A locally owned cafe and bubble tea shop is coming to the Ballston Metro station.
Java Loco is planning to replace the former Starbucks at 901 N. Stuart Street, co-founder Nam Tran told ARLnow. The family-owned cafe, led by Tran and his wife, Nga Ho, serves espresso drinks, Vietnamese coffee, smoothies, pastries and a variety of sandwiches and salads.
It also offers 21 variations of milk and fruit tea, including flavors like caramel, lavender, taro, Oreo and a “Lychee Lover” with fresh lychee, strawberry and jasmine tea.
Tran aims to open Java Loco sometime in May or June, but the cafe is still awaiting permits for interior work. A permit application filed in January seeks permission to replace equipment at the shop’s front counter.
The new cafe will have space to seat about 15 guests, Tran said.
The Ballston Metro retail bay has remained vacant since Starbucks announced nationwide closures in late September. Another former Starbucks location at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Quincy Street in Ballston is now slated to welcome the D.C.-based bagel shop Call Your Mother.
This is Java Loco’s second Arlington location, joining a cafe that opened in Crystal City in February 2025. The regional chain has opened another four cafes in Alexandria and Fairfax County since 2013.
