Wilson Hardware's former space in Clarendon (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
A new day-to-night restaurant and rooftop bar with a “supper club vibe” is opening soon at the former Wilson Hardware in Clarendon.
The Boulevard, a restaurant that “blends modern American dining with playful Asian fusion,” is planning to open this spring at 2915 Wilson Blvd — along with Solset, a new bar on the rooftop offering “lighter bites and sunset cocktails.”
This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].
2026 Arlington County Fair Logo
The Arlington County Fair has always been the unofficial ode to summer. Funnel cakes and flashing lights act as the bridge between the memories of summer and the anticipation of the school year ahead. From early-morning trips with my family as a child to staying until curfew as a teen, the “urban fair” has been a tradition for myself and most every Arlingtonian I know.
This year marks the fair’s golden jubilee. For five decades, the fair has been one of the East Coast’s largest free events. The mission of the fair has always been to bring premier entertainment for everyone and to highlight the diverse makeup of the county. Community involvement has always been the backbone of pulling off this one-of-a-kind fair.
Photo Courtesy of The Arlington Historical Society
In 1976, the local garden program wanted to show off the fruits of their labor at a “Harvest Day”. As the event planning started, the idea to expand to include more community members led to the county fair concept. The inaugural fair was immediately praised by Arlington residents and local press. An old-school, rural-style event situated amongst an urban area was intriguing. The Washington Post previewed the fair stating, “Where can an exceptional chrysanthemum raised on the tenth-floor balcony of the Crystal House apartment complex in Arlington receive its just due? Until this week, nowhere. However, if entered before 9 a.m. Friday it could be a blue-ribbon winner in the First Annual Arlington County Fair.”
On Friday, August 28, 1976, the ceremonial ribbon was cut and Arlingtonians were given the opportunity to showcase their crafts, hobbies and talents. Ranging from eggplants to bundt cakes, many of the competitive exhibits were similar to the ones residents still enter today. The event’s pioneers also brought in livestock from the Loudoun County 4-H Club, keeping with the traditional elements of a fair. By the early 1980s, the exhibit and vendor applications skyrocketed. Live entertainment, including a barbershop quartet, Hungarian folk musicians, and even a ventriloquist, was added to the docket. Eventually, livestock appearances started to fade, but the midway rides we know today were added.
In recent years, the volunteer-driven Arlington County Fair Board has continued to include entertainment, vendors and spaces for all residents (and all 150,000 visitors in attendance). Additions have included cuisine outside of the traditional candied apple and hot dog, featuring local businesses that reflect the area’s diverse food scene. A beer garden, featuring Solace Brewing Company’s libations, now makes for a great space to sit down and appreciate the performances. And as a toddler mom, I personally appreciate the recently established sensory-friendly hours during the opening hours on Saturday & Sunday.
The week leading up to it, Thomas Jefferson Community Center starts its transformation from soccer fields to fairground. Driving down 2nd St. South acts as a sneak peek at the fun ahead. Though the fair continues to expand outwards, there is still a comfort and nostalgia, year after year, walking the same route around the fair. Whether you beeline for the Zipper, or skip over to the ring toss, or make sure to sample the food trucks first — you know exactly where to find it.
Superintendent Francisco Durán at budget work session (screenshot via Arlington County)
Arlington Public Schools’ region high per-student spending came under scrutiny as County Board and School Board members last month sat down for budget discussions.
“We’re spending significant money,” County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., said at the March 12 discussion between the two elected bodies.
The Reign of Terror sundae from The Scoop N Scootery(via The Scoop N Scootery/Facebook)
An ice cream sundae shop with late-night hours, a delivery service and a popular online presence is expanding to Clarendon.
The Scoop N Scootery is coming to 1138 N. Irving Street, in the former Jimmy John’s space at the Beacon building. The franchise has amassed 2.3 million TikTok likes on videos of its elaborate sundaes — available for delivery until 2 a.m. — that come with toppings like buttercream frosting, brownie bites, graham crackers and blueberry muffin crumbles.
Political strategist and author Atima Omara joins us to discuss her book The Instigators: How Black Women Are Essential to American Democracy and what organizers today can learn from generations of Black women who built the movements that changed this country.
Josh Kaplowitz of Arlington Blue Families shares how Virginia and DMV volunteers are hitting the road to Ohio to knock doors and help flip one of 2026’s most important battlegrounds.
The Eclipse condo building at 3600 S. Glebe Road in the Potomac Yard area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The president of the newly formed Potomac Yard Arlington Civic Association says the organization is ready to make its mark in one of the county’s fastest-growing corridors.
The association was incorporated last fall and has applied for membership in the Arlington County Civic Federation, President Dorian Adeyemi told ARLnow.
Netherlands Carillon early spring bloom (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
Juvenile Robbed of Scooter — A juvenile was riding his scooter near N. Quincy Street at Wilson Blvd on Wednesday evening when another juvenile approached, shoved him off and stole it, police say. The victim chased after the suspect and was briefly reported missing before officers located him nearby. [ACPD]
Route 50 Flex Posts Expand — “More flex post devices are headed for Route 50 between Fillmore and Glebe to prevent those turns that become crashes at intersections lacking traffic signals.” [Arlington DES/X]
Flyover This Afternoon — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, April 3, at approximately 3:05 p.m.”
Noise Bill Nears Finish Line — “I suspect she’s going to sign it, and I suspect the Board of Supervisors is going to implement it,” Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) said of legislation creating a two-year pilot program allowing localities to use electronic noise monitoring to detect excessively loud vehicles. [FFXnow]
DHS Targets Spanberger — The Department of Homeland Security accused Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) of being a “sanctuary politician” whose policies “allowed pedophiles, rapists, gang members and murderers to be released onto Virginia’s streets” by ending cooperation with ICE. [DHS/X]
Sewer Repair Delays Revealed — A Washington Post investigation found that D.C. Water planned to reinforce the aging Potomac Interceptor years before it ruptured in January but repeatedly delayed construction as the National Park Service studied environmental impacts, including risks to a wildflower and an endangered bat species. [Washington Post]
School Safety Bills Signed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed multiple bills aimed at protecting kids at school, including one allowing school boards to provide teachers with wearable panic alarm systems for use during emergencies. Other measures strengthen red flag law training and expand mental health support. [WJLA]
Moran Goes Independent — Mark Moran, who planned to challenge Sen. Mark Warner (D) for the Democratic Senate nomination this year, announced he is now running as an independent. [Jared Serre/X]
It’s Friday — Expect areas of fog and a slight chance of drizzle early, then mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 degrees. South winds at 6–13 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Expect fog in the morning before 10 a.m., then mostly sunny skies with a high near 82°F. Winds from the south will range from 7 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. Overnight, there is a 20% chance of showers before 2 a.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low around 65°F. Winds will come from the southwest at about 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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Students at computer (via Anastassia Anufrieva/Unsplash)
A panel discussion on AI in the classroom and beyond is coming to Arlington Public Schools, supporting efforts to keep pace with the developing technology.
Superintendent Francisco Durán will moderate the community conversation next Tuesday, April 7. Educators, students and leaders in higher education and the workplace will “talk candidly about what AI means for teaching and learning right now,” Chief Academic Officer Gerald Mann said in an email to teachers.
County BID leaders Mary-Claire Burick, Danette Nguyen and Tracy Sayegh Gabriel at October 2025 forum (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
With property assessments and resulting tax revenue stagnant, changes could be coming to Arlington’s trio of business improvement districts, better known as BIDs.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, might shift. Danette Nguyen, CEO of the Ballston BID, told County Board members that her organization is not currently interested in any changes to the tax-revenue status quo.
Wine & Food Tasting Event at Arrowine, Saturday, August 15, 1- 4 p.m.
Summer adventures are calling — whether you’re packing up for the Beach, escaping to the Shenandoah Mountains, planning a picnic, or heading out for a romantic night of music at Wolf Trap. And if you want those moments to be stress‑free, delicious, and perfectly paired, we’ve got just the tasting for you.
