Poppyseed Rye at 818 N. Quincy Street (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
A cafe and flower shop in Ballston is shuttering after four years, in the latest closure for the neighborhood.
Poppyseed Rye, which sold bouquets and hosted flower arrangement workshops in addition to serving up soups, sandwiches, salads and coffee, is closing its doors for good on Sunday at 818 N. Quincy Street. Founder Scott Parker told ARLnow that business had been down for about five or six months, despite loyal customers in the neighborhood.
The ribbon cutting at Onelife Fitness's expanded Ballston location (courtesy of Onelife Fitness)
The Onelife Fitness in Ballston Quarter celebrated an expansion into the mall’s second floor with a ribbon-cutting and other festivities yesterday (Wednesday).
The fitness center, whose entrance is on the third floor of the mall at 4238 Wilson Blvd, marked the addition of 12,000 square feet to its space — roughly doubling the gym’s square footage dedicated to turf and strength training.
Address:5934 N. 16th Street Neighborhood: Westover Type: 6 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached; not a rental Listed: $2,495,000
Noteworthy: Cost saving energy upgrades and expansive layout featuring a gourmet kitchen, a stunning great room, and an extraordinary primary bedroom suite with two exceptional walk-in closets
Introducing this meticulously updated 3-level, 6-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom residence in the sought-after Westover neighborhood of North Arlington.
Set on a serene neighborhood street, this distinguished home features a traditional feel with a thoughtful renovation and numerous updates and a spacious yard. It has a warm, cozy interior featuring four fireplaces. Enjoy the chef’s kitchen connected to a family room with access to the rear yard and patio. There is also a light-filled great room with vaulted ceilings, and an extraordinary primary suite with two large walk-in closets, a spa-like bathroom, a sitting room, and a balcony. The primary bedroom suite offers a luxurious retreat, while the second floor accommodates five total bedrooms. The lower level has a separate entry and boasts a guest suite with a versatile recreational space, including a sixth bedroom and a fourth full bathroom, a recreation room and a yoga/fitness space. Outside, enjoy a stone patio and built-in fire pit area. Conveniently located near parks, trails, and Metro, this home offers suburban tranquility with easy access to urban amenities. It is a short walk to Westover Village, Swanson Middle School, and Cardinal Elementary School. It is within the Yorktown High School zone.
With many updates, including geothermal heating and cooling, fully paid-for solar panels, and an EV charger, this residence is ready to welcome you home. The utility costs are very low for a home of this size. Opportunity knocks. This is not your cookie cutter home. Schedule your showing today of this distinguished and unique property!
Real estate for sale sign (photo illustration by ARLnow)
Arlington home sales grew 5.4% year-over-year in 2025 despite economic headwinds, according to new data.
A total of 2,315 properties went to closing during the year, up from 2,196 in 2024, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.
Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.
The Water Pollution Control Plant in South Arlington (via DES/Flickr)
Concerns about monitoring and managing chemicals at Arlington County’s Water Pollution Control Plant have prompted a public hearing this week.
The hearing is a follow-up to a public comment period last September and October, where advocates sought amendments to the draft permit related to limitations and best management practices for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), also known as “forever chemicals.”
Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.
The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.
Train arriving at the Ballston Metro station (courtesy George Brazier)
VRE Changes Take Effect — “A new bridge is being built across the Potomac River to handle rail traffic. But with construction comes travel delays. Some major impacts to Amtrak and VRE riders started Monday. A second span of Long Bridge will cross over the Potomac between D.C. and Arlington… The work is expected to last through 2030. A VRE commuter said she’s bracing for years of adjustments to her schedule, with some trains stopping and starting in Alexandria.” [NBC 4]
Va. Redistricting Process — “In what could be Democrats’ last wave of mid-cycle redistricting, the Virginia and Maryland legislatures will each convene on Wednesday with national party leaders pushing them to redraw congressional maps and net as many as five seats to help build an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.” [Washington Post]
New Va. Laws — “Here are some of the new laws Virginians should be aware of in 2026. Kids under the age of 16 are now limited to one hour per day on social media unless a parent consents to more (or less) time. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are required to verify age and set the default hour limit… If you text “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” to telemarketers they have to honor your request and remove you — for at least 10 years.” [Axios]
Spitting Suspect Charged — “N. Lexington Street at Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 7:25 p.m. on January 12, police were dispatched to the report of an assault. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim was in the area when the female suspect approached the victim and allegedly spat on her before fleeing the scene… responding officers located an individual matching the description of the suspect near the scene and took her into custody. While in custody, the suspect spat on two officers.” [ACPD]
Sheriff’s Office Promotion — “Arlington County Sheriff José Quiroz has announced the promotion of Juan Gelabert to Chief Deputy of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Gelabert brings more than two decades of dedicated service to the agency and a deep, lifelong connection to the Arlington community.” [Arlington County]
Big Bucks for Local Solar Company — “Arlington solar company Summit Ridge Energy has secured a massive loan to fund the construction or operation of 20 solar facilities at a time when data centers are driving up demand for alternative sources of energy. The company closed a $290 million facility with the Tokyo-based Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group to fuel an expansion as energy demands skyrocket across the U.S.” [WBJ]
Hotel Occupancy Falls — “Greater Washington hotel occupancy dipped in October to levels not seen during that month since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, contributing to another decline in the CBRE REVIVE Regional Vibrancy Index. Ian Anderson, the senior director of research at the real estate firm CBRE, said he was surprised by the declines in hotel occupancy, but he said some of the October drop may be attributable to the government shutdown.” [WBJ]
Beyer Opposes Bill — “I can’t support funding a status quo that accepts Trump’s illegal, immoral demolition of USAID. This minibus also fails to constrain the abject stupidity of Trump’s threats to attack Greenland, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, etc. I will vote no.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Congressman Don Beyer]
Robbery at Home Depot — “The Home Depot, 6200 block of Seven Corners Center in Fairfax County— two males stole power tools and flashed a handgun at employees before fleeing.” [The DC MD VA Live/X]
It’s Wednesday — There is a slight chance of rain in the morning and late afternoon, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 52. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. Rain is likely tonight before 1am, followed by a chance of rain and snow until 4am, then a slight chance of snow. The low will be around 25, with light winds becoming northwest at 6 to 11 mph and gusts up to 31 mph. There is a 70% chance of precipitation, but little or no snow accumulation is expected. [NWS]
There is a 20% chance of rain in the morning and late afternoon, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 52. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. Rain is likely tonight before 1am, followed by a chance of rain and snow until 4am, then a slight chance of snow. The low will be around 25, with light winds becoming northwest at 6 to 11 mph and gusts up to 31 mph. There is a 70% chance of precipitation, but little or no snow accumulation is expected. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
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The former Acme Pie Co. space, now for rent at 2803 Columbia Pike (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
A large commercial building previously slated for redevelopment on Columbia Pike has a new owner with a new focus on revitalizing the property.
The Elkins Building at 2801 Columbia Pike — currently home to a half-dozen businesses including Art & Framing Club, Sicilian Pizza and Urban Pets Paws — changed hands for $5.9 million on Dec. 29, property records show.
John Milliken discusses Virginia's political evolution (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
A recent presentation from a former local official examined Virginia’s three-decade statewide transformation from politically red to purple to now (maybe) blue.
John Milliken, former County Board member and Virginia Secretary of Transportation, explored the Old Dominion’s political evolution at the gubernatorial level from the narrow 2001 election of Mark Warner to the 2025 landslide bringing Abigail Spanberger into office.
Hosted biannually in the winter and summer by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the week features multi-course, prix-fixe menus at participating D.C. area restaurants. This season, it takes place from Monday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 25.