business closing | ARLnow.com

Published December 17, 2013 at 4:30PM

Former Hamburger Hamlet in the shops at Crystal City in 2013 (file photo)

Du-par’s, a California-based diner chain, is attempting to acquire the lease and keep the restaurant, at 1750 Crystal City Shops, open. If successful, the restaurant would be renamed Du-par’s and the staff would be retained. But Du-par’s owner W.W. “Biff” Naylor says that the odds are “80-20 against that happening.”

“I’d hate to see all those people lose their jobs at Christmas time. That would just be brutal,” Naylor said. “We’ve got plenty of time to do it, but the landlord has got to say yes. So far they’ve said no.”

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New Italian Store Location to Replace 7-Eleven in Westover

By ARLnow.com

Published December 16, 2013 at 3:45PM | Updated December 16, 2013 at 7:03PM

(Updated at 7:00 p.m.) The Italian Store will be opening a second location next year, in the Westover neighborhood.

The store, which sells sandwiches, pizza, wine and gourmet Italian grocery items, has enjoyed considerable success at its Lyon Village location, at 3123 Lee Highway. The new location, at 5839 Washington Blvd, will be about twice the size as the original, according to owner Robert Tramonte, whose family has owned and operated the store since 1980.

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Red Parrot Closes in Ballston

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 10, 2013 at 5:00PM | Updated December 10, 2013 at 5:50PM

The Asian fusion restaurant opened in March and held its grand opening celebration in May. However, owner Wendy Cheng said she found Arlington to be too far from Maryland, where she lives and runs the other two Red Parrot locations. She said the long commute was causing too many problems with maintaining the Arlington location.

Cheng confirms the Arlington location “is closed as of this week.”

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Robeks in Courthouse Closes

By Ethan Rothstein

Published December 9, 2013 at 1:30PM

The Robeks smoothie shop in Courthouse has closed.

The Robeks location at 2300 Wilson Blvd, next to Me Jana was one of two locations for the national smoothie chain in Arlington. The Courthouse shop’s only current Arlington location is in Shirlington (4115 A S. Campbell Street).

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Shirlington-Area Pool Hall Lucy’s ARL Closes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 9, 2013 at 12:45PM

Via Facebook, the business invited its loyal customer base to “have that last shot” last night (Sunday).

“Due to recent events, Amy and I have been forced to do a little soul searching & have made the heart breaking decision to close Lucy’s Arl Shirlington,” the Facebook page said. “We appreciate all of the love and support y’all have given these last couple of crazy years and will be here til the wee hours to have that last shot and make a few more memories. Brave the cold and get your assets to Lucy’s! Deep discounts and indoor smoking!”

News

Red Mango Closes in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published December 2, 2013 at 1:45PM

The Red Mango frozen yogurt shop in Clarendon has closed.

We’re told the store’s last day was Friday. The sign has been removed and the interior has since been almost completely emptied out. Workers could be seen changing the locks today.

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Bailey’s Closes in Crystal City

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 3:00PM

Workers could be seen removing the Bailey’s sign from the building today. The Crystal City location has also been removed from the sports bar’s website.

The Bailey’s in the Ballston Common Mall is still open and employees there did not have any information about any possible plans to close.

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Leek American Bistro Closed?

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 13, 2013 at 4:05PM | Updated November 13, 2013 at 4:49PM

Tipsters report the restaurant has looked deserted for several days. ARLnow.com staff stopped by today (Wednesday) and noted that the restaurant is dark, the doors are locked and the tables have been removed from the dining area.

Leek opened one year ago this month in the former Thai Terrace space.

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Toscana Grill in Courthouse Changes Management

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 29, 2013 at 9:30AM

The Italian restaurant’s website, SpaghettiYaFace.com, was recently updated to say the restaurant was closed for good. However, that site was maintained by Joe Smith, who was managing the restaurant the last two years.

Smith’s contract with Toscana’s owner ended last week, but the restaurant, located in Courthouse Plaza (2300 Clarendon Blvd), has continued operations. Manager Nargis Mughal said some changes are planned, including a new menu.

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Fatshorty’s in Clarendon to Close

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2013 at 12:00PM

The restaurant, which specializes in sausages, mussels, beer and cupcakes, will close on Sunday, Oct. 27, according to an email sent to Groupon customers who previously purchased a coupon for Fatshorty’s.

The restaurant was a collaboration between local restaurateur Aaron Gordon (of Red Velvet Cupcakery and other restaurant concepts) and Hell’s Kitchen winner Rahman “Rock” Harper. It opened in April.

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Baja Fresh, Zpizza Close in Rosslyn

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 16, 2013 at 4:05PM

The restaurants, at 1100 Wilson Blvd, closed earlier this month. In July, the possibility they could close became apparent when Monday Properties, which owns the building, applied for a county permit with plans to combine the two spaces into one restaurant with outdoor seating.

Baja Fresh’s phone is disconnected and the space is closed this afternoon. Much of the interior signage has been removed.

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7-Eleven at Lee Highway and George Mason Closing

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 2, 2013 at 4:05PM

Franchise owner Aziz Ali told ARLnow.com that 7-Eleven’s corporate arm instructed him to close his doors by Oct. 21. The building is owned by Virginia Hospital Center, according to property records.

Ali said he and his wife purchased the 7-Eleven franchise earlier this year — in February, according to a 7-Eleven spokeswoman — but was informed two weeks ago that he would have to shut his doors.