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.

Around Town

‘Pink Saffron’ Indian restaurant to replace Bun’d Up in Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Bun'd Up in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Bun’d Up is closing next month at the Westpost shopping center, making way for a new Indian restaurant led by longtime chefs.

The last day for the Taiwanese restaurant and its speakeasy, Noonchi, is Sunday, Oct. 19, owner Scott Chung told ARLnow. The space at 1201 S. Joyce Street will make way for Pink Saffron, an eatery promising Awadhi cuisine and Indian street food.

Go to ‘Pink Saffron’ Indian restaurant to replace Bun’d Up in Pentagon City Read more
Around Town

Country-themed bar ‘BOE’ opens this weekend in Clarendon with mechanical bull

By Katie Taranto
BOE's mechanical bull (courtesy of @slumpedfilms)

A country-themed bar with a mechanical bull opens tonight (Friday) in Clarendon, aiming to bring a piece of Nashville to the neighborhood.

With antique fixtures, crocodile leather accents and country-inspired bar fare, BOE debuts this weekend in part of Coco B’s former space at 2854 Wilson Blvd. The new honky-tonk is named after Bodacious, a storied bucking bull, and will soon introduce mechanical bull riding contests, according to its website.

Go to Country-themed bar ‘BOE’ opens this weekend in Clarendon with mechanical bull Read more
Around Town

Local decorators offer premium pumpkin decor for upwards of $1,000

By Katie Taranto
A design by The Porch Parade (courtesy of Andrea Samuelson)

For as much as $1,450, a new local business specializing in “premium pumpkin delivery” is offering decorating jobs to porches in Arlington this season.

The Porch Parade aims to bring “effortless, discreet, and exclusive pumpkin displays” to D.C.-area porches. Andrea Samuelson, a former federal worker, co-founded the business with friend Anusha Seneviratne after their jobs were cut earlier this year.

Go to Local decorators offer premium pumpkin decor for upwards of $1,000 Read more
Around Town

‘Simply Banh Mi’ flourishes in Ballston after unexpected relocation

By Katie Taranto
Simply Banh Mi's new Ballston location (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A family-owned banh mi shop is flourishing during its first year in Ballston, months after its original location unexpectedly shuttered in D.C.

John Tran opened Simply Banh Mi in January at 801 N. Quincy Street as an expansion of his now-closed Georgetown restaurant. The business owner hoped to pass the D.C. store to new ownership earlier this year, but told ARLnow those plans fell through for reasons related to the health of a family member.

Go to ‘Simply Banh Mi’ flourishes in Ballston after unexpected relocation Read more
News

Rosslyn BID introduces new pop-up park at stalled redevelopment site

By Katie Taranto

The Rosslyn Business Improvement District is seeking to bolster its neighborhood’s public amenities with a new pop-up park that opened yesterday (Wednesday).

NOW, which the Rosslyn BID installed, is a new half-acre public park located around a pair of offices at 1401 Wilson Blvd and 1400 Key Blvd. Slated for eventual redevelopment, the revamped site includes urban gardens, a terraced event space and “pet relief area.”

Go to Rosslyn BID introduces new pop-up park at stalled redevelopment site Read more
Events

Clarendon Day returns this month with over 150 vendors and booths

By Katie Taranto
Clarendon Day in 2024 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Clarendon’s annual street festival returns in less than two weeks, promising a lively day of music, local vendors and food.

Over 150 local artisans, businesses, nonprofits and restaurants are expected to participate in this year’s Clarendon Day on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in the blocks surrounding the Clarendon Metro station.

Go to Clarendon Day returns this month with over 150 vendors and booths Read more
Events

Caps hosting charity ‘garage sale’ at Ballston’s Iceplex this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Capitals fans peruse the team's garage sale in 2023 (courtesy of the Washington Capitals)

The Washington Capitals are clearing out old merchandise and gear at a charity “garage sale” in Ballston this weekend.

Caps T-shirts, bobbleheads, posters and more will be available for purchase from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex at 627 N. Glebe Road. Merchandise proceeds will benefit the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, the team’s official charity.

Go to Caps hosting charity ‘garage sale’ at Ballston’s Iceplex this weekend Read more
Around Town

Fitness studio ‘barre3’ plans new Ballston location and free pop-up classes

By Katie Taranto
barre3's new studio at 818 N. Quincy Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A boutique fitness studio is coming to Ballston and hosting free pop-up classes around town this fall.

The gym franchise barre3 has signed a lease at 818 N. Quincy Street in Ballston, according to a press release. In advance of the opening, the new studio is hosting pop-up community classes across Arlington over the next few weeks.

Go to Fitness studio ‘barre3’ plans new Ballston location and free pop-up classes Read more
News

APS kicks off planned relocation of Arlington Community High School to HQ2

By Katie Taranto
Students gather at the ceremonial ground breaking for Arlington Community High School in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A ceremony this morning (Friday) celebrated the planned relocation of Arlington Community High School to Amazon’s campus next school year.

Officials from Arlington Public Schools, Arlington County and Amazon attended the event at HQ2, which marks the first time in the 96-year history of ACHS that the alternative high school expects to have a permanent home.

Go to APS kicks off planned relocation of Arlington Community High School to HQ2 Read more
Around Town

New pizzeria by owners of Dama Restaurant coming to Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Upcoming space of Father Dama Pizza (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The family behind a longtime Ethiopian restaurant on Columbia Pike is starting a takeout pizzeria.

Father Dama Pizza is preparing to open at 1499 Columbia Pike, next door to Dama Restaurant and Cafe, co-founder Hailu Dama told ARLnow. The Dama family has led Ethiopian restaurants in the D.C. area since the 1980s.

Go to New pizzeria by owners of Dama Restaurant coming to Columbia Pike Read more
Around Town

Nash and Smashed to replace Kallisto Steakhouse in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Peri Peri Original and Kallisto Steakhouse in Crystal City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A combination halal steakhouse and peri peri chicken shop is closing in Crystal City, leaving its space to a Nashville-inspired chicken and burger chain.

Peri Peri Original & Kallisto Steakhouse plans to shutter sometime next month, owner Zayan Abbasi told ARLnow. Soon after, it will be converted into a new location for Abbasi’s expanding Nash and Smashed franchise.

Go to Nash and Smashed to replace Kallisto Steakhouse in Crystal City Read more
View More Stories