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

GrillMarX steakhouse opens first Virginia restaurant in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
GrillMarX's ribbon cutting in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A family-owned steakhouse and raw bar from Maryland hosted a ribbon cutting at its first Virginia restaurant yesterday (Monday) in Falls Church.

Olney-based GrillMarX is now open in the Little City, serving hand-cut steaks, hearty entrees and Virginia wines at 510 S. Washington Street. The new two-level restaurant hosted its grand opening on the ground floor of 455 at Tinner Hill apartments.

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Around Town

New boxing gym eyes location at former Orangetheory spot on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Orangetheory's previous spot on Columbia Pike (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A national boxing gym franchise appears to be planning a new location on Columbia Pike.

Title Boxing Club is laying the groundwork for a possible location at Centro Arlington, in the retail bay where Orangetheory Fitness closed last year. The business applied for a commercial builders’ permit there last month.

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News

AHC plans new management at 23 affordable apartment buildings in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Committed-affordable housing in Ballston (courtesy of AHC)

A major affordable housing provider plans to transition near-all of its Arlington properties to new management firms by the end of the year.

Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) has hired two new management groups to oversee its D.C.-area properties, including 23 apartment buildings in Arlington. The nonprofit, which has faced complaints of poor living conditions at some of its Arlington communities, says it hopes to improve residents’ experiences.

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Events

‘Reason 2 Rock’ music festival to fundraise for homelessness in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Reason 2 Rock 2024 (via Reason 2 Rock Music Festival/Facebook)

D.C.-area musicians are coming together in Falls Church later this month to support assistance to unhoused people.

Four bands are set to perform at the third annual Reason 2 Rock Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20. The event will donate 100% of its proceeds to the Arlington-based nonprofit PathForward.

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Around Town

New Yemeni cafe eyes former Chasin’ Tails spot in East Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Chasin' Tails' former address in East Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A cafe franchise promising authentic Yemeni coffee and treats may soon fill a vacant space left by Chasin’ Tails in East Falls Church.

Qahwah House, a Michigan-based Yemeni coffee shop, has applied for work permits at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, which the seafood restaurant left in 2022.

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Around Town

‘Toastique’ plans grand opening with giveaways in Crystal City this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Toastique's new Crystal City storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The wait is over in Crystal City for Toastique, a D.C.-based “gourmet toast” eatery opening this weekend.

Grand opening festivities begin this Saturday at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of Reva apartments. The new cafe serves a variety of sweet and savory loaded toasts, plant-based breakfasts, smoothies and coffee.

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Around Town

Burger Billy’s Joint brings smash burger success to Cherrydale one year in

By Katie Taranto
Burger Billy's Joint at 3800 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Under the wing of a dedicated veteran chef, a smash burger joint in Cherrydale is aspiring to regional stardom since opening last spring.

Equipped with heated food lockers and contactless ordering screens, Burger Billy’s Joint opened last April at 3800 Langston Blvd, primarily as a takeout and delivery option for its smash patty creations.

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Around Town

Restaurant tracker: Toastique, Locket and more

By Katie Taranto
Outdoor seating with umbrellas at Water Park (courtesy of Water Park)

This is a free preview of the restaurant tracker report sent monthly to ARLnow Press Club members. Join the club to get this and other exclusive features, like our Court Update monthly emails and the ad-free Pro Update daily newsletter.

Hi everyone, this is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church.

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Around Town

‘Entangled’ yarn shop and makerspace opens this weekend in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Shelves of yarn and materials at Entangled (via Entangled/Facebook)

A new yarn shop and haven for fiber arts enthusiasts opens in Falls Church this weekend.

Entangled will sell supplies and host events for knitters and crocheters at 103 Rowell Court. Kelly Schnapp, a Coast Guard veteran, federal employee and longtime knitter from Falls Church, hopes to help customers “escape from everyday stress” and connect to art.

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Around Town

Gwenie’s Pastries and Lapu Lapu bring Filipino delicacies to Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Gwenie's and Lapu Lapu in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new one-stop shop for Filipino breakfast sandwiches and baked goods opened over the weekend in Pentagon City.

Gwenie’s Pastries x Lapu Lapu, owned and operated by acclaimed culinary sibling duo Stella and Javier Fernandez, offers breakfast and baked goods under one roof at 1417 S. Fern Street. It is the first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia for both Maryland-based businesses.

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Around Town

Golf-themed ‘Loopers Tavern’ will replace Bartaco vacancy in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Bartaco's empty space in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new golf-inspired tavern is teeing up to replace Bartaco’s vacant space at Ballston Quarter.

Loopers Tavern, a restaurant and bar “inspired by the traditions and camaraderie of golf caddies” is Arlington restaurateur Reese Gardner’s newest project, fresh off the opening of Nettie’s Tavern earlier this month. He hopes to open Loopers at 4238 Wilson Blvd, where Bartaco exited in March, he told ARLnow.

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Events

Virginia Beer and Wine Festival returning to Crystal City next month

By Katie Taranto
Water Park visitors sit outside for an event (courtesy of Water Park)

An annual celebration of local wines and beers is returning to Crystal City for its second year next month.

The Virginia Beer and Wine Festival is coming to Water Park from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 27. The event will feature live music, lawn games and refreshments from several Virginia-based vendors.

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