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

Playa Bowls opens in Courthouse, offering acai bowls and smoothies

By Katie Taranto
A neon sign inside Playa Bowls reads "Welcome to Pineappleland" (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new shop offering acai bowls, smoothies and other nutritious treats has opened for business in Courthouse.

With a vibrant, surfer-inspired atmosphere and tagline, “Welcome to Pineappleland,” Playa Bowls is bringing treats packed with fresh fruit to 2055 15th Street N. It is the company’s first Arlington location, joining nearby outposts in Alexandria, Fairfax and D.C.

Go to Playa Bowls opens in Courthouse, offering acai bowls and smoothies Read more
Around Town

Families find snow day fun on sledding hill near Rosslyn

By Katie Taranto
Sledders and families at a hill near the Netherlands Carillon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

In a winter wonderland today (Monday), several families were spotted indulging in some snow day fun on a hill near the Rosslyn area’s Netherlands Carillon.

Fort Myer resident Ben Wolfert brought his two sons, Nate and Josh, for an afternoon outing on the slope across from the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, ranked one of the best sledding destinations in Arlington by ARLnow readers.

Go to Families find snow day fun on sledding hill near Rosslyn Read more
News

Snow brings dozens of business closures in Arlington and Falls Church, as well as specials

By Katie Taranto
Snow blankets a sign at the Ballston Exchange during the snowstorm on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

It’s a snow day for dozens of local businesses and services around Arlington and Falls Church.

Some grocers, department stores and shopping centers remain open for urgent purchases, in addition to a handful of local restaurants, which have advertised some snowed-in specials and entertainment. These include:

Go to Snow brings dozens of business closures in Arlington and Falls Church, as well as specials Read more
News

Arlington chef and New Orleans native reflects on New Year’s Day terror attack

By Katie Taranto
Chef David Guas (photo courtesy of Bayou Bakery)

An Arlington chef and business owner from New Orleans is feeling both pain and hometown pride in the aftermath of the city’s terror attack on New Year’s Day.

David Guas, owner of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Courthouse, first heard about the tragedy on Wednesday morning. Hours earlier, an attacker had driven a truck into a New Year’s Eve crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and wounding about 30 others.

Go to Arlington chef and New Orleans native reflects on New Year’s Day terror attack Read more
Around Town

Drybar opens new blowout hair salon in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
New Drybar location in Crystal City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A nationwide hairdressing chain known for its blowout hairstyles has opened a second Arlington location in Crystal City.

Drybar opened last month at 269 19th Court S., on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments. The salon specializes in blow-dry styles with “top-notch customer service,” franchisee Brittany Brom told ARLnow.

Go to Drybar opens new blowout hair salon in Crystal City Read more
Around Town

Synetic Theater continues search for new home after ‘a year of big changes’

By Katie Taranto
Vato Tsikurishvili and Josh Lucas in "Little Comedies" (courtesy of Katerina Kato)

After leaving its 15-year homebase in Crystal City last spring, Synetic Theater has kept up Arlington performances as it continues to seek a new home.

The theater company, which vacated 1800 S. Bell Street in April 2024 amid redevelopment plans, is currently premiering a new comedy at Theatre on the Run in Green Valley and preparing to produce at least two 2025 shows in D.C.

Go to Synetic Theater continues search for new home after ‘a year of big changes’ Read more
Around Town

Owl’s Christmas tree perch at Donaldson Run home goes viral

By Katie Taranto
A barred owl perches atop a Donaldson Run family's Christmas tree (via Animal Welfare League of Arlington/Facebook)

A special Christmas visitor at an Arlington home last week is causing quite a hoot on social media.

In Santa-like fashion, a barred owl welcomed itself into Savannah and Jason Burgoyne’s Donaldson Run home through the chimney on Wednesday night. To the delight of the couple’s daughters, it proceeded to perch atop their Christmas tree, knocking over the star.

Go to Owl’s Christmas tree perch at Donaldson Run home goes viral Read more
Around Town

Middle Eastern restaurant ‘coming soon’ to Ya Hala Bistro spot

By Katie Taranto
Al Shami Restaurant is "coming soon" to 5216 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new restaurant is preparing to replace the now-shuttered Ya Hala Bistro in Bluemont.

The forthcoming tenant, Al Shami Restaurant, hopes to open at 5216 Wilson Blvd in the next couple weeks, serving dishes similar to its predecessor, owner Basima Chouban told ARLnow.

Go to Middle Eastern restaurant ‘coming soon’ to Ya Hala Bistro spot Read more
Around Town

Where to go for New Year’s Eve in Arlington: Bars, hotels and more

By Katie Taranto
The Clarendon Ballroom (staff photo)

Still making plans to ring in the New Year?

Numerous restaurants, bars and venues across Arlington have planned festivities with champagne and live entertainment leading up to midnight on New Year’s Eve. From the Clarendon Ballroom to the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, here are just a few of many options to kick off 2025 in Arlington.

Go to Where to go for New Year’s Eve in Arlington: Bars, hotels and more Read more
Around Town

Colada Shop introduces pop-up holiday bar in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
Some of Colada Shop's holiday cocktails (via Colada Shop/Instagram)

A festive selection of cocktails and treats can be found at Clarendon’s Colada Shop through the end of the month.

The restaurant at 2811 Clarendon Blvd is spending its first winter at The Crossing Clarendon with twinkling decor and a Cuban-inspired seasonal menu.

Go to Colada Shop introduces pop-up holiday bar in Clarendon Read more
Around Town

Waterhouse Coffee closes in Clarendon amid redevelopment plans

By Katie Taranto
Waterhouse Coffee closed at 3033 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A cafe and juice bar across from the Clarendon Metro station closed permanently this month.

Waterhouse Coffee at 3033 Wilson Blvd served its last customers on Dec. 1. The cafe is the latest tenant to shutter on the ground floor of the office building amid redevelopment plans.

Go to Waterhouse Coffee closes in Clarendon amid redevelopment plans Read more
Around Town

Build-your-own pasta place plans spring opening near the Ballston Metro

By Katie Taranto
Pizza Roma's former spot with Scolapasta signage in February 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A fast-casual Italian restaurant serving customizable pasta bowls has a new timeline for its Ballston opening.

Scolapasta has been in development across from the Ballston Metro station since February. While initially hoping to open this past summer, owner Burak Temel said the restaurant now expects to open its doors this spring.

Go to Build-your-own pasta place plans spring opening near the Ballston Metro Read more
View More Stories