New Parking Lot Opens in Clarendon

Those who work and shop in Clarendon have a new parking option.

A new surface parking lot opened earlier this month in the empty lot along Wilson and Clarendon Blvd, between the Whole Foods and PNC Bank.

The lot is being operated by Crystal Parking, a local parking firm owned by Abraham Melles.

Melles said the new parking facility will allow the otherwise empty lot and eye sore generate revenue and help to alleviate parking issues in the neighborhood. He said the company will also consider offering a car wash service for customers.

The rate for parking is $2 for 0-30 minutes, $5 for 30-60 minutes or $6 for all day.

Melles has other local parking ventures he’s working on. In the “near future” he’s hoping to open a 400-500 space lot in the Shirlington area — no word yet on where, exactly. And in January Melles plans to launch Vaalio, an “on demand valet parking app” that will allow users to request a valet to show up, park and then bring back their car wherever they’re going.

Justin Funkhouser contributed to this report.