Clarendon | ARLnow.com

Clarendon Trader Joe’s Receives Building Permit

Published July 14, 2011 at 1:18PM

The store was originally slated to open “mid-2011,” but that hoped-for opening has been pushed back due to an unexplained delay in applying for (and getting) the necessary permits and inspections. In May, a Trader Joe’s rep told ARLnow.com that the store is expected to open by the end of the year.

In addition to the building permit, Trader Joe’s has also received a zoning permit that will allow it to modify the building’s first floor facade (pictured) for use as a grocery store. The only other regulatory hurdles that remain, for now, concern the store’s fire prevention plan.

Opinion

Morning Poll: New Clarendon Metro Plaza

By ARLnow.com

Published July 13, 2011 at 9:07AM | Updated July 13, 2011 at 10:23AM

The project, set to begin construction later this year or early next year, is intended to improve the currently under-utilized space by creating “an active, multi-use plaza to accommodate the farmers’ markets, music events, vendors and other community activities, while enhancing pedestrian access to Metrorail and transit.”

The improvements include new pedestrian paving, street and plaza lighting, “seating walls,” movable tables and chairs, covered bike parking, modular newspaper racks and a Clarendon Boulevard curb extension.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 13, 2011 at 8:16AM

New Restaurant Coming to Penrose Square — Restauranteur Cathal Armstrong is reportedly planning to open a new fish-and-chips restaurant on Columbia Pike, in the new Penrose Square development. The restaurant will be the second location for Old Town Alexandria staple Eamonn’s: A Dublin Chipper. In addition to Eamonn’s, Armstrong owns Alexandria eateries The Majestic, Restaurant Eve and Virtue Feed and Grain. [Eater, Pike Wire]

Galaxy Hut Expanding to Falls Church — The owner of Clarendon’s Galaxy Hut is planning on opening a new location on W. Broad Street in Falls Church. Much like the Clarendon location, the new Galaxy Hut will be a music and entertainment venue, in addition to a bar. [Washington Post]

Around Town

Ben’s Chili Bowl Eyeing Expansion in Clarendon?

By ARLnow.com

Published July 12, 2011 at 3:28PM | Updated July 12, 2011 at 4:43PM

Kamal and Nizam Ali are said to be looking at a half-dozen different locations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, including Clarendon.

Currently, the U Street landmark — famous for its half-smokes and its Bill Cosby connection — only has one other satellite location: in Nationals Park.

Around Town

Neighbors Decry Tree Removal in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published July 11, 2011 at 4:00PM

What was once a row of three bungalow houses amid a dense jumble of trees is now an empty dirt lot, and some neighbors are not very happy about it.

The lot, at the corner of N. Danville Street and 11th Street N., will eventually be transformed into a collection of four million-dollar luxury homes, featuring gourmet kitchens, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and spa-style baths with Italian marble, according to a brochure.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 8, 2011 at 7:30AM

New Mexican Restaurant Coming to Clarendon — A Craigslist help wanted ad reveals that Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is planning on coming to Clarendon. [Clarendon Culture]

Boehner at Guapo’s, Again — House Speaker John Boehner was spotted at Guapo’s in Shirlington Village Wednesday night. This is Boehner’s fourth such visit to the Mexican restaurant, that we’re aware of. While there, Boehner posed for a photo that was then posted on a local blog. [Shirlington Village Blog Spot]

Around Town

Cava Restaurant To Open on Saturday

By ARLnow.com

Published July 7, 2011 at 2:58PM

Cava, a new upscale Greek eatery in Clarendon, will open to the public on Saturday.

The restaurant obtained its liquor license today. Owner Ted Xenohristos says he expects to open the doors at 5:00 Saturday evening. See Cava’s dinner menu here.

Around Town

Coming Soon to Clarendon: Rabbit Salad and Grill

By ARLnow.com

Published July 6, 2011 at 9:04AM

A web site for the new restaurant, located at 3035 Clarendon Boulevard, appeared online yesterday. A representative tells us that they’re hoping to hold a grand opening on July 28.

Rabbit will offer “quality salads, sandwiches and meals in a comfortable dining room,” along with a selection of beer and wine.” In addition, sweets will be offered thanks to an in-store Red Velvet Cupcakery counter (Rabbit and Red Velvet share the same owners).

Around Town

Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream Now Open in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published July 5, 2011 at 4:15PM

The store offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors, as well as sundaes, milkshakes, frozen yogurt, fruit smoothies, baked goods and espresso drinks.

Larry’s is located next to BGR: The Burger Joint, on the ground floor of the Clarendon Center project’s north building. Starting next week, the store will be open from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, an employee said.

News

Best Cellars Closing in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published July 1, 2011 at 1:18PM | Updated July 1, 2011 at 4:26PM

For the past seven years, the store at 2855 Clarendon Boulevard has been frequented by customers who tout knowledgeable staff, fun wine tastings and low prices as their top reasons for shopping there.

So far, there’s no official word on why Best Cellars is closing, but we’re told employees aren’t happy about it.

News

Fire at Delhi Club, Hard Times Cafe

By ARLnow.com

Published June 30, 2011 at 11:52AM | Updated June 30, 2011 at 3:12PM

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) A fire broke out this morning in the Clarendon building that houses Hard Times Cafe and Delhi Club.

Smoke could be seen rising from the roof and billowing out of the entrance to Hard Times as firefighters attacked the blaze. Workers on their lunch break gathered to watch as fire trucks surrounded the building.

Around Town

Pete’s to Roll Out Pizza Delivery by Segway

By ARLnow.com

Published June 24, 2011 at 10:02AM

The three-month old restaurant will soon be launching delivery service, and co-owner Joel Mehr says the newly-purchased Segway will allow his delivery staff to serve residents of Arlington’s dense urban core faster than traditional delivery methods.

The Segway — once it’s outfitted with a custom pizza-holding basket — will be able to transport multiple pies at a time, unlike deliveries by foot, and will be able to park anywhere, unlike deliveries by car. Plus, Mehr said, it’s cheap and eco-friendly — only requiring a $0.20 overnight charge for eight hours of operation.