Around Town | ARLnow.com

Artist to Paint Flag Mural on Va. Square American Legion Post

Published August 5, 2015 at 10:00AM | Updated August 5, 2015 at 10:47AM

Artist Scott LoBaido has chosen the post at 3445 Washington Blvd for the next mural on his Fifty State Tour, in which he aims to paint a flag mural on either a VFW or American Legion building in all fifty states.

LoBaido has been painting renditions of the stars and stripes for some time. According to the artist’s website, in 2006 he completed a similar mural-painting tour in which he drove across the United States and painted a flag on one rooftop in each state, so that they could be seen from airplanes by departing and returning soldiers.

New Craft Brewery to Open Near Shirlington This Fall

By Mariah Joyce

Published August 4, 2015 at 4:30PM

There was speculation in March that Metropole, a brewing company started by Arlington local Mike Katrivanos, might be opening its first facility at 2709 S. Oakland Street, near the Shirlington dog park and the W&OD Trail. Those suspicions were confirmed via a post on the business’s Facebook page Monday night.

“Arlington’s first package brewery since 1916 is coming to your community!” said the post. “Time and time again, Arlington County is featured as one of the best places to live in the United States. Help make Arlington an even better place to live by supporting your local brewery.”

New Rosslyn Chinese Restaurant Looking to Open in September

By Heather Mongilio

Published August 4, 2015 at 12:15PM | Updated August 4, 2015 at 3:32PM

The new restaurant, which sits along N. Fort Myer Drive on the lower ground floor of the Turnberry Towers building, is currently under construction, according to general manager Robin Li.

Construction and permit issues caused the restaurant to delay its opening, he said. It was originally planned to open last summer.

Columbia Pike Starbucks to Open Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Published August 4, 2015 at 10:00AM

The coffee shop plans to open its doors at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. Located in the former Bar TNT and Society Fair space at Penrose Square, the store will be the first Starbucks along the Pike in Arlington.

In addition to the normal menu of coffee, espresso drinks, teas, pastries and sandwiches, the new Pike Starbucks will offer Starbucks Reserve, “a special collection of unique, small-lot coffees.”

New Clarendon Brewpub Eyeing Late August Opening

By Heather Mongilio

Published August 3, 2015 at 11:15AM | Updated November 18, 2016 at 2:57PM

Sehkraft Beer Garden and Haus, a new brewpub near Clarendon from the owners of the Westover Beer Garden, is looking to open its doors before baseball season is over.

The beer garden’s goal is to open its new location at 925 N. Garfield Street by the end of August, said owner Devin Hicks. The pub will definitely be open by mid-September “in time to watch the Nationals kill it in the playoffs and hopefully watch the Redskins be competitive,” he said.

Another AWLA Viral Cat Dancing Video

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2015 at 10:15AM

Last year, two kittens rescued by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington became Internet sensations thanks to a viral video of them dancing to the hit song “Turn Down for What.”

District Taco Founder Hires Company That Once Laid Him Off to Build Rosslyn Restaurant

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 31, 2015 at 3:15PM | Updated July 31, 2015 at 5:23PM

Construction was happening inside the new District Taco location.

(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) District Taco is working with an unlikely contractor for the construction of its new Rosslyn location: a company that once laid the restaurant’s founder off.

In 2008, Osiris Hoil was working as a superintendent for Patriot Contracting, the construction company that is building the new District Taco in Rosslyn and has built locations in Alexandria and Dunn Loring — which is celebrating its grand opening today.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop Coming to Rosslyn

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 29, 2015 at 2:00PM

Potbelly has leased a 2,525 square foot space, according to Liz Wainger, a spokeswoman for real estate firm CBRE. An opening date has not been decided, she said.

There’s no word yet on which storefront Potbelly will occupy. There are at least three vacant or soon-to-be-vacant ground floor retail locations in the building:

Injured Veteran Cycling From San Diego to Arlington

By Mariah Joyce

Published July 29, 2015 at 9:30AM

On June 1, Gaal set off from San Diego on his “Ride Across America,” an almost 4,000 mile trek which he will complete entirely on a hand-cycle.

Gaal embarked on the journey to raise money and awareness for the Semper Fi Fund, the charity that helped him recover after he was severely injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2011. Following the explosion, Gaal was comatose for two months and lost both legs and part of his hip.

AFAC Works With Local Companies to Feed Families

By Mariah Joyce

Published July 28, 2015 at 6:00PM

The Arlington Food Assistance Center has been exploring ways to serve hungry families in Arlington by partnering with local businesses and larger corporations.

Art-Themed Restaurant for the ‘Millennial Crowd’ to Open in Shirlington in December

By Mariah Joyce

Published July 28, 2015 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Restaurant Partners, a local restaurant management and consulting company, is planning to open new restaurant Palette 22 at the Village at Shirlington (2700 S. Quincy Street) in December.

The restaurant is envisioned as following in the footsteps of ARP-managed restaurant Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Florida, a small-plates eatery which boasts the theme of “Food, Art, Fun.” The company describes Palette 22 as Cafe Tu Tu Tango designed “for the local, millennial crowd,” and says the restaurant will emphasize authentic international street food, street art and a creative craft bar program.

Family-Friendly Ramen Shop Opens in Cherrydale

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 21, 2015 at 10:30AM | Updated July 21, 2015 at 11:25AM

A new restaurant on Lee Highway is looking to serve customers a hug, in the shape of a bowl of ramen.

Gaijin Ramen Shop (3800 Lee Highway) opened its doors last week on Tuesday for its soft opening and already the restaurant has had repeat customers, said co-owner Nicole Mazkour. On Friday, three days after opening, the restaurant had a waitlist of 65 people hoping to try its various ramen recipes.