Four years after BoConcept closed its doors at Tysons Galleria, the high-end furniture retail chain is preparing to try again.

From 2004 to 2015, BoConcept operated out of the mall’s third floor until the area was converted into a food hall — first the ill-fated Isabella Eatery, now Taste of Urbanspace. But Washington, D.C. franchisee Tim Machenaud said the new location on the main floor will give the store more visibility.

Machenaud said there have also been a few changes in the store and in the mall since then that make him more encouraged about the prospects a second time around.

“BoConcept ownership change three years ago has shifted the brand to a slightly more premium positioning,” said Machenaud. “We still have affordable furniture items but we have increased our quality standards as we want to be the leader in quality design furniture. This position shift is in line with the premium brands that you can find at Tysons Galleria.”

While stores nationwide have faced increased competition from online retail like Amazon, Machenaud said creating a superior retail experience in showrooms, like the one at Tysons, is integral to the furniture shopping experience.

Machenaud said feedback from clients has shown that most people buying furniture will visit and average of three to four stores before making their decision.

There are currently two other furniture brands in Tysons Galleria — Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Calligaris — and Machenaud said having multiple furniture brands in one location will help turn the mall into a quality furniture destination.

Meanwhile, the mall is planning to replace the now-closed Macy’s at the north end of the mall with a new suite of retailers like an Apple Store, an iPic movie theater, and a Balducci’s grocery store. A new fitness-themed area is also planned inside the space that was Legal Sea Foods.

“Retail is changing… so the malls need to review their approach, their offers, their client’s experience,” said Machenaud. “Being next to the upcoming extension of this mall gives us the responsibility and honor to be at the gate between the current and the future.”

With the Nouvelle residential building open and The Monarch under construction, Cityline Partners LLC is hoping for Fairfax County’s permission to move forward with the next step of the Arbor Row project near Tysons Galleria.

The overarching plan is to transform the back end of Tysons Galleria along Westpark Drive into a suite of mixed-use buildings. Block E is the Nouvelle, and Block D is the under-construction Monarch hotel.

On April 24, Block C of the project will go to the Planning Commission to try and amend the change the two approved office buildings planned at the site into a two-tower senior living complex called The Mather.

The towers are proposed to be 18 and 27 stories tall with a podium connecting the towers on the lower levels. The site would contain 300 independent living units, 78 assisted living units, and 18,000 square feet of retail and restaurants on the lower floors.

“The quasi-public use of the Mather community will complement the mix of residential, office and retail uses within and surrounding Arbor Row,” the project developers said in the application. “In addition, this Mather community will bring an attractive senior living use to Tysons, addressing a need that currently is not being met.”

Following the Planning Commission hearing, the project is scheduled to go to the Board of Supervisors on May 7. If approved, tentative opening for The Mather is planned for 2022.

(Updated 9:30 a.m.) Bars in Virginia can now legally advertise their happy hour specials, so here’s a look at what some of the local bars have to offer.

The law had previously allowed bars to advertise the hours but not the prices, but a lawsuit from Chef Geoff’s in Tysons led to the state legislature to amend the law.

So in honor of Chef Geoff’s success, here are some of the happy hours around Tysons:

• Chef Geoff’s Tysons (8045 Leesburg Pike): Wednesday-Sunday from 3-7 p.m. and all day Monday and Tuesday until 9 p.m. The happy hour specials include $7 wines, $8 cocktails, and $1 off all draft beers. In addition to discounted bar snacks, all pizzas are $4 and burgers are half priced.
• Paddy Barry’s (8150 Leesburg Pike): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. Domestic beers are discounted by $2, with $3 off all appetizers. House red and white wines are $5.
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (8027 Leesburg Pike): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Specials vary by day.
• Eddie V’s (7900 Tysons One Place): Monday-Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Cocktails and wine glasses are $8 and there are discounts on oysters and other small seafood dishes.
• La Sandia (7852 Tysons Corner Center): Sunday-Friday from 4-9 p.m. Margaritas are available normal or frozen from $5 to $7. Tacos are three for $8 and a sampler platter of guacamole, quesadilla, wings, taquitos and Mexican corn is available for $15.
• Gordon Biersch (7861 Tysons Corner Center): Sunday-Friday from 3-6:30 p.m. All beers, wines and cocktails are $2 off.
• Earls Kitchen and Bar (7902 Tysons One Place): Every day from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 p.m.-closing. Most food is discounted and drink discounts vary by day.
• Wildfire (Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Dr): Weekdays from 3-6 p.m. Staff at the restaurant said the restaurant offers half-price appetizers, $7 cocktails and “a couple dollars off” wines and beers.
• ENTYSE Wine Bar and Lounge (Tysons Galleria/Ritz Carlton, 1700 Tysons Blvd): Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. Drinks and fries are $5, with a flight of rare wines available for $55.
• Greenhouse Bistro (2070 Chain Bridge Road): Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. Cocktails, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio for $6. Sangria and draught beers are $5. Appetizers, pizzas and fries range from $5-10.
• Xtreme Wings and Bar (8119 Watson St): Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. Staff said all beer and food is 15 percent off the regular price.
• Ten Penh (7900 Westpark): Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. A variety of beers, wines, cocktails and snacks are $5.

The Tysons Biergarten also offers a happy hour on weekdays from 3-9 p.m. but the payment system operates differently. Friday happy hours are 3-9 p.m. with a Tyson’s Lager and Eggenberg Pilsner, in addition to a 5-9 p.m. happy hour on all American draft beers, all for $5. On Monday’s, the bar features $2 Lionshead all day. On Sunday’s, it’s $5 Tyson’s Lager from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

After testing the waters with a few drink options late last month, the Tysons Galleria location (2001 International Drive) for southern cuisine eatery Stomping Ground is moving forward tonight with an evening food and drink menu.

According to owner Nicole Jones, the new menu and cocktail list will be available in the restaurant every day starting at 3 p.m.

The new snacks are an eclectic assortment of southern dishes, from the rather conventional deviled eggs at $8 to Chicken Liver Mousse at $12. The restaurant’s signature fried chicken buckets — which serves two — are also available for $35.

Cocktails are $12 and cover an array of southern porch and parlor classics, like cucumber tonics (gin, cucumber juice, elderflower, lemon) and rainy ladies (pussers rum, lairds, vermouth, cinnamon, walnut).

Like the newly opened bar at Andy’s Pizza next to Stomping Ground, the menu will include a selection of beers and wines.

Cyclebar, a premium indoor cycling studio, is planning to come to Tysons Galleria later this year as part of a series of transformations for the north end of the mall.

Macy’s, one of the mall’s anchor tenants, is mid-closure and Tysons Galleria is already in plans to replace the store with a selection of smaller venues like an Apple Store and iPic theater.

Don Brazelton, the owner of the Tysons franchise location, said the location is part of a stretch of wellness-oriented outlets planned inside the former Legal Sea Foods that closed in September. Brazelton said other fitness locations, like a yoga studio, could join the cycling studio.

“We’ve been trying to get one in the Tysons area for a while,” Brazelton said. “We were talking to the Boro and a couple of other places, but the economics given to us at the Galleria made it impossible to turn down. When you take into consideration some of the short term and long term plans — that mall is going to be entirely different. It’s going to have a different energy. We wanted to be a part of that, and they wanted us to be a part of that.”

The chain already has locations in Falls Church and on Arlington’s Columbia Pike. Brazelton said the “premium aspect” of Cyclebar fits well with the Galleria, which is noted for its higher-end, luxury retailers.

Among the amenities, Brazelton noted that the location will have heated tile floors and top-rated cycles.

Despite this, Brazelton said he’s committed to keeping the studio affordable.

“Typically, prices at cycling studios range from $110-130 per month depending on who it is,” Brazelton said. “I’m going to let people in my studio for $89 a month for unlimited rides.”

It’s hard to say where this fits in with other cycling studio subscriptions, as prices at cycling studios can vary significantly.

Brazelton said the Tysons location is targeting an August 2019 opening.

Photo courtesy Don Brazelton

The acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil is scheduled to return to Tysons with the show “Volta” — an extreme sports-themed program with bicycle, unicycle, and rope skipping tricks.

The circus is planned to open up inside a “big top” pavilion near the Tysons Galleria mall, the same location the troupe used when they visited Tysons last year.

The show is scheduled to run from July 26 through Sept. 8. Tickets range from $49 on the far exterior of the semi-circular arena to $250 “VIP” tickets close to the stage. Behind-the-scenes tickets with backstage tours are available for $495.

Prices on the tickets are subject to change as the event draws closer.

The circular arena is designed to visible from every angle for the audience. The ticketing information warns that poles holding up the tent could block some portions of the stage, but the main action will be visible from all seats.

Merchandise, like souvenir programs, apparel and accessories will also be available for purchase at the show.

The show’s description includes a warning that the flashing lights may cause difficulties for people with photosensitive epilepsy.

Photo via Facebook

Fairfax County police have issued an arrest warrant for Gervonta Davis, World Boxing Association champion in the 130-pound category, after police say Davis assaulted a man near a Tysons Galleria ATM on Feb. 17.

Police said an unidentified victim reported Davis as his attacker. Davis allegedly became belligerent. After the victim testified to the magistrate, a warrant was issued for Davis’ arrest.

Davis faces a misdemeanor assault and battery charge but the Washington Post reported that Davis has not responded to the warrant.

This is not the first or even second time Davis has been arrested following a physical altercation.

After the initial story broke, Davis tweeted vague disapproval of the news coverage.

Lies lies lies

— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) March 5, 2019

The old AMT Building at 7901 Westpark Drive has been completely demolished, clearing the way for the new 10-story City View office tower.

City View was announced in 2013 as part of the broader Arbor Row development, which was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2012. The project is just east of Tysons Galleria.

The tower is planned to include 200,000 square feet of office space.

The project’s brochure boasts that the tower will be one block from the Tysons Corner Center Metro station with quick access to the Beltway.

Planned amenities include a rooftop terrace that can accommodate 100 people for events, a fitness center and cafe. The project plans include a garage and surface parking area.

Staff at American Real Estate Partners said they would not comment on the planned completion date for the project.

Hästens, a self-described luxury bed company based out of Sweden, is opening a new store in Tysons Galleria.

According to an employee in the Tysons Galleria management office, construction hasn’t started on the store yet. The opening is expected sometime late in the summer.

Hästens was founded in 1852 and is the official bedding supplier of the Swedish royal court.

Some of the beds are over six-figures, though the most popular model is $27,500.

There are approximately 200 locations worldwide. This is the first location in the region for the chain, whose next closest store is in New York City.

Photo via Facebook

Stomping Ground, the go-to coffee and southern-style biscuits eatery in the Tysons Galleria, opened today (Tuesday) with a new mix of cocktails and more to come.

Becca Leisch, general manager for the Tysons location of Stomping Ground, said the eatery currently has both Bloody Marys and Mimosas — in keeping with the brunch vibe — as well as classics like Dark ‘n’ Stormys and a collection of sipping bourbons.

For Leisch, the pride and joy of the new menu is Oban Scotch, a fine single-malt whiskey from a Scottish distillery that dates back to the late 18th century.

Other offerings include a white cranberry hibiscus cocktail with a live flower in the drink and an Earl Grey-egg white cocktail. The bourbons and cocktails average around $10 each.

In addition to the whiskeys and cocktails, Leisch said the location will have a small selection of beer and wine. For Stomping Ground, the focus is going to be on going as weird as possible, with gluten-free options and a collection of pineapple or blood orange ciders, she said.

“Andy’s Pizza has the lock on the craft beer scene,” said Leisch. “We’re going strange.”

Stomping Ground oversees a large seating and sofa section of the Taste of Urbanspace Food Hall, and Leisch said the restaurant is embracing that to cater the menu towards a lounge atmosphere.

“Come sip some bourbon and catch up with friends,” said Leisch. “It’s a reclined atmosphere here, good for dates.”

The restaurant is currently open until 7 p.m. on most nights, or around 8 p.m. on Fridays or Saturdays. Leisch said those hours might creep slightly later, but that the general target for the evening menu is local workers who aren’t quite ready to go home yet or want to avoid rush hour traffic.