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.

Events

Star Wars Day bringing treats, trivia and ‘Resistance Rally’ to Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Grogu and Darth Vader doughnuts from Astro Beer Hall (courtesy of Scott Suchman)

Star Wars Day is next Monday, May 4, bringing themed bites, activities and giveaways to Arlington.

A Lego Star Wars building event, Grogu-inspired donuts and even an on-theme protest are just some of the ways local residents will be acknowledging the iconic sci-fi saga. Here’s a look at what is planned in the next few days.

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Around Town

Duke’s Grocery bringing fast-casual burgers and pub food to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Duke's Grocery burger and white truffle mac and cheese (courtesy of Taylor Mickal)

A popular D.C. gastropub is bringing its acclaimed burgers to Arlington through a new fast-casual kiosk at Water Park.

Known for its East London-inspired pub fare, Duke’s Grocery is preparing a new spinoff, Duke’s Burgers, at the outdoor Crystal City venue. There, the restaurant — voted “Best Burger in DC” for 10 consecutive years in Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ — plans to serve up its signature burgers and bites in a fast-casual setting.

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Around Town

Carbonara celebrates two years in Va. Square with planned expansion and cookbook

By Katie Taranto
Carbonara in Virginia Square with two-year anniversary balloons (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Italian restaurant Carbonara is celebrating two years of business in Virginia Square, and its owner has some big plans for the next few months.

Chef Mike Cordero, the prolific restaurateur behind the acclaimed “old school” eatery at 3865 Wilson Blvd, told ARLnow he will soon roll out a new Italian cookbook, “Respect the Sauce,” while he prepares to expand with a second location in Prince William County this June.

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Around Town

New restaurant underway at former 7-Eleven space in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
3137 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new restaurant from the founder of a fast-casual Middle Eastern chain appears to be underway at a vacant Clarendon storefront.

A permit application filed this month requests interior alterations at 3137 Wilson Blvd for a business under the name “Clarendon Eats.” The application was filed on behalf of Ahmad Ashkar, the entrepreneur behind fast-casual chain Falafel Inc.

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Around Town

Whino restaurant and art gallery closing with farewell party in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Whino's space at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A combination restaurant, bar and art gallery in Ballston is hosting a farewell party this weekend after five years in business.

Whino Restaurant and Bar’s last happy hour and dinner service will take place from 4-11 p.m. this Friday, on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd. After that, the business is throwing a final party with painting, free food and DJs from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. on Saturday.

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Around Town

Little Beast kid-friendly pizzeria opens tomorrow in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Little Beast's Falls Church dining room (courtesy of Little Beast)

A local pizzeria known for its Detroit-style slices and playfully monstrous decor opens for business tomorrow (Wednesday) in Falls Church.

Little Beast is preparing to dish up its first pizzas from its new restaurant at 119 E. Broad Street, on the ground floor of Broad & Washington. There, owner and restaurateur Aaron Gordon plans to offer Detroit and deck oven-style pies, pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts in a casual, kid-friendly atmosphere.

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Around Town

Bed Bath and Beyond merchandise coming to The Container Store in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
The Container Store in Clarendon is merging with Bed Bath & Beyond (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Container Store in Clarendon is selling off a large portion of its merchandise in preparation for a “mashup” with Bed Bath & Beyond.

The business at 2800 Clarendon Blvd is one of 98 stores nationwide transitioning to a new “Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond” format, integrating a wider range of home goods. Bed Bath & Beyond announced plans to acquire the other chain earlier this month.

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Around Town

Inspira Dance opens new dance hall in Ballston this Saturday

By Katie Taranto
An Inspira Dance event (courtesy of Inspira Dance)

An Arlington nonprofit that hosts dance lessons and community events plans to celebrate the grand opening of a new dance hall this weekend.

Inspira Dance is opening this Saturday on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd, across from Onelife Fitness. The nonprofit — previously operating as an event pop-up at various local businesses — has planned a lineup of dancing activities throughout the night to celebrate the new space, starting with a bachata class at 7 p.m.

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Around Town

Iranian restaurant on Langston Blvd faces delays, citing maintenance and permitting issues

By Katie Taranto
5009 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Plans to open a new Iranian restaurant on Langston Blvd continue to face delays, six years after a local entrepreneur first sought to open a restaurant in the space.

Restaurateur Mohammad Esfahani has been trying to open a business at 5009 Langston Blvd since 2019, when he announced plans to open an All About Burger location and hookah lounge there. He has since pivoted to pursue an Iranian restaurant, Kolbeh (formerly Alvand) which he originally hoped to open in April 2025.

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Events

Yacht-themed summer kickoff party will return to Shirlington in June

By Katie Taranto
Last year's Yacht Party in Shirlington (courtesy of the Village at Shirlington)

The Village at Shirlington is planning to host another yacht-themed party this June to kick off the summer season.

The neighborhood is bringing back last year’s nautical bash “by popular demand.” Guests are invited to dress up and partake in the neighborhood shopping center’s sip and stroll policy, while enjoying live yacht rock and dining specials around 2700 S. Quincy Street.

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A third rival enters Ballston bagel battle as PopUp Bagels announces opening plans

By Katie Taranto
PopUp Bagels signage at the former Which Wich storefront in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).

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Around Town

Barnes & Noble to reopen next month in Clarendon, smaller than before

By Katie Taranto
Barnes & Noble in Clarendon (courtesy of Barnes & Noble)

Barnes & Noble is getting ready to reopen after a year of renovations in Clarendon, consolidating the previously two-level bookstore into just the second floor.

The bookstore chain plans to reopen at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, a spokesperson told ARLnow. D.C.-based author Sam Kean will cut the ribbon on the remodeled store and host a book signing at 2800 Clarendon Blvd to celebrate.

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