Colada Shop is set to open its first Arlington location on Monday, and the first 100 visitors will receive a free “Colada Clarendon” tote bag.
The Sterling-based Cuban cafe is moving into a 2,200-square-foot space next to Tatte and Seamore’s, at 2811 Clarendon Blvd.
The company originally announced the Clarendon opening last August. This will be the sixth Colada Shop to open in the D.C. area, including one that opened in the Mosaic District in 2021. The first location opened in Sterling in 2016 before quickly expanding to D.C.
“We’ve been blown away by the love and support from the Washington, D.C. community,” Founder and CEO Daniella Senior said in a press release. “Each Colada Shop has its own unique charm, and I’m thrilled to see the infectious energy this Clarendon spot will bring to our family. Clarendon has always been on our radar, and now, we’ve found the perfect spot to bring our Cuban coffee, cocktails, and culinary delights, amplifying the neighborhood’s spirit.”
ARLnow reported in December that a second Colada Shop is slated to open in Crystal City this year, along with a Tatte cafe and Van Leeuwen ice cream shop, among other businesses.
What sets the Clarendon location apart from its sister cafes is a bigger bar, which will be the largest among all its locations.
“Prepare to be dazzled by the spacious interior and cozy patio seating at the Clarendon store, but the real star is the bar — meticulously designed to foster a lively ambiance where guests can unwind, mingle, and indulge in an array of tantalizing Cuban-inspired libations,” the release said.
The restaurant will offer a menu that includes favorites like Cuban-style empanadas, croquetas, arroz con pollo and BBQ ribs, with vegetarian options including jackfruit dishes.
The cocktail menu offers a variety of rum-based drinks, including the traditional piña colada and mojito, among others. For patrons on the go, the shop will offer seasonal slushies and cocktail pouches.
The building housing Colada Shop dates back to 1941 and is part of The Crossing Clarendon development, which has been renovated and rebranded in recent years.
The restaurant joins other new openings in Clarendon including as Chip City. There have also been several closures in the area, including clothier Jos. A Bank, outdoor outfitter Orvis, bar/restaurant Chicken + Whiskey, Mediterranean restaurant Cava Mezze and international bakery Le Pain Quotidien.
More changes could be on the horizon at The Crossing in the coming months as the property manager aims to “modernize” its retail offerings.
A 42-year-old Arlington woman is in jail after police say she robbed a bank in Clarendon yesterday morning.
The robbery happened around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the TD Bank at 3028 Wilson Blvd, across from the Clarendon Metro station.
Police were first dispatched to the area for a report of a woman harassing customers at the nearby District Dogs location. Then, officers were told that a woman matching the same description had robbed the bank, fled with cash and boarded an ART bus, according to scanner traffic.
The bus was stopped on Columbia Pike and a suspect was taken into custody. Court records show the suspect was charged last year in Arlington with public intoxication and three separate incidents of alleged fare evasion.
More, below, from today’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.
BANK ROBBERY, 2024-03130067, 3000 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 8:28 a.m. on March 13, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect entered the bank, approached a teller and demanded money. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and boarded a bus. No weapon was implied or displayed and no injuries were reported. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers canvassed the area for the suspect. Officers in the area of Columbia Pike and S. Courthouse Road observed an individual matching the suspect’s description exiting a bus and took her into custody. During the course of the investigation, the stolen cash was recovered. [The suspect], 42, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Robbery. She was held without bond.
A new Mediterranean restaurant with live entertainment and an expansive patio is on track to replace the former Bar Ivy in Clarendon.
Láylí is slated to open at 3033 Wilson Blvd within the next few months, offering an “immersive mezze and cocktail garden experience,” applicant Walid Zeytoun told ARLnow.
“Our menu will showcase modern Lebanese cuisine as its foundation while weaving in traditional Greek and Turkish flavors,” Zeytoun said. “Featuring a wide selection of meats and seafood alongside signature vegan and vegetarian options, we aim to offer delights for every palate.”
The restaurant plans to keep Bar Ivy’s eye-catching layout, including the outdoor café and kiosk, according to a statement of justification filed last week.
“Layli seeks identical use permits for the exact same use,” the statement says. “The layout and configuration of the space is remaining exactly the same.”
The restaurant is also seeking to offer indoor live entertainment seven days a week, from 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Its interior would seat up to 71 guests, while the patio could accommodate up to 125.
Láylí’s beverages will “complement the cuisine,” Zeytoun said, with cocktails and mocktails “celebrating the region’s signature ingredients.”
The restaurant applied for a liquor license earlier this month.
“As we prepare to welcome you this coming Spring, we’re excited to bring a fresh and captivating dining experience to Clarendon,” he said. “Join us for a truly unforgettable experience at Láylí.”
A full statement from Zeytoun is below.
Inspired by the rich history and spiritual beauty of the Middle East, we proudly present the concept for Láylí – an immersive mezze and cocktail garden experience that seamlessly blends inviting dining and patio spaces.
Our menu will showcase modern Lebanese cuisine as its foundation while weaving in traditional Greek and Turkish flavors. Featuring a wide selection of meats and seafood alongside signature vegan and vegetarian options, we aim to offer delights for every palate.
Our beverage selection will complement the cuisine by celebrating the region’s signature ingredients in cocktails ranging from spirit-forward to zero-proof.
As we prepare to welcome you this coming Spring, we’re excited to bring a fresh and captivating dining experience to Clarendon. Join us for a truly unforgettable experience at Láylí.
Zeytoun was also involved in the revamp of Clarendon’s Wilson Hardware in 2022. He noted that the new restaurant is not associated with Wilson Hardware, which is located one block away.
Bar Ivy quietly closed in late 2023 after opening in the summer of 2022. Numerous chairs and tables still occupy its patio and much of the interior decor appears to still be in place.
The “West Coast-inspired” restaurant was one of several notable closures in Clarendon over the past year. Established destinations such as Pamplona, Cava Mezze and The Pinemoor also departed, while the new Chicken + Whiskey listed itself as “temporarily closed” in January following lackluster sales.
Other forthcoming arrivals in the neighborhood, meanwhile, could include a resurrected Mister Days.
The Lot in Clarendon, now under new ownership, has been re-christened Arlington Beer Garden.
However, craft beer fans will need to wait a bit longer for its debut. Yahya Yasini, one of the new owners, told ARLnow the beer garden at 3217 10th Street N. could open in about a month.
“Our plan is to do grand openings sometime in mid-April,” he said. “So just keep an eye out on Instagram.”
Following its grand opening in 2019, The Lot quickly became a local favorite, gaining particular prominence during the pandemic. Initially, it was expected to remain open for only a few years before being demolished and redeveloped.
However, delays in the planning and approval process extended its lifespan.
ARLnow previously reported the beer garden intended to make last year its final hoorah.
The current plan is still to demolish The Lot and other nearby buildings, including the now-shuttered Silver Diner, to make room for a mixed-use apartment and hotel complex known as the Bingham Center. The Arlington County Board unanimously approved the project last year.
But Yasini said he has come to an “understanding” with the property owners that it may be at least another few years before the site is redeveloped.
“When that time comes, we’ll get into that,” he said.
The property was lively yesterday (Tuesday) with new staff, who could be seen moving new heat lamps and drawing up plans for the area when ARLnow stopped by.
Plans for the site, including the new beer list, are still being finalized, says Yasini. He and his business partners plan to release more updates on the venture’s official Instagram page in the weeks ahead.
Hat tip to numerous tipsters
Clarendon’s newest comedy venue is in the basement of a Balkan restaurant.
Starting next Thursday, the speakeasy-style bar underneath Ambar, called BABA, will host free bi-weekly comedy shows.
The “Elite 11 Closed Mic” show with the Savage Gentleman Club will feature seven local comics performing 11-minute skits. For the inaugural show next week, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The comedy show is free but BABA will offer Ambar’s unlimited Balkan dinner menu for $49.99 per person, with the small plates available à la carte as well, and discounted wines. Registration is recommended but not required.
Comedy is not the only way that BABA has been blending dining and experiences, in an effort to maximize use of the restaurant’s basement space. It also hosts “Dine in the Dark,” a blindfolded dining experience in which guests eat relying solely on their taste and smell.
Guests are given a secret three-course menu that caters to their preferred source of protein. This sensory-based experience occurs on most Tuesday evenings but an updated schedule can be found on the website. Registration for this dining experience is required before attending.
Then on Fridays, BABA opens up the dining area for live music from 8-10 p.m.
While Ambar tests out different ways to attract potential patrons to its subterranean space, several other restaurants and nightlife spots in the neighborhood have struggled to stay open.
Over the last year, Clarendon saw the closures of new arrivals Bar Ivy and Chicken + Whiskey as well as more established destinations, including Pamplona, Cava Mezze and The Pinemoor.
Brown paper still shields the windows of the new Wagamama in Clarendon, but construction appeared to be winding down when ARLnow peeked inside through eyeball-sized holes in the window coverings this week.
Nearly two years have passed since the British chain, known for its Japanese cuisine, announced its plans to open at 2950 Clarendon Blvd, formerly home to Oz, a restaurant owned by “Real Housewives of Potomac” stars Ashley and Michael Darby. A trade publication reported a tentative opening date of summer 2023 last year, which ultimately did not come to fruition.
The building’s exterior has not changed much, but the patio and much of the inside looks complete, with some furniture already in place.
While an exact opening date is still up in the air, a Wagamama spokesperson told ARLnow that the company hopes to set a date in the next few weeks.
Wagamama’s menu includes dishes such as ramen and donburi — a bowl of steamed rice topped with stir-fried protein and mixed vegetables — and extends to other pan-Asian offerings such as curry.
The restaurant chain has more than 200 locations across 27 countries. The Arlington location is set to become Wagamama’s eighth in the U.S.
Two development proposals in Clarendon and Virginia Square are facing delays.
Last week, ARLnow reported that St. Charles Catholic Church was suspending its church redevelopment plans for now, citing economic conditions. Two other projects nearby likewise cite the country’s economic outlook as one reason progress is taking longer than expected.
One project replacing the Wells Fargo bank — which saw a notable attempted robbery last year — and its parking lot, led by developer Jefferson Apartment Group, is expected to pick up the pace soon. The other, from the YMCA, may take a bit longer.
For both, Arlington County is waiting on revisions to their site plan applications, according to Dept. of Community Planning, Housing and Development spokeswoman Erika Moore.
JAG proposes to demolish the bank and build a 12-story, 238-unit apartment building with 67,000 square feet of office and 30,000 square feet of retail space, including a replacement bank, which will no longer have a drive-thru. The Verizon telephone switching station will remain, screened from view.
The last public review opportunity for the Wells Fargo development was a site plan review committee (SPRC) meeting last April. Since then, says Moore, staff have not requested any major changes, however, “the developer has been reconsidering the proposed mix of uses on the site.”
She added that the developer has signaled it will soon file a revised site plan for the property, at 3140 Washington Blvd and 1025 N. Irving Street.
“Jefferson Apartment Group continues to advance the 4.1 site plan for the mixed-use redevelopment of the Wells Fargo/Verizon site in the Clarendon area of Arlington County,” JAG Senior Vice President Greg Van Wie said in a statement. “JAG has made some important changes to the plan and will resubmit to the County in the coming weeks.”
Economic conditions have forced the developer to move the start of construction, however.
“While market conditions have created financing challenges, JAG remains committed to commencing the project later this year,” Van Wie said.
Meanwhile, the development team for the Y continues to address comments from county staff made last summer but has yet to refile plans, project attorney David Tarter told ARLnow.
“The YMCA proposal remains active and underway,” he said. “Although it has taken longer than expected, the Y believes that all the input, thought and effort will make it a better project.”
The Y proposes a 7-story, 374-unit apartment building as well as a new 87,850-square-foot recreation center facility with indoor swimming pools, three indoor pickleball courts and convertible courts for squash, handball and racquetball, as well as fitness and multipurpose spaces. Tennis courts were axed last summer to the chagrin of some members.
He said the project is complex as it includes a new YMCA and apartment building “on a site with a steep grade and other issues.”
“Increased interest rates and other economic headwinds also present challenges, particularly for a non-profit,” he added. “We have additional work to do, but look forward to providing a new state-of-the-art facility and programing to better serve the broader Arlington community.”
A New York man has been charged with drunkenly brandishing a gun in Clarendon over the Presidents Day weekend.
The alleged incident happened around 1 a.m. on Monday on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd. Arlington County police say the man was kicked out of a bar, then returned with a gun and started arguing with an employee standing outside.
Police rushed to the scene and quickly took a suspect into custody. The 43-year-old Long Island resident is now facing multiple charges, including brandishing a firearm and public intoxication.
More, below, from the latest ACPD crime report.
BRANDISHING, 2024-02190018, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 12:57 a.m. on February 19, officers working the nightlife detail were alerted to a brandishing just occurred. The preliminary investigation determined employees removed the male suspect from an establishment for disorderly behavior and he left the scene. The suspect returned shortly after and a verbal dispute ensued outside the business during which the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm and advanced towards an employee, making physical contact with them, before fleeing the scene on foot. Responding officers located the suspect in the area and he was taken into custody. A firearm was recovered. No injuries were reported. [The suspect], 43, of Elmont, NY, was arrested and charged with Brandishing, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Assault and Battery, Public Intoxication and Carrying a Concealed Weapon while Under the Influence. He was held without bond.
Part of the incident — including officers approaching the suspect at gunpoint near the Clarendon Metro station — was caught on video. It was posted online, below, by local public safety watcher Dave Statter.
Watch as @ArlingtonVaPD Nightlife Detail officers run after a man reported to have a gun in Clarendon. Some of the officers just left a reported disturbance at Bar Bao just before 1 a.m. and were told there was someone with a gun at the 7-11 across the park in the 3100 block of… pic.twitter.com/KwYyeqcIn5
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) February 19, 2024
Development plans for St. Charles Catholic Church in Clarendon have descended into planning purgatory.
The brick church, which occupies a large piece of land near Northside Social and George Mason University’s Arlington campus, has assembled plans to redevelop the property with a new church building and parish center, affordable housing and underground parking.
Progress was continuing apace. As of December 2023, members of a special committee — of the pastor, diocesan representatives, parishioners and other stakeholders — holding discussions with the development partner, LCOR, and hammering out financial planning details, according to an update that was removed from the website this week.
Now, the church is taking a break due to current economic conditions, Fr. Don Planty, the church’s pastor, confirmed to ARLnow yesterday evening (Thursday).
“The rise in interest rates over the last year negatively impacted our developer’s financing capabilities — as it did for residential and commercial real estate projects everywhere,” he said in a statement. “We have suspended the project to evaluate our options or until financial conditions in the real estate sector improve.”
The idea to redevelop has been in the works for a few years now. The church filed conceptual plans in November 2022 proposing a 429-unit apartment building with a courtyard in the center, a rooftop pool and ground-floor amenities. The church will be connected to the parish center, with meeting rooms and an event space, by cloistered gardens.
Parking, currently on Fairfax Drive, would have moved underground and an alley would connect the church and apartment building. Fairfax Drive was slated to be redesigned as a walkable plaza, with a new “West End Plaza” located in front of the church on a county-owned parcel.
But these plans may not lie dormant forever.
“It is absolutely our intent to redevelop the site — it is simply a matter of when,” Planty said. “We will continue to pray that with a new and more beautiful parish site, we can more effectively continue our mission to bring the Good News of Jesus to the heart of Arlington and serve our community.”
St. Charles is situated among several other development proposals — from planning to construction — that are poised to significantly change the neighborhood. In response to all the planned development activity, the county updated the Clarendon sector plan to include a study of this subsection.
Other projects include the Silver Diner/The Lot, Joyce Motors, Wells Fargo/Verizon and YMCA sites, as well as George Mason University.
GMU broke ground on its $235 million expansion project, dubbed FUSE at Mason Square at 3351 Fairfax Drive two years ago and is set to finish construction by the end of 2025.
Last year, the Arlington County Board approved the Joyce Motors project, replacing the automotive shop with an 11-story apartment building with ground-floor retail that preserves the building’s historic façade. It also approved the Silver Diner project, which will see a new hotel and apartment building replace the restaurant, The Lot beer garden, two brick structures called “The Doctors Building,” an auto repair facility and surface parking.
The Wells Fargo project has not yet advanced to Planning Commission or County Board review and the YMCA project is still under an earlier county review process.
A D.C. man is in jail after police say he tried to run from officers during a traffic stop in the Clarendon area.
Arlington police conducted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, near the intersection of 10th Street N. and Wilson Blvd. The driver then ran, police said, leading to a foot pursuit.
According to scanner traffic at the time, the chase briefly entered the Clarendon Animal Care veterinary clinic on 10th Street N. before the suspect was apprehended.
More, below, from an ACPD crime report.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE (Significant), 2024-02130072, 10th Street N. at Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 10:35 a.m. on February 13, an officer observed a vehicle reported as stolen travelling in the area and initiated a traffic stop. The driver stopped the suspect vehicle and officers gave commands during which the driver exited the vehicle and subsequently ran from the area. Following a foot pursuit, the driver was taken into custody. During a search of the vehicle, a stolen license plate was recovered. No injuries were reported. [The suspect], 21, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Obstruction of Justice and Buying/Receiving Stolen Goods. He was held without bond.
Separately, Arlington County police are looking for a Fedex truck that was stolen in Rosslyn earlier this afternoon (Wednesday).
The reported theft happened as the driver was making deliveries.
STOLEN FEDEX TRUCK— 1700 blk N. Pierce St off Clarendon Blvd. Man stole a white FedEx box truck while driver was making deliveries. @ARLnowDOTcom #DMVCrime pic.twitter.com/wt1mw60FwF
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) February 14, 2024
A 25-year-old man was arrested near Clarendon over the weekend and charged with stealing money from the tip jar at two local businesses.
The suspect also threatened an employee during the early Saturday incident, according to Arlington County police.
More, below, from an ACPD crime report.
ROBBERY, 2024-02100055, 3300 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 2:32 a.m. on February 10, police were dispatched to the report of disorderly conduct. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect allegedly entered a business and stole money from a tip jar. An employee confronted the suspect during which he made threatening statements and subsequently exited. The suspect then entered another nearby business and stole money from the tip jar before leaving the scene. Responding officers located the suspect in the area and took him into custody. [The suspect], 25, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Robbery and Petit Larceny. He was held without bond.
Also in the crime report, an Arlington man was arrested this weekend after police say he jumped in front of a car while holding a boxcutter in the Courthouse area, then injured an officer who responded to the scene.
From ACPD:
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-02100013, 2000 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 12:34 a.m. on February 10, police were dispatched to the report of a suspicious person. The reporting party stated the male suspect jumped in front of their vehicle and began yelling while holding what appeared to be a boxcutter. The reporting party was able to leave the scene in their vehicle. Responding officers located the suspect in the area and took him into custody. The suspect was allegedly noncompliant, resisted officers and assaulted an officer, causing minor injuries. The suspect was evaluated and released on scene by medics for minor injuries sustained prior to police arrival. During a search of his person incident to arrest, a boxcutter was recovered. [The suspect], 37, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault on Police, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Obstruction of Justice and Public Intoxication. He was held without bond.
Monday’s crime report also included a trio of weekend robberies, in Pentagon City, Ballston and Crystal City.
ROBBERY, 2024-02100172, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 1:07 p.m. on February 10, police were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect and another male subject entered the business and the suspect allegedly concealed merchandise and attempted to exit the store without payment during which he was confronted by loss prevention personnel. The suspect then brandished a knife and left the store on foot with the male subject. Loss prevention personnel called police and a lookout was broadcast. No injuries were reported. Responding officers canvassed the area, located the male suspect and took him into custody. [The suspect], 34, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Robbery. He was held without bond. The male subject was located in the area, detained and determined to be wanted by the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. [The subject], 33, of Suitland, Md. was arrested and charged with Probation Violation (x2).
ROBBERY, 2024-02110114, 700 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 12:07 p.m. on February 11, police were dispatched to the report of a larceny just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect allegedly entered the business and concealed merchandise during which loss prevention personnel confronted him. The suspect then made threatening statements towards them and exited the store without payment. Loss prevention called police and a lookout was broadcast. Responding officers canvassed the area, located the suspect in the Ballston Metro and took him into custody. The stolen merchandise was recovered. Identifying information for the adult male suspect was unable to be located during the preliminary investigation. He was arrested and charged with Robbery.
ROBBERY, 2024-02100027, 300 block of 23rd Street S. At approximately 1:12 a.m. on February 10, police were dispatched to the report of an assault in progress. The preliminary investigation indicates the male victim exited a business and was standing on the sidewalk when three unknown male suspects approached and began assaulting him. The suspects then stole the victim’s wallet, cash, glasses and cell phone before fleeing the scene on foot. The victim’s wallet was later recovered. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. A male witness, who is known to the victim, attempted to intervene during the assault, during which the witness suffered minor injuries but did not require transport to the hospital. The suspects are described as Black males wearing dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing.