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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
With property assessments and resulting tax revenue stagnant, changes could be coming to Arlington’s trio of business improvement districts, better known as BIDs.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, might shift. Danette Nguyen, CEO of the Ballston BID, told County Board members that her organization is not currently interested in any changes to the tax-revenue status quo.
Plans for a new juice bar across from the Ballston Metro station are moving forward despite the arrest of one of its co-founders earlier this month.
Signs advertising Paradise Juice Bar have recently appeared at 4219 Fairfax Drive, where co-founders Saleh Salim and Sam Ahmed have planned the business since last summer. The juice shop still intends to open within the next month, following Salim’s March 18 arrest as local authorities investigated a regional drug trafficking ring.
A locally owned cafe and bubble tea shop is coming to the Ballston Metro station.
Java Loco is planning to replace the former Starbucks at 901 N. Stuart Street, co-founder Nam Tran told ARLnow. The family-owned cafe, led by Tran and his wife, Nga Ho, serves espresso drinks, Vietnamese coffee, smoothies, pastries and a variety of sandwiches and salads.
A 53-year-old Arlington man is behind bars after a stabbing in Ballston last night.
Police were dispatched to a group home on the 1100 block of N. Stuart Street around 8:30 p.m. for a report of someone being stabbed by their roommate.
