local business | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published September 9, 2020 at 7:30AM

County Announces ‘Health Equity’ Program — “Arlington County Government, Arlington Public Schools and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) are collaborating to increase access to COVID support services in communities disproportionately affected by the virus as part of the state’s Health Equity Pilot Program.” [Arlington County]

Group Calls for Removal of Police from APS — “Today, the Black Parents of Arlington, an advocacy group dedicated to improving the lives of Black children in Arlington by securing equitable treatment in the realms of education, criminal justice, and access to opportunities and resources, formally called for the removal of School Resource Officers from all APS schools and facilities.” The local NAACP made a similar call for the removal of SROs earlier this summer. [Press Release]

Around Town

Courthouse Restaurant Summers Could Close Without Outdoor Seating Permit

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 11:49AM

Summers Restaurant in Courthouse, in February

After nearly 40 years, Joe Javidara said the future of his soccer-themed bar Summers Restaurant in Courthouse (1520 N. Courthouse Road) hinges on a permit he said is being processed through Arlington County government.

The restaurant announced on Monday that it was temporarily closed until it could get a permit for outdoor seating.

Around Town

Columbia Pike Donut Shop Has Closed Permanently

By ARLnow.com

Published September 1, 2020 at 10:55AM | Updated September 25, 2020 at 9:31AM

Sugar Shack in Arlington on March 2, 2020 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The former Sugar Shack Donuts along Columbia Pike will not be reopening, after the restaurant’s owner filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

The Washington Business Journal reports that former state lawmaker Rob Krupicka — a Sugar Shack franchisee who was in the process of rebranding his locations as an independent, plant-based cafe called Elizabeth’s Counter when the pandemic struck and forced them to close — has declared bankruptcy and shuttered the 1014 S. Glebe Road location in Arlington for good.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 1, 2020 at 6:00AM

It’s September — With a flip of the calendar, it is now September. Including today, there are 122 days remaining until 2021. There are nine weeks until Election Day. [YouTube, Wall Street Journal]

NORAD Exercises This Week — “We will conduct air defense exercise Falcon Virgo between midnight and 5:30 a.m. (ET) Sept.1-3 in the Washington, D.C. area. The exercise includes U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft, a U.S. Army C-12, a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D helicopter, and a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182T. Some portions of the exercise may involve flights at approximately 2,500 feet and may be visible from the ground.” [Facebook]

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 27, 2020 at 6:00AM

County Allocates More Money for Rent Relief — “The Arlington County Board today approved using an additional $1.125 million from the County’s COVID-19 contingent account to fund eviction protection through December 2020 for those affected by the pandemic. The Board’s action brings the total amount allocated for eviction prevention in Fiscal Year 2021, which began July 1, 2020, to $3.5 million.” [Arlington County]

AWLA Pushes to Extend Eviction Ban — “The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is pushing for legislators to extend Governor Northam’s original eviction deadline of September 7, to prevent animals from being surrendered by people who can’t afford them. AWLA says they’re here to help tenants during these trying times and also urge landlords to cut back on animal restrictions and limitations.” [WDVM]

Around Town

New Mexican Restaurant ‘Los Chamacos’ Replacing Cantina Mexicana Off Columbia Pike

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2020 at 11:35AM

Los Chamacos on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Interior renovations are underway on a new Mexican restaurant called Los Chamacos, which is planning to pick up where Cantina Mexicana left off in December.

The restaurant — which translates to “The Kids” — will offer Mexican cuisine classics, like fajitas, enchiladas, molcajete, pambazo and barbacoa, according to a sign on the restaurant window. It’s located at 922 S. Walter Reed Drive

Around Town

After Overcoming Floods, Ballston’s SER Confronts a Pandemic

By Joseph Ramos

Published August 21, 2020 at 11:40AM

SER in Ballston in 2020 (file photo)

Ballston’s SER is no stranger to adversity.

Since its 2015 opening, the Spanish comfort food restaurant has flooded four different times.

News

Several Restaurants Burglarized in Crystal City Area

By ARLnow.com

Published August 21, 2020 at 10:35AM

Police on scene of Bozzelli's burglary in Crystal City (photo courtesy Bozzelli's)

Someone smashed their way into several restaurants in the Crystal City area, at a time when many are struggling as a result of the pandemic.

The break-ins happened between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, in and around Crystal City. Among the victims was Bozzelli’s. The Italian restaurant and pizzeria, which has five outposts in D.C. and Northern Virginia, had the glass door of its 2600 Crystal Drive location smashed in, and cash and other items stolen.

Around Town

Ballston &pizza Open Again, but More Closures Coming for ‘Operational Changes’

By Vernon Miles

Published August 17, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated August 18, 2020 at 7:49PM

&pizza closed in Ballston

Update on 8/18/20 — The &pizza in Ballston is now open, but will be closed again next Monday. Darien Bates, head of technology at &pizza, explained that the location had been closed Monday and would be closed again next Monday to make changes to accommodate the store’s increased takeout demand.

Earlier: The &pizza at 3924 Wilson Blvd has been closed for more than a week, with company representatives saying the closure is temporary.

Feature

Arlington Firms Make Inc. 5,000 Fastest-Growing U.S. Companies List

By Joseph Ramos

Published August 17, 2020 at 12:30PM | Updated December 23, 2020 at 1:07PM

Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow, StartupMonday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. Monday Properties is proudly featuring Shirlington Gateway. Say hello to the new 2800 Shirlington, which recently delivered a brand-new lobby and upgraded fitness center. Experience a prime location and enjoy being steps from Shirlington Village, a large retail hub with a variety of unique restaurants and shopping options. Spec suites with bright open plans and modern finishes are under construction and will deliver soon!

There were 31 Arlington-based companies included in Inc. Magazine’s annual list of America’s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies.

Around Town

New Clarendon Smoke Shop Replacing Classic Cigars and British Goodies

By Vernon Miles

Published August 11, 2020 at 3:45PM

Closed Classic Cigars and British Goods (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Long-time local store Classic Cigars and British Goodies in Clarendon (2907 Wilson Blvd) is closed for good, but a new smoking accouterment vendor is planning a move into the same location with an inventory that will pay respect to the late Anglophile establishment.

“Smoke Source Tobacco and Vape is excited to open their fifth location on the highly populated Clarendon Blvd,” Kelsey Sharp, a spokesperson for the regional chain, told ARLnow.

Opinion

Morning Poll: How Much Are You Spending at Local Businesses?

By ARLnow.com

Published August 11, 2020 at 9:45AM

A lot of local businesses are hurting during the pandemic.

Any business that relies on people congregating inside is having a tough time — restaurants, gyms, events organizers, etc. The economic hardship has hit ancillary businesses as well: dry cleaners, for example, are struggling due to few people going to offices and formal events.