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

Three new grocery stores are coming to Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
The site of a new Whole Foods in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Falls Church may be known as the Little City but soon there will be nothing diminutive about its grocery options.

Three different grocery chains are set to join Falls Church’s existing selection of supermarkets in the coming months and years.

Go to Three new grocery stores are coming to Falls Church Read more
Around Town

Turkish coffee cart seeks to transform Ballston courtyard into ‘urban oasis’

By Katie Taranto
Isa Seyran chats with a regular and friends at Ballstonian: Urban Oasis (staff photo)

An otherwise unassuming courtyard in Ballston has taken on a new life thanks to a Turkish coffee cart and the vision of a local business owner and creative.

Isa Seyran‘s “Ballstonian: Urban Oasis” introduces rich red pillows, intricate Turkish carpets, tables, cushions, stools and a red coffee cart — which has called Ballston home for about a year now — to the courtyard near 4075 Wilson Blvd. The space is located between outdoor seating areas for Poppyseed Rye and the now-closed Rustico.

Go to Turkish coffee cart seeks to transform Ballston courtyard into ‘urban oasis’ Read more
Around Town

Summer Restaurant Week is approaching, offering discounted gourmet eats in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Lobster roll and fries from The Salt Line (via The Salt Line/Facebook)

Deals on gourmet dining options are coming to Arlington and Falls Church next week as Summer Restaurant Week returns.

The event — hosted by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington from Monday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 18 — involves hundreds of restaurants in the D.C. area.

Go to Summer Restaurant Week is approaching, offering discounted gourmet eats in Arlington Read more
Around Town

Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed

By Katie Taranto
Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo)

After less than a year in business, a Latin American restaurant at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City has seemingly shuttered.

Maizal’s bright yellow exterior sign at 1100 S. Hayes Street, near Macy’s, has been removed and its interior appears to be cleared out.

Go to Maizal in Pentagon City appears to have closed Read more
Around Town

Uniqlo celebrating Pentagon City opening with weekend of giveaways

By Katie Taranto
The future location of Uniqlo in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new Uniqlo in Pentagon City is hosting its grand opening this week, offering free treats, merch and manga-style portraits to select customers.

The Japanese fast-fashion brand will open for business at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) following a taiko drum performance by the Mark H Taiko Connection. This will kick off an opening weekend of limited-time offers and giveaways at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Go to Uniqlo celebrating Pentagon City opening with weekend of giveaways Read more
News

Team USA’s first-ever Olympic resident DJ is from Cherrydale

By Katie Taranto
James Morrison, or TMMPO, performing as the Resident DJ in the Team USA House in Paris (courtesy of James Morrison)

In the Team USA House at the Paris Olympics, the nation’s greatest athletes are cheering each other on every day to tunes curated by an Arlington resident.

James Morrison — stage name: TMMPO — is the team’s first-ever resident DJ. From noon to midnight in the historic Palais Brongniart, the Cherrydale resident is responsible for hyping up world-class athletes, including Arlington’s own Torri Huske, and helping their friends and family feel at home in France.

Go to Team USA’s first-ever Olympic resident DJ is from Cherrydale Read more
Around Town

UPDATED: New Goodwill donation center on Langston Blvd opening is delayed

By Katie Taranto
A Goodwill Donation Express center is under construction on Langston Blvd (courtesy of anonymous)

Arlington’s third Goodwill location on 5210 Langston Blvd is “not likely” to open later this month, as was previously reported.

The new Goodwill Donation Express will serve primarily as a spot for donation drop-offs, selling “a very limited amount of merchandise.” The operation was previously scheduled to open its doors on Sunday, Aug. 25 — according to a press release Wednesday — but “a few structural issues” still need to be addressed before doors can open, Goodwill spokesperson Brendan Hurley told ARLnow.

Go to UPDATED: New Goodwill donation center on Langston Blvd opening is delayed Read more
Around Town

Hello Kitty truck returning to Pentagon City with exclusive 50th anniversary merch

By Katie Taranto
The pink Hello Kitty Cafe Truck (courtesy of Forward PR)

Another trip around the sun marks the annual return of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck to Pentagon City, this year with new goodies.

Following the tradition of years past, that familiar pink truck will stop from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Westpost retail center to offer Hello Kitty merchandise and treats (for payment by credit or debit card only).

Go to Hello Kitty truck returning to Pentagon City with exclusive 50th anniversary merch Read more
Around Town

Immigrant Food opens in Ballston, serving up global cuisine that celebrates diversity

By Katie Taranto
The exterior of Immigrant Food in Ballston (staff photo)

Immigrant Food, a D.C.-based restaurant with a focus on “gastroadvocacy,” has opened its first Arlington location in Ballston.

The restaurant with global offerings and a mission to celebrate immigrant communities opened its doors last week at 4245 Fairfax Drive, across from the Ballston Metro station. Bold flavors from cuisines around the world come along with the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local nonprofits.

Go to Immigrant Food opens in Ballston, serving up global cuisine that celebrates diversity Read more
Events

Summer ‘Bark Bash’ block party postponed until September

By Katie Taranto
Dogs greeting each other in Metropolitan Park near Amazon HQ2 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

A dog-friendly block party originally scheduled for this Sunday has been pushed back to the end of September.

With temperatures on Sunday at one point expected to reach around 90 degrees — the forecast now shows a high in the mid-80s and scattered showers — the Summer Bark Bash in Green Valley has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29 “for the safety and comfort of all our dogs and their humans.”

Go to Summer ‘Bark Bash’ block party postponed until September Read more
Around Town

A beginner’s guide to the food and drink scene in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Ireland's Four Provinces in Falls Church (staff photo)

West of Arlington, in the 2.2-square mile city of Falls Church, there’s a food and dining community blooming with long-loved eateries and up-and-coming stars.

It’s a city of diverse eateries, where businesses support each other and where locals return to friendly, familiar spots and also seek out fresh flavors.

Go to A beginner’s guide to the food and drink scene in Falls Church Read more
Around Town

One year in, revamped Crystal City Water Park is seen as success

By Katie Taranto
Sunset at the Crystal City Water Park (courtesy of David Madison Photography)

In the Crystal City Water Park’s first year post-renovation, it has “emerged as one of the most unique destinations” of the D.C. region.

That’s according to Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, the president and executive director of the National Landing BID.

Go to One year in, revamped Crystal City Water Park is seen as success Read more
View More Stories