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

Stars from SNL and ‘The Office’ highlight Arlington Drafthouse’s comedy calendar

By Jared Serre
Arlington Cinema N' Drafthouse on Columbia Pike (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Quite a few well-known comics are coming to the Arlington Drafthouse through mid-2026, including two former “Saturday Night Live” cast members and other TV stars.

Joining former SNL performers Kevin Nealon and Tim Meadows on the lineup are David Koechner (who played Todd Packer on “The Office”), “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” actress Caroline Rhea,”Last Comic Standing” winner Alonzo Bodden and other top talent.

Go to Stars from SNL and ‘The Office’ highlight Arlington Drafthouse’s comedy calendar Read more
Around Town

Urban Air looking for space to open trampoline park in Arlington

By Jared Serre
A child uses a trampoline at Urban Air (courtesy of Urban Air)

Another trampoline park chain is seeking to open a location in Arlington.

Urban Air Adventure Park has announced plans to open somewhere in the county, though “they don’t have a specific site locked down yet,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. Meanwhile, another company, SkyZone, is still looking for a place to open a local trampoline park after announcing similar plans in March 2024.

Go to Urban Air looking for space to open trampoline park in Arlington Read more
Around Town

Grill Kabob announces closure after almost three years in Ballston

By Jared Serre
Grill Kabob in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

An Afghan restaurant across the street from Ballston Quarter has closed after a little less than three years in business.

Grill Kabob, which opened in early 2023 and was one of 14 D.C.-area locations for the family-owned chain, is now listed as “permanently closed” on Google. It provided the following storefront message.

Go to Grill Kabob announces closure after almost three years in Ballston Read more
Events

5K races in Pentagon City and North Arlington to bring road closures, neighborhood ‘Fun Day’

By Jared Serre
Jennifer Bush-Lawson 5k race (via Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation/Facebook)

A pair of 5K races — one part of a program teaching life skills, the other fundraising for economically vulnerable mothers — are taking place in Arlington this weekend.

The 11th annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Memorial 5K, happening across the Yorktown, Rock Spring and Williamsburg neighborhoods on Saturday morning, will be accompanied by a kids’ fun run and a “Fun Day” with moon bounces, laser tag and a mechanical bull.

Go to 5K races in Pentagon City and North Arlington to bring road closures, neighborhood ‘Fun Day’ Read more
Around Town

Bayou Bakery celebrating 15 years in Courthouse with free beignets

By Jared Serre
An order of baby beignets at Bayou Bakery (photo courtesy of Bayou Bakery)

A Courthouse bakery and cafe with New Orleans roots is celebrating 15 years of business this week with free treats and a lunchtime special.

Bayou Bakery is serving free orders of baby beignets to the first 100 guests after doors open at 7 a.m. on Thursday morning. The restaurant at 1515 N Courthouse Road will also offer a deal at lunchtime that day: a soup and sandwich combo for $15.

Go to Bayou Bakery celebrating 15 years in Courthouse with free beignets Read more
Around Town

‘Best Buns’ bakery and sandwich spot coming to Falls Church next year

By Jared Serre
A slate of breakfast offerings at Best Buns (photo courtesy of Best Buns)

A bakery serving pastries, burgers and all-day breakfast plans to open in Falls Church next year.

Best Buns Bakery & Burgers is expected to open in a park outside the West Falls development at 265 West Falls Station Blvd, serving bites ranging from cinnamon rolls and sticky buns to fried chicken sandwiches.

Go to ‘Best Buns’ bakery and sandwich spot coming to Falls Church next year Read more
Around Town

Panera Bread opens ‘to go’ eatery in Crystal City

By Jared Serre
The new Panera Bread location in Crystal City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new Panera Bread location in Crystal City opened its doors yesterday (Thursday).

The fast-casual chain’s latest “to go” eatery, announced over the summer, is now serving up its classic soups, salads and sandwiches at 2450 Crystal Drive, next to Navy Federal Credit Union.

Go to Panera Bread opens ‘to go’ eatery in Crystal City Read more
Around Town

Layli Mediterranean appears to have closed amid redevelopment in Clarendon

By Jared Serre
3033 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Layli Mediterranean appears to have closed after less than a year and a half amid redevelopment plans in Clarendon.

The restaurant at 3033 Wilson Blvd is listed as “permanently closed” on Google. Dining reservations can no longer be made through Resy, online ordering via DoorDash has halted and there are no more chairs, tables or space heaters in the patio area.

Go to Layli Mediterranean appears to have closed amid redevelopment in Clarendon Read more
Around Town

New Indian restaurant ‘Pink Saffron’ opens in Pentagon City

By Jared Serre
Pink Saffron in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

An Indian restaurant with a wide variety of curries and shareable dishes has opened in Pentagon City.

Pink Saffron hosted its grand opening last weekend, replacing Bun’d Up at 1201 S. Joyce Street, in the Westpost shopping center. Its menu features over 20 different curries, including both meat and vegetarian options, plus big plates to share and traditional sweets for dessert.

Go to New Indian restaurant ‘Pink Saffron’ opens in Pentagon City Read more
Around Town

‘Island-inspired’ spray tan studio opens in Clarendon

By Jared Serre
Maui Glow Club in Clarendon (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new spray tanning studio is hoping to bring a spritz of the islands to Clarendon.

Maui Glow Club opened its doors last week, offering “a glow so natural it looks like a vacation” above the Starbucks at 2690 Clarendon Blvd. This is the brand’s second location, following one that opened in Vienna in March.

Go to ‘Island-inspired’ spray tan studio opens in Clarendon Read more
Around Town

New wine bar with ‘listening room’ and cafe coming to Crystal City

By Jared Serre
A rendering of Altitude Wine Bar (photo courtesy of Episcope Hospitality)

A new wine bar with a selection of vinyl records and a cafe with a gourmet market are coming to Crystal City.

Both Altitude Wine Bar and Constellation, a cafe and gourmet market, will be installed at 2011 Crystal Drive — adjacent to the forthcoming pedestrian bridge connecting Crystal City to the airport. Episcope Hospitality, the group behind Water Park, plans to construct both establishments “inspired by the elegance of the golden age of travel and exploration.”

Go to New wine bar with ‘listening room’ and cafe coming to Crystal City Read more
News

Video: Joe Biden sang ‘happy birthday’ to W-L student after dinner at Carbonara

By Jared Serre
Former President Joe Biden drops in on a birthday dinner at Carbonara in Virginia Square (courtesy of Nick Johnson)

Former President Joe Biden turned an ordinary birthday celebration into a uniquely memorable one shortly after dining in Virginia Square last weekend.

A group of Washington-Liberty High School students were out to dinner at Carbonara on Sunday when they noticed what appeared to be Secret Service members and the 46th president.

Go to Video: Joe Biden sang ‘happy birthday’ to W-L student after dinner at Carbonara Read more
View More Stories