A woman looks at X-rays of her teeth in a dentist’s office (via Caroline LM/Unsplash)
It’s the ARLnow Five and Five, where nonprofit Washington Consumers’ Checkbook provides five top-rated local businesses and five tips for getting great service and prices. ARLnow readers can access all of Checkbook’s ratings of local dentists until Dec. 5 at Checkbook.org/ARLnow/dentists.
These dental practices are best bets for Arlingtonians.
They all received Washington Consumers’ Checkbook’s top rating for quality and price, meaning they deliver great service (as reported by their customers in Checkbook’s surveys) and charge reasonable fees, per undercover price shopping conducted by Checkbook’s research team.
Gruntz, Richard D.
1600 Crystal Square Arcade #L
Arlington, VA 22202
703-412-1122
McIntire, Michael K.
1515 Wilson Blvd #103
Arlington, VA 22209
703-524-0221
Ozturk, Serdar Cavit
2522 Langston Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
703-243-1166
Roca, Adam J.
3138 10th Street N. #301
Arlington, VA 22201
703-522-2600
Checkbook’s Top Five Tips for Getting Great Dental Care
Keep in mind that you don’t have to forsake quality to use a dentist who charges low fees. Checkbook found many dentists who receive high ratings for patient care also charge below-average fees.
Be sure your dentist fully describes the condition of your mouth and any corrections needed. It’s good practice for the dentist to provide a written treatment plan (though there may be a fee). If the proposed treatment is extensive, consider getting a second opinion from a specialist.
If a dentist recommends a treatment, always ask for alternatives. The dentist should be willing to describe the pros and cons of all of them, so you can make your decision based on cost, discomfort, and inconvenience.
Be aware that because various treatments require more or less of the dentist’s time — and therefore higher or lower charges — the advice may be colored by self-interest. Be suspicious if a new dentist recommends far more treatment than your previous one did.
Check your health plan for dental benefits, especially for dependents younger than 19; the Affordable Care Act mandates pediatric dental coverage on individual and small-group medical plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage, and many “consumer-driven” and “high-deductible” health plans let you set aside funds for dental work.
Washington Consumers’ Checkbook magazine and Checkbook.org is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get the best service and lowest prices. We are supported by consumers and take no money from the service providers we evaluate.
Papillon Cycles owner Bailey Garfield (right) and store manager of 14 years John Harpold (staff photo by James Jarvis)
After a nearly 50-year ride, Papillon Cycles on Columbia Pike shuttered on Tuesday.
The bike shop, founded by Ted Decapiteau in 1976 and later acquired by Bailey Garfield in 1989, shared a heartfelt goodbye on its Facebook page yesterday.
April fool’s 1976-Halloween 2023. It’s been a long strange trip, and Awesome! Thanks Customers Friends Family, STAFF! Owners, BAILEY! and long ago TED! But honestly ALL of you crazy riders. We are closed officially tonight. LOVE PEACE PEDALS!
Although his retirement was already on the horizon, Garfield, 70, shared with ARLnow he had hoped to hand over the reins to a new owner. However, the business had become increasingly unprofitable post-pandemic due to a combination of factors, including a lack of foot traffic, supply chain issues and the soaring rent costs.
“The bicycle industry, in general, is not good right now. Every week some of our major suppliers are showing signs they’re in economic distress… It’s a perfect storm,” he told ARLnow, adding that he knows several other small business owners on the same block who are also still struggling.
The building at 2801 Columbia Pike — housing Papillon and other neighboring retailers on the block — may be razed for a mixed-use development, according to filings with Arlington County.
The Christopher Companies proposes building an 88-unit, 7-story building with 5,800 square feet of retail space, UrbanTurf first reported in 2022.
Rendering of proposed 7-story mixed development at 2801 Columbia Pike (via Arlington County)
Garfield said he is in the dark about the project but observed that Alexandria-based Seaport Properties hasn’t renewed long-term leases for several building tenants, including Papillon.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. Eventually, they’re gonna put in a 6- to 8-story mixed-use building here and we’re seeing what they’re doing all up and down the Pike. I don’t see how this is going to be any different,” Garfield said.
Expect widespread frost to clear by 10am, giving way to sunny skies and a high of around 51°F. The northwest wind at 6 mph will shift to the west in the afternoon. For Thursday night, it’ll be clear with a low temperature of approximately 34°F and a 6 mph south wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” – Elon Musk
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Rappahannock Coffee along Columbia Pike (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Rappahannock Coffee is set to close at the end of November, making way for a new café with a different name.
Located at 2406 Columbia Pike, the independent coffee shop first opened in May 2001, according to its website. Owner Gi Lee said that after two decades of brewing coffee, he is ready to retire.
“I’m too old,” Lee told ARLnow as he served a line of caffeine-deprived customers Tuesday morning.
While ARLnow could not confirm the exact last day of operation, Lee’s landlord, Yao Yao, said it would likely be in the final week of November.
The same week Rappahannock Coffee closes its doors, a new café plans to open under a different name, according to Yao.
“He’s gonna sell coffee and sandwiches… his plan is to start his business here as soon as possible,” Yao said.
Jose Lopez, the owner of the upcoming café, did not respond to requests for comment before our publication deadline.
A handful of other retail stores along Columbia Pike surround Rappahannock Coffee, including vape shop Thicker Cloudz and electronic repair shop Wireless Rxx.
At one point, the commercial strip that houses the businesses was slated to become a mixed-use development. Local developer B.M. Smith submitted plans to Arlington’s Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board in 2013 and in 2020 the County Board approved a special use permit.
B.M. Smith sold the properties to Yao in 2020, he said. The new owner put the plans on hold in 2022, citing economic conditions.
Yao maintains that he has no plans to revive the mixed-use development proposal any time soon, citing high interest and construction costs.
“The business environment and the economy are not very conducive for to the new development at this time,” he said.
The new café will operate in the interim and will have big shoes to fill. Over its nearly two decades in business, Rappahannock Coffee built a loyal following that has kept it afloat despite competition from the Starbucks that opened in the Penrose Square development across the street in 2015.
For Rappahannock, its following comes down to its in-house roasts.
“Big corporate coffee shops can’t control the time between roasting and brewing, giving up on achieving true coffee flavor,” the website reads.
Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 50 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 16 to 18 mph, gusting up to 29 mph. For Wednesday night, the sky will be clear with a low temperature around 33 degrees, and a northwest wind at 7 to 11 mph, gusting to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Meatloaf is the most handsome 2 year old big loaf of love!
When he is not sleeping on a comfy couch or refreshing cool floor, near his favorite human, he would love a family that can take him on long sniffy walks in the park, play with new friends (human and dogs) and show off his catch skills!
While he is still young, he is very smart and continually working hard on commands, thankfully he is food motivated and eager to please.
Meatloaf doesn’t let his size stop him from his dream of being a big baby in your lap! Who wouldn’t want an 80 pound weighted blanket for the coming fall/winter days!
Meatloaf is house and crate trained! Want to read more about Meatloaf? Check out his entire profile to learn more.
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.
Ocean Shack is scheduled to open in Waverly Hills in November 2023, replacing Thirsty Bernie (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Inside of the forthcoming Ocean Shack seafood spot in Waverly Hills (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Ocean Shack is gearing up for its grand opening in two weeks.
The new seafood restaurant near the corner of Langston Blvd and N. Glebe Road, formerly home to the local watering hole Thirsty Bernie, is planning to open on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
ARLnow peeked inside and the renovations appeared to be still in progress. Window signs also announced the restaurant is hiring staff.
Thirsty Bernie shuttered its doors in May after a 15-year run in the Glebe Road Shopping Center, in the Waverly Hills neighborhood, citing lackluster sales. ARLnow reported in August that Ocean Shack planned to take over the 1,767-square-foot space, aiming to open sometime between November and early December.
Cody Zhou, the man behind Ocean Shack, also owns a Southern-style seafood place in Chantilly called Ocean Crab.
Much like its Chantilly counterpart, Ocean Shack aims to offer several different seafood dishes, such as lobster rolls, tilapia sandwiches, fried oyster baskets, fried shrimp tacos and snow crab bowls.
The restaurant also plans to keep 16 beers on draft and serve specialty cocktails.
“I think this will be an awesome place for people to hang out drinking and watching sports,” Zhou told ARLnow in an email, adding the restaurant will have nine TVs.
At least eight of them “will for sure consistently play sports for the patrons,” he said.
The restaurant will also have “karaoke equipment” for events like open mic nights.
Zhou says he’s still ironing out the details but expects to offer food and drink promotions.
The establishment will operate from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, from noon to midnight on Thursdays and Sundays, and from noon to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Expect partly sunny skies with a high temperature near 53 degrees and a north wind between 3 and 8 mph. As for Tuesday night, the weather will be partly cloudy, with a low around 37 degrees. The wind will be light and variable, becoming northwest at 5 to 8 mph in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Front view rendering of the new indoor dog park and bar, Snouts & Stouts (courtesy of Snouts and Stouts)
Rendering of the new indoor dog park and bar Snouts & Stouts (courtesy of Snouts and Stouts)
Rendering of the new indoor dog park and bar Snouts & Stouts (courtesy of Snouts and Stouts)
Rendering of the new indoor dog park and bar Snouts & Stouts (courtesy of Snouts and Stouts)
Rendering of the new indoor dog park and bar Snouts & Stouts (courtesy of Snouts and Stouts)
An indoor dog park and bar is set to officially open its doors next month in the former home of New District Brewing.
Snouts & Stouts, located at 2709 S. Oakland Street in Green Valley, has announced it will start serving dogs and their humans on Saturday, Nov. 18.
“We believe that Snouts & Stouts is [complementary] to the existing Shirlington Dog Park and gives the community one place where they can have the best of both worlds with a massive outdoor dog park, and the option of an indoor dog park & bar,” Founder and CEO Daniel Ramos said in a press release.
The opening next month is a few months behind the initial plans Ramos announced to open this August.
The 6,000 square-foot climate-controlled dog park and bar includes a beer and wine bar, snack cafe, specialized turf, dog treat shop, dog daycare, boarding and training, according to the website.
Additionally, staff — nicknamed the “Dog Patrol” — will roam the area to ensure it stays clean and that dogs are playing well and staying hydrated.
“This way you can relax and grab a drink,” the website says.
Although it is advertised as the “only indoor dog park and bar in Northern Virginia,” there is another indoor dog park and bar in Alexandria called Barkhaus.
“While others have tried to create an indoor dog park in the area, you often see that their ‘indoor’ section is reduced to a small room where not many dogs can play off-leash,” Ramos said in the release.
While humans 18 and older can enter for free, dogs need a membership or day pass. An annual membership is $365 for the first dog and $120 for each additional dog. A monthly membership option is also available at $45 for the first dog and $13 for any additional dogs. Limited-time discounts on memberships are currently available.
Day passes run at $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Any additional dog is an extra $5, regardless of the day.
Before entering, dog owners must show proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and dogs older than one year must be spayed or neutered. Pups younger than 16 weeks won’t be allowed.
Dog daycare and boarding are only available during the week. Below are the hours of operation, according to the website:
Monday – Thursday:
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Dog Daycare & Boarding
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Bar & Public Playtime
Friday:
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Dog Daycare & Boarding
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Bar & Public Playtime
Saturday:
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Bar & Public Playtime
Sunday:
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Bar & Public Playtime
Before launching Snouts & Stouts, Ramos ran a marketing consulting firm and worked in data analytics, according to his LinkedIn. In the release, Ramos said he was inspired to open a dog park after becoming frustrated at the lack of indoor spaces for his dog, Cooper, to play in the area.
“I also always hate leaving my dog at home when I want to go out and get drinks with friends, so I put those two activities together and BOOM… Snouts & Stouts was born,” he said in an Instagram post in June. “This is truly a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to share my dream with the community!”
Expect sunny skies and a high of 82 degrees with a west wind at 5-9 mph during the day. Saturday night will bring isolated showers before 11pm, then turning mostly cloudy with a low around 60. The northwest wind will be at 5-7 mph, shifting to the northeast after midnight. There’s a 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
