Following more details to reopen Virginia later this week, Fairfax County’s chairman joined Northern Virginia leaders in saying that the region is not ready yet to ease restrictions.

On Sunday (May 10), McKay, along with the top officials for the City of Alexandria and Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties, said in a letter to the governor saying that regional threshold metrics should be used instead of statewide metrics for reopening the five localities.

“While it is certainly useful to examine statewide metrics as we gauge the success of current public health policies, we feel strongly that any changes to current policies be guided by what is occurring in our region,” the letter said.

We all want to reopen our economy in the safest, data-driven way possible. Regardless of the Governor’s decision about how we move forward, we will continue to monitor our local statistics and be fully transparent about where we stand as a region. (5/7)

— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) May 10, 2020

The health directors for the five localities also sent a letter to the state health commissioner. “Based on our assessment, we do not believe that the Northern Virginia region has met the criteria for moving into Phase 1 at this time,” the letter said.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday that his plans to begin the first phase on Friday (May 15) as part of “Forward Virginia” include these new restrictions:

• Restaurants with open air space will be allowed to seat guests outdoors but at 50% capacity while other in-door only restaurants will be only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery.
• Residents will be under a “safer at home” suggestion.
• Retail businesses will be able to open at a 50% capacity.
• Fitness centers must remain closed unless they offer outdoor facilities.
• Entertainment and amusement centers will still be closed.
• Churches and places of worship will be allowed to gather at 50% capacity.
• Private campgrounds and specific public camping facilities will be reopened.
• A 10-person gathering limit for private parties will be still be required.

If the number of COVID-19 cases rise with the new orders, Northam said that there is a chance tighter restrictions will once again go into place.

“The virus is still in our communities and we need to continue our vigilance,” he said. “We may be living with it for months or maybe years.

Northam stressed that his proposed plan is an easement of the temporary restrictions: “We are not opening the flood gate here.”

Prior to the governor’s announcement, McKay and other local leaders had been pushing the state’s administration to provide more collaboration with the reopening plans.

For places like Fairfax County, Northam said on Friday that they may be allowed to reopen at a slower pace and that he will announce more details early this week.

“I have said from the beginning this is a dynamic-fluid process,” he said.

Catherine Douglas Moran and Ashley Hopko contributed to this report 

Image via Virginia.gov

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

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

Fairfax County’s public library system wants to capture people’s COVID-19 experiences for its historical records collection.

The library system is looking for diary entries, photographs, artworks, videos — anything that documents what people’s lives are like during the pandemic.

People can submit material on their pandemic experiences anonymously or with their name attached as a “digital donation” via a Google Form. Submissions will be accepted through June 10.

The information will be used for a project for the Virginia Room, which contains historical records at the City of Fairfax Regional Library.

Image via Fairfax Library/Twitter 

More Time to Apply for City Grant — “The deadline has been extended to Friday, May 15 for the City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority (EDA)’s Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Grant program.” [City of Falls Church]

Capital One Employees May Stay Home Awhile — “The lender’s offices in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. will remain shut to all non-essential staff at least through the Labor Day holiday on Sept. 7, Chief Executive Officer Richard Fairbank wrote in an internal memo.” [Bloomberg]

Time for Take Off — “Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. is on schedule for testing of its next-generation rocket, the OmegA, despite the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, a company executive said.” [UPI]

Celebration Outside Inova Fairfax Hospital — “People lined up to show their love for Fairfax County health care workers who are putting-in long, grueling hours.” [NBC 4]

I-66 Toll Revenue Creates Roadblock for Project Funding — “The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, which receives and disseminates funding for the projects, anticipates a significant drop in revenue, and will have to put off selection of projects in the latest round of its  ‘Commuter Choice’ initiative.” [Inside NoVa]

Another successful community effort to give to Providence’s @foodforothers! Thank you to the Falls Hill Civic Association & the neighboring communities that donated 800 lbs more food! It is warming to see gestures of community togetherness during these times. pic.twitter.com/ZzdJ8A58Y1

— Dalia Palchik (@SupvPalchik) May 5, 2020

Happy #NationalNursesDay at the start of National Nurses Week! #FCFRD appreciates you every day of the year! THANK YOU for all you do! Nurses are amazing! #ThankYouNurses pic.twitter.com/xZjHgTcES7

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) May 6, 2020

With Virginia businesses poised to have fewer restrictions in mid-May, Fairfax County’s top official is urging people to stay home to save lives.

Yesterday, Gov. Ralph Northam unveiled a three-phase plan to roll back restrictions on businesses possibly starting on May 15 — after extending the closure of non-essential businesses through May 14.

Meanwhile, his stay-at-home order, which is in effect until June 10, would become a “safer at home” recommendation, according to his presentation.

Jeff McKay, the chairman for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is weighing in on the governor’s proposal and calling on people to continue to stay home.

“A path forward is necessary, but public health and saving lives are our biggest priorities,” he said in a statement to Tysons Reporter. “The first phase, however, doesn’t really change how we will operate.”

Fairfax County continues to have the highest reported number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths due to the illness in the state. As of today, the county has at least 4,834 cases and 201 deaths, according to the state’s health department.

McKay noted that Northam included a variety of data, including the number of daily positive test results and hospital bed capacity, when explaining the rationale behind the plan.

Both in the statement and a letter to county residents last night, McKay urged county residents to stay home, pointing to Fairfax County’s continued rise in COVID-19 cases.

“We are in the exponential growth period of our epidemic curve and will see more cases and deaths in the coming weeks,” the letter said. “I encourage you to not change what you are doing. We can’t see our friends and go to concerts yet, that’s the reality.”

State health officials recently said that social distancing has already prevented nearly 36,600 cases in Fairfax County — and an estimated 134,000 cases by June 10.

McKay’s full statement to Tysons Reporter:

It’s good to see that Governor Northam is establishing data- and science-driven metrics in his decision to gradually ease restrictions in Virginia. A path forward is necessary, but public health and saving lives are our biggest priorities. The first phase, however, doesn’t really change how we will operate. Just because certain parts of the economy will re-open, doesn’t mean that you have to or should leave the house. As Governor Northam said, it will [be] safer-to-stay home. I will continue to encourage county residents to do so because our case numbers continue to rise exponentially. It is my hope that we start seeing less cases soon, but we aren’t out of the woods just yet.

Fairfax County Has $200M of Federal Funds to Dole Out — “The one-time funds may be used only for county expenses incurred in response to the COVID-19 public-health emergency from March 1 through Dec. 30, 2020… The county government will be allowed to use the funds to cover public-health needs and other expenses directly related to the pandemic response, plus economic support for businesses and employees affected by the crisis.” [Inside NoVa]

Virginia Businesses May Soon Face Fewer Restrictions — “Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday that Virginia could begin Phase I of its economic re-opening as early as next week. Northam says he plans to extend his executive order that restricted certain businesses and banned gathering of more than 10 people through May 14.” [WJLA]

Drumroll for the Volunteer Fairfax Awards — The long list of winners for Fairfax County’s service awards is here. [Volunteer Fairfax]

Local Teacher Makes Blog to Support Kids — “The art department at Madison High created a blog to facilitate students’ transition to distance learning. The blog allows students enrolled in every level and medium of art class to feel a sense of community as they respond together to the weekly prompt.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Plot twist: #cyclists may find that the roads in and around #Tysons are a better option than the W&OD trail that is “so crowded with folks trying to get some sun that it's impossible to stay six feet apart.” #COVID19 #cyclinglifestyle #cyclinglife #covidlife https://t.co/bhiiy4kTXe

— Tysons Partnership (@tysonspartners) May 4, 2020