Around Town

A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).

BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.


News

Efforts to fund the $181 million west entrance to the Ballston-MU Metro station took another step forward last night (Thursday).

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) voted to include $20 million in funding for the project as part of a new request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). Final CTB action is slated for next month.


News

Police have released composite sketches of a man whose remains were found in a vacant Ballston home more than two years ago, hoping the public can help identify him.

The remains were discovered on Feb. 26, 2024 by the new owners of an abandoned property on the 1300 block of N. Taylor Street. The owners came across the remains in the basement during a walkthrough of the recently purchased home. Police were dispatched just before 5 p.m. and immediately launched a death investigation.


News

A revised proposal for a 23-story Ballston redevelopment project calls for fewer total units in an unusual mix of apartments and condos.

Aria Development Group, which owns the site at 4420 Fairfax Drive, now proposes to build 59 condominium units and 182 apartments at the site of a five-story office building — down substantially from an earlier proposal to build just over 300 units.


News

A company that uses self-driving robots to deliver food, groceries and online purchases has begun mapping out the streets and sidewalks of Arlington County.

Avride, a Massachusetts-based company that produces autonomous cars in addition to delivery bots, has deployed at least one “personal delivery device” to chart a two-mile radius in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. The initial phase is expected to last for about two weeks, according to a county webpage about the devices.


Around Town

A combination restaurant, bar and art gallery in Ballston is hosting a farewell party this weekend after five years in business.

Whino Restaurant and Bar’s last happy hour and dinner service will take place from 4-11 p.m. this Friday, on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd. After that, the business is throwing a final party with painting, free food and DJs from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. on Saturday.


Around Town

An Arlington nonprofit that hosts dance lessons and community events plans to celebrate the grand opening of a new dance hall this weekend.

Inspira Dance is opening this Saturday on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd, across from Onelife Fitness. The nonprofit — previously operating as an event pop-up at various local businesses — has planned a lineup of dancing activities throughout the night to celebrate the new space, starting with a bachata class at 7 p.m.


Around Town

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).


News

A Holiday Inn hotel in the Ballston area has closed and is now fenced off, apparently in preparation for a redevelopment project approved back in 2023.

Multiple tipsters contacted ARLnow this month after the hotel at 4610 Fairfax Drive closed its doors. The hotel has left IHG Hotels and Resorts’ system, a spokesperson said, although they did not say exactly when the location stopped admitting guests.


Around Town

A new fitness studio has entered Ballston’s wellness scene, hosting group workout classes with elements of yoga and Pilates.

Fitness franchise FS8, which specializes in reformer Pilates, yoga and low impact training, is now open for business at 4001 9th Street N. The new studio held a grand opening over the weekend with Olympic diving medalist Kassidy Cook.


Around Town

Arlington’s third Van Leeuwen ice cream location is preparing to open in Ballston.

Signage for the national ice cream chain has appeared within the last few days on the ground floor of 4075 Wilson Blvd, in part of the former Rustico Restaurant space. The business has eyed the location since last May, according to permit records.


Around Town

A digital scavenger hunt inspired by cherry blossom season has gotten underway in Ballston.

Floral sidewalk decals for Bloom Hunt, coordinated by the Ballston BID and the immersive art gallery Artechouse DC, appeared in the neighborhood earlier this week. Participants have until Sunday to scan the decals with Artechouse’s app, unlocking digital, blossom-inspired artwork for a chance to win prizes.


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