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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Around Town

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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