After a few months of delays, Island Fin Poké Co., a fast-casual beach shack serving up Hawaiian-style poké, is slated to open in Falls Church on Jan. 18 to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The poké (pronounced “poh-kay”) restaurant at 7501 Leesburg Pike in Idylwood Plaza will be owned and operated by Bonita Bell and her husband Howard. Bell said in a press release that she is excited to offer jobs and a health-conscious concept to the community during these turbulent times.
“We are delighted and grateful to open up this business at this time in our vibrant community,” Bell said. “The continuing restrictions due to the pandemic will present challenges, but we are now more excited than ever to start the new year promoting positivity and healthy lifestyles.”
The Idylwood Plaza location was set to open in the fall, but was delayed until this month. The owners did not return Tysons Reporter’s request for comment on the delay before publication.
The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day, according to the chain’s website.
The husband-wife duo have also committed to opening an Island Fin Poké location in Vienna, targeted to open in 2022.
Bell, an African American entrepreneur, said she wants to encourage others to serve their communities on MLK Day. To promote the mindset that the occasion is “a day on, not a day off,” her Falls Church restaurant will donate 20% of its opening day sales to the nonprofit Food for Others.
“The past year has hit many people hard,” she said. “With so many jobs lost from restaurant closings, we are happy to provide job opportunities and to partner with Food for Others to support those who are struggling in our community.”
Like the overall restaurant industry, the pandemic has posed challenges to Island Fin Poké, but the Florida-based fast-casual chain is poised to continue growing, co-founder Mark Setterington said in a statement.
The Falls Church location is Island Fin Poké’s first in Virginia, increasing the chain’s presence in the greater Washington, D.C., area after it opened an outpost in Bowie, Md., last year.
“The DMV area is somewhere we are really excited to grow in,” Setterington said.
He described Bonita as “the perfect addition to our ohana, as she reflects our mission to bring guests high-quality poke in an immersive and welcoming environment. For us, ohana is a way of life, and we want every guest that walks through our doors to know they are a part of the family.”
Photo courtesy Island Fin Poké Co.Â
(Updated 3:10 p.m.) Island Fin Poké plans to bring Hawaiian-style poke bowls to Falls Church and Vienna.
The eatery is set to open in the fall at 7501 Leesburg Pike, Suite 129 in Idylwood Plaza. That location will be the first one in Virginia for the Florida-based fast-casual chain, according to a press release.
“We are excited to expand to Falls Church because of the amazing food scene,” Co-founder Mark Setterington said in a press release. “We believe that the local residents will appreciate our family-oriented culture and personal attention given to every guest.”
Sarah Richter, a spokesperson for Island Fin Poké, told Tysons Reporter that the owner of the Falls Church location has signed a deal to also open the Vienna location.
“Plans won’t be made for Vienna until the Falls Church unit is up and running, so Vienna will be much later down the line, maybe in a year or so,” Richter said.
When the Virginia locations open, diners can expect build-your-own bowls that can be customized with eight proteins, sauces and more than a dozen toppings.
The Idylwood Plaza location will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day, according to the chain’s website.
Founded in 2017, Island Fin Poké currently has eight locations across the U.S., from Nevada to Massachusetts. The chain opened an eatery in Bowie, Md. in January and is looking to grow in the D.C. area, the press release noted.
“Our Bowie location has been very successful and our expansion to Falls Church is just the beginning for the D.C. metro area,” Setterington said.
Island Fin Poké has 26 locations “in various stages of development across the country,” the press release says, noting that the chain is looking to rapidly expand by seeking franchisees.
Photo courtesy Island Fin PokéÂ
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.
Orangetheory Fitness is coming to Idylwood Plaza.
The new tenant will occupy the 3,145-square-foot space that Massage Heights will vacate at the end of January, Emily Gagliardi, the leasing director for Idylwood Plaza, told Tysons Reporter.
The fitness chain is opening a location in Falls Church at 6404D Arlington Blvd.
Orangetheory Fitness offers hour-long workouts where people can choose between walking, jogging, running, biking and other activities. The studios have treadmills, bikes, striders, rowers and weights, according to the company’s website.
Can you believe it’s halfway through the first month of 2020? Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
New Brews Taking Over Mad Fox Space — “The 5,000 square-foot restaurant space in the 400 block of West Broad in Falls Church that was vacated by the closing of the Mad Fox Brewing Company last July will soon be filled with a new brew operation known as Solace Outpost.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Projects Causing Lane Closures Along Route 123 — “One of the projects, scheduled to start Monday, Jan. 13, will cause disruptions on Route 123 around the McLean Metro station…Â About a mile west from that spot is where the other Route 123 project is located.” [WTOP]
What To Do About the Flu — The fire department has some resources for people who come down with the flu. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Spotlight on Mosaic District — The Washington Post highlighted the Merrifield development for its real estate section. [The Washington Post]
I didn’t realize how tall the new Mason High was going to be pic.twitter.com/fyFNWIRZhM
— Falls Church Views (@falls_views) January 7, 2020
Sneak Peek:Â Tysons Reporter has information on the tenant that will be filling a soon-to-be-vacant spot in Idylwood Plaza, so check back later today to find out what it is.
Have a great Tuesday and look out for Morning Notes again on Friday.
Patrons have until the end of the month to go to the Massage Heights in Idylwood Plaza.
The location is closing Jan. 31 at 7505 Leesburg Pike, Suite M, an employee said.
The staff at the location will transfer to the Alexandria location (3642 King Street) in the Bradlee Shopping Center, the employee said.
Started in 2004 in Texas, Massage Heights is a family-owned business with more than 140 locations in the U.S. and Canada, according to the company’s website.
Image via Google MapsÂ
Hat tip to Gary H.
This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!
Question: Â What neighborhoods are between Tysons and City of Falls Church?
Answer: The neighborhood of Idylwood is located in Falls Church. It originally developed as a suburban community along the route of the W&OD Railroad, and later along Virginia State Route 7. It is bordered to the east by the city of Falls Church, to the north by Pimmit Hills and Tysons, to the west by Dunn Loring, and to the southwest by Merrifield.
Here are the top reasons that make Idylwood an awesome neighborhood:
Great Location
It’s located within 3 miles, of West Falls Church station on the Orange Line, and Greensboro station on the Silver Line. It’s easy access to I-66, 495, Dulles Access Toll Road, and just minutes from Tysons — only 12 miles from D.C.
For joggers and bikers, there’s easy access to the W&OD Trail, going all the way from Shirlington to Purcellville.
Things To Do
It’s located just a couple of miles from all the fun, shopping and entertainment in Tysons and City of Falls Church. Idylwood Park (7715 Virginia Lane) offers baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a large soccer field. What I enjoy most about this park is that it is literally walking distance to the W&OD trail.
Jefferson District Park offers a Mini-Golf course, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic facilities, a children’s playground and nine-hole executive golf course.
There’s also a range of ethnic restaurants. Taco Bamba is one of my all-time favorites. They have amazing tacos and the best Mexican street corn. Crisp & Juicy for Peruvian Chicken (expert here!); Victor Grill, super casual and delicious Argentinian steakhouse (they have the best deals on wine, especially Malbec); and 2941 Restaurant if you want to celebrate a special occasion or try fancy French-American food.
Idylwood Plaza has everything you need! From Whole Foods, to Starbucks, to My Eye Dr. Just give yourself time to find parking as the shopping center is very busy.
You’re also close to all the fun in Mosaic District!
Many Housing Options
There are different options from detached homes, townhomes and condos. In Idlywood, there are currently 26 properties for sale, ranging from a one bedroom condo for $199,999, to a $1.699M 5 bedroom home built in 2015, located by West Falls Church Metro. You can see all active listings here.
Seventeen properties are currently under contract, ranging from a 2 bedroom condo at $240,000 to a custom built 5 bedroom Craftsman house at $1.649 million.
In the past 6 months, 73 condos were sold for a median price of $265,000, 35 townhouses were sold for a median price of $592,5000, and 51 single family homes sold for a median price of $775,000.
Great Quality of Life.
Falls Church Ranked as No. 1 Healthiest Community in U.S. in 2018. Need to say more?
Changes on the Horizon
While the area has a timeless quality to it, things will change a bit in the next few years. Founder’s Row is a mixed use project located at the corner of W. Broad and N. West Streets and it will include a 6-8 screen dine-in movie theater with 850 seats, 5,000 square feet of office and 60,000 square feet of retail-restaurant space and 72 senior and 322 market rate apartments. Also, new developments in Tysons and Mosaic District are in progress. I’ll keep you posted!
If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my bi-weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.
Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite #10C Arlington, VA 22203, 703-390-9460.
Long Lines at Local Whole Foods — If you ordered turkey or anything else for Thanksgiving dinner from the Whole Foods Market in Idylwood Plaza, expect long lines this morning. [Instagram]
County Offices Closed for Holiday — Fairfax County Government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Also, the Fairfax Connector will be running on a modified holiday schedule both days. [Fairfax County, Fairfax County]
Turkey Frying Safety Tips — “Using a turkey fryer this year to cook your Thanksgiving dinner? Please make sure you fry the turkey and NOT your home!” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
‘Political Transformation’ in Fairfax Co. — “A group of younger candidates is gathering in the wings, frustrated by crowded classrooms, traffic congestion and the rising cost of living in the county of 1.1 million — Virginia’s most populous jurisdiction and its undisputed economic engine.” [Washington Post, Erika Yalowitz]
Holiday Stroll Planned in Vienna — “The 22nd annual Church Street Holiday Stroll is slated for Monday, Nov. 26 along historic Church Street in Vienna. Santa is expected to glide into the area on a 1946 fire truck at 6:15 p.m., then help Mayor Laurie DiRocco light the holiday tree at 6:20 p.m.” [InsideNova]
Big New Development for West End of Falls Church — “The development team of EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency Centers was chosen by the Falls Church City Council Monday night to orchestrate a dense and diverse $500 million development of 10.3 acres of City-owned land where its George Mason High School currently sits,” near the West Falls Church Metro station. [Falls Church News-Press]
