After a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24 Hour Fitness location in Tysons is now closed permanently.
The facility at 1500 Cornerside Blvd previously offered a variety of workout membership services, according to its website.
Guests who visited the website for the Tysons location were greeted with a notice that read, “This Location Has Closed,” accompanied by a link to find other facilities in the area.
The Tysons gym is also on a list of 24 Hour Fitness location around the U.S. that are closed: “24 Hour Fitness has made the difficult decision to close the following locations.”
CNN reported today that 24 Hour Fitness has filed for bankruptcy and permanently closed 100 locations in 14 states — about a quarter of its gyms.
The gym chain now only lists two locations left in Virginia.
For people who want to take advantage of the company’s offerings, they can visit the Falls Church location (1000 E. Broad Street), which is set to reopen July 7, according to the website.
Photo via Google Maps
Owners of CrossFit gyms in the Tysons area are distancing themselves from an insensitive tweet by CrossFit’s CEO.
Greg Glassman, the CEO, recently apologized for saying “It’s FLOYD-19” in response to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s tweet calling racism a public health issue, according to BET.
Reebok and several CrossFit athletes have since cut ties with the branded fitness regimen because of the tweet, and hundreds of gyms across the U.S. have disaffiliated from CrossFit over the tweet, according to reports from Forbes and People.
Tysons Reporter reached out to CrossFit gyms located in Vienna, Falls Church and Tysons. Six of them have denounced Glassman’s tweet.
The staff behind the CrossFit Tysons Corner (8453-K Tyco Road) told Tysons Reporter in an email that they do not condone Glassman’s statements. “We are exploring options for de-affiliation,” the email said.
Curtis Blake of CrossFit Falls Church (130 W. Jefferson Street) said that its members are aware of the gym’s stance.
“I was deeply saddened by the insensitivity that was shown and/or the malice in Glassman’s post,” Blake told Tysons Reporter. “I would like to see him step down and a change in leadership before we personally [make] a decision.” Blake declined to comment further.
CrossFit Route 7 (8504-B Tyco R0ad) and CrossFit North Vienna (234 Dominion Road NE) — a.k.a. the Phoenix Athletix Club — both shared on social media that they do not support Glassman’s comments.
“At this point, we do not know exactly what the next steps look like for the gym,” CrossFit Route 7 said in its Facebook post.
Meanwhile, CrossFit Fairfax (2831 Dorr Ave) wrote on Facebook that it will honor the Black Lives Matter movement on Saturday, June 13, but did not include a direct mention of Glassman’s tweet.
“Racism and discrimination have no place in our gym, the broader fitness community, or the world at large,” the post said.
Marcus Ford of Tinner Hill CrossFit (336 S. Washington Street) said that the gym took to Facebook yesterday to reaffirm the location’s beliefs.
“I simply wanted to iterate to our extended community that we are steadfast in our beliefs, have always and will always operate without discrimination,” Ford told Tysons Reporter. “We openly welcome ALL people with no concern for race, religion, gender(s), sexualities or otherwise.”
Ford said that the incident “called into question the beliefs of CrossFit affiliates all over the world, and I personally and professionally felt the need to remind our community that no matter what methodology we use for fitness, we are resolute in the principles we’ve been known for by our community.”
The location is still a CrossFit gym, “however only time will tell what the future may hold for us in terms of affiliation,” Ford said.
Photo via CrossFit Tysons Corner/Facebook
Black Lives Matter Protest Today in McLean — “Six McLean High School students are planning a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Wednesday afternoon. The protest is scheduled for Wednesday (June 10) from 3-5 p.m. and will start at McLean High School.” [Tysons Reporter]
Helping Hand for Paws — “A Fairfax County Boy Scout wanted to earn his Citizenship In The Community merit badge by lending a helping paw. For his project, 11-year-old Jackson Hayken chose to help McLean-based Paws of Honor, which helps retired police and military dogs.” [McLean Patch]
Nordstrom Returns — “The Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Tysons will reopen for customers on Thursday, according to a company release.” [McLean Patch]
More on Stun Gun Incident — “Prosecutors in Fairfax County told a judge on Tuesday that Officer Tyler Timberlake, who has been charged with assault and battery after using his stun gun last week, shocked a man he mistakenly thought he recognized. Timberlake’s lawyer said the police officer believed the man he stunned was someone who he knew had a criminal past.” [Inside NoVa]
Vienna Officials Talk New Police Station — “Vienna Town Council members at a June 8 work session reaffirmed their intention to move ahead with the town’s largest capital project — a new police station — and expressed support for the project’s environmental and architectural features.” [Inside NoVa]
Corona Cough — “Jacob Gooch, a former state trooper assigned to patrol in Virginia’s Fairfax Division, allegedly sent a text to his brothers in mid-April that said he gave a Mennonite man a ticket and coughed on him ‘so he would spread Corona to the wedding they were going too.’… Jacob Gooch has since resigned from the Virginia State Police department.” [WJLA]
Policing Pledge — “City of Falls Church Mayor David Tarter signed Former President Obama’s Mayor’s Pledge calling for mayors, city councils, and police oversight bodies to address police use of force policies. At their June 8 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to join the Mayor in taking this pledge.” [City of Falls Church]
Farmers Market is open this Saturday, so be sure to check the Optimist Club website: We are very excited to open on with all our lovely offerings of fruit, veggies, meats, eggs, pies, donuts, juices, coffee, sausages and breads. Masks are a must: https://t.co/nf4tmxI4f3 pic.twitter.com/yLiPEzZZFt
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) June 9, 2020
Northern Virginia is rolling back COVID-19 restrictions on businesses as residents are under a “safer at home” recommendation. As the weather continues to warm up and more people head outside, people are finding limited transportation options.
Silver and Orange Line stations west of Ballston are currently closed for summer work. Meanwhile, work is underway to revamp I-66 with lane closures and 30-minute stoppages in the Vienna area.
In late May, staff photographer Jay Westcott captured what transportation looks like now in Tysons: cyclists and pedestrians along the W&OD Trail in Vienna and closure signs at the Tysons Corner Metro station.
Westcott spotted a dog named Cora watching her owner Chad exercise in the parking garage at Tysons Corner Center. He photographed Leesburg Pike, almost empty of cars, by the malls and empty parking garages around Tysons.
Let us know how you’ve been getting around Tysons and if the pandemic has impacted your transportation choices by commenting below.
For roughly 500 kids in Northern Virginia, the annual Pride Prom hosted by Tysons-based NoVA Pride was a time where they could have fun and connect with their peers.
Though COVID-19 has put a damper on in-person Pride celebrations this year — and led to Pride Prom’s postponement twice — NoVa Pride is still working to support members of the LGBTQ+ youth community. Pride month is meant as an inclusive, celebratory event commemorating Stonewall.
Amy, the director of youth outreach for the group, said they decided to set up virtual activities where participants can connect with their friends.
These kids need extra support in the age of COVID-19 since LGBTQ+ youth may not have as much support at home, according to Amy, who added that a lack of peer support and contact could put them at risk.
“Many kids rely on schools for affirmation and validation,” Amy said. “They’re the ones who are experiencing more social isolation.”
The digital events, which Amy said are held every other week, include Netflix parties, Q&As with student leadership and an Instagram chat option.
Anyone who wishes to get involved with these events can check out NoVA Pride’s website and social media.
For the next meeting, NoVA Pride will be teaching a DIY drag tutorial, according to Amy.
Though many of NoVA Pride’s events are aimed at kids in ninth-12th grade, the organization also works with adults, serving as a resource to help connect new community members with LGBTQ-friendly churches and groups.
“From what we’ve seen, adults aren’t really looking for anything online,” Amy said.
Regarding the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping the country, Amy said she wants people to remember that Pride festivities were inspired by the Stonewall Riots, which were sparked by transgender women of color and other members of the LBGTQ+ community in response to police raids.
🏳️🌈Pride as we know it began with a riot. We stand in solidarity with the recognition that one’s race should not endanger them, one’s gender should not hinder them, one’s sexuality should not isolate them. Equality & equity are essential for freedom. 👊🏼 #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/XDamOtjQMo
— Northern VA Pride (@northernvapride) May 31, 2020
NoVA Pride’s mission is “to cultivate and grow a coalition to educate, advocate and celebrate in service to the [LGBTQ+] community of Northern Virginia and our straight Allies.”
“Nothing we have done has changed, we are a very diverse and inclusive organization in general,” Amy said. “The same youth leaders who are serving as Pride Prom leaders are the ones in their communities advocating for racial justice and racial equity.”
For anyone struggling with their identity, depression or social norms, the Trevor Project aims to prevent suicide and self-harm in LBGTQ+ youth across the country, according to its website. Though it has no official affiliation with NoVA Pride, Amy said it is a wonderful resource.
Currently, Pride Prom is scheduled to be held in August but Amy said it is unclear if they will be forced to cancel with how quickly things seem to be changing with COVID-19.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors wants to refresh the Tysons Corner Metro station name and move forward the rebranding of Tysons without the “Corner.”
The name debate over Tysons — including #dropthecorner on social media — has been around for several years. The U.S. Postal Service agreed to the name “Tysons” for the 22102 and 22182 zip codes in 2011, and the U.S. Census Bureau changed the designation of Tysons Corner to Tysons in 2015.
As high-rise developments sprout in the urbanizing area, Tysons is still grappling with its identity tied to suburbia and the Tysons Corner Center mall.
“Renaming the Metrorail station to Tysons would also help with local rebranding efforts,” county staff wrote.
The board is set to vote tomorrow (Tuesday) on recommending name changes for the West Falls Church and Tysons Corner stations to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA).
The West Falls Church-VT/UVA station would have “UVA” dropped because the University of Virginia (UVA) alerted the Department of Transportation staff this spring that it plans to relocate its campus, which is currently near the Metro station, according to county documents.
The Board of Supervisors wants the changes adopted in time for new signage timed with the opening of the second phase of the Silver Line, according to county documents.
Combining these two changes with the upcoming changes for adding Silver Line phase II stations reduces the estimated net cost to Fairfax County to approximately $670,000,” county staff said. “Funding held in trust at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for Fairfax County will be used to fund these name changes.”
(Updated 6/10/2020) For people looking to support local Black-owned eateries, shops and services in the area, Tysons Reporter and Reston Now are working to compile a list of places open for business.
Since this is a crowdsourced “living document” — it will be updated regularly by one of our reporters or editors.
Several blogs, websites and social media groups have rounded up lists of local Black-owned businesses, including Feed the Malik, Vienna VA Foodies, Reddit and the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.
People can contribute to the list by sending an email [email protected] with the subject line “Black-Owned Eatery and Business List Addition.”
“The best way [to help business owners] is to give directly if you can, look at your black-owned business and order from them if they’re still open,” Sean Perryman, the president of the NAACP Fairfax County, told Tysons Reporter.
Like other local businesses, Black-owned restaurants have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Perryman said.
So far, businesses include:
- Amore Congelato (Reston Farmers Market)
- McLean Pizza (1434 Center Street)
- Caribbean Plate (133 Annandale Road E.)
- Pie Gourmet (507 Maple Ave W.)
- Mienne Beauty Supply (1880 Howard Ave Suite 105)*
- Arthur Christine hair studio (113 Park Street NE)
- Tysons Playground (8502 Tyco Road)*
- Perfect Planning Events (8201 Greensboro Drive)
- Mindstate Wellness Center (1980 Gallows Road)
*temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Photo via Caribbean Plate/Facebook
The Walmart in Tysons has been closing early due to the protests against racism and police brutality, store employees say.
Two employees said the store (1500 Cornerside Blvd) has been notified by higher-ups at the “last minute” about closing at 5 p.m. Usually, the employees and managers don’t know how late the store will stay open until around 4 p.m. each day.
https://twitter.com/bgannon97/status/1267564815251357698?s=20
Shoppers looking to visit the store in the evening should call around 4:15-4:30 p.m., one employee advised. Walmart’s website does not mention the store’s hours early closings.
The store will likely close at 5 p.m. tonight (Friday), the employee said.
Due to the threat of looting, some Walmart stores have been closing early or temporarily closed last Sunday around the country. In Virginia, Walmart stores in Stafford County have been closing early at 5 p.m., Potomac Local News reported.
Image via Google Maps
Hat tip to everyone who tweeted and tagged @tysonsreporter about this
After people in Tysons noticed roughly 100 trees were cut down on the edge of an upcoming townhome and condominium development, a community Twitter account asked its followers who might be responsible.
Tysons Reporter found the answer — the property along Magarity Road is slated for redevelopment by the Toll Brothers Group. The group claimed responsibility for taking down the trees.
Previously, the property named The Commons at Mclean was abandoned and overgrown by weeds until taken over by the new developers.
Eric Anderson, the president of the Toll Brothers Group, said that the trees were in a development right of way and needed to be taken down.
“Per the [Tysons Comprehensive Plan], there were requirements in place to allow for [a] future right of way on all sides of the property,” he said, adding that the space will be used to build a bike lane, sidewalks and an expanded roadway.
“I ran that trail this morning. Missing the sweet smell of pine. They were old-growth trees as well, probably 40-50 yrs old each,” one person commented on Twitter.
By the time the new development is complete, Anderson said that 355 new trees will be planted on the property.
Last night as we slept 85+ trees were shamelessly murdered in #TysonsVA 22102 along Magarity Rd (from Anderson Rd to Westgate Elem). Who's responsible for this? RT if you love #trees! pic.twitter.com/zW9vJydPft
— Tysons, VA (@TysonsVA) May 30, 2020
Photo courtesy @TysonsVA /Twitter
As businesses around Tysons reopen after being shut down for coronavirus concerns, personal care services such as nail salons are making customer and employee safety protocols their top priority.
Tysons Nail Lounge has reopened for business following Northern Virginia’s transition into Phase 1 of reopening on Friday, May 29. The nail salon located in The Boro is taking customers by appointment only.
“We’ve been pretty impacted by the shutdown because we’re a personal-care business,” said Emily Tran, the owner of Tysons Nail Salon. “Since we opened, business has picked up a lot. Customers feel safe.”
While most of Virginia reopened on May 15, localities in Northern Virginia requested extra time “to meet the health metrics,” according to Gov. Ralph Northam. After granting the delay, Northern Virginia finally entered Phase 1 on Friday. Previously, Virginia had been under a stay-at-home order since March 30 due to the coronavirus and is now under a safer-at-home directive.
Tysons Nail Lounge is taking precautions to make sure their customers feel safe. Customers are required to wear masks — if they don’t own one, the salon will provide disposable masks, according to Tran.
Additionally, the salon is taking customer temperatures at the door with a no-touch thermometer while also requiring their employees to take their temperature prior to each shift. Plexiglass sneeze guards have been installed at each station and are designed with a slot for customers to slide their hands through.
“Our goal is to keep customers and staff healthy with maximum sanitation and disinfection procedures. We are taking necessary precautions so customers feel safe,” said Tran.
Tysons Nail Lounge is a relatively new business. The salon made its grand opening in January of this year after a few months of delays from their original opening that was slated for November 2019. Their services include manicure and pedicure services, waxing, massages and more, according to their website, which also provides an extensive breakdown of how they plan to keep their patrons safe.
“We are very happy we’re open again. Customers have been in quarantine for a while and are more than joyful that we’re open,” Tran said. “We’re prepared, and we’re definitely ready to take on customer demands.”
Photo courtesy of Tysons Nail Lounge
