There’s finally an opening date in sight for Buzz Bakery in Ballston.
“Coming soon” signs have been up at the storefront on the 4000 block of Wilson Boulevard for almost a year now. Next-door sister eatery Rustico opened in October while Buzz remained closed. Now, at long last, comes word that Buzz will start serving cupcakes and cappuccinos early next month.
This month alone, the restaurant chain has held ‘open house’ hiring events in Ballston, Rosslyn, Falls Church, Seven Corners, Reston, Sterling, Herndon and Ashburn.
Why the sudden hiring push?
According to the company’s web site, the new Zoë’s will be located near the Ballston Metro station at 4245 Fairfax Drive, formerly home to do-it-yourself stir fry restaurant Flat Top Grill.
Founded in 1995, Alabama-based Zoë’s is a rapidly-growing chain with restaurants from Arizona to Florida. It has three D.C.-area locations: Fairfax, Woodbridge and Potomac, Md. Its menu includes kabobs, sandwiches, pitas and a variety of soups and salads.
Free Coffee for Earth Day — To celebrate Earth Day, Starbucks is offering a free coffee or tea to anybody who brings a reusable mug or tumbler. Caribou Coffee, which has locations in Shirlington and Crystal City, is also offering free coffee for those who bring reusable drinkware. [Starbucks, Shirlington Village Blogspot]
Ballston Recognized for Environmental Efforts — Ballston has been named one of the top 10 “green” neighborhoods in the Washington area by real estate listing service MRIS. [Prince of Petworth]
The group rides take about 350 cyclists on an hour-long route through local neighborhoods. The course can get hilly, but the rides are open to cyclists of all skills and abilities.
“No one will be left behind,” Conte’s says. The store also offers an “introduction to group riding skills” course for group ride beginners.
As it stands now, however, Wiinky’s is a homegrown restaurant concept operating within a very crowded market space — subs, salads and burgers — in a building that has seen a succession of failed restaurants. And they don’t even have a sign yet.
The restaurant is the brainchild of a young George Mason University grad and Arlington native named Ryan, who didn’t want us to use his last name. Ryan — nicknamed “winky” in high school — recently left his job as a manager of a local pizza restaurant to open his own business. He said he wanted to create a “cool spot” that would remind him of the backyard barbecues he used to love as a kid.
The sidewalk seating in front of Rustico (4075 Wilson Blvd) in Ballston is open for business.
A number of patrons were sitting outside last night enjoying drinks and meals in the spring sunshine.
Ready?
If you said ‘burger restaurant,’ you are correct! A new burger concept called “Wiinkys” (no, that’s not a typo) is coming to the storefront at 3902 Wilson Boulevard. The space used to house the Pike Grill and, after the grill closed, Papi Pollo.
From 10:00 this morning until the end of the team’s practice session, fans are encouraged to come to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 North Glebe Road) to “Rock the Red” and show their support. Caps announcer Wes Johnson will be there to pump up the crowd, and 106.7 The Fan’s Mike Wise Show will be broadcasting live.
There will also be t-shirt giveaways and an appearance by Slapshot, the team’s avian mascot.
Ann Taylor Coming to Clarendon — An Ann Taylor store is coming to the Clarendon Market Common storefront formerly occupied by a Myer-Emco home electronics store. The new Clarendon Ann Taylor is expected to open on June 10, according to Market Common spokesperson Carol Nahorniak. [Clarendon Culture]
Tapas Bar Coming to Ballston — Upper Crust Gourmet (1000 N. Randolph Street) closed late last month for renovations. According to Eat More Drink More, the three-week project will transform the well-liked cafe into a tapas bar. [Eat More Drink More]
The restaurant will be hosting the second annual Team Kickin’ it for Krista’s DC Walk for Lupus Now fundraiser tonight from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
What is lupus? It’s an autoimmune disorder with a variety of chronic symptoms.
Taste of Arlington features dozens of local restaurants and draws a crowd of thousands to the stretch of Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. In years past the beer selection at the event has been limited, but organizers say they’re now “trying to make the drink selection as diverse as the food selection.”
A craft beer distributor will be bringing ten different brews to the festival, including varieties of Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Newcastle, Ommegang, Saranac, Franziskaner, Breckenridge, Gordon Biersch, Shiner and Magic Hat. As before, wine will also be available.
