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

McDonald’s on Langston Blvd demolished, expected to re-open this fall

By Katie Taranto
Demolished McDonald's on Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The McDonald’s on Langston Blvd has been torn down, making way for a new, “modernized” McDonald’s on the same site.

Construction at 4834 Langston Blvd is scheduled to begin the week of June 23, area construction manager Michele Miller told ARLnow.

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News

Freddie’s Beach Bar founder plans to wed longtime partner at WorldPride Parade

By Katie Taranto
Johnny Cervantes (left) and Freddie Lutz at Freddie's Beach Bar in Crystal City (courtesy of Freddie Lutz)

The founder of a beloved LGBTQ+ bar in Crystal City is getting married to his longtime partner on a float at D.C.’s WorldPride Parade this Saturday.

Freddie’s Beach Bar owner Freddie Lutz and his partner of 28 years, Johnny Cervantes, plan to tie the knot in bride-and-groom-inspired tuxedos atop a special Freddie’s display featuring a chapel.

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Around Town

New Ace Hardware plans Crystal City opening this fall

By Katie Taranto
Jeff Smith (courtesy of Twins Ace Hardware)

An Ace Hardware is coming to Crystal City.

Jeff Smith is opening Arlington’s second Twins Ace Hardware on the ground floor of The Zoe apartments at 2051 S. Bell Street. It’s expected to open this fall, developer JBG Smith announced in a release today (Tuesday).

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Around Town

Thompson Italian hosts naming contest for revamped patio in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Thompson Italian's newly revamped patio in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An acclaimed Italian restaurant in Falls Church has almost completed a refresh of its patio and is seeking community suggestions to name the space.

Thompson Italian’s new outdoor dining area at 124 N Washington Street features picnic tables, yard games and a vintage trailer bar. The restaurant is now hosting a naming contest with prizes as it decides what to call the patio.

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News

Arlington restaurant openings could be slowing down, state data suggests

By Katie Taranto
Customers enjoy outdoor dining at Good Company Doughnuts & Café (courtesy photo)

A slowdown in new restaurant openings could be on the horizon in Arlington.

While dozens of new eateries remain on track to open over the next few months, one data source suggests that some restaurateurs could be tapping the brakes on new projects.

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Around Town

Plant boutique of ‘Love is Blind’ fame opens in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Wall of plants for sale and seating inside PLNTR (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Crystal City welcomed a new destination for green thumbs over the weekend.

The D.C.-based plant boutique PLNTR — known for its 2024 appearance on “Love is Blind” — celebrated the grand opening of its second location on Saturday at 269 19th Court S. The new shop hosts events and classes, and offers a variety of greenery and home goods for sale.

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Around Town

SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen plans grand opening in Falls Church this week

By Katie Taranto
SeoulSpice's new restaurant in Falls Church (courtesy of SeoulSpice)

Fast-casual restaurant SeoulSpice Korean Kitchen is set to debut its latest location in Falls Church this week.

A grand opening for the regional chain’s newest spot is happening this Wednesday at 156 W. Falls Station Blvd, at the West Falls development. The customizable Korean menu features signature and build-your-own bibimbap, noodle bowls and salads.

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Around Town

‘Tous les Jours’ French and Asian style bakery opens in Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Tous les Jours in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An Asian and French inspired bakery franchise from South Korea has opened for business in Pentagon City.

Tous les Jours opened last week at 1100 S. Hayes Street, where Maizal closed last summer. The cafe-bakery offers drinks and freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries with international influences.

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Around Town

Pop-Up District food hall and nightlife spot debuts at Eden Center

By Katie Taranto
A table of food from Pop-Up District vendors (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Eden Center’s new food hall and nightlife venue is now open.

After a few months of delays, Pop-Up District has opened, bringing a futuristic theme and array of dining kiosks to 6763 Wilson Blvd. The food hall carries Vietnamese, Thai and Korean cuisine as well as coffee and dessert — and after dark, it turns into a late-night lounge.

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Around Town

New product to help people find lost items launches in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
LostAF founder Dave Doctor (left) with Casual Adventure Outfitters owner Eric Stern (via LostAF/YouTube)

A new product to help people track down lost belongings made its debut in Arlington this week.

Falls Church accountant Dave Doctor is the entrepreneur behind LostAF — a brand of lost-and-found stickers with unique QR codes to help people contact those who have lost things.

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Events

Armed Forces Cycling Classic returns this weekend, prompting road closures

By Katie Taranto
Racers cross the finish line at the 2023 Armed Forces Cycling Classic (image courtesy of Armed Forces Cycling Classic)

Races in the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic are happening in Arlington and D.C. this weekend, leading to some road closures around Clarendon and Crystal City.

The international cycling event kicks off its 27th year at 7 a.m. this Saturday with an amateur Challenge Ride, followed by professional/amateur races in the Capital Cup and Sunday’s Clarendon Cup.

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Around Town

Arlington Drafthouse owners step down, handing reins to longtime manager

By Katie Taranto
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (staff photo by Pia Kramer)

After 20 years at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, the beloved Columbia Pike venue’s owners are passing the torch to the business’s longtime manager.

Pete Fejeran, who has managed the comedy club and theater at 2903 Columbia Pike for the past 12 years, has taken ownership alongside his wife Kathryn McAbee. Former owners Tim Clark and Greg Godbout are stepping down to pursue “other opportunities,” Fejeran said.

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