local business | ARLnow.com

Food Cart by Day, TV Crew by Night

Published November 3, 2010 at 11:09AM

In fact, the reason why proprietors Don Stanke and Colleen Kenney never serve breakfast or dinner is because they work a completely different full-time job — the late shift at a local television station. Don and Colleen, who asked that their employer not be identified, say they came up with the idea for the cart two years ago at a bar, while discussing layoffs in the television news industry.

With so much uncertainty, why not start their own business as a fall back, they thought. Plus, it could be fun.

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New Food Truck Launches In Virginia Square Today

By ARLnow.com

Published October 28, 2010 at 3:51PM | Updated October 28, 2010 at 10:56PM

What is a Spiedie, you ask? It’s an upstate New York delicacy — a sandwich made with marinated meats cooked over an open flame.

While the truck’s name doesn’t exactly convey an aura of culinary sophistication, the man behind Bada Bing is Nicholas Terzella, a trained chef whose resume includes fine dining restaurants in Napa Valley and Palm Beach.

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Crystal City Changes Have Businesses Seeing Dollar Signs

By ARLnow.com

Published October 28, 2010 at 8:05AM

With the newly-passed Crystal City Sector Plan calling for more housing, more offices and more ground-level retail, money-making opportunities abound. And for the representatives of non-profits in the audience, the dollars flowing into Crystal City also present cultural opportunities.

On Tuesday the board has approved the financing mechanism for $207 million in infrastructure improvements around Crystal City, raising the green flag for major private investments.

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Music Could Return to Westover Beer Garden by Spring

By ARLnow.com

Published October 27, 2010 at 9:54AM | Updated October 27, 2010 at 4:22PM

Soon, the store will submit plans to the county for building new handicap-accessible bathrooms. Completing code-compliant bathrooms would be the first step toward getting approval to operate the beer garden as an entertainment venue.

Hicks says that the store’s relationship with county regulators has changed significantly since collecting nearly 2,000 signatures from supportive residents and getting nominated for two ABBIE awards.

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Lease Your Very Own Cherrydale Storefront

By ARLnow.com

Published October 26, 2010 at 8:52AM

The retail space formerly occupied by Cherrydale Clockworks is up for lease.

Anyone interested in opening up shop on Lee Highway can lease the 1,600 square foot space for a relatively cheap $1,995 per month (good luck finding a 1,600 square foot apartment with a monthly rent below $2,000). Plus, the lease comes with two parking spaces in the rear of the building.

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Red Top Cab Installing Self-Pay Credit Card Machines

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2010 at 8:42AM

In a press release, Red Top says it’s the first local cab company to fully implement the technology — which is widely used in cities like New York City, Boston and Chicago.

“Customers are very enthusiastic,” about the self-pay machines, according to driver John Svay. “Customers see their fare charges right in front of them, and can swipe the card before arriving at their destination… itʼs quicker and easier than the old way.”

News

Panel Begins Process of Rewriting County’s Zoning Ordinance

By ARLnow.com

Published October 18, 2010 at 10:03AM | Updated October 18, 2010 at 10:36AM

But that may be changing.

Tomorrow night, the county’s zoning committee will meet to plan a comprehensive rewrite of the zoning ordinance. The meeting, which will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Room A of 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, is open to the public, although the discussion will be confined to the committee.

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Rosslyn’s Future, as Foretold by an Office Building

By ARLnow.com

Published October 18, 2010 at 8:34AM | Updated October 18, 2010 at 10:37AM

“The fundementals of our market are probably the best in the entire country, if not the world,” said Tim Helmig, the executive who just placed a $30 million bet on Rosslyn. “Investors worldwide have focused on the [Rosslyn-Ballston] corridor.”

Helmig, who heads the DC office New York-based Monday Properties, said he is embarking on the project without a signed tenant and without full financing because he believes that demand for office space in Rosslyn will be there once the building is completed. His company is so sure of Rosslyn’s viability that a full 45 percent of the company’s portfolio, in square feet, is based here.

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BBQ Bandidos Sling Sammys and Cemitas in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published October 15, 2010 at 2:52PM | Updated October 15, 2010 at 3:31PM

BBQ Bandidos served up their first sandwich less than three weeks ago, but already they’re developing a loyal customer base.

“It’s awesome, it’s authentic… you can taste the smokiness of the meat,” said India Hubbard, who along with several co-workers were getting lunch from the truck for the second time. Hubbard said they’ll be back soon to try other items on the menu.

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Lyon Hall Answers the Call When a Customer Pops the Question

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2010 at 12:18PM

“I came up with the idea because Lyon Hall has great significance in our relationship and I wanted it to be a part of our proposal,” said Schwartz, who teaches high school English for Loudoun County Public Schools. “Lyon Hall… was where I fell in love with her.”

While proposing at the restaurant itself may have seemed like a natural choice, Mitch had bigger plans. He wanted more privacy, more intimacy for the big moment. He wanted to spread flower pedals around the room, light candles, put on their favorite song and surprise Laura without two dozen people gawking at them. But he still wanted Lyon Hall to be a part of it. So he talked to manager Mark Fedorchak.

News

Arlington to Launch “Green Games” Competition

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2010 at 12:34PM | Updated October 12, 2010 at 1:09PM

The “Arlington Green Games” will begin next Tuesday (Oct. 19) with an opening ceremony in Rosslyn, complete with booths that will instruct competitors on ways to reduce energy consumption and cut down on emissions. The event will start at 11:00 a.m. on the 30th floor of 1000 Wilson Blvd.

The competition is being organized by Arlington’s Fresh AIRE program, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions in the county. Competitors will first benchmark their “current energy and sustainability practices,” then work to improve performance in those area.

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What Will Replace the Pike’s La Cabana Restaurant?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 5, 2010 at 3:54PM

Several months ago, La Cabana restaurant, on Walter Reed Drive next to the Arlington Drafthouse, boarded up its colorfully-decorated windows and locked the doors.

Since then, despite the increasing foot traffic in the area and the continuing revitalization of Columbia Pike, leasing agents have struggled to find any restaurants that want to move in and fix the place up.