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

‘Cuffing Season 2.0’ coming to Rosslyn next week

By Katie Taranto
A previous Cuffing Season event with the Rosslyn BID (courtesy of the Rosslyn BID)

About a month out from Valentine’s Day, love is in the air in Rosslyn.

Whether you’re in search of ‘the one’ or just some new friends, the Rosslyn BID is inviting all to find connection at its “Cuffing Season 2.0” event next Wednesday, Jan. 15.

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Around Town

Whole Foods confirms new Crystal City spot, preps for F.C. opening

By Katie Taranto
Amazon Fresh's former address, 1550 Crystal Drive, will become a Whole Foods (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

It’s official: Whole Foods is coming to Crystal City.

A new store is in development at 1550 Crystal Drive, where Amazon Fresh shuttered in April, Whole Foods Market confirmed with ARLnow. This is in addition to another Whole Foods scheduled to open next month at 103 E. Broad Street in Falls Church.

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Around Town

Tatte plans summer opening in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Modera Falls Church at 1001 W. Broad Street in January 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Falls Church is poised to welcome another Tatte to the D.C. area later this year.

Offering signature pastries and brunch bites, the bakery and cafe is slated to open at 1001 W. Broad Street. With the new location, Tatte will have a total of 17 locations in the region, including spots in Crystal City and Clarendon.

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Around Town

New casual eatery opens in former California Tortilla spot in Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
New signage for Wilson's Great Eats at 2057 Wilson Blvd in Courthouse (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Shortly after California Tortilla closed in Courthouse last month, another restaurant has opened in its place.

Offering casual “American and Mexican food” at affordable prices, Wilson Great Eats is currently soft opening at 2057 Wilson Blvd, next to Brooklyn Bagel Bakery. The restaurant is owned by the same family that previously operated California Tortilla, employees told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Winter menu and ski-resort decor arrive at Water Bar

By Katie Taranto
Sled decoration inside Water Bar (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

With thick blankets and twinkling lights, a Crystal City oyster and cocktail bar is attempting to capture the charm of a cozy ski lodge this winter.

Water Bar is debuting après-ski themed decorations alongside its seasonal treats this month at Water Park (1601 Crystal Drive). The wintry decor accompanies the park’s ongoing cold-weather activities.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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