Scolapasta has shifted gears in Ballston.
The fast-casual Italian restaurant has abandoned its plans to open this summer at 4219 Fairfax Drive, across the street from the Ballston Metro. Instead, owner Burak Temel told ARLnow that he intends to open a kiosk in the food court at Ballston Quarter.
“Ballston Quarter is a more vibrant, I’d say, diverse environment, with all with vendors from all over the world,” he said. “That’s the concept that they go for.”
The new spot will be located next to Ice Cream Jubilee.
“We’re going to have an enhanced overall experience — more families and more room to sit and wander around,” Temel said. “That’s kind of why the decision was made.”
The restaurant plans to sign a lease today (Monday) or tomorrow. After that, the restaurant will have 90 days to open.
Scolapasta offers build-your-own pasta bowls with customizable pasta shapes, sauces and toppings. It also serves four signature pastas, including a squid ink shrimp scampi.
Winfield Property Group, which manages the strip mall at 4219 Fairfax Drive, is now searching for a new business to lease the space. It is hoping to find another restaurant, Senior Property Manager Joel Dinkins told ARLnow.
The strip mall’s current tenants include the new Performance 360 gym, a 7-Eleven, Subway and First Down Sports Bar & Grill.
