Tysons Company Reduces Workforce — “MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ: MSTR) cut its workforce by 6% in early July as the company adapted to the business changes brought about by the continued spread of Covid-19 — and its recent cuts helped increase profitability for the Tysons business intelligence software company.” [Washington Business Journal]
Pizza Chain Struggling — “California Pizza Kitchen has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as the chain has been unable to surmount the challenges posed by a steep drop in sit-down dining due to the coronavirus pandemic… California Pizza Kitchen has five locations in Greater Washington, in Pentagon City, Bethesda, Tysons Corner Center, Fairfax Corner and Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg – all currently reopened in a limited capacity.” [Washington Business Journal]
Women’s Suffrage Month — “Fairfax County supervisors, after first being chided by one member, agreed July 28 that all the board’s members would sign a proclamation declaring this August as ‘Women’s Suffrage Month’ in the county.” [Inside NoVa]
Planning Commission OKs three-house subdivision — “Satisfied with planned noise-reduction measures, Fairfax County Planning Commission members on July 22 unanimously recommended the Board of Supervisors approve a three-home subdivision just north of Tysons.” [Inside NoVa]
Photo courtesy Joanne Liebig
The City of Falls Church unveiled a new permit to help businesses and nonprofits to use outdoor space for classes and events.
The city announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the Temporary Outdoor Commercial Activity Permit will tentatively be available until Oct. 1, with the possibility that the end date might get extended.
Eight areas in the city are available to rent, including the Cherry Hill Park Basketball Court, designated grass area at Cherry Hill Farmhouse/Park and Mr. Brown’s Park. Normally, Mr. Brown’s Park is the only city park that businesses and organizations can rent for commercial activity.
Rentals are $20 per hour, along with a $200 security deposit. Applications are accpeted on a first-come, first-serve basis, the city said, noting that the permit does not apply to outdoor dining or service related to food or alcohol.
When using the outdoor space, people must follow the governor’s orders to social distance, wear face coverings and disinfect areas.
“We recognize that a lot of city businesses and non-profits are looking for ways to create safe environments for their customers and supporters,” Danny Schlitt, the parks and recreation director, said in a press release. “If they feel that open air venues help them safely deliver a service or program, then we want to help by temporarily allowing the rental of our parks. We are all in this together!”
Photo by Bradley Brister/Unsplash
About a year after Wee Chic opened in the Mosaic District, COVID-19 restrictions temporarily closed the brick and mortar store. Now, the newly reopened kids’ clothing boutique is preparing for the fall.
Started in Maryland a little more than 10 years ago, Wee Chic made a quick pivot to e-commerce with curated boxes and an online store this spring. Just like owner Bridget Quinn Stickline predicted back in May, the reopened stores are currently offering steep discounts as Wee Chic looks to shed excess inventory and make way for fall clothing.
“We still have too much inventory,” Stickline told Tysons Reporter in mid-July. “Currently, we’re selling product up to 60% off. This is the good stuff that would have sold full price.”
With fall approaching, Wee Chic plans to make changes again — a “giant pivot cycle” as Stickline calls it — to keep the business going during the pandemic. Stickline stressed that the store is committed to serving shoppers with various comfort levels around COVID-19 precautions, from in-store browsing with required face coverings to online shopping.
Curated Boxes Returning
Wee Chic first promoted its curated “Shop Box” in the spring to help with the inventory overload, but put a pause on the box due to the summer sale.
As the store now looks to move away from being heavily discounted, Stickline said that she plans to relaunch the box for fall merchandise.
Here’s how the box works: employees talk to shoppers over the phone to pick out 10-20 pieces, which can include multiple sizes. When the box arrives, kids try on the clothes and parents send back whatever they don’t want. Shoppers who keep a certain number of pieces get a percentage off their entire order.
Because the box is not a subscription model, Stickline said that her employees work hard to pick out the right products.
“[Subscription services] have a chance to get it right,” Stickline said. “In our model, it’s one box. That one box has to be good enough.”
Stickline noted that while Wee Chic had been offering the box for awhile, the store hadn’t given it a name or marketing until the pandemic.
Loyalty Program
Bringing back the box isn’t the only upcoming move for the fall. Wee Chic is also looking to start a loyalty program — “Something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” according to Stickline.
Stickline sees the loyalty program as a way to make her customers feel appreciated and also ease any strain on their wallets from the pandemic.
“Everyone I think is more concerned about spending right now,” she said.
Inventory Changes
Regular customers might notice some changes to Wee Chic’s inventory this fall. Unlike previous years, the store is now looking to reduce its party dresses and ramp up its toy and gift options as the pandemic affects clothing demand.
Wee Chic is also selling masks for kids and tweens, which Stickline calls “a little bit of a heartbreaker.” The masks include pastel colors, sharks, unicorns, corgis and more. “
“You still have to buy clothes,” Stickline said. “Some kids are going back to schools a few days a week.”
Even for families and school systems opting for fully virtual learning, Stickline noted that kids outgrow clothes quickly.
Parents normally have to size up for a few or all of their kids’ clothing pieces every season, with ages 2-5 usually seeing the fastest growth and ages 6-8 most likely for growth spurts, Stickline said.
Online Wish List
When the pandemic prompted social distancing and canceled in-person events, Stickline noticed that shoppers started to spend more on kids’ presents.
“I feel like people are giving slightly nicer gifts because they can’t go to showers,” she said. “[People] want to make more of a gesture. You’re sad for a kid who can’t have a birthday party when they’re 6.”
In pre-COVID times, kids could pick out items in the store for wish lists. Now, work is underway to create an online registry.
Stickline sees the online wish list as a way for would-be guests to send “a big box full of fun” to kids and their families celebrating birthdays and holidays.
“The role I see for us in the world as a business is we’re here to spread some cheer and make things better,” she said.
Photo via Wee Chic/Facebook
A local Turkish catering company recently opened up a new bakery and gourmet market in Falls Church.
BorekG officially opened its bakery and market around June 1 at 315 S Maple Ave., but the catering company appeared at the Falls Church Farmers Market prior to the creation of the market.
“We initially wanted to open a full cafe, but unfortunately seating nor funding was available to us,” Dilek Kaygusuz, the owner of BorekG, told Tysons Reporter.
The catering business has been serving the community for 10 years.
Kaygusuz said plans to open the store started seven years ago. Finally, at the beginning of June, the team was able to move forward with opening plans under COVID-19 safety protocols and through the Falls Church Food Safety Workshop.
She said they are disappointed that they didn’t get any financial help from Falls Church or Fairfax County. “I hope in the future they value us more,” Kaygusuz said.
Business at BorekG has been stable, but they hope things get better, Kaygusuz said. Many businesses have struggled due to the pandemic, and BorekG is no exception.
The BorekG Bakery and Gourmet Market offers Turkish breakfast, brunch, appetizers, and lunch. Some of the items included in their store include flatbreads, pastries, baklava and more. The market also sells grocery items such as eggs, cheese, butter, milk and oils.
“You can also sign up for our future cooking classes, make reservations for outdoor seating and find out about our host dinners,” BorekG’s website says.
Outside of the store, people can find BorekG at the Falls Church Farmers Market each Saturday.
Photo via Borek-G/Facebook
The pandemic hasn’t stopped a Vienna family from selling its new baseball training equipment.
John Morabito and his two sons Nick and Dominic are the three founders behind Perfect Swings USA.
Nick Morabito, the CEO, told Tysons Reporter that the company was going to open in the spring but then faced shipping issues and then decided to wait a little longer when George Floyd’s killing prompted massive protests. “Most of people’s focus was on that, rightly so,” he said.
Currently, Perfect Swings USA is selling the Swing Path Trainer for $349 to help athletes keep the bat in the hitting zone with the proper angle.
“The launch has been good,” Morabito said, adding that the company has sold several dozen Swing Path Trainers.
Morabito said that the company is looking to debut the Tempo Trainer (undecided price) in early fall after some delays due to the pandemic. The tool will help athletes with their tempo and rhythm during a swing.
“Both of our products are tools to help hitters become better,” Morabito said.
While originally geared toward baseball players, Morabito said that softball players are buying the equipment. “We’ve made a huge splash into softball,” Morabito said.
The pandemic also eliminated marketing opportunities by shutting down some tournaments and college baseball programs. “I think a lot of people are drawn to it when they try it out,” he said.
The company hopes to soon roll out an online search feature for people to find which facilities have the equipment, so they can try it out.
Even with the challenges, the company has managed to make some headway nationally with preorders from colleges and influencers in California and Colorado.
In the future, customers will be able to buy a variation of a baseball called a wiffle ball. When the COVID-19 risk decreases some more, the family hopes to bring Perfect Swings USA to local tournaments.
“I think it’s going to continue to grow,” he said.
Photo courtesy Nick Morabito
More Falls Church Businesses Get Micro-Grants — “This round was open to a wider range of small businesses and non-profit applicants than those awarded to 84 businesses in a first round in May… All 42 eligible applicants will receive funding thanks to the [Falls Church] EDA.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Ransomware Attack — “A DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) subsidiary has experienced a ransomware attack on some of its systems, the Tysons tech firm disclosed Monday. Xchanging is a global standalone insurance managed services business, according to a release from DXC. The company does not believe that the attack compromised any customer data, however, some customers currently do not have access to the platform.” [Washington Business Journal]
“Vienna is for Lovers” — “To aid small businesses during the pandemic, the Vienna-based owner of custom apparel maker French Press Printing has held T-shirt fundraisers in Vienna and Oakton. Now French Press Printing’s Sarah Bohn is featuring a local artist’s original work and donating a portion of proceeds.” [Vienna Patch]
Citizens Group Backs Subdivision — “The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) board of directors passed a resolution July 1 in favor of a rezoning that would allow a three-house subdivision to be built at 8801 Jarrett Valley Drive.” [Inside NoVa]
Latest Unemployment News — “The Virginia Employment Commission reported Thursday that 5,279 Northern Virginia residents filed initial claims for unemployment benefits in the week ending June 20. That was down 9.2% from the preceding week and marks the 11th straight week of declines since a high of 47,708 claims filed in the week ending April 4. However, it is still 10 times pre-pandemic levels.” [Inside NoVa]
Finding the Funding — “McLean’s ID.me Inc. is raising new capital while riding a wave of momentum fueled by the pandemic. The digital identity management company has nabbed about $8.3 million out of a $12.5 million equity offering that began June 9, it reported in Securities and Exchange Commission filings.” [Washington Business Journal]
Sights Set on Space — “Los Angeles-based aerospace manufacturer Relativity Space announced Wednesday that McLean-based Iridium Communications Inc. has signed a contract to deliver up to six of Irdium’s satellites into orbit.” [Virginia Business]
New Merrifield Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority Board on June 24 approved initial scoping work to develop a new park on the eastern edge of Merrifield.” [Inside NoVa]
Dominion Energy will be trimming trees away from power lines in Town over the next 2 weeks. Blue lines on the map indicate where trimming will be taking place. For questions about how & why Dominion Energy manages trees and plants near power lines, visit https://t.co/SANub32tjv. pic.twitter.com/6q0WQemiVM
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) June 25, 2020
Highpoint Pub at #TheBoroTysons @WholeFoods has reopened with indoor and outdoor seating, following all VA Phase 2 protocols! Their hours for now will be Mon-Fri, 3pm-9pm and Sat-Sun, 12pm-9pm. They will be limiting groups to no more than 4 people to start! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/XnVh6FsXEV
— The Boro (@TheBoroTysons) June 25, 2020
Two Tysons companies are among the 15 tech employers listed for an upcoming virtual job hosted by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
The fair is targeted to mid-career tech professionals, especially ones with security clearances, and the companies represented will have a total of 3,000 open jobs in the Northern Virginia region, according to FCEDA.
“While the fair is primarily for those in tech fields including data science, software engineering, IT, cybersecurity, defense and aerospace, some companies are featuring non-tech positions such as marketing, sales, finance, human resources and legal,” according to FCEDA.
Companies signed up for the fair include:
- Microsoft, Reston
- Amazon Web Services, Arlington
- AppGuard Inc., Chantilly
- CGI, Fairfax
- Customer Value Partners, Fairfax
- Expedition Technology, Herndon
- EntropyZero Consulting, Reston
- FireEye, Reston
- Ipsun Solar, Fairfax
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church
- ManTech International, Herndon
- MicroHealth, Tysons
- NTT Data Federal, Tysons
- Serco Inc., Herndon
- SOSi, Reston
Previously, FCEDA hosted a virtual career fair for recent college graduates.
“Every job represents a household, so when we connect people — whether newly minted graduates or those midway through a career — to thousands of open jobs, we are really improving lives, saving households and communities,” Victor Hoskins, FCEDA’s president and CEO, said in a press release.
People will be able to browse companies in a virtual lobby before entering “virtual booths” to view open positions and video conference with recruiters.
The job fair will be hosted on Tuesday, July 14, from 1-4 p.m. People can register online.
Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash
Tysons-based MicroTech is working to address shortages in personal protective equipment (PPP), adding a risk-free component to its delivery service.
The company teamed up with Thermal Safety Systems to revamp their Just-in-Time PPE Delivery, which provides low-cost access to PPE, medical equipment and medical technology.
The companies say it “leverages supply-chain management to sync orders to suppliers with production and delivery schedules designed to meet customer’s needs,” according to the press release.
The companies decided to redesign the delivery of raw materials and finished products.
“Under these arduous conditions, it became obvious that new strategies for optimizing Just-in-Time Delivery
needed to be implemented,” the press release said.
“Risk-free orders are another game-changing aspect of the MicroTech-Thermal Safety Systems alliance,” the press release said. “Under this partnership, the MicroTech financing department will fully fund PPE purchases, and collect on delivery.”
Just-in-Time PPE Delivery has also improved supply management and inventory, less production pressure, increased quality control price stabilization and consolidated orders that decrease manufacturing and transportation costs.
Photo via MicroTech/Facebook
Nightlife is zilch in Tysons at the moment due to the pandemic. After a brief hiatus, the “Tysons After Dark” series is back to highlight different online and at-home activities from local organizations, along with offerings from eateries that keep people busy once the sun goes down.
A Falls Church comic book and game store is keeping people entertained at home with supplies for creating and customizing miniature figures.
Shoppers at Victory Comics can find paints, primers, brushes and a wide variety of miniatures, Gareth Hoskins, the store manager, told Tysons Reporter.
“It’s a lot easier than most people think. A lot of people get worried about how a complex model will work,” Hoskins said. “There are easier techniques that will make details pop without doing a lot of work.”
Before the pandemic, the store had “Paint and Take” events — painting classes capped at 12 people Hoskins would teach participants how to paint different miniatures.
When COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and the stay-at-home order hit Virginia, Hoskins said that the store saw an upsurge in the number of people who hadn’t tried the hobby before.
So Hoskins created a Google Doc guide as the “one-stop for any kind of miniature work.” The guide covers tools, brushes, glue, color theory, assembly, painting and techniques to create effects.
“We get a lot of people asking us, ‘Where do we even begin?’ and having something to point them towards seemed like a good idea,” he said. “We found ourselves answering the same questions over and over.”
Basic supplies usually cost around $20-$25, Hoskins said. Some of the store’s miniatures require assembly, while others either need to get primed before they are painted or are sold pre-primed.
For novices, Hoskins recommends that they buy a handful of paint pods, one or two brushes and a pre-primed miniature.
Hoskins said that he’s been painting miniatures — mostly Warhammer and D&D minis — for more than 10 years, noting that his Death army has lots of vampires and skeletons.
“I tend to like minis that have a lot of detail to them,” he said, adding that most of the miniatures on the market are large enough so that people won’t need a magnifying glass or specific brushes to paint tiny details.
While Hoskins said that people have been playing D&D virtually over Zoom and using websites like Roll20, “those only go so far for customization,” he said. The store’s offerings help entertain people who aren’t playing D&D in person at the moment and have extra time on their hands to customize miniatures for their game setups.
The great part about miniatures is that people can paint them exactly how they envision the characters, he said, adding that monsters are a popular choice.
The store (586 S. Washington Street) is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and except for Saturdays, when it opens at 10 a.m., Hoskins said. Shoppers are required to wear masks inside the store.
The store also delivers within a 10-mile radius and offers curbside delivery. People can place orders by contacting the store via Facebook, email or phone.
Image via Victory Comics/Facebook
