Update on 7/6/26: Another Flood Watch has been issued, through midnight Tuesday. From the National Weather Service:
Flood Watch issued July 6 at 4:09AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
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Ayers Variety and Hardware, the Westover shop generations of Arlingtonians have relied on for the one screw, seed packet or odd gadget they couldn’t find anywhere else, is closing.
The family that has owned the store at 5853 Washington Blvd since 1977 announced the closing in social media posts earlier this afternoon (Sunday). Its lease ends July 31 and the doors will close for the last time “in a few weeks,” owners Kristy Peterkin and her brother, Keith, wrote.
While summer is often a slower season for many businesses, BizLaunch has been hard at work supporting Arlington entrepreneurs and preparing an exciting lineup of fall programs. From business growth strategies to inspiring founder stories, there are plenty of opportunities ahead for small business owners looking to learn, connect and grow.
Arlington Growth Accelerator
Ready to take your business to the next level?
The Arlington Growth Accelerator is a selective, cohort-based leadership program designed for established businesses poised for growth. Offered in partnership with SCORE, the program features six hybrid half-day sessions that guide participants through the development of a practical four-year growth strategy focused on operations, financing and long-term success.
Participants will leave with:
- A customized four-year growth plan
- A detailed Year One execution roadmap
- Access to experienced mentors
- An opportunity to participate in a capital matching day
Whether you’re planning your next phase of expansion or looking to strengthen your business foundation, this program provides the tools and support to help you grow with confidence. Join us for an info session about the program on Aug. 5 at 12:00 p.m. Program kicks off Sept. 25.
Chefpreneur Chat: Unidos Somos Más (Together We Are More)
Join us Oct. 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for a special Chefpreneur Chat celebrating this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, Unidos Somos Más (Together We Are More).
Hosted by BizLaunch in partnership with Arlington Public Libraries, this interactive event will spotlight the entrepreneur behind Panamericana Bakery. Attendees will enjoy a live fish preparation demonstration while hearing firsthand how the business was built and grown in Arlington.
The conversation, moderated by Dov & Company, will explore entrepreneurship, culture, community and resilience. Guests will gain practical insights from a successful business owner while celebrating the contributions of Hispanic entrepreneurs who help shape Arlington’s vibrant business community.
To continue the celebration, BizLaunch will also launch a social media campaign highlighting stories of collaboration, partnership and the collective impact of Hispanic-owned businesses across Arlington. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when registration for this event opens.
Stay Connected
Fall is just getting started.
In addition to a full lineup of educational programs and networking opportunities, BizLaunch will soon open registration for its annual, 2027 BizLaunch Transformational and PitchFest program, a five-week cohort experience where participants compete for cash prizes while strengthening their businesses.
Stay up to date on upcoming events, workshops and resources by subscribing to the BizLaunch newsletter. Learn more at www.bizlaunch.org.
It’s going to be stormy, sweltering Fourth of July in Arlington and the D.C. area.
Amid an ongoing heat wave, strong storms are expected to form later today, potentially packing hail and damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was just issued and will be in effect until 10 p.m.
Go to NEW: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued amid dangerous heat, expected poor air quality
Read more
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The supersized July 4 fireworks display planned over the National Mall for America’s 250th should be spectacular, but it could also be worse than ever for pets and people with respiratory conditions.
Arlington’s air could turn “very unhealthy” this weekend as a result of the roughly 40-minute show, according to the Washington Post.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 2, 2026.
- 7:30 am: Morning Notes for July 2, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
- 8:30 am: Arlington NAACP urged to stay involved in potential county governance overhaul | 🗣️ Comments
- 9:15 am: Arlington apartment rents are up nearly 40% from Covid-era lows | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:00 am: JUST IN: Arlington County treasurer announces retirement, setting stage for special election | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: DeVita’s call for Arlington version of Kennedy Center is jeered by his competitors | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:30 pm: Arlington Historical Society launches commemorative newspaper to mark nation’s 250th birthday | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:15 pm: Revolutionary-themed novel by local author out in time for nation’s birthday | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:00 pm: Arlington Sports Commission proposes Dutch-inspired community walk for 2027 | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:45 pm: Fiery 8th District primary forum sparks candidate boycott over heckling | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 5:00 pm: Pre-Independence Day Rooftop Bash
- 5:00 pm: World Cup Soccer Game World Soccer Argentina vs Cabo Verde @Arlington Drafthouse
☀️ Friday’s forecast
It will be sunny and hot with a high of 103 degrees and a heat index up to 110. There will be a west wind at 3 to 7 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low of around 80 and a light west wind. On Independence Day, expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 2 PM. It will be hot with a high of 102 and a heat index up to 109. Winds will be calm, becoming west at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. There is a 60% chance of rain, with rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch, although more is possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) took fire from his own party’s challengers at a candidate forum this week — an event combustible enough that one rival is now boycotting the next Arlington Democratic gathering over heckling.
“He hasn’t pushed back,” said Mo Seifeldein, a former Alexandria City Council member and one of four seeking to unseat Beyer in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary.
Promoting health and building community are the dual themes of a potential 2027 event suggested by the county’s Sports Commission.
Commission members reacted favorably at their most recent meeting to a local version of an “Avondvierdaagse.” It’s the Dutch word for a community walk spread over four evenings aimed at bringing together multiple generations of local residents in a fun and often raucous environment.
Just in time for the nation’s 250th-birthday bash, Arlington author John Hilton is out with a Revolutionary-era work of historical fiction.
“The target audience would be anyone who likes to read novels, who is passionate about our history, anyone who enjoys a good story,” Hilton said of his new work, “The Harlot of Gloucester.”
The Arlington Historical Society is marking the nation’s 250th birthday with a commemorative keepsake highlighting tales of the county’s past.
The 32-page, tabloid-sized Arlington VA250 History Chronicle also marks this year’s commemoration of the society’s 70th anniversary.