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A Java Loco location is preparing to open within the next few weeks near the Ballston Metro station, replacing a Starbucks that closed last year.

The Vietnamese cafe and bubble tea shop plans to open at 901 N. Stuart Street in late September or early October, co-owners Nam Tran and Nga Ho told ARLnow.


Around Town

The El Rey taqueria and margarita bar is no more, but Ballston locals can find solace in a new watering hole.

Solace Outpost opened yesterday (Wednesday) at 4201 Wilson Blvd, offering beer, burgers, bowls and bratwurst in a relaxed, sporty atmosphere.


Around Town

A taqueria and margarita bar has closed its doors in Ballston, with plans to reopen next month as a brewpub.

Solace Outpost is taking over the El Rey space at 4201 Wilson Blvd, swapping out tacos, quesadillas and signature cocktails for bar fare and beers from Solace Brewing Company.


News

Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in a large apartment building in Ballston on Sunday night.

Initial reports suggest that a fire spread after breaking out in the kitchen of a unit at the 1020 Apartments building at 1020 N. Quincy Street. As of publication time, firefighters were working to get the flames under control and to ventilate smoke from the building.


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A membership-only, indoor golfing facility meant for avid golfers looking to improve is now open in a high-rise near Ballston.

The Golf Yards opened earlier this month in Three Ballston Plaza at 1100 N. Glebe Road, offering members 24/7 access to eight golf simulators, putting/short game areas and a high-performance gym. The seventh-floor space is already nearing its membership cap, co-founder David Stillman told ARLnow.


News

Update at 2:35 p.m. — Video posted to social media shows a truck, possibly bearing a U.S. Capitol Police logo, carrying an apparent explosive containment vessel and receiving a police escort on Washington Blvd around noon.

It’s still unclear whether an actual explosive device was found and removed during today’s incident.


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A new series of outdoor events in Ballston is offering free scoops of Van Leeuwen ice cream tomorrow (Wednesday).

“Honeycomb” ice cream made with caramel candy will be available in a courtyard at 4075 Wilson Blvd, which organizers are calling “The Commons Pop-Up Park,” starting at 11:30 a.m. and continuing while supplies last.


News

A development project next to the Ballston Harris Teeter has been growing up fast.

The first apartments in the 197-unit building at 600 N. Glebe Road are expected to become available in spring 2027, Mary Senn, vice president of Southeastern Development Associates, told ARLnow.


News

Construction at the former Macy’s in Ballston has been moving forward roughly on schedule, with a new apartment building expected to accept tenants next year.

The 553-unit project at 685 N. Glebe Road is planning for its first move-ins in the third quarter of 2027, a spokesperson for developer Insight Property Group told ARLnow.


Around Town

A brewpub concept from a Sterling brewing company is pursuing a partnership with a Mexican restaurant in Ballston.

Solace Outpost has applied for a license to sell alcohol at 4201 Wilson Blvd, at the site of El Rey taqueria and margarita bar. Solace Brewing Company co-founder Jon Humerick told ARLnow that Solace is “finalizing terms” on an agreement with El Rey’s current owners, potentially involving co-ownership.


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A veteran-owned bagel shop with hearty breakfast options opened its second location today (Tuesday) in Ballston.

Alexandria-based Bagel Uprising has opened its doors at 901 N. Glebe Road, on the heels of another bagel shop, Call Your Mother, opening at nearby 4000 Wilson Blvd earlier this month. Bagel Uprising seeks to distinguish itself with simple, consistent results on classic bagel and sandwich offerings.


Around Town

Hot days — but not too hot, ideally — mean steady business at Arlington’s ice cream parlors.

Store owners and employees told ARLnow that an unusually hot summer has been driving healthy revenue, although some days this year, intense heat has caused slower traffic even at ice cream shops. In a business built on frosty treats, Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream owner Rollin Amore has summertime almost down to a science.


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