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

Pizzeria serving Roman-style pies aims to open next year in Rosslyn

By Katie Taranto
The soon-to-be location of Ravenna Pizza, 1500 Wilson Blvd (via Google Maps)

A forthcoming pizza restaurant in Rosslyn plans to serve up Roman-style pies of the rectangular variety.

Ravenna Pizza advertises a menu with 13 varieties of sharp-cornered pizza, alongside salads, homemade gelato and Italian desserts. Owner Mustafa Durran plans to open in the former spot of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop at 1500 Wilson Blvd by early to mid-January.

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Around Town

Arlington golden retriever influencers featured in Target partnership

By Katie Taranto
Kevin Bubolz poses with Ellie and Emma in front of a Cuddle Collab advertisement in New York City(via Ellie Golden Life/Facebook)

Two furry Arlington influencers are featured in a new pet-inspired product line at Target.

Golden retrievers Ellie and Emma — who have over 14 million social media followers as the faces of Golden Retriever Life — are among a handful of “furfluencers” featured in Target’s new “Cuddle Collab” merchandise collection.

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Around Town

French bistro slated to open at new office building in Va. Square

By Katie Taranto
3901 Fairfax Drive in Virginia Square (courtesy of Skanska)

A European-inspired bistro by the founders of For Five Coffee Roasters is slated to open in Virginia Square’s new nine-story office building next year.

The restaurant, The Angie, is expected to open in spring 2025, developer Skanska announced today (Friday). The “American French” concept includes 162 total seats, outdoor dining, a full-service bar, a barista bar, a lounge and a private dining room, according to a news release.

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News

Emergency drill at National Airport means brief closure of Terminal 1 tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
Reagan National Airport, pictured on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 in Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Terminal 1 at Reagan National Airport will briefly shut down this weekend for an emergency drill.

The terminal at DCA will close to the public at approximately 11:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and reopen around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

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Around Town

Peruvian restaurant El Fuego has shuttered in Lyon Park

By Katie Taranto
El Fuego's former location in Lyon Park (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

El Fuego in Lyon Park has closed after about six years in business there.

The Peruvian restaurant’s signage has been removed from 2300 N. Pershing Drive and the interior appears empty. Comments on the establishment’s Instagram page suggest it closed at least five weeks ago.

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Events

Arlington Public Library’s fall book sale begins today

By Katie Taranto
Arlington Public Library book sale (via Arlington Public Library)

The Arlington Public Library fall book sale is back for a few days of bargain book deals.

The booster group Friends of the Arlington Public Library is holding the event in the Central Library parking garage at 1015 N. Quincy Street, offering thousands of books, games, puzzles and comics for sale. It will start with a “members only” event this afternoon and opening to the public tomorrow morning.

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Around Town

New restaurant eyes early 2025 opening at former Rooftop Bar & Grill spot

By Katie Taranto
2424 Wilson Blvd in Courthouse (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new restaurant may soon open at the former spot of Rooftop Bar & Grill in Courthouse.

The unnamed bar and restaurant concept comes from Gary Ouellette, the owner of Union Jack’s British Pub in Columbia, Md., and formerly in Ballston. The new business has its eyes on an early 2025 opening at 2424 Wilson Blvd, general manager Brian Ouellette told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Green Pig Bistro relocates to same Clarendon address as nearby Buena Vida

By Katie Taranto
Green Pig Bistro's new mural (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Green Pig Bistro is expected to reopen soon after relocating a few blocks away from its original home.

The Clarendon restaurant of 12 years has completed the 0.2-mile move from 1025 N. Fillmore Street to the first floor of 2900 Wilson Blvd, PR rep Jill Collins told ARLnow.

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News

Sheriff’s office welcomes new bomb-detecting dog to K9 team

By Katie Taranto
K9 Weaver (courtesy of the Arlington County Sheriff's Office)

A dog with bomb-sniffing capabilities has joined the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 team.

Weaver, a 1.5-year old Labrador retriever, is tasked with ensuring the safety of the Courthouse neighborhood and surrounding areas.

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Around Town

Arlington business owner and foster parent recognized on Today Show

By Katie Taranto
Linda Cheeks on the Today Show (via NBC)

An Arlington business owner and veteran was featured on NBC’s Today Show this week for a life of service to others.

The Today Show recognized Linda Cheeks, owner of Linda’s Unisex Hair Salon (2405 26th Road S.) in Long Branch Creek, for her work as a foster parent and other contributions to the Northern Virginia community. Cheeks, who also served in the U.S. Army in the 1970s, was featured on the morning show’s “Heroes Among Us” series.

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Around Town

District Taco bringing back original truck to serve free breakfast tacos in Rosslyn

By Katie Taranto
District Taco Founders Osiris Hoil and Marc Wallace (photo courtesy of District Taco)

A local restaurant has plans to serve free breakfast tacos in Rosslyn next week for National Taco Day.

District Taco says it will park its original taco truck at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Lynn Street at 8 a.m. next Friday, Oct. 4. The Arlington-founded company will serve one taco per customer while supplies last — most likely until 10 a.m., the restaurant predicts.

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Around Town

Crystal City gallery showcasing local art is closing after 12 years

By Katie Taranto
The Gallery Underground in February 2024 (via Gallery Underground/Facebook)

The Gallery Underground in Crystal City is closing next week after one last art auction and gala.

The 3,000-square-foot gallery at 2100 Crystal Drive — in the Crystal City Underground — has been a mainstay of the Arlington Artists Alliance since 2012, showcasing the work of numerous artists. Now, the nonprofit’s outpost has confirmed its last day is Friday, Oct. 4, as JBG Smith is requiring all tenants to vacate the underground commercial area.

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