Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

News

Falls Church unveils new ‘LOVE’ sculpture celebrating diversity and local life

By Katie Taranto
“Reflection: Diversity and Inclusivity” sculpture in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Virginia is for lovers, and so is a new public art installation near Falls Church City Hall.

The art piece, which plays into the commonwealth’s iconic slogan while promoting the Little City as “a unique travel destination,” consists of a set of steel letters spelling out LOVE.

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Around Town

Clarendon’s Wilson Hardware could get new branding under D.C. nightlife entrepreneur

By Katie Taranto
Wilson Hardware at 2915 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon (file photo)

An entrepreneur behind some big names in D.C.’s nightlife scene has turned his attention to Arlington, taking the reins of a Clarendon restaurant.

Antonis Karagounis became the new owner of Wilson Hardware earlier this month at 2915 Wilson Blvd, where he intends to introduce a different, as-yet-unnamed restaurant concept in the new year.

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Around Town

Fire Works Pizza plans renovations and rebranding in Courthouse under new owner

By Katie Taranto
Fire Works Pizza at 2350 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Changes are coming to a longtime pizzeria and American restaurant in Courthouse.

The family that had owned Fire Works Pizza since 2010 is departing, having passed the torch to local restaurateur Fitzgerald Lewis earlier this month. The entrepreneur, whose resume also includes the Clarendon restaurants Green Pig Bistro and Buena Vida, intends to refresh the 15-year-old restaurant with new furnishings and a new name next year.

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Around Town

Falafel Inc opens on Restaurant Row after closing Water Park kiosk

By Katie Taranto
Falafel Inc on Restaurant Row (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A fast casual Middle Eastern restaurant is now open on Restaurant Row after relocating from Water Park.

Falafel Inc opened last week at 500 23rd Street S. after departing its previous Crystal City kiosk at 1601 Crystal Drive. The D.C.-based chain, known for its affordability and award-winning falafel, replaces a bank that closed in 2023.

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News

McDonald’s project demolishes 33-year-old Hall’s Hill mural depicting Black history

By Katie Taranto
Hall's Hill mural along Langston Blvd (via Public Art Archive)

McDonald’s has torn down a wall with a decades-old mural depicting local Black history while replacing its restaurant in Hall’s Hill.

The fast food chain, which demolished its former location at 4834 Langston Blvd to construct a more “modernized” restaurant in its place, cited structural concerns in its decision to remove the mural’s concrete wall.

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Around Town

WBJ: Ikea is closing in Pentagon City, opening new Georgetown location

By Katie Taranto
Pentagon Centre's Ikea storefront (photo courtesy Ikea)

Ikea is closing its Pentagon City location this fall.

The Swedish furniture store at 1201 S. Hayes Street will remain open until Nov. 30 as the company opens another “plan-and-order” store in Georgetown, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday (Thursday).

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Events

‘Blocktoberfest’ street festival coming to Clarendon this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Bratwurst for Oktoberfest (via Clarendon Ballroom/Facebook)

Bavarian snacks, live music and yard games are all planned this weekend at a new “Blocktoberfest” street festival hosted by the Clarendon Ballroom.

The event takes place this Saturday between O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub and the Liberty Tavern, at Wilson Blvd and N. Irving Street. The Clarendon Ballroom promises “a full-scale street festival packed with Bavarian cheer, music, and beer garden vibes.”

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Around Town

Timberland opens at Pentagon City mall amid a wave of incoming businesses

By Katie Taranto
Timberland in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Timberland has opened a new store at the mall in Pentagon City, joining a lineup of recent and upcoming additions at the shopping center.

The shop opened last weekend on the mall’s second level with a “a full assortment of footwear, outerwear and accessories for men, women and kids,” including the brand’s popular leather boots. The opening comes as the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is expected to welcome several new businesses over the next few months.

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Around Town

Lost Dog Cafe to close on Columbia Pike this week after months of declining sales

By Katie Taranto
Lost Dog Cafe on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime Columbia Pike pizzeria is closing its doors for good.

Lost Dog Cafe will serve its last pies at 2920 Columbia Pike this week after 16 years in business there. The closure comes months after the local business’s owner shared concerns of flagging sales amid ongoing roadwork.

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Around Town

H-B Woodlawn music teacher named semifinalist for Grammy educator award

By Katie Taranto
Bill Podolski (photo by Kathleen Akerley, courtesy of Bill Podolski)

An Arlington Public Schools teacher is in the final rounds for a Grammy award honoring outstanding music educators.

Bill Podolski, the choral director at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, is one of 25 nationwide semifinalists for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award, announced last week. The accolade is bestowed on one music teacher each year who is honored during the week of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

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Around Town

New bridal boutique and hair salon opening this weekend in Green Valley

By Katie Taranto
2112 and 2114 S. Shirlington Road (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A joint grand opening is planned in Green Valley this weekend for a new hair salon and bridal boutique under the same roof.

The Dahnistry Room and Root & Bloom, located at 2112 and 2114 S. Shirlington Road, both open for business at noon on Saturday. Root & Bloom owner Nataki Green described the ventures as “two Black woman-owned businesses proudly rooted in South Arlington.”

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Around Town

Van Leeuwen opens in Clarendon this Friday with discount ice cream scoops

By Katie Taranto
Signs for Van Leeuwen in Clarendon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Van Leeuwen’s new Clarendon shop will celebrate a grand opening this week with discounted scoops and a tote bag giveaway.

The New York City-based chain is set to open its doors at 2831 Clarendon Blvd this Friday, Oct. 17. The incoming business replaces the longtime ice cream parlor Nicecream, which closed in August after 11 years at the address.

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