A neighborhood market tucked into the Halstead Square apartment complex is now open.
The Bodega (2730 Gallows Road) opened last Tuesday (Jan. 14), according to its website and Instagram.
Shoppers can find “essential groceries,” according to the Instagram.
The market is open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 9 p.m. on Sundays, according to the website.
Black Dog Beer Shop, a craft beer store inspired by the owner’s dog, plans to open near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in early February.
Owner Tyler Cohen, who lives in the Mosaic District, previously told Tysons Reporter that his black dog, Ash, inspired the name of the store.
“I think they just, like, go together,” he said. “Dogs and beer is the thing.”
To gear up for his opening, Cohen has been detailing his tours of breweries across Virginia on the website’s blog.
The store is set to hold a grand opening at 2672M Avenir Place in 18 days, according to a countdown on the website.
The store plans to be open from 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays, according to the website.
Updated 1/10/20 — The Casual Pint has delayed its opening to later this month.
Earlier: Hungry for more food options around Tysons? Foodies are in luck — several eateries are set to debut this winter.
In Falls Church, The Casual Pint, a chain watering hole, is scheduled to open this month. The owner of the local franchise told Tysons Reporter that he plans to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 17 at 6410 Arlington Blvd.
Jersey Mike’s is opening a new spot at 1108-A West Broad Street in Falls Plaza on Wednesday (Jan. 8), according to the sandwich chain’s website.
Over in Tysons, North Italia, an Italian restaurant chain, plans to open Feb. 5 at 1651 Boro Place. The restaurant would be the latest of several newcomers to The Boro development — Flower Child and Whole Food’s food hall and bar opened last year. For job seekers, there’s an ongoing job fair at the restaurant.
In the Town of Vienna, a new tavern is revamping a building along Maple Avenue. Bear Branch Tavern is set to open this winter with two bars, a patio, indoor and outdoor fire pits, an oyster bar, frozen drink machines and bike racks at 133 E. Maple Avenue.
While not a restaurant, Black Dog Beer Shop is set to start selling craft beers near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in February. The owner told Tysons Reporter in December that the new store plans to debut at 2672M Avenir Place in early February.
Photo via The Casual Pint/Facebook
In a few weeks, people can cannonball into an icy poll for a fundraiser in Merrifield.
The Polar Plunge Festival returns to the Mosaic District to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia to provide year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities and health services to athletes, according to the event’s website.
It costs $100 to take the plunge. So far, the upcoming event has raised just over $7,000, with a goal of $45,000.
A contest will award the “best-dressed plunger,” according to the Mosaic District website.
The event is set to take place on Saturday (Jan. 25) from 1-4 p.m.
Photo via Plunge Virginia/Facebook
With the new year almost here, the editorial team at Tysons Reporter took a look at the archives to gear up for 2020.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest things that we’ll be keeping an eye on and covering next year.
Spanning the Tysons Area
Fairfax County has approved regulations that limit how many (and how fast) scooters can zip around their areas. The new rules start Jan. 1.
New faces are joining the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, including Dalia Palchik, who will oversee the Providence District on the Board of Supervisors.
The Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will tentatively be closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Meanwhile, the West Falls Church station will stay open with trains running less frequently from the station. At the East Falls Church Station, trains will still pass through the station even though it will be closed to riders.
Tysons
What Happens to the Proposed Valo Park Redesign?
The owners of Valo Park want to open the office complex to the public by adding restaurants, a 9/11 memorial and a bocce court. The plans are tentatively scheduled to go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on March 25, 2020.
State of Proposed Spring Hill Project
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to decide on two mixed-use developments by the Spring Hill Metro station in March. The project would bring more commercial and residential units near Tyco Road.
Construction is aiming to be done on the new Scotts Run Fire and Rescue Station 44 in Tysons East by Dec. 31, 2020. The station is designed to relieve the overburdened Fire Station 29, which currently covers the entire Tysons area.
Dozens of stores and eateries opened in the mixed-use development this year, including Whole Foods and Ethan Allen. For next year, we’ll be keeping an eye on when ShowPlace ICON opens, along with the El Bebe and Open Road eateries.
Tysons Partnership is working with Gensler to rebrand the area to encourage economic growth and is also looking to establish a “sustainable business and funding model” for the nonprofit association.
New Concept From The Owners Behind Tysons Biergarten
Tysons Biergarten is now closed by the Greensboro Metro station, but sometime in the spring, a new concept called The Shipgarten — made of shipping containers — aims to open at Scotts Run. Diners can expect a biergarten with German and Belgium beers, Asian fusion cuisine, barbecue food and a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant.
No More Dropped Calls in the Tysons Metro Tunnel
Metro plans to have cell coverage in the tunnel between the Tysons Corner Center and Greensboro Metro stations by June. The tunnel is one of the last set of areas Metro is working to complete wireless coverage for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon customers.
Merrifield
More Mosaic District Newcomers
Fairfax County permits indicate that Sephora, Drybar, a Connecticut-based eatery called The Granola Bar, Madison Reed and several new food options like Neapolitan pizza chain Pupatella and Urban Hot Pot are coming to the Mosaic District. While opening dates haven’t been announced yet, Tysons Reporter will be following up to find out when people can expect the newcomers.
A pilot program with autonomous shuttles from EasyMile is set to start transporting people from the Mosaic District to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in the spring or summer.
City of Falls Church
Solutions for Stormwater Issues
After severe flooding in July, officials in the Little City have been working to fix the damage, while also planning how to prevent future issues. A newly formed taskforce is set to work until July on updating the list of priority projects for stormwater improvements in the Watershed Management Plan.
Whole Foods Expanding NoVa Footprint in Falls Church
Weeks after opening in Tysons, the grocery chain signed a lease in early November to anchor the redevelopment of the corner of E. Broad and N. Washington streets. Tysons Reporter is looking to find out when the store plans to open and what community members think the new store’s impact will be on local businesses.
Progress of Little City Commons Development
Tysons Reporter will continue to provide updates on the construction of the new commercial area in Falls Church known as Litty City Commons.
Town of Vienna
New Tavern Opening Along Maple Avenue
The owners of Bear Branch Tavern said they want to open later this winter, adding a restaurant with two bars, a patio, indoor and outdoor fire pits, an oyster bar, frozen drink machines and bike racks to 133 E. Maple Avenue.
New Zoning Maple Avenue Guidelines
The Vienna Town Council extended the suspension of the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) Zone to June 2020. Town officials are working to redesign the rules for new development applications for Maple Avenue.
Senior Living Facility Moving Forward?
Sunrise’s proposal to build a senior living facility at 380 Maple Avenue will go before the Vienna Town Council next year.
McLean
The Future of Claude Moore Colonial Farm
The National Park Service is trying to decide what to do with Claude Moore Colonial Farm property. Three different proposed plans were presented to the community in the fall for feedback. NPS is hoping to release a final proposal in spring 2020.
The Fate of Overcrowded McLean High School
Fairfax County wants to shift students from the overcrowded McLean High School to the under-capacity Langley High School. Boundary scope meetings are expected to continue into the spring, followed by a public hearing on the proposal and then a vote, so that the change can impact the 2020-2021 school year.
Tell us in the comments which pf these upcoming things you’re most interested in.
Black Dog Beer Shop, a craft beer store inspired by the owner’s dog, is gearing up to open next year in Avenir Place.
Owner Tyler Cohen told Tysons Reporter that the shop is planning to open in early February — about a year after Cohen started work on the new store.
“We’re here to support the local scene,” Cohen said.
Cohen, who lives in the Mosaic District, said that he originally picked a location that was closer to his residence, but that his idea didn’t fit the landlord’s vision of a bar or restaurant.
“That fell through, but I’m glad it did,” he said.
Even though the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station and other Orange Line stations in NoVa are set to close temporarily next summer, Cohen said he still thinks the spot he nabbed at 2672M Avenir Place will add to the restaurants and townhouses already there.
Cohen is also happy about the discounted rent on the spot “because it had a column in it.”
“The goal of Black Dog Beer Shop is to provide a craft beer store with a large variety of local craft beers,” according to the beer shop’s website. People can expect to find local brews, including Port City Brewing, Aslin Beer Co. and Ornery Beer Company, along with taps for growler fill-ups.
The website says that he is opening the store because “I wanted a place to grab a beer with my dog.”
Cohen told Tysons Reporter that he struggled to come up with a name for the store and his limited liability company, ultimately deciding on “Black Dog Beer Shop” to honor his dog, Ash.
“I think they just, like, go together,” he said. “Dogs and beer is the thing.”
Ash is a fan of beer and will go “snout first into my thing of beer,” Cohen said, adding that his dog’s German ancestry must be influencing the pup’s taste buds.
To gear up for his opening, Cohen has been visiting breweries across Virginia and detailing the tours on the website’s blog. Recently, he’s been to Port City Brewing Company and Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.
“I’ve met so many cool people,” Cohen said.
Cohen has also hired a store manager and assistant store manager, both of whom are “beer sommeliers,” Cohen said.
Ultimately, Cohen said that he hopes to grow the store and expand to North Carolina and Maryland.
But for now, he’s aiming for a “walkable neighborhood beer store” that will attract craft brew lovers and newcomers.
“I see the main customers as two types of people — serious beer lovers who want to try all sorts of different stuff, the “beer explorer” — and the other type we want to capture is those just starting off drinking macro-brews and want to explore micro-breweries but don’t know where to start.”
Dog photo courtesy Tyler Cohen
A few local organizations are working to help people struggling financially.
In Fairfax County, around 56,000 people face food insecurity, according to Feeding America, which means that roughly 5% of the population struggles to feed themselves and their families.
Females from ages 25 to 34 are the largest group living in poverty in Fairfax County, according to data from Data USA.
Food For Others in Merrifield and SHARE of McLean are two organizations working have holiday donation drives.
SHARE of McLean began serving the community in 1967 and continues to fight food insecurity, helping people obtain clean and functional clothing, assisting with holiday celebrations for those in need and hosting fundraising events.
In November, SHARE of McLean collected holiday wishes from people who qualified for assistance. Many of the people who requested assistance included families with young children under 3 years old, and the group is now calling on the community to help put together care packages or donate.
The organization also released a list of high priority food items in December 2019, which include canned fruit, cereals, dry beans, pasta, vegetable oil, coffee and tea.
People seeking assistance with food or clothing can visit the center (1367 Chain Bridge Road) and must either bring a photo ID and piece of mail. Hours of operation are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. until noon. The center will be closed during the week of Dec. 23.
Meanwhile, Food For Others also supports the community with food supplement programs.
Tomorrow, and every Thursday, people registered can come to the corner of Ellison and Irving streets in Falls Church at 5:45 p.m. to pick up food.
NoVA residents may also show up at the organization’s warehouse (2938 Prosperity Avenue) from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those who think they may be eligible for help can bring a photo ID and piece of mail to register or receive a referral before their visit.
Britepaths in Fairfax is another organization that assists people struggling with poverty and food insecurity. Though the majority of clients are referred to them by social workers, people can also request assistance individually.
Photo via Food for Others/Facebook
Sechoir is moving to a new spot — but it’s not far from where its currently located near the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station.
The medical spa and hair salon is currently located at 2674D Avenir Place. Signs say that it is moving to 2672J Avenir Place.
According to the signs, Sechoir offers facials, Botox, waxing, eyelash extensions, laser hair removal, cellulite reduction and more.
Along that street, a Fairfax County permit indicates that iFix is coming to 2674E Avenir Place.
Neiman Marcus Last Call’s days are numbered at the Mosaic District.
The clearance outlet for the Neiman Marcus chain plans to close its spot at 2905 District Avenue, Suite 100 by Jan. 20, store employees said.
“Entire Store on Sale!” and “Save 50%-75% Entire Store!” signs popped up last Thursday (Dec. 13), an employee said.
Inside the spacious store, shoppers can find designer dresses, handbags, shoes, holiday gift sets, athletic clothes, men’s and women’s clothes and more. The store appeared well-stocked when Tysons Reporter stopped by earlier today (Tuesday). This reporter found a lace blouse from Laundry By Shelli Segal — normally $79 — for $34.50 and $4 bath bombs.
The 50%-75% discounts apply to the lowest price listed on the tags, an employee said.
Metro riders now have tentative dates for when they can expect four stations along the Orange and Silver lines to close in Northern Virginia next year.
“While full-service information will be announced in March, Metro is advising customers today that three stations will be closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2020” — the Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations, Metro said in an announcement yesterday.
The work will include rebuilding the platforms.
Meanwhile, the West Falls Church station will stay open, becoming the “western terminus of the Orange Line during the summer months,” Metro said, adding that riders can expect trains to run less frequently from the station.
Over at the East Falls Church Station, trains will still pass through the station even though it will be closed to riders.
