The Pentagon City mall has something new on display — and it isn’t clothing.
More than 50 pieces of art, from paintings to drawings and sculptures to mixed media, from 35 members of the Arlington Artists Alliance, are encased behind glass inside the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
“We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to showcase our member artists,” said Christina Papanicolaou, the alliance’s executive director, in a press release. “This exposure will introduce local artists to new patrons while providing community members the opportunity to experience professional art as they shop and dine.”
Shoppers can peruse the display on the lower level near the Nordstrom entrance until April 30 and even take a piece home. The art is for sale, starting at $100 for ceramics and $200 for paintings and drawings.
The nonprofit alliance supports and promotes local artists by displaying art by members inside businesses, churches, county offices and other public places. People can also peruse their work at the nonprofit’s full-time gallery, Gallery Underground, in the Crystal City Shops.
Spring is just around the corner and so is the Easter Bunny.
The folkloric rabbit will hop over to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (1100 S. Hayes Street) starting next week, for photo opportunities all month long.
The mall encourages guests to reserve a 15-minute slot for photos with the bunny now and “make it an Easter tradition.”
The spring hare will be hopping around the first level in Nordstrom court on the following days and times, according to the reservation website.
- Friday, March 15: 2-7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 16: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sunday, March 17: 12-6 p.m.
- Monday, March 18: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 20: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 21: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Friday, March 22: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 23: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sunday, March 24: 12-6 p.m.
- Monday, March 25: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 26: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 27: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 28: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Friday, March 29: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 30: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Before photos on March 17, children with special needs and their families can visit with “Caring Bunny” during a “sensory-friendly event” from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Reservations are required for the event.
Photo via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City/Facebook
Rosa Mexicano’s Arlington outpost closed its doors today, after opening a little over a year ago in Pentagon City.
An employee confirmed the closure of the restaurant to ARLnow, citing issues with the location and proximity to the mall. A moving truck and crew were seen clearing out the space, while a sign on the door confirmed its closure.
Rosa Mexicano opened its Pentagon City location in late 2022, a year or so after its first D.C.-area location — across the street from the Capital One Arena in D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood — closed after 16 years in business.
The New York-based restaurant chain serves classic Mexican fare, such as tacos, enchiladas, ceviche and fresh-made guacamole, in a colorful setting.
The Pentagon City location featured a bar with a long list of tequila- and agave-based cocktails, seating for 200 guests, a private dining room for events and an outdoor patio.
The chain still operates a local location — in National Harbor — as well as locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Hat tip to Angela Fox
A new location of the popular eyewear purveyor Warby Parker is coming to Pentagon City mall.
A storefront cover displaying the message “Nice to see you (soon)” greets visitors as they enter through the main entrance of Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, on the first floor of S. Hayes Street.
The New York City-based company — which started as an online-only retailer, known for its prescription eyewear, contacts and sunglasses — says on its website that it expects to open this year. The mall’s website notes the store is “coming soon.”
The introduction of Warby Parker would augment the mall’s existing selection of eyewear stores, which already includes Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters.
A spokesperson for the mall declined to comment on the timing of the store’s opening.
This will be Warby Parker’s inaugural Arlington location and its ninth in Virginia, per the company’s website. Warby Parker currently operates 251 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the U.S. and five in Canada.
Hat tip to @CartChaos22202
The driver of a Jeep careened into a bank in Pentagon City Wednesday night, injuring a pedestrian.
The crash happened shortly after 7 p.m. at 710 12th Street S., directly adjacent to the Pentagon City Metro station entrance.
The SUV went through the front of the Chase bank branch, potentially causing structural damage, according to initial reports. One pedestrian was struck and injured; they were treated on scene by medics and taken via ambulance to a local trauma center.
It’s unclear what led to the crash. The driver was still in the vehicle when police arrived, according to scanner traffic.
Car just crashed into pentagon city metro! @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/qW2RdYHUIf
— vibe raider (@amoebajake) January 4, 2024
We were at the Chic-fil-a when it happened. Someone was struck and was lying on the ground to the right of the vehicle…crazy. Really hope he is okay
— Code on the Rocks 🍹💙 (@cotr_flutter) January 4, 2024
19:05: VEHICLE INTO CHASE BANK w PED STRUCK.
710 12th St S, Arlington, VA.
Vehicle jumped curb, stopped fully inside building.
Adult male ped transported to trauma center.@ArlingtonVaPD investigating.
h/t: @alanhenney @HCBright10 @RVANOVA01 @STATter911 @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/Ch843ve3Yg— Matthew Young (@matthewyoung31) January 4, 2024
Car crashed into the store next to @ChickfilA right across from Pentagon City Mall. The car can't be that fast on that road to crash into the store. pic.twitter.com/bEwTtrkfCL
— Oguz B. (@ogiuzi) January 4, 2024
Screenshot (top) via @ogiuzi/Twitter
A 26-year-old Virginia man is facing several charges after a dispute over a parking space over the weekend.
The incident happened Saturday afternoon, in the area of Penrose Square. Police say the man flashed a gun during the altercation.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
BRANDISHING, 2023-12300122, 2400 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 2:46 p.m. on December 30, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim and male suspect became involved in a verbal dispute over a parking space which escalated into a physical altercation during which the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm. The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle and was located by responding officers. A firearm was recovered. [The suspect], 26, of Stafford, VA was arrested and charged with Brandishing, Assault & Battery and Concealed Weapon Violation.
In other notable incident, which took place one day prior on Friday afternoon, a 31-year-old Virginia man is accused of kicking a police officer and trying to grab the gun of another.
From ACPD:
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2023-12290134, Fairfax Drive at N. George Mason Drive. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on December 29, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person with a knife. The preliminary investigation determined the victim was stopped in her vehicle when the male suspect allegedly ran towards her driver’s side door while displaying a knife. The victim drove away and called police. Responding officers located the suspect in the 4800 block of Fairfax Drive and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect refused to comply with the officers’ commands and actively resisted arrest. With the assistance of additional officers, the suspect was taken into custody during which he kicked an officer in the chest. The suspect provided officers with false identifying information but was subsequently positively identified. During a search incident to arrest, the suspect grabbed the holster of an officer’s firearm. Knives were recovered on the suspect. [The suspect], 31, of Manassas, VA was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery, Assault on Police, Attempt to Disarm Law Enforcement Officer of their Firearm, Identity Theft and Obstruction of Justice.
The evening of New Year’s Day, meanwhile, a man’s Canada Goose jacket and wallet was reportedly stolen by a teen boy at the Pentagon City mall. The teen was later apprehended near the Metro station, according to police.
GRAND LARCENY, 2024-01010144, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 5:58 p.m. on January 1, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was sitting with his jacket on the back of his chair when the juvenile male suspect ran by, grabbed his jacket and continued running out of the building. Responding officers canvassed the area and observed the suspect in the metro. The suspect then ran from the officers and, following a foot pursuit, he was taken into custody in the 1200 block of S. Hayes Street. The victim’s jacket, which contained his wallet and cash, was recovered. Petitions were obtained for the juvenile suspect for Grand Larceny and Obstruction of Justice.
17:58hrs: CANADA GOOSE JACKET LARCENY w arrest at taser point.
1100 S Hayes St, Arlington VA (Pent City Mall). Victim's jacket was taken while on a chair. @ArlingtonVaPD quickly located suspect fleeing towards Metro & taken into custody.@alanhenney @ARLnowDOTcom @STATter911 pic.twitter.com/z6kO5SGZSV— Matthew Young (@matthewyoung31) January 2, 2024
Santa Claus is returning to Arlington later this week.
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is kicking off its photos with Santa this coming Friday, according to the mall’s website. Reservations are available starting at 11 a.m.
As in previous years, the Pentagon City mall is also hosting a Caring Santa event, for children with special needs, as well as a Pet Night. Those are taking place the morning and evening, respectively, of Sunday, Dec. 3.
Santa’s arrival in Arlington one week before Thanksgiving may be early, but it’s got nothing on Tysons. Our Fairfax County neighbors had Ol’ Saint Nick walk the red carpet at Tysons Corner Center this past Thursday morning, Nov. 9.
Arlington’s other major mall, meanwhile, is starting Santa photos on Friday, Dec. 1. Reservations for photos with the jolly one at Ballston Quarter mall also start at 11 a.m. that day.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
The Pentagon City mall is adding a dash of South American flavor to its dining options.
Maizal, situated on the mall’s exterior along S. Hayes Street adjacent to Macy’s, is gearing up to open next week, according to a company spokesperson.
The Pentagon City location will be the chain’s second outpost in Arlington. Maizal made its debut in Ballston Quarter’s food hall in 2019. Today, the chain also operates two locations in D.C. and opened a location in Reston yesterday (Monday).
Menu items include “green, grain or mixed bowls, assorted arepas, and specialty items such as south American hot dogs, empanadas, street corn, plantains, yucca, churros and cookie sandwiches,” per a press release.
Details regarding the new restaurant’s hours of operation have yet to be released, but other Maizal locations are open from 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., according to the company’s website.
Maizal joins a list of fast-casual eateries moving into the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, including Mezeh Mediterranean Grill. The restaurant, similar to Cava and Roti, announced its upcoming opening with a “Coming Soon” banner in August.
This evening, local architecture firms will go can-to-can in a competition to build elaborate sculptures made from canned goods.
The “Canstruction” event takes place at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The creations built tonight will be judged on Saturday, though shoppers can also vote for their favorite canned art sculptures through Monday.
The structures will be on display through next Sunday, when the cans will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).
Fashion Centre and the American Institute of Architects Northern Virginia Chapter are putting on the event, which is one of many around the world affiliated with the hunger relief charity Canstruction. Participants are responsible for buying the canned goods, designing the structures and donating what is collected to a local food bank, according to the nonprofit’s website.
For AFAC CEO Charles Meng, events like these are a fun way for people to support the nonprofit, which gets nearly half of its food through donations.
“Food donations make up 40% of the food we distribute,” Charles Meng, CEO of AFAC, told ARLnow. “The 30,000 pounds from Canstruction will go a very long way in meeting our goal of 1.5 million pounds and in helping our families.”
“Canstruction is one of the many creative ways that professional societies like the American Institute of Architects and their Northern Virginia Chapter can help address food insecurity and have great fun doing it,” he added.
Shoppers are also encouraged to donate canned goods or cash to AFAC through QR codes at the Canstruction display through Sept. 16.
The competition moved to the mall this year after being held at either Dulles or National airport in recent years.
The winning team will advance to compete on the international stage against victors from other Canstruction events across the globe.
Photo via AFAC/Facebook
A Maryland woman was cited by police after her car was towed, unknowingly with two young children inside.
Arlington County police were called shortly after 11 a.m. today (Tuesday) by a distraught woman reporting that her car was stolen from outside the Macy’s in Pentagon City. A one-year-old and a three-year-old were inside the vehicle, the woman reported.
“At approximately 11:10 a.m. on September 5, police were dispatched to the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street for the report of a stolen vehicle with two children inside,” police spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “While officers were responding to the call, it was determined the vehicle had been reported as towed for being parked in a no parking zone.”
The car had been towed by Advanced Towing and was back at their lot in Ballston, a dispatcher told officers, who then responded to the lot.
“The preliminary investigation indicates the tow operator was unaware the children were inside and upon notification, pulled over to check on them,” Savage said. “Responding officers then made contact with the children and determined they were in good health.”
The 26-year-old driver of the car that was towed “was charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and released on a summons,” Savage added. “The investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
ARLnow was on scene as the woman arrived in a police cruiser and was reunited with the children within the tow lot.
An Advanced Towing spokeswoman confirmed to ARLnow that the vehicle was towed while the engine was still running, so the air conditioning was still on in the car as temperatures reached into the 90s. Her towing fee was waived, the spokeswoman said.
John O’Neill, owner of the towing company, told ARLnow that the driver looked into the car but did not see the children. They were in their car seats in the backseat of the Hyundai crossover-style vehicle, ARLnow observed through the tow company’s fence, after a police officer had opened a rear door.
“I looked at the driver’s pictures before towing you cannot see those kids in the car at all,” O’Neill said. He claimed the vehicle was left unattended for 16 minutes in a tow-away zone outside the Pentagon City mall.
“We see this all the time,” O’Neill said. “She didn’t want to be inconvenienced to take the kids out to go into the mall and left them unattended in the fire lane.”
The normal procedure when a driver sees children in an unattended vehicle, he said, is to “call the police and we wait.”
Advanced has been the target of much ire — from members of the public and public officials alike — over its prolific trespass towing, which many claim is done in a reckless or “predatory” manner.
In 2021, a lawsuit by Virginia’s then-Attorney General resulted in a fine levied by an Arlington judge — though the suit was largely unsuccessful and O’Neill claimed vindication. Last month, Arlington County began enforcing zoning rules related to Advanced’s tow lot, following a campaign by a local Twitter user.
In 2020, O’Neill was injured by an Uber driver who struck him while trying to drive off the lot without paying. The driver later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Mezeh seems to be proceeding with its plans to open a new location at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
The fast-casual Mediterranean grill had originally announced plans to open in 2020, but the opening was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Coming soon” signs are now up for the restaurant, on the same level as the food court and across from the Fast Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs. That’s the former location of Harry’s Tap Room, which a bloggier iteration of ARLnow once dubbed “Arlington’s favorite watering hole for midwestern tourists.”
A spokesperson for the mall said they “do not have an update on timing.”
Mezeh previously opened a location at Ballston Quarter mall in February 2020. The company’s first stand-alone restaurant opened in Crystal City (2450 Crystal Drive) in 2015 and a National Airport outpost opened in 2021.
Mezeh, which draws comparisons to assembly-line-style Mediterranean eateries like Roti and Cava, now has more than 50 locations up and down the Eastern Seaboard that are either open or coming soon.
Hat Tip @CartChaos22202