Around Town

Here are ten local businesses listed for sale in Arlington

By ARLnow.com
For sale sign in front of a business district (generated by DALL-E 2)

Last time we checked in on the Arlington businesses listed for sale online, in June, we highlighted a dozen restaurants and stores.

This time around we have ten — but a wider variety of business types.

The businesses listed on BizBuySell, an online aggregator, are described but usually not named.

The listings below are a reminder that the local business community is far from static — businesses are constantly opening, closing, and trading hands in a dynamic market like Arlington. It’s also a reminder that owning a local business is hard and requires considerable sacrifice, which sometimes leads owners to seek to exit their business and find another entrepreneur to take things over.

1. Mediterranean Restaurant For Sale ($325,000)

Popular restaurant centrally located in the high growth area of Arlington VA. Recognized in 2022 by The Washington Post, this business has established a loyal customer base from local residents and businesses with its authentic cuisine. Excellent signage and exposure with ample parking. Seating capacity of 60+ with off-street parking. Past 3 years upwarding trending sales and business operations including in-house dining, internet marketing, and catering. The sale includes furniture, fixtures and fully equipped kitchen with hood. Owner relocating internationally.

2. Resilient Hair Salon – Low Rent, High Potential ($170,000)

This established, single-operator hair color salon, located in the vibrant heart of downtown Arlington, is on the market. Despite the challenges of Covid, which led to a reduction in staff, this salon has shown remarkable resilience and is thriving under the operation of one experienced stylist. With its high-visibility location attracting substantial foot traffic, the potential for growth and expansion is immense.

3. Very Profitable SBA Pre Approved Beer & Wine C-Store w/ Deli ($450,000)

A staple in it’s neighborhood. Located in a beautiful area, the store serves the high income demographic base (No Bullet-Proof Glass). The current owners have owned and operated this business for close to 15 years; they are retiring and seeking younger/energetic candidates to acquire and build on top of the fantastic base that they have established. Perfect for a Husband/Wife Team or a Seasoned Buyer with Experience that Knows how to Take Advantage of This Opportunity.

4. Gas Station For Sale ($369,000)

Brand Name Gas Station. 3 Repair Bays Rented at $ 12,000 per month. Gas Gross Profit is $22000 per month. Miscellaneous revenue $ 1000/ Month. Excellent location for buyers who are mechanics. Repair Shop tenants has been there for 11 years & running a busy repair business.

5. Absentee Owned High Volume Restaurant & Bar ($1,100,000)

Popular restaurant & bar in Arlington VA for sale. This restaurant has been in business for almost 10 years and has become extremely popular within the DMV area. The menu consists of an American style cuisine which has earned this establishment 5 stars on google reviews. Phenomenal dining area build out including a large full service bar with draft beers on tap and outdoor seating. The current owner is ABSENTEE while the average sales of his restaurant are an amazing $4,000,000 annually.

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ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 22, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 22, 2023.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Tow truck driver cited, car owner arrested after Ballston incident (17257 views)
  2. Missing teen found by tow driver who previously talked man down from ledge (13873 views)
  3. NEW: Prestigious national honor for local middle school (6695 views)
  4. A national software company acquired this homegrown Arlington business (6426 views)
  5. Heads up: There’s a flaming pile of trash in the middle of Wilson Blvd (6035 views)
  6. Silver Diner redevelopment teed up for Arlington County Board review this Saturday (5874 views)
  7. Corvette carjacked by armed suspects near Lyon Village (5870 views)
  8. Arlington man arrested in connection to Lyon Village hit and run (5816 views)
  9. Arlington man seriously hurt in fatal Beltway crash (5593 views)
  10. Clarendon Ballroom to hold street festival this weekend (4608 views)
  11. County poised to require drivers to come to a full stop for pedestrians in crosswalks (4347 views)
  12. NEW: Judgment in Missing Middle lawsuit likely one month away (4291 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🎙️ This week’s podcast

ARLnow’s reporting crew talked about some of the week’s stories and discussed why we make certain decisions. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy or TuneIn.

⛈️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect rain and possible thunderstorms after 3pm today, with a high near 63°F and strong winds from the northeast at 22-28 mph, gusting up to 48 mph. Precipitation is guaranteed, with 0.75-1 inch of rainfall. Tonight, anticipate more rain and potential thunderstorms with a low of 61°F. The breezy conditions continue, with winds at 16-25 mph and gusts up to 39 mph. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation and an additional 0.75-1 inch of rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius

🌅 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. 👋

Local nonprofit set to expand neurodivergent job training program with federal grant

By James Jarvis
Sen. Mark Warner visits the Melwood Disability Services facility in Arlington Sept. 22 (courtesy of Office of Sen. Mark Warner)

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) A local nonprofit specializing in job placement for disabled individuals is drawing on federal funding to expand its services.

Melwood Disability Services, a Maryland-based organization that operates a facility in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood, has received a $307,000 federal grant aimed at expanding enrollment in its 14-week neurodiverse job training program, abilIT, by subsidizing associated costs.

On Friday, Sen. Mark Warner (D) and Rep. Don Beyer (D) visited Melwood’s facility near Pentagon City and presented the nonprofit with a ceremonial oversized check.

Jewelyn Cosgrove, president of Government and Public Relations at Melwood, told ARLnow that 78 individuals participated in the abilIT program from July 2022 to June 2023. She noted, however, that the newly acquired federal grant, in combination with ongoing fundraising efforts, will enable Melwood’s Virginia facility — acquired in 2017 through a merger with Linden Resources — to double its enrollment of people with disabilities in the job training program.

“We will serve an additional 80 people next year with just what we have in normal funding available,” she said. “The [federal] grant allows us to add 30 people, so next year, because of the grant funding…we’ll be hitting, I think, 110 to 115 total people served.”

Melwood, which also provides a range of services from affordable housing to horticulture therapy and family support services, also received a $500,000 federal grant in July to support its neurodiverse job training program in Maryland.

Cosgrove clarified the two grants are separate and the $307,000 will go exclusively toward helping offset the costs, such as curriculum, of operating abilIT.

Within the last year, abilIT has helped dozens of people secure employment through several prominent private and public sector employers, Cosgrove said, such as MITRE and Falls Church-based Enabled Intelligence.

“It’s a program that really blends [professional and personal skills training] together to help job candidates… get an industry recognized certification and then go on to employment,” she added.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 21, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 21, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

🌥️ Friday’s forecast

The weather will be partly sunny during the day with temperatures reaching around 74°F, accompanied by moderate northeast winds ranging from 6 to 15 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. By Friday night, expect cloudy skies with rain likely after 3 am, a low temperature of 60°F, and stronger northeast winds at 11-15 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. There is a 70% chance of precipitation and we might receive between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Most and least expensive townhouses sold in Arlington (August 2023)

By ARLnow.com

Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (August 2023).

Most expensive townhouses sold

  1. 2172 21st Ct N — North Highland — $1,720,000 (3 beds | 4.5 baths | 3,790 sq. ft.)
  2. 1731 22nd Ct N — North Highland — $1,705,000 (3 beds | 4.5 baths | 2,462 sq. ft.)
  3. 431 N George Mason Dr — Ballston — $1,325,000 (5 beds | 4.5 baths | 3,223 sq. ft.)

Least expensive townhouses sold*

  1. 901 S Rolfe St Unit 1 — Penrose — $440,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 1,224 sq. ft.)
  2. 2701 16th St S Unit 640 — Arlington Village — $455,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 994 sq. ft.)
  3. 1400 S Barton St Unit 431 — Arlington Village — $465,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 1,086 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Tiger

By ARLnow.com
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Give a round of applause to Tiger, the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!

This fluffy, longhaired guy is gorgeous and ready to find a family to call home. He is currently in shelter at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

This is what his friends had to say:

This lovable striped 1-year-old is looking for a home to call his own. He’s a laid-back boy who has truly mastered the art of relaxation. Set him up in a sun-soaked window sill, and you can bet that he’ll find the perfect spot to curl up and unwind.

One of Tiger’s favorite pastimes is being pampered with belly rubs. He’s not just content with a casual pat; he’s a full-fledged belly-rub aficionado. In fact, there’s seemingly no limit to the amount of petting he can enjoy. He also loves to be groomed, so get your brushes and get ready for some quality bonding time.

Tiger has lived with children in the past, and as long as boundaries are respected, they should be able to live harmoniously in the future.

Despite being named Tiger, this handsome fellow boasts a striking resemblance to a lynx with his stunning tufted ears and captivating gaze. Don’t let his lynx-like appearance fool you — Tiger is a gentle and affectionate companion at heart.

His favorite pastime is curling up in a cozy spot beside you, purring contently as you stroke his luxurious coat. With his soft, plush fur and endearing mannerisms, Tiger has a way of melting hearts wherever he goes.

Are you starry eyed? Then Tiger is the furry companion for you!

Learn more about Tiger and how to meet him by reading his complete profile.

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.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 20, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 20, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather forecast for Thursday is mostly sunny with a high temperature near 79°F and a light north wind at 6 mph. By Thursday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 59°F and a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 19, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 19, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

The forecast for Wednesday is mainly sunny with a high temperature close to 79°F and a light northwest wind of 3-6 mph. During the night, expect mostly clear skies and a low temperature around 60°F accompanied by a gentle northeast breeze. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
– Aristotle

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Missing teen found by tow driver who previously talked man down from ledge

By Jo DeVoe
Brandon with tow driver Ryan O’Neill (courtesy Tiffany Pierce)

An Arlington high school student who had gone missing over the weekend was reunited with his family — after his stepmom says a tow truck driver spotted him.

Brandon, a Washington-Liberty High School student, was last seen Friday morning. His mom, who lives in Arlington, notified his dad and stepmother, Phil and Tiffany Pierce, of Stafford, the next day.

Tiffany tells ARLnow she and Phil began “walking and driving around Arlington, day in and out, looking for Brandon… and working with the police.”

Police posted missing notices on social media, where the post was shared several hundred times. Tiffany also took to Facebook Sunday to post about her missing stepson and urged people to be on the lookout for him.

The Facebook posts were seen by Ryan O’Neill, a tow truck driver with Advanced Towing, who made headlines last year after helping to talk a man down from the edge of a Route 1 overpass.

Tiffany received a call from O’Neill around 4 p.m. yesterday (Monday), in which he said he spotted Brandon in Ballston and caught up to him.

O’Neill struck up a conversation with Brandon until Tiffany and Phil arrived, about 10 minutes later.

“Once I got there and we were reunited with Brandon, I called Brandon’s mom and the police, they met us in the Wells Fargo parking lot and we now have Brandon home with us,” Tiffany said. “We are forever grateful for Ryan for helping us bring Brandon home safe.”

In a statement, ACPD confirmed that Brandon was found yesterday. Police were dispatched around 3:40 p.m. to the 1000 block of N. Stafford Street for a report of a found missing juvenile.

“Upon arrival, it was determined family members had observed the juvenile walking in the area,” spokeswoman Alli Shorb said. “Responding officers made contact with the juvenile, confirmed his wellbeing and he was released to the custody of a guardian.”

She said family members reported observing the missing juvenile and noted that ACPD does not have additional details about whether a tow truck operator was involved.

Advanced Towing owner John O’Neill, the adoptive father of Ryan, confirmed the event.

“Ryan is constantly helping out the public,” John said, adding that he “pays attention and is all over Arlington.”

He cited the Crystal City overpass incident and the discovery of the missing teen as examples of how Advanced Towing is “helping out the community.”

That’s in contrast with Advanced’s more common perception as a “predatory” tow company, which has led to an unsuccessful lawsuit and repeated attempts at passing towing-related consumer protections. Advanced was also recently in the news for a driver who towed a car with children inside and, just yesterday, for a citation issued to a tow driver for an alleged unsafe tow.

The Advanced driver who towed the car with children inside earlier this month was not cited. The woman who allegedly left the children to go into a mall is, however, facing charges.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 18, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 18, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

The weather forecast for Tuesday indicates sunny skies and a pleasant high temperature of around 76 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind ranging from 7 to 11 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of approximately 56 degrees, and a gentle northwest breeze blowing at 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Cookie purveyor Chip City could open next month in Clarendon

By James Jarvis
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(Updated on 12/4/23) Chip City appears to be on track to open its first Arlington location in Clarendon as early as next month.

The New York City-based cookie shop announced earlier this year it planned to open two new locations in the county: at The Crossing Clarendon, at 2700 Clarendon Blvd, and the Village at Shirlington, at 4014 Campbell Avenue.

The Clarendon location is currently undergoing renovations and an electrician was on-site installing hardware when ARLnow stopped by last week to take a peek.

While an exact opening date has still yet to be confirmed, Theodore Gailas, the company’s co-founder and chief brand officer, told ARLnow that the Clarendon location is likely to open between “late October” and “early November.” Gailas noted Shirlington location is still slated for “early January.”

“That is of course you know, assuming no surprises,” he said.

Known for its large, gooey 5.5-ounce cookies, Chip City has a rotating weekly menu of 40 different flavors, including the classics, chocolate chip and triple chocolate, and more unique flavors, from cannoli to horchata.

If the Clarendon location opens this fall, as projected, patrons may get to squeeze in a seasonal pumpkin spice latte cookie.

The weekly cookie rotation at Chip City (via Instagram)

Chip City’s move into Arlington is part of a 40-store expansion in the D.C. area and across the country. This includes a Bethesda location Gailas also says could open in “early October.”

But Chip City will have some competition as cookie stores continue to gain popularity locally.

Captain Cookie and the Milkman opened in Courthouse earlier this year. Crumbl Cookies has plans to open this fall at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center. And delivery-only local cookie purveyor MOLTN Cookies also operates a ghost kitchen in the Dominion Hills neighborhood.

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