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

Raids on D.C. homeless encampments come amid growing demand for services in Arlington

By Dan Egitto and Katie Taranto
A Rosslyn-area homeless encampment (courtesy George Brazier)

President Donald Trump’s crackdown on homeless encampments in D.C. comes during a period of increasing need for homelessness resources in Arlington.

The number of people without homes in Arlington has been steadily rising for the past four years — growing from a 10-year low of 171 in 2021 to 271 as of this January. Those numbers come hand-in-hand with increased demands on a local network of related services, including emergency housing.

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Around Town

‘Withered Fig’ menswear store plans first brick-and-mortar location in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
The West Falls development in Falls Church, as seen at Haycock Road and Leesburg Pike (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After eight years in business online, a Northern Virginia-based men’s clothing shop is preparing to open its first physical location in Falls Church.

Withered Fig is a small business retailer specializing in “premium menswear” and imported garments. It’s currently only an e-commerce site, but owner Richard Lin told ARLnow he hopes to open the new shop early next year at 255 W. Falls Station Blvd, on the ground floor of The Oak condominiums.

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Events

Fall in Arlington: Rosslyn Fall Fest, Clarendon Day and more to look forward to

By Katie Taranto
Jazz Fest in Rosslyn (courtesy Josh Brick Photography)

As the first leaves start to turn yellow, a full slate of community activities and entertainment is planned in Arlington this fall.

Upcoming events include the annual Clarendon Day and Rosslyn Jazz Fest, as well as cultural celebrations like the Festival Latinamericano this October. Here’s a preview of some of the local happenings planned next season.

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Around Town

Mahjong group ‘Talk Tiles to Me’ plans new studio in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Tori Rittinger leads a game of mahjong (courtesy of Tori Rittinger)

A studio for all things mahjong is coming to Falls Church.

The Arlington-founded mahjong business Talk Tiles to Me is opening a new events space and shop at 113 Rowell Court. Founder Tori Rittinger hopes to debut the new studio sometime next month, offering a new home base for her group’s growing audience.

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News

New 422-unit pair of apartment towers receives its final beam in Rosslyn

By Katie Taranto
A crew raises the final beam for the J Rivelle development in Rosslyn (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

After three years of construction, workers have placed the final beam on the J Rivelle, a pair of new apartment buildings in Rosslyn.

County officials and project leaders gathered yesterday (Thursday) to sign the steel beam at the project’s topping out ceremony. The finished product by Jefferson Apartment Group and CBG Building Company encompasses 422 housing units across two 27-story towers at 1901 N. Moore Street.

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Events

Summer Restaurant Week starts Monday in Arlington and Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Tacos and fries from Taqueria Xochi (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Prix fixe dining deals are coming soon to the D.C. area with the start of this summer’s Restaurant Week.

Over two dozen restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are expected to participate in the biannual promotion, which kicks off on Monday, Aug. 18 and lasts through Sunday, Aug. 24. These include spots like the new Bar Chinois in Crystal City and ARLnow reader favorite Lyon Hall.

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Around Town

Onelife Fitness begins expansion onto second floor of Ballston Quarter next week

By Katie Taranto
Onelife Fitness and its upcoming expansion space at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Onelife Fitness is set to begin a $2 million expansion next week at its Ballston gym, constructing new spaces for exercise, recovery and physical therapy.

The fitness center on the third floor of Ballston Quarter will be expanding into vacant retail space below, adding about 12,000 square feet to double the center’s square footage dedicated to turf and strength training.

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Around Town

Falafel Inc plans new Restaurant Row location in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
A Falafel Inc truck parked outside its future Crystal City location (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An award-winning fast-casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern street foods is planning to open in a new location in Crystal City.

Falafel Inc has confirmed plans to open at 500 23rd Street S. on Restaurant Row, where Burke & Herbert Bank closed in 2023. The restaurant, which currently has a spot in nearby Water Park, is known for its affordable prices and efforts to fund food assistance for refugees.

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Around Town

L.A. Bar & Grill expands Columbia Pike menu to include new Bolivian dishes

By Katie Taranto
L.A. Bar & Grill on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime bar and grill on Columbia Pike is introducing new specialty dishes from Bolivia this summer with the help of an overseas restaurateur.

L.A. Bar & Grill’s wide menu of bar snacks and entrees is expanding with Chillamicito, a new pop-up offering a popular Bolivian food, pique macho. The bar at 2530 Columbia Pike launched the menu this summer through a partnership with chef Andrés Ferrufino.

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Around Town

A Tex-Mex restaurant with a focus on seafood is coming to Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
Corner Bakery Cafe's former spot at 2111 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The empty space left by Corner Bakery Cafe in Courthouse is getting a new restaurant, possibly by this fall.

Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery hopes to bring “high-end casual” Tex-Mex and Latin American fusion to 2111 Wilson Blvd, owner Jaime Vargas told ARLnow. The restaurant is under construction and recently applied for a state liquor license.

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Around Town

‘The Cheese Cartel’ plans new Falls Church cheese and charcuterie shop

By Katie Taranto
Founders Row in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Falls Church is getting a new destination for cheese and charcuterie.

Contractors are currently building the storefront for The Cheese Cartel at 922 W. Broad Street, founder Alyssa Romashko told ARLnow. The new small business plans to carry a rotating selection of meats, cheeses, wines and bread.

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Around Town

New sushi restaurant and speakeasy ‘Saki’ is coming to Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
Rendering of Saki's exterior by (courtesy of Danielle Koos and Greg Lee)

A new Japanese restaurant and speakeasy with a menu from a Michelin-starred sushi chef is underway in Courthouse.

Construction has begun on Saki, a sushi restaurant at 2055 15th Street N. by partners Nick Cordero and Greg Lee. The restaurant hopes to offer high quality sushi and cocktails in a casual atmosphere.

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