Around Town

A new cafe with Korean shaved ice and brioche sandwiches has opened at the Founders Row development in Falls Church.

Semicolon Cafe, a small New York City-based chain that also offers classic cafe beverages and pastries, opened late last month at 103 Founders Avenue.


Around Town

A local coffee shop with a social mission has closed after almost two years at Water Park in Crystal City.

But the story isn’t over for Brij Coffee owner Skyler Kelley, who opened the cafe in fall 2023 with the goal of using the business to combat homelessness.


Around Town

Mexican flavors and a new moniker have arrived at a cafe near Courthouse following a change in ownership.

Business partners Jessica Cordova and Arturo Encarnacion took the reins of Mumu Cafe late last month. Now called “Cafecito,” the coffee shop at 1924 N. Uhle Street serves new beverages, lunch items and pastries sourced from local Mexican-American entrepreneurs.


Around Town

An Asian and French inspired bakery franchise from South Korea has opened for business in Pentagon City.

Tous les Jours opened last week at 1100 S. Hayes Street, where Maizal closed last summer. The cafe-bakery offers drinks and freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries with international influences.


Around Town

A new cafe in a historic Falls Church building is expected to open in two weeks.

Little Falls Cafe, a project by the founders of Pupatella, has set an early May opening date in a renovated building at 106 Little Falls Street, co-owner Anastasiya Algarme told ARLnow. It plans to offer European fare with a colorful, vintage interior full of thrifted decorations.


Around Town

Lost Dog Cafe’s owner is weighing his options as ongoing Columbia Pike construction and region-wide challenges for restaurants have him concerned about his bottom line.

The restaurant at 2920 Columbia Pike experienced a 10% drop in sales from 2023 to 2024, and if the current trend continues, owner James Barnes expects that number to dip another 8.75% by the end of this year.


Around Town

A new cafe with plenty of vegetarian breakfast and lunch options hopes to open in Ballston this fall.

Life Alive Cafe, which has been planning to set up shop in the former Bruegger’s Bagels space at 818 N. Quincy Street, announced plans to open this September.


Around Town

A new cafe with cozy seats, neon signs and a playful disco theme is now open in Crystal City.

Coffee Republic opened last week at 3130 Potomac Avenue, on the ground floor of Azure National Landing apartments. The shop sells espresso drinks and food in addition to organic coffee beans and grounds.


Around Town

An organic, vegetarian-friendly cafe plans to open in Ballston where Bruegger’s Bagels closed in 2023.

Life Alive Cafe is preparing to renovate at 818 N. Quincy Street, county permits show. The Boston-based eatery with a focus on fresh meals for breakfast and lunch is expanding into the D.C. area.


Around Town

A Compass Coffee location opened in Clarendon over the weekend, filling the vacancy left by Peet’s Coffee last fall.

The D.C.-based coffee shop, which is now serving springtime drinks, is open at 3003 Washington Blvd, where Peet’s closed permanently in November.


Around Town

A new cafe featuring Hawaiian coffees and breakfast items is set to open in Virginia Square next week.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii plans to open for business on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 3701 N. Fairfax Drive. The cafe has been in development since the fall and is the second Northern Virginia location by franchisees Michelle and Richard Lee.


Around Town

A taste of France is preparing to come to Arlington and Falls Church later this year.

French-inspired bakery and cafe Paris Baguette is planning to open locations in Clarendon and the Little City several months from now, franchisee Sean Kim told ARLnow. The expanding business has 200 North American locations and a goal of opening 1,000 United States stores by 2030.


View More Stories