Around Town

An Arlington nonprofit that hosts dance lessons and community events plans to celebrate the grand opening of a new dance hall this weekend.

Inspira Dance is opening this Saturday on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd, across from Onelife Fitness. The nonprofit — previously operating as an event pop-up at various local businesses — has planned a lineup of dancing activities throughout the night to celebrate the new space, starting with a bachata class at 7 p.m.


Around Town

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).


Around Town

A new, locally owned Yemeni cafe is brewing in Falls Church, with plans to open in a couple months.

Rashfa Cafe hopes to open this June at 310 S. Washington Street, owner and founder Abdulrahman Al Harethi told ARLnow. He wants to share his heritage with the community through Yemeni-sourced coffee and menu items like rawani cake, sabayah pastries and honeycomb bread. 


Events

Raffles, free books and other giveaways are coming to an East Falls Church bookstore this weekend in honor of Independent Bookstore Day.

One More Page Books is bringing back its annual festivities from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street. The day also kicks off the bookstore’s participation in the third annual NoVa + Indie Bookstore Crawl, which includes 18 stores around the region.


Around Town

A new fitness studio has entered Ballston’s wellness scene, hosting group workout classes with elements of yoga and Pilates.

Fitness franchise FS8, which specializes in reformer Pilates, yoga and low impact training, is now open for business at 4001 9th Street N. The new studio held a grand opening over the weekend with Olympic diving medalist Kassidy Cook.


Around Town

Under new ownership, a longtime pizzeria on Langston Blvd is receiving a brand new look, name and internationally inspired menu.

Zesto Pizza has replaced Citi Pizza and Wings, ushering in a new menu and interior renovations at 5127 Langston Blvd. Led by Arlington chef Tushar Chawda, the revamped business plans to soft open tomorrow (Friday), offering up “global fusion pizzas” and appetizers inspired by international cuisines.


Around Town

A family-owned Lebanese restaurant with brick oven-prepared cuisine is preparing to reopen in a new space on Langston Blvd.

The Block Oven has moved about half a mile from 3110 Langston Blvd — now home to Brazilian-Lebanese fusion spot Tio Pelé — to 2515 Langston Blvd, above the Cloud Lounge hookah bar. It replaces a vacancy left by Burger7, which first opened in 2012.


Around Town

A veteran chef in the D.C. area appears to be breathing new life into the Green Pig Bistro’s former Clarendon address.

A work permit application for a new “Cafe Dalmatia” by chef Ivan Zivkovic was filed last week at 1025 N. Fillmore Street. It’s unclear what the new restaurant plans to offer, but the name Dalmatia, a coastal region of Croatia, suggests Mediterranean cuisine.


Around Town

A butcher and deli chain with a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak is planning to open a new spot in Crystal City.

Soko Butcher is coming to a 1,600-square-foot retail bay at 269 19th Court S., Suite 95, on the ground floor of the Grace and Reva apartments, owner Brad Feickert told ARLnow.


Around Town

A digital scavenger hunt inspired by cherry blossom season has gotten underway in Ballston.

Floral sidewalk decals for Bloom Hunt, coordinated by the Ballston BID and the immersive art gallery Artechouse DC, appeared in the neighborhood earlier this week. Participants have until Sunday to scan the decals with Artechouse’s app, unlocking digital, blossom-inspired artwork for a chance to win prizes.


Around Town

A paint-your-own-pottery studio in Falls Church has received a freshly glazed look under new ownership.

Jessi Cash, who has worked at Clay Cafe Studios since 2019, took over the reins from retired owner Gayla Hassett in January. Since then, Cash has brought 101 N. Maple Avenue a fresh coat of peachy paint and replaced its old farmhouse-style tables, among other aesthetic changes.


Around Town

A regional windshield wiper giveaway and two donation programs are available to Arlington residents this month.

Free windshield wiper replacements and installation are available to all D.C.-area drivers through this Saturday as part of Metro Motors’ annual “Wiper Week.” Meanwhile, Casual Adventures Outfitters is collecting used socks in Virginia Square through the end of the month, while Target is collecting old car seats in exchange for coupons.


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