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

With less parking at Reagan National, Pentagon City mall advertises its spots

By Katie Taranto
Pentagon City mall parking garage (file photo)

Can’t find parking at Reagan National Airport? Pentagon City’s mall may have a solution.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is advertising its parking spots to travelers as substantial parking reductions go into effect at the nearby airport.

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Around Town

New Iranian restaurant plans spring opening on Langston Blvd

By Katie Taranto
The planned location for Alvand, an Iranian restaurant at 5009 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new Iranian restaurant hopes to open this spring on Langston Blvd, where plans to open a fast food restaurant and hookah lounge never materialized.

The eatery, Alvand, is expected to open as soon as April at 5009 Langston Blvd, owner Mohammad Esfahani told ARLnow. Esfahani had originally hoped to open an All About Burger at the location but faced years-long delays related to construction and the building’s electrical system.

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Around Town

Ballston Macy’s redevelopment begins, with new apartments and grocer expected in 2028

By Katie Taranto
Fencing around the Ballston Macy's construction site (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Preparations to demolish the shuttered Ballston Macy’s have begun as several hundred apartments and an as-yet-unnamed grocery store are expected in 2028.

Interior work began last month at 685 N. Glebe Road, where general contractor John Moriarty & Associates hopes to receive a demolition permit “any day now” and, if all goes as expected, complete demolition by August.

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Around Town

American restaurant and new cafe plan openings at forthcoming Rosslyn Hilton

By Katie Taranto
Signage for The Locket at 1900 Fort Myer Drive (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Two new on-site restaurants are planning to open at The Key, Rosslyn’s forthcoming Hilton hotel.

Signage for Locket, a restaurant with “fine American cuisine,” and Scott’s Coffee Shop & Mart have appeared at 1900 Fort Myer Drive. Both plan to open alongside the hotel this fall, a representative for Dittmar Company, the building’s property manager, told ARLnow.

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Around Town

New Creative Cauldron theater opens at Broad & Washington in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Creative Cauldron founder Laura Connors Hull cuts the ribbon on the theater's new location (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new hub for the performing arts has opened its doors in Falls Church.

Longtime arts nonprofit Creative Cauldron cut the ribbon on its new location this past Thursday, Feb. 13 — the organization’s 24th anniversary — before debuting “Steel Magnolias,” the group’s first performance in the new space. The organization was previously located inside a smaller space in Pearson Square at 410 S. Maple Avenue.

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A country-themed bar with a mechanical bull is coming to Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Coco Bs and B Live at 2854 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Two newcomers are coming to Clarendon’s nightlife scene, hoping to open where Coco B’s and B Live were shut down last year.

Nettie’s Tavern and Boe, a country-themed bar, are attempting to fill the vacancies at 2854 Wilson Blvd, according to recent county permit filings and Virginia ABC licenses issued this month. The county deemed the property unsafe in December due to issues with its sprinkler and fire alarm systems.

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Around Town

New beer garden planned as demolition begins on vacant Falls Church motel

By Katie Taranto
The demolition site of the Stratford Motor Lodge at 300 W. Broad Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Demolition has begun at the vacant Stratford Motor Lodge in Falls Church, where a local business owner plans to construct a restaurant and beer garden.

Under new ownership, the site at 300 W. Broad Street is slated to become Stratford Gardens, the latest project by Arash Tafakor. He co-owns a few local businesses, including Brick House Butcher and Dominion Wine and Beer – both located down the street from the new development.

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Around Town

Four new eateries plan openings at Pentagon City mall in coming months

By Katie Taranto
Amorino Gelato signage in the Pentagon City mall (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Pentagon City mall has confirmed the planned opening dates for some of its new eateries, with one expected to arrive as soon as February.

Gelato, Mediterranean food, Guatemalan chicken and more are expected to come to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City over the next few weeks and months.

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Around Town

USPS plans post office relocation in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
United States Post Office signage at 320 23rd Street S. (courtesy of Nicholas Kalams)

A post office on Crystal Drive is relocating, but not very far.

The current United States Postal Service office inside the Crystal City Shops at 2180 Crystal Drive is closing, but a new post office is expected to open less than a quarter mile away at 320 23rd Street S.

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New mall exhibits celebrate Black History Month and local artists in Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
"Shaping a Nation’s Destiny: A Black History Month Salute" wax figure exhibit in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Wax sculptures celebrating Black History Month and other pieces of art are on display in two new exhibits at Pentagon City’s mall.

The limited-time installations at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City showcase notable Black figures from throughout U.S. history, as well as artwork from the Arlington Artists Alliance.

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Java Loco bubble tea cafe expands to Crystal City with new items

By Katie Taranto
Java Loco in 2777 Crystal Drive (courtesy of Java Loco)

A Northern Virginia cafe has opened a new location in Crystal City, offering espresso drinks, bubble tea and brunch.

Java Loco Coffee & Bubble Tea opened Jan. 27 at 2777 Crystal Drive. The new location, featuring two new lunch options, is the business’ fifth overall and first in Arlington.

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Around Town

Filipino bakery Gwenie’s Pastries plans Pentagon City opening

By Katie Taranto
Gwenie's Pastries signage at The Gramercy in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

New dessert options with Filipino flair are coming soon to Pentagon City.

With a lilac aesthetic and colorful delicacies, Maryland-based Gwenie’s Pastries hopes to bring baked goods and hot beverages to 1417 S. Fern Street — formerly W Nails & Spa — by April.

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