News

Campaigns in Arlington’s Democratic primary and School Board caucus are kicking into gear, with three competitive races at the local level.

Candidates Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash are competing for one open seat on the Arlington School Board.


News

A week after applying for a permit to replace the vacant Giant in Lyon Village, Sprouts Farmers Market has confirmed plans to open a new grocery store in Arlington.

“We are happy to share that we will be bringing fresh, better-for-you products to the Arlington, VA community in 2026,” a representative told ARLnow.


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Around Town

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is expanding in Arlington, with plans to replace a longtime Clarendon ice cream shop and potentially open another location in Ballston.

The website for The Crossing Clarendon lists the national ice cream franchise as “coming soon” to the spot that Nicecream currently occupies at 2831 Clarendon Blvd. Permit records also indicate that Van Leeuwen, which did not respond to a request for comment, is considering a location at 4075 Wilson Blvd in Ballston.


Announcement

Local rising kindergartener, Phin, has advanced to the Top 5 in his group in the national Jr. Ranger Contest, a competition that celebrates children who are passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploration. After making it through earlier rounds with strong community support, Phin is now in 4th place and working toward the top spot needed to move on to the quarterfinals.

The contest encourages kids to engage with the outdoors and highlights their curiosity and love for learning about the natural world. For Phin and his family, this experience has been both exciting and meaningful, made even more special by the encouragement from friends, neighbors, and the broader community.


Weather

It’s looking like a wet weekend for D.C. area, though — fingers crossed — it might not be a total washout.

DC News Now’s Jackie Layer has the forecast (below) with Arlington-specific details, including when there might be some rumbles of thunder tonight.


Event

Join us for the 12th Arlington Triathlon in Memory of Anne Viviani. This youth-only swim-bike-run event for ages 7-15 takes place Sunday, June 7th at Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center. It features a time-trial pool swim, a circuit bike course on closed streets, and an on-road run to the finish on the track. For registration, sponsorship information and more, please visit our website at www.triathlonfamilyusa.com. The race benefits the Arlington Triathlon Club, Arlington’s award-winning, elementary school-based multi-sport training program, the longest-running youth triathlon program of its kind in the country.


Around Town

Taylor Swift’s iconic Eras Tour may be over, but a new tribute band is aiming to bring that energy to Arlington with a setlist that Swifties can enjoy all too well.

The Fearless Eras is performing at 9:30 p.m. this Saturday at The Renegade in Clarendon (3100 Clarendon Blvd). The D.C.-area group’s three-hour setlist includes about 40 songs spanning the superstar’s 18-year career, from mainstream hits to deep cuts.


Sports

The high-school sports schedule for Arlington’s three public high schools continues in full swing, with a full slate of competition in the many spring sports.

The regular seasons last only another week or so, followed by the start of postseason action.


Around Town

Following a two-decade career at the Smithsonian Institution, a Fairlington artist has opened a new boutique with handmade stationery in Long Branch Creek.

Theresa Esterlund celebrated the grand opening of her new shop, Open to Being, last weekend at 2424 26th Road S. The shop carries cards, prints and notebooks featuring her original artwork, many printed on-site using an antique letterpress.


News

While election officials in Arlington and Falls Church are not expecting an early rush to vote in the Democratic primary, they’re ready for those who do come.

Arlington elections director Gretchen Reinemeyer told ARLnow she expects a relatively modest first-day turnout when early voting begins on Friday.


Opinion

There is increasing evidence to support worries about the local and national economy.

The 7.9% drop in the S&P 500 from Jan. 20-April 25 was the worst stock market performance to start the first 100 days of a presidential term since Richard Nixon, per reports earlier this week. Yesterday brought two additional data points: an estimated 0.3% drop in U.S. GDP during the first three months of the year, and a 60% year-over-year jump in Arlington’s unemployment rate.

Meanwhile, tariffs are causing a drop in shipping and port activity that some believe may lead to product shortages.

Arlington’s congressman says that all adds up to an “increasingly grim picture.”

“The economic warning lights are all flashing red,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a press release sharply critical of the Trump administration.

Northern Virginia business leaders are also worried about the local economic outlook, despite optimism earlier this year, the Washington Business Journal reported Wednesday.

Even Remy Munasifi, of Arlington Rap fame, is getting in on the action, with a new music video satirizing President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

Given everything going on with the economy, we’re wondering how that’s affecting local residents and — specifically — their spending decisions.

In March, 65% of poll respondents said they were “very worried” about the local economy given the impact of DOGE cuts to the federal government. Two months later, are those worries — and new tariff and economic concerns — translating to a tighter grip on one’s pursestrings? Let’s find out.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash