Kriser’s Natural Pet, a pet store chain featuring natural food, treats and supplies, will open soon in the Mosaic District.

Sandwiched between Sweetgreen and Nordine Salon and Day Spa, the store will include a grooming area at 2905 District Ave, Suite 180.

Kriser’s offers a variety of food types and supplies available for cats and dogs, along with daycare, grooming and training services.

An employee at Kriser’s told Tysons Reporter that the soft opening is slated for April 13, followed by a grand opening on May 4 for the store.

Locals may have spotted the other nearby locations in Vienna at 144 Maple Ave W. and in Tysons at 7505 Leesburg Pike inside the Whole Foods shopping center.

The Mosaic District spot is also hiring humans —  furry four-legged friends need not apply.

“Turns out corgis are adorable but make terrible employees,” a sign on the storefront says.

As is the eventual fate of all pop-ups, locally owned boutique Park Story could be relocating from its Mosaic District home.

Owner Meghan Evans launched her own clothing line in August 2017 and opened the store in the Mosaic District in October 2018.

“I am hoping for a more permanent home that caters to local designers and independent caterers,” said Evans. “Something permanent than a pop-up. I’m expecting to be here through July.”

Evans said she’s currently in discussions with the Mosaic District about trying to stay in that area, but either way, she hopes to remain somewhere in Northern Virginia.

Evans started her clothing line after being frustrated with the lack of selection for tall women. The Park Story boutique was designed to not only showcase her collection, but work from other local and independent creators. Evans said the store hosts everything from local lipstick to jewelry and art.

“People are surprised there’s such quality on the local market,” Evans said. “People don’t expect to find us here. We’re surrounded by bigger box stores, but we’re local and independent.”

Evans’ clothing line is manufactured in D.C. She knows most of the other vendors at her store following years of building connections and seeking out brands that she believes are complementary to the shop aesthetic.

“We are clean and modern with a feminine touch,” Evans said. “The shop has more of a minimalist feel: light, bright and airy.”

Evans said she hopes to know by April whether or not the store will be moving so she can begin to let her customers know her plans.

Photo via Facebook

D.C.-based nonprofit FRESHFARM will be taking over the Mosaic Farmers Market and is planning a market season kick off for April 6 and 7.

According to a press release from FRESHFARM, the market will operate every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature over 50 regional farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, bread, meat and other farmers market staples. The market is scheduled to run through December.

Current market vendors offer selections from crepes to candles and one vendor, Chase Your Tail Bakery, that makes handcrafted dog biscuits.

“The Mosaic Farmers Market is a vibrant part of this thriving community, and we were honored that EDENS invited us to join them in bringing delicious, locally grown and produced food to Mosaic District,” Julia Feder, executive director of FRESHFARM, said in the press release. “We look forward to getting to know the residents, visitors, and local businesses in the Mosaic neighborhood this season.”

FRESHFARM operates 16 farmers markets throughout the region, with an emphasis on locally sourced food.

That same weekend, the Mosaic District is also scheduled to host the “Art Blooms at Mosaic” festival, a cherry blossom event in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Photo via @claire_brunette/Instagram

An autonomous shuttle bus between Merrifield’s Mosaic District and the Dunn Loring Metro Station could become a reality, as part of a pilot program pursued by Fairfax County.

Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth said state officials were in discussions with county economic officials about applying for a grant to bring the project to Fairfax, InsideNoVA reported. But so far, little about the potential project seems set in stone.

A report to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12 said Fairfax County was looking at partnering with Dominion Energy and the Virginia Transportation Research Council to introduce a route for a connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) program.

The project aims to be a “first-mile, last-mile mobility solution” to connect Metro stations with emerging activity centers. As anyone who has walked from the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station to the Mosaic District knows, it’s just far enough to be a pain.

According to the report:

The CAV pilot is intended, in part, to be an important component of VDOT’s broader vision and policies regarding the development and deployment of CAV technology and related demonstration projects throughout the Commonwealth.

The new shuttle would be implemented alongside other public transportation services in the area to assess the viability of CAV shuttles. The report notes Arlington, Texas, as an example of another location to use CAV programs to operate a shuttle service.

The grant money for the program would flow through the state’s Department of Public Rail and Transportation, and be included as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 grant cycle.

Meanwhile, in Reston, self-driving cars could be hitting the street by June.

Photo via City of Arlington, Texas

Tysons Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield and McLean. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Monday, Feb. 4

Lost Dog Fundraiser for Westgate Elementary
Lost Dog Cafe McLean (1690 Anderson Rd)
Time: 5-11 p.m.

Lost Dog Cafe will be hosting a fundraiser tonight for the Westgate Elementary PTA. A portion of all purchases will be donated to the school organization.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

Greensboro Park Property Blood Drive
Greensboro Park Property (8180 Greensboro Dr.)
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Inova Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Greensboro Park Property tomorrow for a blood drive. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-866-256-6372.

State of the Union Watch Party
Glory Days Grill (3059 Nutley St.)
Time: 8:30-10:30

The local Fairfax Area Young Republicans will be hosting a viewing of the State of the Union address near Vienna. Members, or other interested Republicans, are invited to attend.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

Movie Screening: Coming to America
Angelika Film Center (2911 District Ave.)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

The Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District will hold a screening of “Coming to America,” the 1988 comedy about a prince who comes to the United States to find love. Tickets are $14.50.

Thursday, Feb. 7

Trek Travel Night at Spokes Etc.
Spokes Etc. (224 Maple Avenue E)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Spokes Etc. will hope a social event and discussion on traveling and cycling in preparation for a group trip being organized to Portugal by Spokes Etc. later this year. The event is free and will include raffle prizes.

Bob Marley’s 74th Birthday Tribute featuring Adwela & The Uprising
Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E)
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Four bands will be playing an all-night tribute to reggae musician Bob Marley for what would be his 74th birthday. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show.

The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) is hoping to rally local cyclists and pedestrians for a show of support for two bridges in a new planned urban center in Merrifield.

Tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 7 p.m., the Merrifield Study Task Force is scheduled to host a meeting at the Providence District Office and Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive in Fairfax to discuss the bicycle and pedestrian connectivity of the new plan.

The plan is to transform 203 acres of land at the Beltway-Arlington Boulevard interchange southeast of the Mosaic District into a new development that may contain office, hotel or residential buildings.

According to the organization’s website:

FABB is advocating for improved bicycle access as part of the comprehensive plan amendment. This includes two bike/ped bridges over the Beltway (one south of Route 50 at the Inova site and one north of Route 50) and improved connections to the Providence Recreation Center, Holmes Run Park, and the Cross County Trail.

Analysis of the plan’s impact will continue through the group’s March 5 meeting, after which the group will begin drafting recommendations for a final staff report estimated for June.

FABB is also scheduled to host a meeting on Feb. 20 at 7:30 to discuss the latest trail improvements through the Virginia Department of Transportations Transform I-66 project and discuss upcoming bicycling developments for the Tysons area.

Photo via Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning

Miss your chance to see Marvel mega-hit and Best Picture-nominated Black Panther? It’s coming back to AMC theaters this weekend, including the theater in Tysons Corner Center, for free.

Screenings are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. from Feb. 1-7.

Today (Friday) also marks the start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year. TenPenh Tysons is offering a special Chinese New Year meal from today until Tuesday (Feb. 5). The offer includes four dishes — like lion’s head soup and vegetable lo mein noodles —  representing different virtues. The meals are $36.68 per person.

Several local bars are also hosting Super Bowl parties, including Blackfinn Ameripub, Greenhouse Bistro, Caboose Tavern, and the Tysons Biergarten.

Saturday (Feb. 2)

• Deer Management Strategies (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) — Roger Zinn, Merrifield plant specialist, will host a discussion at the Merrifield Garden Center (8132 Lee Highway) on how to handle deer in your gardens, from water resistant plants and deer repellents.
• The Princess Bride – Family Flashback (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) — The Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District (2911 District Ave) will hold a screening of The Princess Bride. Tickets are $12.50 and seating is reserved.
• Lunar New Year Celebration (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) — The Tysons Corner Center will host a cultural performance and celebration of the Year of the Pig in the court outside the Nordstrom. Arts and crafts will be available, with family-friendly activities.
• The Wizard of Oz (1 p.m.) — The Alden Theater in the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave) will host a production of The Wizard of Oz by Vital Theatre. The one-hour is a family-friendly musical. Tickets are $15 or $10 for McLean residents.
• Vienna’s African American History (2-3:30 p.m.) — Gloria Runyon and Sylvia Taylor from Historic Vienna Inc. will share insights on the African-American historic presence and contributions to Vienna and surrounding areas at the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave E).

Sunday

• Post Office Passport Fair (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) — The Merrifield Post Office (8409 Lee Highway) will host a passport photo to help locals obtain or renew a passport. Appointments are not required. A full list of necessary documents is available online
• Winter Forest Trail Walk at Wolf Trap National Park (1-3 p.m.) — Friends of Wolf Trap will host a winter hike through the park. Tickets are free but RSVP is required. The two-mile hike is open to families and leashed dogs. Sturdy shoes are recommended. The Hike starts at the Filene Center Box Office (1551 Trap Rd).

There’s been no shortage of places to donate blood, but Caboose Commons in Mosaic is offering a unique spin on the usual blood drive.

From Jan. 20-26, if you donate blood at one of the Inova Donor Centers, you can receive a voucher for a free beverage at Caboose Commons. This beverage can be in the form of coffee, tea or beer.

Donors must complete a screening process at one of the centers to be eligible for the giveaway.

This weekend also marks the debut of Peter Pan, a play presented by the Vienna Theatre Company. The production will run through Feb. 3, with 8 p.m. showings this weekend tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are $14.

Tomorrow (Jan. 19)

• Mosaic District Polar Plunge Festival (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) — A plunge into a frigid pool set up in Merrifield will help raise money for the Special Olympics. For $100, participants will take a dive into the cold water. Divers are requested to get decked out in their wildest costumes to claim the title of “best-dressed plunger.”
• Foster-Adoption Event at Pet Valu Rescue (12-3 p.m.) — For anyone in the market for a German Shepherd, the Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue will be hosting an adoption event at 3069 Nutley St. The Rescue organization takes in dogs from high-kill shelters in Texas and other states and finds them homes elsewhere. Volunteers will also be collecting shoes for the fundraiser, so bringing slightly worn shores to donate is encouraged.
• Antonelli San Marco Tasting (1-4 p.m.) — The McLean Wine Outlet at 6727 Curran St will briefly be transformed Central Italy tomorrow for a wine tasting. The drink of choice is Sagrantino from the village of Montefalco, which is said to have rich flavors of cherry and blackberry. The second event will be on Monday, from 1-2 p.m.

Sunday (Jan. 20)

• Parkinson’s Moving Day Event (12-1 p.m.) — Cycle Chi in Vienna (221 Mill St) is hosting two fundraisers for The Parkinson’s Foundation. A minimum donation of $25 per bicycle, per hour is requested with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the charity. The event will also include free chair massages, raffles, cocktails and more.
• Liner Notes (2 p.m.) — The recently renovated Alden Theatre at 1234 Ingleside Ave in McLean will host a musical mix of jazz and hip hop in a celebration of the civil rights movement. Tickets are $15 for McLean residents, $25 for adults and children, and $20 for seniors.

Photo via Facebook

Information on where and when is scarce, but Deka Lash, a cosmetic boutique focusing on eyelash extensions, is planning on coming to the Mosaic District sometime this spring.

Meghann Klein, a communications contact for EDENS, Inc, which manages the Mosaic District, said the new “lash bar” will be a boutique beauty experience expected to open later this year. A representative from Deka Lash said other information about the spot, including where in the Mosaic District it would be located, is not yet available.

Deka Lash is a small chain that launched in Pittsburgh in 2011. Options range from “classic lashes” to more dramatic “true volume” sets.

Full eyelash appointments take an average of two hours, or one hour and 15 minutes for a re-lash appointment.

Photo via Facebook

Tysons Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield and McLean. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Tuesday, Jan. 8

Food 4 Thought: Likely Federal Policy and Budget Priorities for 2019
Temple Rodef Shalom (2100 Westmoreland St)
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

Tim Shaw, senior policy analyst for the Bipartisan Policy Center, will host a discussion of congressional budget priorities. The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Jan. 9

Inca Social Soft Opening
Inca Latin Kitchen (2670 Avenir PL)
Time: 4-9 p.m.

The new Inca Latin Kitchen in Merrifield will host a soft opening this week before a grand opening planned in early February.

Thursday, Jan. 10

Chairman’s VIP Breakfast
The Tower Club (1700 Towers Crescent Drive)
Time: 7:30-10 a.m.

The Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a breakfast with community and business leaders featuring a discussion about the future of Tysons. Admission is $45 for chamber members or $65 for non-chamber members.

Meet Brad Meltzer
Tysons Corner Center Barnes & Noble (7851 Tysons Corner Ctr)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Author Brad Meltzer will be stopping by the Barnes & Noble for a signing of “The First Conspiracy,” a non-fiction book about a plot to kill George Washington.

Old World vs. New World Wines
Chain Bridge Cellars (1351 Chain Bridge Rd)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

The McLean wine store Chain Bridge Cellars will host an exploration of the difference between old and new world wines. Tickets are $30.

Friday, Jan. 11

Chesterbrook PTA Meeting
Chesterbrook PTA (1753 Kirby Rd)
Time: 9-10 a.m.

The Chesterbrook PTA will host its first meeting of 2019. The meetings are open to members of the Chesterbrook Elementary School community, including parents, guardians, teachers and staff.

Voyages Opening Reception
Torpedo Factory Artists at Mosaic (2905 District Ave)
6-9 p.m.

The Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association will host an opening reception for Voyages, the latest exhibit in the group’s Mosaic District gallery. The gallery will run through Jan. 27.