Acme Pie Co. has reopened for business in a new Columbia Pike storefront, with the same pinball machines and a new breakfast menu.
The longtime pie shop recently completed the move from 2803 Columbia Pike to 2406 Columbia Pike, where the Columbia Pike Deli closed earlier this year.
National donut franchise Duck Donuts is coming to the Pentagon City mall.
A sign in the food court announces the North Carolina-founded donut shop is “coming soon” to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The shop is known for its inventive donut flavors, from “PB&J” to lemon coconut.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
Many of you have asked about best practices when it comes to buying a new condominium. Some of us only want new and are willing to pay a premium for the best in current design. There are several recommendations and insights here that will help you get what you want.
First decide what type of condominium you need… size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking needs, or separate office, followed by a list of wants such as level of building service, amenities on-site, space for dining for six, balcony, open floor plan, and natural light. (Here she goes again.) Not to be sexist about it, but females generally are better shoppers and come with a preconceived set of non-negotiables.
Identify the areas you would consider living, such as Arlington or Old Town… but not wanting to go as far as Tysons, Reston, or DC. People don’t buy condominiums in places they aren’t familiar with or already spend time in, unless relocating entirely. Many upcoming communities put up signage and a website first which makes early interest hyperlocal. Register as a VIP on the website early and you will get regular communication, time to consider the offering, and learn when pre-sale will begin.
Once open, come early in pre-sale. You’ll get the pick of the litter. This is particularly important if you want something larger and are interested in the best views. Prospects are smart and pick the best floorplans first. If you have some idea of your ideal size and price point it makes good use of everyone’s time. Once you make a selection, expect to leave a 10% deposit as this is pretty standard in the industry. The developer generally has their own contract and it’s written much in their favor but not unreasonably so. Pricing this early is usually not negotiable… the price is the price. But you can purchase with some confidence since all buyers are getting the same terms and the developer has a shared interest in protecting values through delivery while sales are ongoing.
You do not need to be fully qualified for financing to come out and look but it’s wise to have some idea of what you can afford. Most builders give incentives for paying cash or using their title company and lenders. Often your contract might even offer a short financing contingency in exchange for considering them.
Once firmly under contract, a buyer might have 12- 18 months to prepare for the move. How blissful. This is one of the best parts of buying early in pre-sale. Moving is daunting, especially if you have been in your current homes for 30 years and the thought of moving seems excruciating. Decide what to take, sell/donate, and hire a proper interior designer to space plan and create a unique home that reflects your tastes. All with the time to do it properly.
Something to note. Finishes have gotten more high end, brands carry weight, and there is less customization offered these days. Gone are the days of going to a design center. If you know you are getting a Sub Zero refrigerator included you probably won’t ask if there are other options available. (more…)
A potentially rabid fox has been spotted in western parts of Arlington County and remains on the loose.
Animal control personnel “responded to several reports of a fox approaching or contacting dogs and people” on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said.
This year’s Very Godly VBS, inspired by The Titan’s Curse, invites children into the world of Camp Half-Blood to explore faith, courage, belonging, and community through storytelling, music, crafts, games, science, and reflection in a fun and welcoming environment for all.
Location: The Falls Church
Milo isn’t just an adorably affectionate orange tabby, he’s also an almost purrfect roommate.
Milo is a domestic shorthair cat around 4 years old currently in foster care through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Join Jadin O’Brien, Olympic athlete, 3x NCAA pentathlon champion and 10x All-American (heptathlon) winner for this in-person and virtual 5K. This event is sponsored by The Alex Manfull Fund to raise awareness and advance research on debilitating infection-associated neuroimmune disorders (including PANS and PANDAS) that affect young people. The 5K is part of the organization’s 36 Hours for PANS and PANDAS Advocacy in Motion event. Runners will receive a Finisher’s Medal, Technical (Drifit) Event Shirt and A Chip Timed Event. The event commemorates the life of Alex Manfull, who died at age 26 due to PANDAS. Susan and William Manfull established the Fund in their daughter’s name with the vision that no life ever again be cut short—or interrupted—by these illnesses. Learn more at TheAlexManfullFund.org.
Courthouse’s newest rooftop restaurant and bar is opening today (Thursday).
Rooftop Recess is soft opening at 4 p.m. at 2424 Wilson Blvd, where Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill closed in 2023. The three-level restaurant offers contemporary American food, brunch and cocktails, with a relaxed atmosphere and garden-inspired interior.
The West Falls development is getting a new ice cream shop tomorrow (Friday).
D.C.-area creamery Ice Cream Jubilee plans to open its next location at noon at 151 W. Falls Station Blvd in Falls Church, joining the development’s growing retail landscape.
Arlington’s Roman Catholic bishop is sounding off about President Donald Trump’s social media post depicting himself as the next pope.
In a recent podcast, Bishop Michael Burbidge sharply criticized the president’s recent Truth Social post of himself in a white cassock and miter. He went on to praise Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s veto of the Virginia Right to Contraception Act — but criticized the Republican for approving legislation relating to in vitro fertilization.
Falls Church property owners are probably getting a tax cut, though it’s not as high as initially proposed.
City Council has tentatively settled on a rate of $1.20 per $100 assessed valuation, down from $1.21 in the current fiscal year.
Fundraiser for Firefighter — “On May 5, 2025, we lost Firefighter Lloyd Edwards a dear friend, brother and overall great person. To know Lloyd was to know a gentle and kind soul. He leaves behind to grieve, his family, fitness community, and fire service family… Now it’s our turn to show up for him.” [GoFundMe]
Small Earthquake Felt Locally — “A magnitude 3.0 earthquake rattled the Farmville area Tuesday afternoon, with people as far away as Leesburg, Culpeper and Arlington reporting they felt it, too, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake occurred at 1:08 p.m. in Buckingham County, about 12 miles from Farmville and about 40 miles from Charlottesville.” [InsideNoVa/WTOP]
Big New Office Tenant — “Jamestown, a design-focused real estate investment and management firm, today announced Gilbane Building, one of the largest privately owned construction companies in the world, signed a lease for a 27,000-square-foot office at Ballston Exchange, a mixed-use retail, dining, and office development in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood.” [Press Release]
Fentanyl Supplier Sentenced — “A Maryland man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, Mamud Sesay, 36, of Bowie, was a source of supply for fentanyl… On November 27, 2023, Sesay met Mosby and distributed the pills to him. Mosby redistributed the pills in Arlington County later that day.” [Press Release]
Candidate Criticizes Permit Delay — “Three years to receive a permit to build is frankly absurd. We need to streamline the permitting process so projects like this no longer fall through the cracks!” [Arjoon Srikanth for Delegate/X]
Pentagon City Crash on Camera — “Another one at Army Navy, S. Hayes and the I-395 ramp in Pentagon City, VA. There is a very lucky motorcyclist in the video who then stopped to help. Make note of the car making the left turn. It didn’t come from the only left turn lane on that ramp. The red car was in the left turn lane. That’s a common issue.” [Dave Statter/X]
Ruling in Khan Suri Case — “A federal judge has ruled that Dr. Badar Khan Suri’s habeas case will stay in Virginia. The case, which alleges violations of his constitutional rights, will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.” [ALXnow]
Today is VE Day — An local event is planned tonight: “The Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) presents an engaging educational panel discussion on Victory Day in Europe. Panelists will highlight the role that our sister cities of Aachen, Germany; Reims, France; and, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine played at this significant moment in world history.” [Event Calendar]
New Marymount Provost — “Since stepping into the role of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in February, Dr. Pamela Slaven-Lee has wasted no time charting a strategic path forward… Under her leadership, Marymount has also launched new academic offerings such as its Master of Social Work degree, increased both research grant submissions and external grant funding by 10 percent and is trending toward an increase in first-year student retention.” [Marymount University]
It’s Thursday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 78 with calm winds turning southeast at 5 mph. Showers are possible after 2pm, with a 50% chance of precipitation. Thursday night brings likely showers and a potential thunderstorm, with otherwise mostly cloudy skies, a low around 58, and a northeast wind at 3-6 mph. Precipitation probability is 70%. [NWS]
