Author: Jared Serre

Jared Serre covers local business, public safety and breaking news across Local News Now's websites. Originally from Northeast Ohio, he is a graduate of West Virginia University. He previously worked with Law360 before joining LNN in May 2024.

Around Town

Barre3 fitness studio hosts Ballston grand opening with free classes

By Jared Serre
Ballston's new barre3 studio (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new fitness studio is hosting its grand opening in Ballston starting today, offering free classes and discounted annual memberships.

Barre3 opened its doors for the first time at 818 N. Quincy Street at 6 a.m. today (Friday). The studio is providing free classes through Sunday and “unlimited” founding memberships at a heavily discounted rate.

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News

Bill’s Ace Hardware among two Langston Blvd businesses broken into overnight

By Jared Serre
Arlington County police car (staff photo)

The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a pair of overnight break-ins at two businesses in the Old Dominion neighborhood.

Bill’s Ace Hardware and a neighboring service center, National Tire & Battery (4801 Langston Blvd), were both targeted, according to scanner chatter and a tipster.

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Around Town

‘Maizal’ Latin street food spot appears to have closed in Ballston Quarter

By Jared Serre
Maizal in Ballston Quarter, seen in January 2026 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A Latin street food eatery in the Ballston Quarter’s food court looks to have served its last bites.

Maizal, a local chain that opened in the mall’s Quarter Market in 2019, has been boarded up. No renovation permits appear to have been filed for the space, and the brand did not respond to a request for comment.

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Ex-reality TV star from Falls Church to primary Sen. Mark Warner

By Jared Serre
U.S. Senate candidate Mark Moran (via Mark Moran/X)

Another candidate has entered a challenge against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) in the lawmaker’s first primary election in his 18 years on the Senate.

Mark Moran, a former reality television star and Wall Street investment banker who lives in Falls Church, announced his candidacy today (Wednesday), one year and one day after President Trump was sworn into office.

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Around Town

Mi Vida, Colada Shop and more planned at Reagan National in 2026

By Jared Serre
Mi Vida coming soon to National Airport’s B Gates (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A cupcake vending machine has departed Reagan National Airport, but several new dining spots are still on their way.

Sprinkles Cupcakes has closed its “cupcake ATMs,” including one at the airport that opened last year, as it shuttered all locations nationwide last week.

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Assault weapons ban could have new path forward under Gov. Spanberger, lawmakers say

By Jared Serre
Abigail Spanberger speaks at a Nov. 2025 campaign rally in Falls Church (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Several Democratic policymakers have high hopes for a bill to crack down on assault weapons once Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger takes office.

Legislation to outlaw any sales or transfers of new “assault firearms” passed both chambers in each of the last two legislative sessions, but was vetoed upon reaching the desk of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

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Around Town

Where to find mocktails and zero-proof drinks in Arlington this Dry January

By Jared Serre
Left to right: Lychee Calamansi, Sparkling Hibiscus, Le's Passion from Nue (photos courtesy of Hannah Park and David Dang)

Quite a few Arlington establishments are serving mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks this January — and year-round — for those looking for a sober start to 2026.

For customers looking to try out the “Dry January” trend — which some see as a way to improve health and wellbeing, especially after an indulgent holiday season — zero-proof menus in Arlington and Falls Church offer a way to enjoy drinks without getting drunk.

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News

Car knocks down light pole, smashes bench in Clarendon crash

By Jared Serre
Light pole, bench damaged in Clarendon crash (courtesy of Mark Moran)

A reported single-vehicle crash took out a pole and a sidewalk bench in Clarendon this afternoon.

Police responded to the intersection of N. Highland Street and Clarendon Blvd around 3:10 p.m. after the driver of a blue Toyota sedan struck the light pole just outside of Four Sisters Grill.

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Around Town

Jewelry shop with Etsy-style merch plans relocation to Ballston next month

By Jared Serre
The forthcoming Dov & Company in Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A jewelry store billed as “a real-life Etsy shop by women entrepreneurs” is relocating from Maryland to Ballston.

Dov & Company is targeting a February opening on the first floor in Ballston Quarter (4238 Wilson Blvd), across from Drybar, according to signage posted in the mall.

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Around Town

Restaurants coming to Arlington in 2026: Top Pot, Buffalo & Bergen and more

By Jared Serre
Deli sandwich from Buffalo & Bergen (courtesy of Birch Thomas)

A New York-style deli, a hot pot place, a French-inspired cafe and other restaurants are expected to open in Arlington in 2026.

Following an eventful 2025, which saw the opening of numerous restaurants like Nettie’s Tavern in Clarendon, Scolapasta in Ballston and Bar Chinois in Crystal City, dozens of restaurants are expected to open this year.

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Around Town

Compass Coffee plans to shutter Ballston location after filing for bankruptcy

By Jared Serre
The Compass Coffee at 4300 Wilson Blvd in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Compass Coffee plans to close one of its two cafes in Ballston after filing for bankruptcy yesterday (Tuesday).

A coffeehouse at 4300 Wilson Blvd is one of 10 locations where the regional cafe chain is seeking to cancel its lease as soon as Jan. 30, according to a motion filed in D.C. bankruptcy court.

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Around Town

K-pop themed Korean restaurant replaces chicken spot in Ballston

By Jared Serre
K-Food Casual in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A fast-casual Korean restaurant with K-pop themed advertising has taken over a chicken spot in Ballston.

K-Food Casual has replaced Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings at 875 N. Randolph Street, with graphics inspired by the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” and a menu playing heavily on kimbap and bibimbap dishes.

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