A pizza franchise with a flair for the psychedelic has its eye on Arlington and Alexandria as it plans a major new expansion into the D.C. area.
Mellow Mushroom has named the two localities among its “highest-priority growth markets on the East Coast,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. The business — known for its “stone-baked pies,” appetizers and kaleidoscopic colors — is planning to open eight to 10 new locations in the region, according to Jamie Cecil, vice president of franchise development.
An Ace Hardware store is opening soon in Crystal City.
Arlington’s second Twins Ace Hardware is preparing to soft open at 2051 S. Bell Street on Tuesday, April 7, owner Jeff Smith told ARLnow. This will be followed by a three-day grand opening with “swag, gift bags, giveaways, and plenty of surprises” from May 29-31.
A new pottery studio offering customers a chance to paint their own bowls, mugs and figurines is opening in Shirlington this weekend.
Paint Your Heart Out is throwing a grand opening starting at 11 a.m. this Saturday for its new studio at 2780 S. Arlington Mill Road, where Shirlington Cleaners used to be. The grand opening will include a $50 gift card raffle, and the first 50 guests to make a $50 purchase will be given a complimentary mug to decorate.
A family-owned chain of fast-casual Chinese restaurants, known for having dishes once celebrated by Anthony Bourdain, is eyeing Clarendon for its next location.
Xi’an Famous Foods is planning a new restaurant at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, in The Crossing Clarendon shopping center. The New York City-based eatery offers cuisine inspired by CEO Jason Wang’s childhood in Xi’an, China — including a variety of hand-ripped noodles, dumplings, and a spicy cumin lamb burger favored by Bourdain on the show “No Reservations” in 2007.
A D.C.-based bubble tea shop is now serving up colorful signature beverages in Crystal City.
Spot of Tea opened last week at 1631 Crystal Drive in Water Park, offering customizable fruit tea, milk tea and matcha. With flavors including vanilla taro milk tea, mango sticky rice matcha and passionfruit green tea, the cafe’s brightly hued beverages — adjustable by the level of ice and sweetness — match its vibrant decor.
A new restaurant and private event space is coming to Courthouse, replacing a rooftop bar and restaurant that closed there after less than a year in business.
Rooftop Recess permanently closed in late December after just seven months at 2424 Wilson Blvd, property owner Raghav Dumera told ARLnow. Now, Dumera and his family — who also own and operate Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant on the property’s ground floor — say they are in the early stages of planning “The Willow” in the same spot.
Cafe franchise Paris Baguette is planning a new location in Crystal City, and a previously announced Clarendon spot is set to open in a couple weeks.
Signs for the French-inspired eatery have appeared at 2000 S. Bell Street in Crystal City, on the ground floor of Valen apartments. The location is expected to open this summer, targeting a debut “in the third quarter of 2026,” according to property owner JBG Smith.
A new grocery store off of Langston Blvd is expected to open later this year.
Sprouts Farmers Market is targeting a September opening at 3115 Langston Blvd, the former home of a Giant supermarket that closed two years ago, in March 2024.
A fitness studio near the Courthouse Metro has changed hands and brands.
The Xtend Barre at 2008 Wilson Blvd has rebranded to Studio B under new owners Dana Wilson and Elaine Broughan, both of whom have worked at the studio for several years.
It’s a changing of the guard for pizza restaurants in Crystal City.
The regional pizza chain Pizzeria Paradiso is expected to open a new fast-casual spot in National Landing Water Park this spring, replacing Crush Pizza and Wine at 1611 Crystal Drive.
Some friendly carb competition appears to be coming to Ballston as a second bagel spot has announced plans to open on Glebe Road.
Bagel Uprising, based in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, plans to open its second location at 901 N. Glebe Road in May, co-founder Chad Breckinridge told ARLnow. That’s just half a mile from D.C.-based bagel chain Call Your Mother’s planned location at 4000 Wilson Blvd.
One of the D.C. area’s most popular bagel brands is coming to Ballston.
Call Your Mother just announced plans to open at 4000 Wilson Blvd — the former home of a Starbucks location that closed last year after only two years in business. A specific opening date has not yet been announced for the shop, though it is expected “soon-ish,” according to Call Your Mother’s website.
