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

Goodwill opens new mobile donation center in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Goodwill's Mobile Donation Express in Clarendon (courtesy of Goodwill)

Goodwill has launched a new donation center out of a mobile trailer in Clarendon.

The nonprofit opened a Mobile Donation Express earlier this month at 2636 Wilson Blvd, near Whole Foods Market. Although moveable, the trailer will remain parked at the location for the foreseeable future, a Goodwill representative told ARLnow.

Go to Goodwill opens new mobile donation center in Clarendon Read more
Around Town

Luna Bar plans spring debut at Ballston Quarter food hall

By Katie Taranto
Luna Bar's future space in the Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new option for fried treats and drinks with East Asian flavors expects to open this spring in the Ballston Quarter food hall.

Luna Bar is planning to open by April at 4238 Wilson Blvd, Marketing Director Matt Hall told ARLnow. The bar is also planning locations in Tyson’s Corner and Rockville, Md.

Go to Luna Bar plans spring debut at Ballston Quarter food hall Read more
Events

‘Hibachi for Your Doggie’ is coming to Bronson Bierhall this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Bogey's Mix promotional photo (photo courtesy of Kevin Parisi)

Fresh, hibachi-style meals are coming to Bronson Bierhall’s patio this weekend. One caveat: the meals are for dogs.

The Ballston bar and patio at 4100 Fairfax Drive is hosting a live hibachi event for dogs at 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 1, on its outdoor patio. A grill and dog-friendly ingredients will be supplied by Bogey’s Mix, a new dog food company in Northern Virginia.

Go to ‘Hibachi for Your Doggie’ is coming to Bronson Bierhall this weekend Read more
News

Arlington fund nears $10K honoring teen figure skater killed in plane crash

By Katie Taranto
Eddie Zhou figure skating in 2024 (courtesy of Melanie Heaney Photography)

An Arlington memorial fund has raised nearly $10,000 in honor of a teen figure skater killed in last month’s mid-air plane crash over the Potomac River.

The Edward “Eddie” Zhou STEM and Figure Skating Enrichment Fund aims to honor two of the late teenager’s passions by supporting Northern Virginia middle and high school-age figure skaters with interests in STEM. One of Zhou’s friends, 15-year-old Charlotte Mount, started the fund this month with the goal of carrying on his memory.

Go to Arlington fund nears $10K honoring teen figure skater killed in plane crash Read more
Around Town

Clarendon’s Barnes & Noble is closing in May for remodeling around new brewery

By Katie Taranto
Barnes & Noble's previous exterior at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, in October 2024 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Barnes & Noble in Clarendon is temporarily closing this spring as plans to remodel and consolidate the space move forward.

Until May 23, the bookstore at 2800 Clarendon Blvd is holding a 25% off “last chance” sale on nearly all merchandise, a store manager told ARLnow. After that, the remodeling project is expected begin in the spring or summer and last through 2026.

Go to Clarendon’s Barnes & Noble is closing in May for remodeling around new brewery Read more
Around Town

New sushi restaurant plans to open in Pentagon City this summer

By Katie Taranto
A crew moving items out of Rosa Mexicano in Pentagon City (staff photo by Madisson Weyrich)

An expanding D.C.-area sushi restaurant is planning to open in Pentagon City later this year.

Takumi hopes to open this summer at 11oo S. Hayes Street, in the retail bay where Rosa Mexicano closed last year. The Columbia, Md.-based restaurant is planning four new locations this year, including another outpost in Tysons Corner.

Go to New sushi restaurant plans to open in Pentagon City this summer Read more
Around Town

Compass Coffee opens at former Peet’s spot in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Compass Coffee at 3003 Washington Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A Compass Coffee location opened in Clarendon over the weekend, filling the vacancy left by Peet’s Coffee last fall.

The D.C.-based coffee shop, which is now serving springtime drinks, is open at 3003 Washington Blvd, where Peet’s closed permanently in November.

Go to Compass Coffee opens at former Peet’s spot in Clarendon Read more
Around Town

Therapy dogs make visits to Ballston’s Capitals Iceplex after fatal aircraft crash

By Katie Taranto
Canine Companions therapy dogs visit the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in February 2025 (courtesy of Canine Companions)

As the local figure skating community grieves last month’s mid-air crash over the Potomac, MedStar Capitals Iceplex has enlisted therapy dogs to offer comfort and support.

Dogs from the nationwide nonprofit Canine Companions paid skaters a visit to the facility in Ballston last week and have planned another visit planned this Sunday, program manager Caitlin Bradley told ARLnow.

Go to Therapy dogs make visits to Ballston’s Capitals Iceplex after fatal aircraft crash Read more
Around Town

After 142 years, Brown’s Hardware is closing next month in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Brown's Hardware in Falls Church (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The oldest surviving business in Falls Church, Brown’s Hardware, is selling off the last of its wares as it prepares to close for good after 142 years.

The past few weeks have been busy but somber as patrons shuffle in to say goodbye, owner John Taylor told ARLnow. With about a fifth of all inventory remaining and an across-the-board 50% off sale, the store is on track to close at 100 W. Broad Street by the third week of March.

Go to After 142 years, Brown’s Hardware is closing next month in Falls Church Read more
Around Town

Andy’s Pizza prepares to open in Va. Square next month

By Katie Taranto
Andy's Pizza signage in Virginia Square (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The first Arlington location of a popular D.C.-area pizzeria is on track to open next month.

Andy’s Pizza signage has gone up at 901 N. Pollard Street in Virginia Square as the restaurant plans to open by late March, Chris Cutler, director of operations, told ARLnow.

Go to Andy’s Pizza prepares to open in Va. Square next month Read more
Around Town

‘Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii’ is opening next week in Va. Square

By Katie Taranto
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii at 3701 Fairfax Drive (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new cafe featuring Hawaiian coffees and breakfast items is set to open in Virginia Square next week.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii plans to open for business on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 3701 N. Fairfax Drive. The cafe has been in development since the fall and is the second Northern Virginia location by franchisees Michelle and Richard Lee.

Go to ‘Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii’ is opening next week in Va. Square Read more
Around Town

Paris Baguette bakery eyes openings in Clarendon and F.C. this year

By Katie Taranto
3101 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon in February 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A taste of France is preparing to come to Arlington and Falls Church later this year.

French-inspired bakery and cafe Paris Baguette is planning to open locations in Clarendon and the Little City several months from now, franchisee Sean Kim told ARLnow. The expanding business has 200 North American locations and a goal of opening 1,000 United States stores by 2030.

Go to Paris Baguette bakery eyes openings in Clarendon and F.C. this year Read more
View More Stories