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

Arlington Turkey Trot brings some Thanksgiving road closures

By Katie Taranto
Runners in the Arlington Turkey Trot (via Arlington Turkey Trot/Facebook)

Some road closures are planned for Thanksgiving as locals lace up sneakers — and, in some cases, don costumes — for a yearly morning race.

A couple thousand people are expected to participate in the Arlington Turkey Trot on Thursday, leading to road closures in Lyon Park and Ashton Heights. The yearly 5K race will kick off at 8 a.m. near the Lyon Park Community Center at 414 N. Fillmore Street.

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Around Town

Local homebrew and winemaking shop to close this month

By Katie Taranto
Derek Terrell pours a beer on-tap at myLocal HomeBrew Shop (via myLHBS/Facebook)

A local outpost for homebrewing supplies is going out of business after nearly two decades in the Falls Church area.

MyLocal HomeBrew Shop, located at 6201 Leesburg Pike, specializes in supplies for at-home beer, wine and kombucha making. As of this week, the shop has sold off most of its remaining inventory, from hops to kegs, as it prepares to close for good, owner Derek Terrell told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Where to find Christmas trees in and around Arlington

By Katie Taranto
A yellow stand selling Christmas trees in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Amid chilly weather and decorations going up around Arlington, the holiday season — and, by extension, Christmas tree sales season — has arrived.

Many tree sales around Arlington will start on Friday and Saturday, right after Thanksgiving. In parks, parking lots and garden centers, the festive firs won’t be hard to find — though some markets encourage early shopping.

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Around Town

An NYC-based French cafe is coming to Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
The Commodore apartments in Courthouse, November 2024 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The first Arlington location of a French-inspired cafe and bakery chain plans to open in Courthouse next year.

New York City-based Maman is coming to the ground floor of The Commodore apartments at 2055 15th Street N. Expected to open around summer 2025, Maman — meaning “mom” in French — is known for its blue floral aesthetic and menu items like quiche and tartine.

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Events

Two 5K races this weekend prompt road closures in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Jennifer Bush-Lawson 5k race (via Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation/Facebook)

Temporary road closures will go into effect this weekend to accommodate a pair of 5K races happening in Yorktown and Pentagon City.

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Memorial 5K & Family Carnival in the Yorktown neighborhood and the 2024 Girls on the Run 5K in the Pentagon City area take place this Saturday and Sunday, prompting some morning closures in and around those neighborhoods.

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Around Town

Hunan Gate is closing in Ballston, slated to be replaced with gym

By Katie Taranto
Hunan Gate's previous exterior in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A long-time, family-owned Chinese restaurant in Ballston has announced plans to close after four decades of business, leaving its location to a West Coast-based gym chain.

Hunan Gate Restaurant will close next month, the restaurant announced in a storefront message at 4322 Fairfax Drive, near the Ballston Metro station. The owners expressed gratitude and said the restaurant will be selling all its equipment.

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Around Town

Want to get married at Arlington Central Library? Now’s your chance.

By Katie Taranto
Inside Arlington Central Library (courtesy of Josh Brick)

The Arlington Public Library is giving away a free library wedding.

In July 2025, Central Library in Virginia Square will host a free ceremony and reception — including music by the Arlington Philharmonic, professional photography, decor, flowers, party favors and a wedding cake — for up to 50 guests.

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Around Town

Teen signs one-day Caps contract, meets T.J. Oshie through Make-A-Wish

By Katie Taranto
The Andersons and Kalen's friend, Layla, pose with T.J. Oshie after Kalen signed a one-day contract (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Kalen Anderson, 16, started this morning (Wednesday) as a Caps fan — but she’ll end the day with a spot on the team’s roster.

Make-A-Wish surprised the teenage hockey player from Alberta, Canada, with a day at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Ballston, where she signed a one-day Capitals team contract, met her favorite player and spent some time on the ice with her new teammates.

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Around Town

Hunan Village closes on Langston Blvd after nearly four decades in business

By Katie Taranto
The former site of Hunan Village on Langston Blvd (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A Chinese restaurant that spent 39 years on Langston Blvd has closed following the owner’s involvement in a car crash.

Hunan Village shuttered this past month at 4775 Langston Blvd, property manager Robert Gamzeh confirmed with ARLnow. For privacy reasons, he did not disclose the owner’s identity.

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Around Town

Atlas Brew Works opens new restaurant and bar at DCA

By Katie Taranto
Atlas Brew Works' new bar at Reagan National Airport (courtesy of Atlas Brew Works)

A local brewery has opened a new bar and restaurant at Reagan National Airport.

Atlas Brew Works opened today (Tuesday) along the airport’s B gates, serving food, drafts and to-go beer out of a 2,425-square-foot space.

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Around Town

Asia Bistro closes after 22 years in Pentagon City, but signature dishes live on

By Katie Taranto
Asia Bistro at the Westpost shopping center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

After two decades of business, Asia Bistro in Pentagon City has shut its doors for good.

The restaurant announced the closure over Facebook last week, reminiscing over 22 years in operation at 1301 S. Joyce Street, in the Westpost — formerly Pentagon Row — shopping center.

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Around Town

Eden Center’s new morning-to-late-night food hall expects to open next month

By Katie Taranto
The future spot of Pop-Up District at Eden Center (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

After three years in the works, Pop-Up District, a new food hall and lounge at Eden Center, plans to open for business sometime next month.

The hall will offer two distinct experiences depending on the time of day, company president Jay Tran told ARLnow. The space is designed to be a casual coffee, food and treat destination during the day, before transitioning into a Vietnamese-inspired evening lounge for drinks, EDM and dancing at night.

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