Holmes said he “wanted to be in a position where I could create my own opportunities,” adding that the ability to be creative and think outside of the box in his professional career is important for him as an art degree graduate.
When Holmes was in the process of the career transition, he said he realized that creative positions were “tenuous,” especially if someone wasn’t a high-up and wanted to solidify their career.
Coming up with the name for his company, Holmes said that “‘to enthuse’ means to build joy or happiness, so at the end of the day I want to help businesses be enthusiastic about their brand.”
Since the beginning of 2020, Enthuse has worked with roughly 20 different clients, many of whom come from different backgrounds and need various degrees of assistance, Holmes said.
One of the most inspiring projects Holmes said he worked on was a campaign for Meridian International Group, which promotes global leadership and U.S. diplomacy efforts.
For the group, Holmes said he helped to create an annual report, as well as marketing materials and a logo for a specific program.
“It’s great to know work I’m doing is being seen outside the United States,” he said, adding that he found it humbling to help improve the quality of life for people he will likely never meet.
As a one-man-show, Holmes said he often hires freelancers and partners from around the area to help him keep up with the workload.
In the summer of 2019, Holmes became the co-chair of marketing for the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and is now on the chamber’s board. He said he volunteers with the group, working to align upcoming businesses with the chamber, promoting economic success and helping to organize events such as Tysons 2050.
Currently, the group is trying to rebrand their image, according to Holmes, who didn’t feel at liberty to expand.
“We recognize the need to go a little bit deeper and create a compelling case as to why a business should partner with us to keep growing,” he said.
Photo courtesy Reggie Holmes
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!
Tysons Reporter also created a list of events happening for Mardi Gras, which is tomorrow.
Tuesday (Feb. 25)
- National Pancake Day — 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at IHOP (6655 Arlington Blvd) — The community is invited to enjoy a free small stack of pancakes.
- Cherish The Ladies — 8 p.m. at The Barns (1635 Trap Road) — This musical event includes step dancing, instrumental music and vocal arrangements. Tickets start at $27.
Wednesday (Feb. 26)
- Black Eminence: A Tysons-Wide Mixer — 5:30 p.m. at The Tower Club (8000 Towers Crescent Drive) — This event invites people to come together and play trivia to celebrate Black History Month while shopping from local businesses and enjoying music. Tickets are $15 for the public or $10 for members.
Saturday (Feb. 29)
- Battle of the Bands –– 6 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 E. Maple Ave) — This event invites people to listen to the final band perform a concert in a 22 session event. Tickets range from $10-$20. All ages are welcome.
- Zumba Dance Party — 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road) — The Marshall High School PTSA is hosting this event to raise funds for the seniors’ graduation celebration. Tickets are $10-$20 for the work-out dance sessions. All ages are welcome to this Zumba event.
Sunday (March 1)
- Sunday AcaFunday — 1 p.m. at Jammin Java (227 E. Maple Ave) — The co-ed acapella group “Impitched” will sing a variety of popular pop songs and will be accompanied by groups such as TBD and The District. Tickets are $10 before the event or $15 at the door.
- DC St. Patrick’s Parade Fundraiser — 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad Street) — This event celebrates Irish culture and will help to support the 2020 DC St. Patrick’s Parade. There will be food, drinks, live music, drawings, prizes and live auctions.
Photo via Ireland’s Four Provinces/Facebook
