Author: Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole is a reporting fellow at ARLnow and an Arlington native. He’s a 2022 Yorktown High School graduate and a 2026 graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied journalism and covered sports for campus publications.

Events

Arlington County Fair returns for 50th year next month, debuting new activities

By Ryan Cole
The Arlington County Fair (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Arlington County Fair is returning next month with its ever-popular assortment of carnival rides, treats and events, plus some new additions.

The fair will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 12 to Sunday, Aug. 16 at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, bringing back attractions like the fun slide, the double Ferris wheel and the “super shot” drop tower, paired with reliable fair bites such as fried Oreos, funnel cake and tacos.

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Around Town

Bagel Uprising opens in Ballston with back-to-the-basics breakfast bites

By Ryan Cole
Storefront entrance for Bagel Uprising with large yellow sign above glass doors and a circular logo on the right window; neon OPEN sign visible nearby.
Bagel Uprising at 901 N Glebe Road in Ballston (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A veteran-owned bagel shop with hearty breakfast options opened its second location today (Tuesday) in Ballston.

Alexandria-based Bagel Uprising has opened its doors at 901 N. Glebe Road, on the heels of another bagel shop, Call Your Mother, opening at nearby 4000 Wilson Blvd earlier this month. Bagel Uprising seeks to distinguish itself with simple, consistent results on classic bagel and sandwich offerings.

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Around Town

Arlington bike race gets shoutout during Tour de France coverage

By Ryan Cole
A group of cyclists race down a city street lined with white tents and barriers, with spectators watching from behind the barriers.
The 2026 Clarendon Cup in Arlington (courtesy of Robert Laybourn)

A potential partnership between an Arlington bicycle race and one of the world’s largest cycling event organizers received a shoutout during weekend coverage of the Tour de France.

NBC sideline reporter Steve Porino referred to negotiations between the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic and the Amaury Sports Organization, which owns and operates the Tour de France.

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Around Town

Another hot summer brings good business to Arlington’s ice cream shops

By Ryan Cole
Three friends sit on wooden benches at an outdoor cafe, eating ice cream together; a man hands a pink treat to a woman in jeans while another woman in a striped dress enjoys her cone.
People eating outside of Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream in Pentagon City (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

Hot days — but not too hot, ideally — mean steady business at Arlington’s ice cream parlors.

Store owners and employees told ARLnow that an unusually hot summer has been driving healthy revenue, although some days this year, intense heat has caused slower traffic even at ice cream shops. In a business built on frosty treats, Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream owner Rollin Amore has summertime almost down to a science.

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Events

Used book sale from D.C. nonprofit coming to Crystal City this week

By Ryan Cole
A Turning the Page pop-up sale at Eastern Market in D.C. (courtesy of Jason King)

A pop-up book sale with live music and deals at local businesses is happening in Crystal City this week.

Stalls selling over 5,000 donated books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl records, all for under $8, will be set up in the courtyard between the Grace and Reva buildings at 19th Court S. from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday.

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Around Town

Arlington has one of the best pie shops in the U.S., according to Newsweek

By Ryan Cole
Brick pie shop on a corner with a vertical neon PIE sign, a driveway and a silver SUV parked outside.
Livin' The Pie Life at 2166 North Glebe Road (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

An Arlington pie store known for its buttery, hand-crafted treats is receiving national attention.

Livin’ The Pie Life, known for its flaky crust and loyal community following at 2166 N. Glebe Road, is currently in the running for Newsweek’s “America’s Best Pie” award.

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Around Town

Tiki Thai pushes back Crystal City opening plans to summer 2027

By Ryan Cole
Storefront with large window graphics featuring tropical leaf patterns and 'Retail Space Available' messaging, plus a QR code and brand logos
Empty retail bay to be filled by Tiki Thai at 244 19th Court S. in Crystal City (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

Crystal City residents will have to wait a little longer for the neighborhood’s latest Thai restaurant.

Tiki Thai was originally expected to open sometime this summer or fall at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of the Reva apartment building. The owner now says that timeline has been pushed back to summer 2027.

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Events

Summer-themed block party with live music coming to Clarendon this weekend

By Ryan Cole
Clarendon Ballroom, located at 3185 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A free block party with food, discount beer and live music is taking over a portion of Clarendon this weekend.

Clarendon Ballroom is hosting a “Summer Jam Session” from 2-9:30 p.m. on Saturday — featuring pop, country and rock hits on an outdoor stage, plus yard games like cornhole and giant Jenga in a festive atmosphere.

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Around Town

Nepali coffee truck sets up shop at Langston Blvd gas station

By Ryan Cole
Smiling man waves from a dark food truck with an open service window and colorful prayer flag banners overhead.
Coffee Libations truck in Liberty Gas Station lot at 4019 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A new coffee truck serving cafe classics and Nepali specialties has opened outside a gas station in Cherrydale.

Located at 4019 Langston Blvd, Coffee Libations has been open for about a month. Owner Anshu Bhusal, a long-time coffee shop employee, told ARLnow he’d been looking for an opportunity to bring customers both authentic Nepali recipes and brews of his own creation.

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Around Town

New cafe from For Five Roasters opens inside Virginia Square bistro

By Ryan Cole
Smiling bakery staff behind a curved marble counter with a glass display case full of croissants and pastries in a sunny cafe window setting outside city streets.
For Five Cafe at The Angie in Virginia Square (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A new spot for coffee and baked goods has opened up inside an upscale bistro in Virginia Square.

For Five Cafe, a concept from the same team behind For Five Coffee Roasters, has opened at the front of The Angie (3901 Fairfax Drive), serving classic coffee options like espresso and macchiato along with freshly baked croissants, biscuits, cookies and muffins.

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Around Town

Local musical comedy duo appears on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ after viral video

By Ryan Cole
Host on the right claps while facing a large screen showing two smiling women waving, in a colorful TV studio living room setup.
Musical comedy duo, Griefcat, on The Kelly Clarkson Show (courtesy of Louisa Hall)

A musical comedy duo featuring an Arlington native appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” last week to talk about a viral music video.

Yorktown High School graduate Annie Nardolilli and Alexandria native Louisa Hall have been recording lighthearted hits under the name Griefcat since 2019. Appearing on television last Monday afternoon, they discussed their song “I Already Took Off My Bra,” which came out last year and has over 50 million views across platforms.

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Around Town

Ayers Hardware closes in Westover with fond farewells from longtime customers

By Ryan Cole
Storefront of Ayers Variety & Hardware with blue awning and a large sign, and a two-hour parking sign nearby.
Ayers Variety & Hardware after closing at 5853 Washington Blvd (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

Ayers Variety & Hardware officially closed its doors yesterday (Sunday), but not before customers gave a fond sendoff to the 78-year-old Westover hardware store.

The store was busy with shoppers yesterday morning, making final purchases at the business that has stood in The Westover Shopping Center since 1948. Two posters with notes and signatures from customers were still hanging in the windows this morning.

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