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

Leftover Halloween candy will let customers borrow toys for free at Falls Church business

By Katie Taranto
Halloween candy and other treats spread out on a table (staff photo)

A Falls Church “toy library” will let customers borrow some toys free of charge in exchange for donations of leftover candy following Halloween.

The Toy Nest is collecting unopened candy as part of its annual candy buyback program, which loans out games, puzzles and more in exchange for sugary treats. The buyback program runs for a week, beginning the day after Halloween this Saturday.

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Around Town

‘Party Mania’ supply store coming to former rug shop on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto
Signs for "Party Mania" on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new party supply store is planning to open in a vacant Columbia Pike storefront where a family-owned rug shop closed last year.

New signs have appeared for Tysons-based Party Mania at 2330 Columbia Pike, which has been empty since the rug retailer Manoukian Brothers Oriental Rugs relocated to Langston Blvd.

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News

McDonald’s ‘actively working’ to replace Black history mural after demolition in Hall’s Hill

By Katie Taranto
The former Black history mural in Hall's Hill (photo courtesy of @cindykanephotography)

McDonald’s is coordinating with Hall’s Hill residents to replace a local Black history mural after the company’s contractor demolished it earlier this month.

In a new response to residents’ questions and concerns, the fast food chain acknowledged the significance of the 33-year-old brick and cinder-block wall on its property at 4834 Langston Blvd.

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Around Town

Arlington deals: Federal worker discounts continue

By Katie Taranto
Dishes from Nue Elegantly Vietnamese (via Nue Elegantly Vietnamese/Facebook)

The following was originally emailed to ARLnow Press Club members this past weekend. Sign up to get upgraded newsletters and exclusive features while supporting local news in your community.

Hoping to save on dining and other purchases, or check out limited-time offerings at Arlington restaurants?

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Around Town

At Pentagon City ‘fish spa,’ nibbling fish exfoliate customers’ feet

By Katie Taranto
Garra Spas in Pentagon City (via Garra Fish Spas VA/Facebook)

A fish-forward pedicure experience is in store for some shoppers at the Pentagon City mall.

At Garra Spas, clients dip their feet into basins filled with garra rufa fish for a pedicure. The toothless, freshwater species is known to feed on dead skin with a “gentle, therapeutic touch,” owner Christina Pearson said in a release.

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News

With bachelor’s degree in AI, Marymount seeks to equip students for a changing world

By Katie Taranto
The green space in front of Marymount University's Main House (staff photo by Anuj Khemka)

For the past two years, Marymount University has been among a small but growing group of higher education institutions leading the charge in offering degrees in AI.

The private university based in the Old Dominion neighborhood, which launched its AI program in fall 2023, currently offers a Bachelor of Science degree in the subject and an accompanying minor and graduate certificate.

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News

Falls Church unveils new ‘LOVE’ sculpture celebrating diversity and local life

By Katie Taranto
“Reflection: Diversity and Inclusivity” sculpture in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Virginia is for lovers, and so is a new public art installation near Falls Church City Hall.

The art piece, which plays into the commonwealth’s iconic slogan while promoting the Little City as “a unique travel destination,” consists of a set of steel letters spelling out LOVE.

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Around Town

Clarendon’s Wilson Hardware could get new branding under D.C. nightlife entrepreneur

By Katie Taranto
Wilson Hardware at 2915 Wilson Blvd in Clarendon (file photo)

An entrepreneur behind some big names in D.C.’s nightlife scene has turned his attention to Arlington, taking the reins of a Clarendon restaurant.

Antonis Karagounis became the new owner of Wilson Hardware earlier this month at 2915 Wilson Blvd, where he intends to introduce a different, as-yet-unnamed restaurant concept in the new year.

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Around Town

Fire Works Pizza plans renovations and rebranding in Courthouse under new owner

By Katie Taranto
Fire Works Pizza at 2350 Clarendon Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Changes are coming to a longtime pizzeria and American restaurant in Courthouse.

The family that had owned Fire Works Pizza since 2010 is departing, having passed the torch to local restaurateur Fitzgerald Lewis earlier this month. The entrepreneur, whose resume also includes the Clarendon restaurants Green Pig Bistro and Buena Vida, intends to refresh the 15-year-old restaurant with new furnishings and a new name next year.

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Around Town

Falafel Inc opens on Restaurant Row after closing Water Park kiosk

By Katie Taranto
Falafel Inc on Restaurant Row (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A fast casual Middle Eastern restaurant is now open on Restaurant Row after relocating from Water Park.

Falafel Inc opened last week at 500 23rd Street S. after departing its previous Crystal City kiosk at 1601 Crystal Drive. The D.C.-based chain, known for its affordability and award-winning falafel, replaces a bank that closed in 2023.

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News

McDonald’s project demolishes 33-year-old Hall’s Hill mural depicting Black history

By Katie Taranto
Hall's Hill mural along Langston Blvd (via Public Art Archive)

McDonald’s has torn down a wall with a decades-old mural depicting local Black history while replacing its restaurant in Hall’s Hill.

The fast food chain, which demolished its former location at 4834 Langston Blvd to construct a more “modernized” restaurant in its place, cited structural concerns in its decision to remove the mural’s concrete wall.

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Around Town

WBJ: Ikea is closing in Pentagon City, opening new Georgetown location

By Katie Taranto
Pentagon Centre's Ikea storefront (photo courtesy Ikea)

Ikea is closing its Pentagon City location this fall.

The Swedish furniture store at 1201 S. Hayes Street will remain open until Nov. 30 as the company opens another “plan-and-order” store in Georgetown, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday (Thursday).

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