Wawa is still coming to Vienna, but not to the former BP station site at Maple Ave and Park Street in Vienna, as reported earlier.

“I apologize for confirming the Maple Ave and Park Street address,” a Wawa spokeswoman said via email. “This was incorrect and is not a location we are considering. We are still actively looking for new locations in Vienna and look forward to sharing confirms plans and locations as they take shape.”

The convenience store and gas station chain has been expanding throughout the Washington, D.C. area with plans to add 30-50 stores in the region.

News of Wawa’s plan to come to Vienna was greeted with jubilation on social media from the chain’s fervent fans.

“As a Philly native, I am thrilled to hear this!” said a reader on the Tysons Reporter Facebook page.

“Our new go-to lunch spot,” wrote another.

Tysons Reporter initially asked Wawa about plans for the site after hearing from a tipster and, subsequently, two local business owners that they heard that the company would be opening a new store there. It is unclear where else in Vienna Wawa may now be looking.

The Vienna Shopping Center, already a popular local lunch destination with fast-casual spots like Cava and Mod Pizza, is about to add Don Pollo to the local casual food offerings.

The charbroiled chicken eatery is scheduled to open at 146 Maple Ave. W sometime in December, according to its website. The Vienna location will be the sixth for the chain and the first outside of Maryland.

Don Pollo features Peruvian cuisine, from its namesake chicken dishes to steak and seafood. Sides include South American staples like yuca and chaufa (Peruvian fried rice).

A new Ben & Jerry’s also opened in the Vienna Shopping Center on Sept. 21.

Hat tip to “Vienna J.”

Vienna and Fairfax County Police have arrested two teen boys and charged them with a series of crimes, including setting fire to the Marco Polo restaurant.

One of the teens is a 14-year-old Vienna resident; the other is a 13-year-old Reston resident, according to police.

The boys are being charged with both felony and misdemeanor crimes, including arson. Police say other charges are being filed in relation to a Nov. 4 vandalism of two historic government-owned buildings near Lahey Lost Valley Park, which caused several thousand dollars in damage.

The Oct. 14 fire destroyed most of the Marco Polo building, which had been vacant. There were no injuries. The site is planned to be redeveloped as a retail and townhouse complex.

The teens are also charged with the vandalism of several buses in the rear parking lot of the restaurant on Sept. 9.

The pair is being held in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Officer Juan Vazquez at [email protected] or 703-255-7845.

Update on 11/30/18 — A Wawa spokeswoman says the company is still looking to open a store in Vienna, but not at the site discussed below.

Wawa is working to open a new store at the busy corner of Maple Ave and Park Street in Vienna, TysonsReporter.com has learned.

The store will replace a shuttered gas station at the corner and an adjacent property that houses two well-liked businesses: a tailor shop and the Arthur Christine salon.

The Vienna Town Council approved the redevelopment of the properties into a new gas station and 2,500 square foot convenience store — the identity of the store operator was not revealed — by a 5-2 vote in May. The development includes 11 parking spaces, wider sidewalks and the placement of utility lines underground, the Sun Gazette reported.

In response to an inquiry from Tysons Reporter, Wawa confirmed that it was working to open a new store at the location, though no opening timeframe has been set.

“We are pursuing this site in Vienna,” said Wawa Public Relations Manager Lori Bruce. “While it’s too soon in the land development phase to confirm a timeline for construction, we can say that we are excited to have the opportunity to bring Wawa to this community.”

Wawa has been expanding across the D.C. area after announcing plans last year to add 30-50 stores in the region. The convenience store chain currently has locations in Sterling, Chantilly and the District.

Mr. Foutah, the owner of the tailor shop that is set to be redeveloped, said his lease expires in June 2019 and he has been told that the building will be torn down.

Foutah, who prefers to only go by his last name, said he has been in the location at 109 Park Street NE for 20 years. He added that he is planning to move to a new storefront somewhere in Vienna.

“I’m optimistic about the move,” he said. “It’s a lot of memories, but the way I think about it is that it’s going to give me a good opportunity to clean up the place.”

Rachel Grante, who co-owns the Arthur Christine salon with her husband, said the business moved out of the 113 Park Street NE location on Oct. 1, after seven years there, and is now temporarily operating out of the nearby Michel Rene salon at 165 Maple Ave E. She called the move “bittersweet,” adding that “it will be interesting how the town adjusts” to the new Wawa store.

Dusan Grante said the couple is looking for a new, permanent location and “trying our best to stay here” in Vienna, though they’re also scouting storefronts in Merrifield and Reston.

Photo via Google Maps

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!

Wednesday, Nov. 28

Winterbock Ugly Sweater Tapping Party
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (7861 Tysons Corner Center)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Tysons Corner Center restaurant will be tapping into its Winterbock, a German-style beer, at an ugly sweater party. Proceeds of the party and Winterbock sales through December will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Friday, Nov. 30

10th Annual Virginia Women’s Business Conference
Sheraton Tysons Hotel (8661 Leesburg Pike)
Time: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

The conference is a one-day event for women in the area to make business connections. The keynote speaker will be Michelle Poler, founder of the Hello Fears social movement. Tickets are $349 for general admission or $499 for the VIP upgrade.

Saturday, Dec. 1

Annual Norwegian Christmas Luncheon/Julefest
Seasons 52 (7863 Tysons Corner Center)
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Norwegian Christmas celebration, hosted by Norwegian heritage group Lakselaget DC, will include live musical guests and a lunch with Norwegian Kransekake for dessert. Tickets are $40 per person.

Pictures with Santa
Tysons West (1500 Cornerside Blvd)
Time: 1-4 p.m.

Selfies with Santa, or a free professional photo, are available at the Tysons West shopping center. Hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and holiday crafts will also be available.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, a franchise specializing in the eponymous circular bundt cakes, is now open in downtown Vienna at 129 Maple Avenue W.

Marge Kelly, one of the co-owners of the store along with her husband, sister, and sister’s husband, said the shop officially opened last week and was immediately inundated with holiday orders.

“It’s been great,” said Kelly. “We were really busy right before Thanksgiving, but it’s been more manageable over the last few days.”

In addition to ten cake flavors and forty unique designs, Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers various cake-themed gifts and decor.

Kelly said the store was originally planning on having a grand opening celebration sometime in the next month but decided to push the grand opening celebration back to January.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is one of several new venues filling vacant storefronts along Maple Avenue this fall.

Interior photos via Facebook

The following article excerpt is from our content sharing partner, FairfaxNews.com.

Rain that pelted Fairfax County Saturday left several roads flooded, trapping some motorists in their cars.

Close to an inch and a half of rain was recorded at Dulles Airport in the twenty-four hours ending at 7 a.m. Sunday, most of it falling between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Fairfax County firefighters rescued two people who were trapped in their vehicle, just after midnight Sunday morning, at Browns Mill Rd and Windstone Dr. in Vienna.

Just after midnight this morning (11/25) units responded to Browns Mill Rd/Windstone Dr. in Vienna area for water rescue. 2 people were trapped in car. Station 39, North Point, crew conducted a shallow water crossing to remove the both. Both evaluated by EMS. No injuries. #fcfrd pic.twitter.com/csMy5QqQ1U

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 25, 2018

Read more at FairfaxNews.com

Black Friday makes the headlines, but this upcoming Small Business Saturday (Nov. 24) will give locals a chance to check out some of the small stores throughout the area and maybe get some holiday shopping done.

The Vienna Business Association has put together a list of all small businesses in the areas with special deals on Saturday, including:

• Bards Alley LLC (110 Church St NW) — A book store in Vienna that will have giveaways for purchase over $50, refreshments, and a signing by local authors Katy Upperman, author of The Impossibility of Us, at 11:00 a.m., Eugenia Kim author of The Kinship of Secrets, at 1:00 p.m., and Anna Whiston Donaldson, author of the book A Hug from Heaven, at 3:00 p.m.
• Elements Massage (122 Maple Ave W) — A massage parlor offering $30 discount off of your first one-hour massage session. The deal will run both Saturday and Sunday.
• Savvy Rest Natural Bedroom (258 Maple Ave E) — The mattress store will be offering 30 percent off all Savvy Rest Mattresses and 25 percent off all other products.
• Bikes @ Vienna (128 A Church Street NW) — This store bicycle, which specializes in non-traditional models, will be offering 10 percent off select bicycles and accessories.
• Aesthetic Medical Center (8150 Leesburg Pike) — Calling the clinic (703-992-7979) on small business Saturday will net a 15 percent discount on any single treatment through Dec. 31.
• Colleen’s Creations, LLC — This online-only business run out of a Vienna home will be offering a variety of discounts on lipstick and glosses. All cosmetics and skincare materials are 40 percent off. Pickup is available in Vienna or via mail for a $4 charge.
• Generation Code (112 Church St NW) — This kids coding camp will offer five percent off winter break camps.
• Freeman Store (131 Church St NE) — The Freeman Store and Museum, a historically styled general goods store, will offer a 10 percent discount (15 percent for members) on merchandise in the store excluding used books.
• Potomac River Running Store (111 Maple Ave W) — The regional chain is offering buy one, get one 40 percent off. A Potomac River graphic t-shirt is available for $10 with any purchase of $20 or more.
• Skintelligence (421 Church St) — This skincare and spa treatment clinic in Vienna is offering 10 percent off any massage scheduled on Nov. 24 for any day between Nov. 26 and Dec. 23. All skin care products are also 20 percent off.
• John Edwards Hair Design (103 Church St NE) – A cosmetic studio offering 40 percent off any facial or skin care peel.

Meanwhile, for those looking to support small businesses in Tysons and McLean, here is a partial list put together from both American Express’s map of small businesses and the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce’s retail directory.

• Color Wheel (1374 Chain Bridge Road) — A family business offering paint and specialty finishes and custom photo framing.
• Mangan Jewelers of McLean (6801 Whittier Ave) — A jewelry store featuring wedding rings, fashion jewelry and estate pieces.
• McLean Hardware Co. Inc. (1445 Chain Bridge Rd) — McLean’s local hardware and household goods shop, offering a variety of gardening, plumbing, electric and houseware supplies.
• Mayflowers of McLean (1363 Chain Bridge Rd) — A florist shop in downtown McLean.
• Treasure Trove (1317 Chain Bridge Rd) — A used merchandise store offering everything from old books to clothing. All proceeds benefit Inova Hospital.
• Mesmeralda’s Gifts (1339 Chain Bridge Rd) — A gifts and novelty items store.
• Gegi Couture (1339 Chain Bridge Rd) — A fashion store focusing on custom clothing and tailoring for women.
• Carpet Impressions (1339 Chain Bridge Rd) — A carpet and handmade rug store.
• The Preppy Pink Pony (6829 Redmond Drive) — A monogrammed gifts and invitations store.
• Tysons Tailors (8099 Tysons Corner Center) — An alterations and tailoring shop inside Tysons Corner Center.
• Tysons Watch and Jewelry Exchange (8150 Leesburg Pike) — a store trading in jewelry, watches and luxury items.
• Aram Boutique (2001 International Dr) — A women’s fashion store in Tysons Galleria.
• Vienna Hot Tubs & Patio (1524 Spring Hill Rd) — An emporium stocking home spas, fire pits and patio furniture
• Shiraz Market (8486 Tyco Rd) — An international grocery store featuring Middle Eastern and Asian goods.

Photo via Facebook

Fairfax is eyeing bikeshare expansion along Route 123 from Tysons to Fairfax City, and Vienna is right in the middle.

At last night’s (Monday) Vienna Town Council meeting, Zan Frackelton, a transportation planner with Toole Design, updated the Town Council on an ongoing feasibility study considering whether bikeshare will work for Vienna and other localities along the corridor. The study is a collaboration between the Town of Vienna, George Mason University, and both Fairfax County and City.

Frackelton said Vienna’s relatively flat topography and a sprinkling of bike infrastructure make it a conducive to hosting a bikeshare system.

“We believe bikeshare is feasible in this area, but it requires some supporting actions,” said Frackelton, “such as ongoing improvements to the bicycle network to ensure people using this system have safe places to ride and reviewing policies as needed related to bicycling.”

While the red and gold Capital Bikeshare is the leading contender to fill the Vienna gap, Frackelton said it was also worth noting that the bikeshare market is becoming increasingly crowded with options, including the increasingly popular electric scooters.

“[Capital Bikeshare] is ideal for short, one-way trips,” said Frackelton. “But other systems are coming onto the scene, like dockless bikeshare and scooters, where you start your trip using an app and end where you want.”

However, Frackelton said Capital Bikeshare was the most logical choice for Vienna. With the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare in surrounding localities like Tysons and Reston, Frackelton also said Vienna was a logical next step for the Capital Bikeshare.

If Vienna does decide to go with electric scooters or e-bikes, which Capital Bikeshare is beginning to offer, Frackelton said the town will also have to consider new policies governing use of such devices. While Frackelton said the town could consider moving to dockless vehicles in the future, Frackelton said there’s not enough space on local roads to support that yet.

Among concerns raised by the Town Council was speeding on trails, which is not typically a concern for bicyclists but a potential problem if local bicycle trails become saturated with electric bicycles and scooters.

Town Council members also noted concerns that many of the late-night scootering in Washington, D.C. was done without lights or reflective gear that makes them difficult to see for cars. Frackelton said the study would look into these concerns as the study continues.

Frackelton said Fairfax County is planning to move forward with grant applications for funding for Capital Bikeshare stations and begin finalizing locations in 2019.