local business | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

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.

Around Town

Clarendon Restaurant Buena Vida Folded Into Downstairs Taco Joint

By Vernon Miles

Published August 10, 2020 at 4:35PM

Once upon a time, there was an Arlington restaurant called Buena Vida. It sat on the second floor of 2900 Wilson Blvd, but like many meals once served there, it has been devoured.

Buena Vida has been subsumed into TTT — an abbreviation of Tacos, Tortas and Tequila — the restaurant that inhabits the first floor of the building.

Around Town

Local Dry Cleaner Hopes To Rise From Pandemic Hit

By Joseph Ramos

Published August 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

Eagle Cleaners (staff photo by Joseph Ramos)

The red letters spelling “We Are Open” on a banner above Eagle Cleaners is easily visible to cars on nearby Williamsburg Blvd.

At the storefront, a door stopper holds the front entrance open throughout the day. Owner Mat Srebrow’s pet parrot, Emma, sits in her perch next to the window, ready to be held by children who enter the store.

News

Lebanese Taverna Spearheads Fundraising Drive to Support Relief Efforts in Beirut

By Vernon Miles

Published August 7, 2020 at 3:55PM

Lebanese Taverna's Westover location in 2014

On Tuesday, Grace Abi-Najm Shea — a co-owner of Lebanese Taverna — was one of those watching in horror as an explosion tore through Beirut. She said they took the day to cry and grieve at the loss that happened in the country her family left years ago. The next morning, they got to work.

The regional Lebanese restaurant chain that started in Arlington in 1979 has since raised nearly $30,000 for the Lebanese Red Cross on GoFundMe.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2020 at 6:00AM

Work on the Memorial Bridge in August (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Dozens March for Racial Justice — “A group of about 100 people marched more than three miles on a hot August afternoon through Arlington demanding justice for victims of police brutality and calling on the county’s elected officials to bring police reform to the county.” [Patch]

Police Investigating More KKK Stickers — “Stickers that appear to promote the Ku Klux Klan have been found on traffic signs and utility boxes in Arlington over the past month, Arlington police said… They were found between July 2 and 28 in four locations, mostly in the Yorktown neighborhood, on the back of traffic signs and on a utility box.” [Washington Post]