A construction crew is working to convert what was once a Blockbuster video store into a Petco pet store.
The Blockbuster closed in January at the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Harrison Street. A worker said he expects the build-out to be complete in a month.
Lee Highway McDonald’s Remains Closed — The McDonald’s at 4834 Lee Highway was still closed yesterday. An electrical fire broke out in the restaurant’s basement Saturday morning.
Arlington’s Most Accident-Prone Intersections — Following up on our Arlington’s Most Dangerous On-Ramps article, TBD has come out with a list of Arlington’s Most Dangerous Intersections, courtesy of data from the police department. The most dangerous intersection? Route 50 and Southbound Washington Boulevard, with 113 accidents. [TBD]
A fire broke out at the McDonald’s at 4834 Lee Highway Saturday morning.
The fire started in an electrical panel in the basement around 7:00 a.m. Customers and employees were evacuated as light smoke started to fill the restaurant.
The popular new restaurant just applied for an ABC license from the state.
“We think it’s going to be a couple of months” until the license is granted, District Taco founder Osiris Hoil said. “We hope to have it by the summer.”
Examiner Promotes Virginia and Maryland Stereotypes — Maryland is for “white wine and brie” liberals and Virginia is for gun-toting “backwoods” conservatives, according to the Washington Examiner. Residents of each state are reluctant to visit the other because of the “culture clash,” the paper says. [Washington Examiner]
Power Outage in North Arlington — Residents who live along Lee Highway between North Veitch Street and Military Road lost power for a period of time Saturday morning. About 1,360 Dominion customers were affected. The lights were back on by 11:00 a.m.
Arlington Docs Take Money from Drug Companies –– Big pharmaceutical companies have paid tens of thousands of dollars to Arlington doctors over the past two years, raising questions about possible conflicts of interest, according to the Arlington Connection. One doctor who talked to the paper had received more than $63,000 from one drug company over the past two years.
Arlington Eateries on TV — Metro 29 Diner (4711 Lee Highway) was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives program last night, as Twitter user Joe L. pointed out. Meanwhile, MTV was seen filming a segment for the documentary “True Life: I’m Allergic to Everything” at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington last week, according to Shirlington Village Blogspot.
We’re not sure when it closed — no one is answering the phone, unsurprisingly — but the store’s signs have already been taken down. A number of people could be seen inside the store today, apparently cleaning out the remaining video inventory.
The store was one of Blockbuster’s larger locations, and was noted for having a sizable video selection.
The westbound lanes of Lee Highway (Old Dominion Drive) have been shut down near North Vermont Street due to an outside gas leak.
The fire department is on the scene of the leak. No word on when the lanes will reopen.
State Senator’s Husband Pens Alarming Column — Tom Whipple, husband of state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D), has penned a column entitled “The Peak Oil Crisis: Civil Unrest” for the Falls Church News-Press. He writes: “By failure to guide the country to real solutions to real problems, our leaders are risking increasing violence as the frustrations of an unknowing people continue to grow.” [Not Larry Sabato]
Grocery Store and Development Proposed for Bergmann’s Site — A developer wants to bring a grocery store to the site of the Bergmann’s Cleaners on Lee Highway, provided the county also approves a 12-story apartment building next door. The apartment site is currently zoned only for single family homes. [TBD]
Ten contestants will compete to see who can eat the most tacos, without vomiting, in 15 minutes. They will have to consume four different varieties of tacos, in the following rotating order: breakfast taco, pollo asado, carnitas, carne asada.
According to District Taco’s contest web page, the winner of the contest will receive a number of prizes and honors, including free tacos and apparel.
Ruffino’s Spaghetti House (4763 Lee Highway) closed for renovations in September. Four months later, work is still well underway.
For now, it appears that the deep blue doors and windows won’t be back, nor will the big neon sign. We did not get a good look at the interior.
The business plans to cash in on its prime real estate and relocate.
“This is not a going out of business,” Diffee said emphatically. “The property is for sale, the business is not.”
