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

Local butcher and deli known for cheesesteaks is coming to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
The Philly from Soko Butcher (via Soko Butcher/Instagram)

A butcher and deli chain with a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak is planning to open a new spot in Crystal City.

Soko Butcher is coming to a 1,600-square-foot retail bay at 269 19th Court S., Suite 95, on the ground floor of the Grace and Reva apartments, owner Brad Feickert told ARLnow.

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Events

Free fitness demos and a 5K coming to Va. Square this weekend

By Katie Taranto
The Plaza at Mason Square (courtesy of GMU)

George Mason University’s Virginia Square campus is hosting a health-centered festival this weekend, with a fun run, live fitness classes and a DJ.

The celebration, called Clarendon FitFest, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Mason Square Plaza (3351 Fairfax Drive) with a 5K run and 2-mile walk. These will be followed by a “fitness fair” with live class demonstrations and free giveaways until 12:30 p.m.

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Events

New festival to spotlight Columbia Pike’s diverse cultures this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Caporales San Simon USA (via Columbia Pike Partnership/Facebook)

A new multicultural celebration is coming to Columbia Pike this weekend.

International cuisines, live performances and kid-friendly activities are all part of the inaugural Columbia Pike Culture Fest, happening from noon to 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street).

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Around Town

PopUp Bagels, known for ‘rip and dip’ approach, plans Arlington location

By Katie Taranto
PopUp Bagels (via PopUp Bagels/Instagram)

A bagel shop with a unique approach and large social media presence could soon be popping up in Arlington, the latest addition to the county’s bagel scene.

Connecticut-based PopUp Bagels — known for its “rip and dip” style and social media posts that regularly earn hundreds of thousands of views — is planning a new Arlington location after celebrating a crowded grand opening in Georgetown last Friday.

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Around Town

New pet relief areas coming to Shirlington amid streetscape renovations

By Katie Taranto
Outside Dogma Bakery at the Village at Shirlington (via Dogma Bakery/Facebook)

Ongoing renovations at the Village at Shirlington will include two new areas for pets to relieve themselves.

The pet relief areas and a pet waste station are planned outside Dogma Bakery and the Shirlington Animal Hospital, a spokesperson for Federal Realty Investment Trust told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Digital scavenger hunt arrives in Ballston with interactive art and prizes

By Katie Taranto
Bloom Hunt decal in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A digital scavenger hunt inspired by cherry blossom season has gotten underway in Ballston.

Floral sidewalk decals for Bloom Hunt, coordinated by the Ballston BID and the immersive art gallery Artechouse DC, appeared in the neighborhood earlier this week. Participants have until Sunday to scan the decals with Artechouse’s app, unlocking digital, blossom-inspired artwork for a chance to win prizes.

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Around Town

Alpacas to spotlight new happy hour at Peruvian restaurant in Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Alpacas at Peruvian Brothers (courtesy of Peruvian Brothers)

A new limited-time happy hour in Pentagon City is offering specials on Peruvian cuisine — and the opportunity to meet a wooly friend or two.

Guests at Peruvian Brothers can sip pisco sour slushies while enjoying the company of alpacas on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. through the end of May. “Alpaca Happy Hour” will take place in a small outdoor enclosure at 1450 S. Eads Street, restaurant co-founder Giuseppe Lanzone told ARLnow.

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Around Town

New owner gives Falls Church pottery painting studio a ‘glow up’

By Katie Taranto
Jessi Cash at Clay Cafe Studios (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A paint-your-own-pottery studio in Falls Church has received a freshly glazed look under new ownership.

Jessi Cash, who has worked at Clay Cafe Studios since 2019, took over the reins from retired owner Gayla Hassett in January. Since then, Cash has brought 101 N. Maple Avenue a fresh coat of peachy paint and replaced its old farmhouse-style tables, among other aesthetic changes.

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Around Town

Arlington residents can get free windshield wipers, donate old car seats and socks this month

By Katie Taranto
Socks on a clothesline (Photo by Nick Page on Unsplash)

A regional windshield wiper giveaway and two donation programs are available to Arlington residents this month.

Free windshield wiper replacements and installation are available to all D.C.-area drivers through this Saturday as part of Metro Motors’ annual “Wiper Week.” Meanwhile, Casual Adventures Outfitters is collecting used socks in Virginia Square through the end of the month, while Target is collecting old car seats in exchange for coupons.

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Around Town

RAMMY Awards finalists include Taqueria Xochi, Queen Mother’s Kitchen and other local spots

By Katie Taranto
Tacos and fries from Taqueria Xochi (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlington and Falls Church are continuing to maintain a strong presence as this year’s RAMMY Awards advance toward their final stage.

Ten restaurants and restaurateurs representing establishments in the two localities have been chosen for final consideration in the 44th annual RAMMYS.

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Around Town

Bluefish Bistro closes in latest business shakeup along Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Bluefish Bistro has closed at 950 S. George Mason Drive (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A well-loved sushi restaurant on Columbia Pike has closed after less than three years in business.

Bluefish Bistro is no longer in business at 950 S. George Mason Drive, owner Andy Park told ARLnow. The eatery, which offered a variety of sushi rolls and sashimi, opened in November 2023 at the mixed-use Centro Arlington development and had secured a 4.9-star average rating on Google.

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Around Town

Middle Eastern bakery and market to replace closing deli in Cherrydale

By Katie Taranto
Billy's Deli/Cafe at 3907 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A Middle Eastern bakery, restaurant and market is expected to replace a deli and cafe in Cherrydale within the next few months.

Habibi’s Kitchen and Market plans to open this spring at 3907 Langston Blvd, offering Middle Eastern cuisine, fresh bread and local produce, owner Hassan Almaala told ARLnow. It’ll be a sister establishment to Almaala Farms, a longtime Union Market stall offering Middle Eastern bites and produce from the Almaala family farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

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