Vernon Miles | ARLnow

Published March 3, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated March 3, 2020 at 9:23AM

Sugar Shack in Arlington on March 2, 2020 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Like its sister location in Alexandria, the Arlington branch of Sugar Shack Donuts is leaving the chain, rebranding and adding an expanded menu.

In a sign posted in the window of the donut shop at 1014 S. Glebe Road, the shop’s owners said the new restaurant will be a bakery, cafe and coffee shop called Elizabeth’s Counter. It will specialize in “delicious, sustainable and plant-based foods.”

Feature

Crystal City-Based U.Group Heads West

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated March 2, 2020 at 1:04PM

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings.

Crystal City-based U.Group (2231 Crystal Drive) is expanding to the midwest with a plan to open an Indianapolis office for over 100 people by the end of the year.

Schools

School Board Faces $27 Million Budget Gap Despite Rise in Revenue

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2020 at 2:40PM | Updated February 26, 2021 at 4:24PM

Arlington County may have opted to keep the tax rate steady, or even cut it, but the Arlington Public Schools (APS) says it still needs to find a way to bridge at least a portion of a $27.6 million budget gap.

In total, Interim Superintendent Cintia Johnson’s budget comes out to $725.9 million in expenditures and only $698.4 million in revenue, assuming the transfer from the county to the school system remains as proposed by County Manager Mark Schwartz.

News

A Closer Look at Arlington’s Proposed Flood Mitigation Measures

By Vernon Miles

Published February 27, 2020 at 3:30PM

After last summer’s devastating flash flooding, Arlington is ready to move forward with a new set of changes to try to prevent the same level of flood damage.

Staff said at Tuesday’s Arlington County Board meeting that the trend of increasing intensity and frequency of the storms has forced the county to take flood resilience more seriously. Shorter-term solutions that are in progress include new flood sensors, included in this year’s budget, and plans to change regulations for new developments.

News

Three Arlington Streets Tagged With New $200 Speeding Fine

By Vernon Miles

Published February 27, 2020 at 10:00AM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 12:33PM

Arlington County Police cars (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

If you’ve got a lead foot, you should probably slow down, especially — soon — on three particular Arlington streets.

In January the Arlington County Board voted to start imposing an additional $200 fine for speeding on certain residential streets.

Events

Columbia Pike Goodwill to Reopen This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published February 26, 2020 at 10:00AM

If you’ve been fretting over where to find second-hand clothes, accessories and oddities on Columbia Pike, worry no more, the Goodwill retail store at 4714 Columbia Pike is scheduled to reopen this Saturday (Feb. 29).

The shop had been closed for renovations but will reopen with a celebration on Saturday. Throughout the day, anyone who spends $50 will get a $10 discount, according to the Goodwill website.

Events

Shirlington Sports Bar to Host Game of Thrones Trivia Night

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2020 at 4:55PM

Game of Thrones may not be coming back this spring, but a Shirlington bar is giving locals a last chance to use their Westeros trivia before purging the final few seasons from memory.

On Friday, Feb. 28, fans of the HBO series can test their trivia against others at Dudley’s Sport and Ale (2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive) from 7-9:30 in a tournament sponsored by Pour House Trivia.

News

Plan for Nonprofit to Take Over Reeves Farmhouse to Go to County Board

By Vernon Miles

Published February 25, 2020 at 10:55AM | Updated February 26, 2020 at 12:37PM

Reeve farmhouse (photo via Arlington County)

Three years after Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (HabitatNOVA) first reached out to Arlington County with a plan to reuse the Reeves Farmhouse, the plan is scheduled for review by the Arlington County Board tonight.

The home, built in 1900, is a historic property that is currently vacant and owned by Arlington County. The Reevesland property it sits on is notable for being the last operating dairy farm in Arlington, operating through the Great Depression and World War II until 1955.

Events

Bicycle Races Through a Crystal City Parking Garage Returns in March

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated February 24, 2020 at 5:44PM

(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) A series of underground bicycle races is coming back to Crystal City next month.

Throughout the month, several races will weave through the parking garage at 201 12th Street S. The sixth annual event series, organized by the Crystal City Business Improvement District, is billed as “the area’s only underground bike race.”

Feature

Arlington Auto Refinancing Startup Revs Up With Millions in New Funding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2020 at 12:00PM

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings.

MotoRefi, a Ballston-based car refinancing company, has fueled up with a new batch of funding and welcomed a former Uber executive along for the ride.

Around Town

Pet Salon and Home Renovation Businesses Coming to Williamsburg Shopping Center

By Vernon Miles

Published February 21, 2020 at 10:00AM | Updated February 21, 2020 at 12:09PM

Williamsburg Shopping Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 12:10 p.m.) With In Style Pet Salon and Commonwealth Restorations coming to Williamsburg Shopping Center (2902 N. Sycamore Street) the retail block is now 100% full.

“It feels great,” said Nick Kalis, who runs the shopping center as part of the Kalis Development Corporation. “In years past, it was very normal, but retail leasing today is more of a challenge.”

News