Around Town

A new Pilates studio is rolling out plans to open in Crystal City.

Signs advertising “Pilates on the Mat” have appeared on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments (269 19th Court S.). A website for the upcoming business advertises “a revolutionary fitness concept providing reformer-quality Pilates classes at a fraction of the price,” in addition to “corporate wellness” classes offered at offices and apartments.


Around Town

An Ace Hardware store is opening soon in Crystal City.

Arlington’s second Twins Ace Hardware is preparing to soft open at 2051 S. Bell Street on Tuesday, April 7, owner Jeff Smith told ARLnow. This will be followed by a three-day grand opening with “swag, gift bags, giveaways, and plenty of surprises” from May 29-31.


Around Town

A popular West Coast-inspired burrito shop and cafe from D.C. is opening for business next week at Crystal City’s Water Park.

Monstera Burrito opens Monday at 1721 Crystal Drive, bringing its signature San Diego-style, French fry-packed burritos and an extended menu of burgers, bowls, sandwiches and other bites. It’s the restaurant’s second location, joining a residency inside Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters that opened in 2024.


Around Town

A D.C.-based bubble tea shop is now serving up colorful signature beverages in Crystal City.

Spot of Tea opened last week at 1631 Crystal Drive in Water Park, offering customizable fruit tea, milk tea and matcha. With flavors including vanilla taro milk tea, mango sticky rice matcha and passionfruit green tea, the cafe’s brightly hued beverages — adjustable by the level of ice and sweetness — match its vibrant decor.


Around Town

Cafe franchise Paris Baguette is planning a new location in Crystal City, and a previously announced Clarendon spot is set to open in a couple weeks.

Signs for the French-inspired eatery have appeared at 2000 S. Bell Street in Crystal City, on the ground floor of Valen apartments. The location is expected to open this summer, targeting a debut “in the third quarter of 2026,” according to property owner JBG Smith.


News

Plans to cover only a portion of a quarter-mile pedestrian bridge between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport are raising concerns among some local residents.

Officials from Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services have proposed to cover the CC2DCA multimodal connection on the western portion as it passes above rail lines, then on the eastern portion as it approaches the airport. For aesthetic reasons, however, the current plan is to leave the bridge open to the sky as it passes over GW Parkway.


Around Town

A husband-and-wife duo known for their work on the silver screen plan to release their second children’s book together after resettling in Arlington.

Brittany Scott Smith, an Emmy-winning director who has worked on “Sesame Street,” and her husband, actor Arjay Smith, release books together under the name “A.B. Smith.” Their latest book, “Wes and Morris Meet Passport Pat,” comes out on March 27.


Around Town

A Crystal City-area coffee shop shuttered last week after less than a year in business — though the chain hopes to open another Arlington location soon.

Coffee Republic, which opened last March on the ground floor of Azure National Landing, served its last cup of joe at 3130 Potomac Avenue on Thursday.


Around Town

A fast-casual spot in Crystal City has permanently shut its doors after a decade in business.

Signage appeared last week on the door of the Sweetgreen at 2022 Crystal Drive, announcing the closure. The salad purveyor had occupied the location since February 2016.


Around Town

Freddie’s Beach Bar, the long-running LGBTQ+ bar on Crystal City’s 23rd Street S. restaurant row, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a party this Sunday.

The March 1 celebration at 555 23rd Street S. is set for 7-9 p.m. and will include music, food, drinks and giveaways, according to a press release.


Around Town

One of the biggest names in chicken wings has flown the coop in Arlington.

Sunday was the final day in business for the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Crystal City, capping off a 15-year run, an employee told ARLnow.


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