Ballston

Postal Vehicle Involved in Ballston Wreck

By ARLnow.com

A U.S. Postal Service van collided with a car at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and N. Glebe Road in Ballston just before 9:30 this morning.

Initial reports suggested the accident might have been a hit-and-run, with the postal vehicle fleeing the scene. In actuality, the accident apparently disabled the brakes on the minivan and it ended up rolling down a small hill before coming to rest on Washington Boulevard between Glebe Road and N. Buchanan Street, about 1 or 2 blocks away, according to scanner traffic.

The driver of the car was evaluated by paramedics for minor injuries. The postal employee was not reported to be injured.

 

Ballston Building Adds ‘Bob Peck’ Historical Marker

By Aaron Kraut

Developers of a new office building in Ballston have added another historical touch to commemorate the old Bob Peck Chevrolet dealership that for decades served as a neighborhood landmark on the same site.

Alexandria-based Bowman Consulting, the landscape architecture firm on developer JBG’s 10-story office building at 800 N. Glebe Road, recently designed and installed a historical marker to honor the dealership’s iconic Googie architecture style.

In January, builders added a diamond-shaped facade to the front of the building to mimic the style. Bob Peck Chevrolet was demolished in 2008.

From the text of the historical marker:

Bob Peck opened his first Chevrolet dealership in 1939 on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon. In 1964, he moved the dealership west to Ballston to the very prominent corner of North Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard, 300 feet south of this marker. Taking advantage of the site’s unique location and visibility, local architect Anthony Musolino designed a transparent circular showroom of glass and chrome, with a butterfly roofline whose frieze of diamond-shaped blue panels spelled out “Chevrolet.” The building was an excellent example of Googie architecture, reflecting the era’s prevailing interest in the future — space travel, nuclear energy, rockets — through the use of upward slanting and cantilevered roofs, geometric patterns, acute angles and large sheets of glass.

Musolino’s design evoked thoughts of flight and movement, with its walls of transparent glass and a roof that appeared to float skyward. The transparent showroom was a living billboard. Motorists could see the chrome-trimmed vehicles from the street. Peck Chevrolet became a community icon and a landmark for motorists traveling to and through Arlington. The showroom’s design is represented in the new diamond-shaped frieze of the office building now located at the former Bob Peck site.

 

Photos courtesy Bowman Consulting

World of Beer Opens Next Week

By Katie Pyzyk

In one week, Ballston will be home to a new beer establishment. World of Beer (901 N. Glebe Road) is making its final preparations for opening next Monday (August 6).

Owner Evan Matz and his wife recently moved to Arlington from Florida. He enjoys the area and thought it would be the perfect place to launch Virginia’s first location for the Florida chain.

“I love Arlington. I think it’s a great area,” said Matz. “World of Beer looks forward to being Ballston’s neighborhood social scene, while being dedicated to the beer enthusiast.”

The coolers are stocked, thanks to a beer shipment that arrived last Friday. Later this week, kegs and tap handles will be delivered. In all, there will be more than 500 beers, with 50 rotating taps. New selections will come a couple of times every week.

Bartenders have to go through extensive training to become familiar with all the different types of beers. They should be able to give customers suggestions based on individual tastes, as well as giving the history of some of the more unique brews. Matz says the focus on the beer will make his place different from all the others in the area.

“We’re an upscale neighborhood sports craft beer bar,” he said. “Other restaurants will have a good selection of beer, but we are a place that has a phenomenal selection of beer, that happens to have food.”

Traditionally, World of Beer establishments don’t serve food, but this location will in order to comply with state law. The limited menu will feature gourmet sausages, small bites such as soft pretzels, and beer-infused desserts. There’s been a unique partnership set up to allow customers to order from other restaurants and have the food delivered inside World of Beer. Matz said with the offerings both from his menu and those of Vapiano, BGR The Burger Joint and P.F. Chang’s, customers will have plenty of variety when it comes to dining options.

Inside, sports fans can catch the games on the TVs throughout the establishment, and there will be free live entertainment on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Those who want to get some fresh air can take advantage the outdoor seating. Happy hour will take place on weeknights, along with different daily specials such as trivia night or service industry night.

Because it reached its goal of 1,000 Facebook fans and 500 Twitter followers, World of Beer is holding a special pre-grand opening party for all the fans and followers on August 6. Social media followers or not, Matz invites everyone with a passion for good beer to stop by.

“We’re giving Ballston and Arlington a place where people can come and enjoy better tasting, better quality beer,” said Matz. “We want to make sure that everybody enjoys the music, the entertainment, just the laid back atmosphere of World of Beer.”

1/6

Fairfax Man Convicted in Ballston Hit and Run Case

By ARLnow.com

A Fairfax County man has been convicted and sentenced to more than four years in prison for a hit and run pedestrian accident that left a young woman seriously injured.

John Reynolds was 24 at the time of his arrest in March 2011. He was accused of hitting a 22-year-old woman with his car while driving drunk on Fairfax Drive, near the Ballston Metro station, on December 30, 2010. Reynolds sped away from the scene of the near-fatal accident, but detectives were able to use debris from his car to track him down and arrest him.

Reynolds — who studied psychology and criminal justice at Old Dominion University — was charged with hit and run and DUI maiming. Following a three-day trial that started on Monday, an Arlington County jury found Reynolds guilty on both charges yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Today the jury sentenced Reynolds to 4 years and 3 months in prison, plus a $2,500 fine.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jay Burkholder, who prosecuted the case with fellow Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Clarke, said Reynolds’ “level of intoxication” played a role in the jury’s decision-making. Reynolds did not testify at the sentencing hearing, Burkholder said.

The victim of the accident suffered what Burkholder described as “very serious” injuries to her hip and legs. She also suffered nerve damage.

“Due to some fantastic doctors at Inova Fairfax Hospital she survived and is walking today,” Burkholder said. “She is doing much better, but will always face some physical challenges from this crime.”

Reynolds is being held at the Arlington County jail pending a formal sentencing hearing in September, when a judge will have the option of suspending part of his sentence.

Police Start Enforcing Hour-Limit On Food Trucks

By Aaron Kraut

Seoul Food truck co-owner J.P. Goree got a citation and a court date from Arlington County Police on Wednesday.

His crime: Keeping his Korean cuisine food truck in one Clarendon Courthouse parking spot for longer than the county’s 60-minute limit for mobile food vendors.

“We feel like we’re being treated as a second-class business,” Goree said Friday. “We’re a micro-business, aspiring to be a bigger small business and it seems like that’s something that would be fostered by the community.”

Goree said police told food truck owners a few weeks ago that they would soon start enforcing the regulation. In May, Jill Griffin, a commercial development specialist for Arlington Economic Development, said she had heard enforcing the time limit “has been challenging.”

Griffin also said officials hoped to talk with stakeholders this summer to form recommendations for updating Arlington’s vending ordinance this fall.

“If you open at 11 [a.m.] or 11:30 [a.m.] that hour is only going to get you to when you have the longest line right in the very middle of your lunch rush,” Goree said.

Goree said he thinks ongoing tension between food truck owners and brick-and-mortar restaurant owners is behind Wednesday’s enforcement. Also in May, ARLnow.com obtained an internal document from the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) that said “the number, location and type of operation” of food trucks and carts is “inadequately regulated by Arlington County.”

The Rosslyn BID is funded by the property owners who rent space to the neighborhood’s restaurants, delis and cafes.

The Bada Bing truck also reported receiving a ticket Wednesday on its Twitter page. Ice cream food truck Sinplicity tweeted out a similar message. Goree’s court date is Aug. 21. There was no fine listed on the citation.

“If a truck or a car parks at a metered spot, it can stay there for as long as the meter allows,” said Rob Frommer, an attorney with the Institute For Justice, a Ballston-based libertarian public interest law firm. “It doesn’t make any sense to arbitrarily limit how long one particular type of vehicle can remain in one spot.”

Two years ago, the Institute for Justice began a National Street Vending Initiative to help legalize food trucks and vendors. Frommer said Arlington’s own experience with the growing food truck industry helped inform the organization’s goals.

“It seemed like Arlington was doing a good job of embracing the vendors and letting these businesses start up,” Frommer said. “This change in enforcement is an unfortunate and surprising development.”

Elderly Woman Struck by Cab in Ballston Dies

By ARLnow.com

The elderly woman struck by a cab in Ballston yesterday (Wednesday morning) has died.

Police say they’re still investigating the accident, which occurred at the intersection of Glebe Road and Carlin Springs Road. No charges have been filed, yet.

The 76 year-old victim of a pedestrian struck incident on July 18, 2012 in Arlington County has died from the injuries she sustained. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Madela Anez de Walsh, 76, of Arlington, VA, was attempting to cross N. Carlin Springs Road at N. Glebe Road yesterday morning at 9:25 a.m., when she was struck by a taxi cab causing a significant head injury. Walsh was transported to Fairfax hospital following the incident, where she succumbed to her injuries around noon today.

The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the police investigation.

A-Town Bar & Grill Sets Aug. 1 Opening Date

By ARLnow.com

Update on 8/3/12 — The opening is now scheduled for Aug. 10.

A-Town Bar & Grill — the re-branded and remodeled incarnation of Caribbean Breeze — is hoping to open on August 1, a co-owner tells us.

Located at 4100 Fairfax Drive in Ballston, A-Town Bar & Grill will feature an expanded beer list; an “eclectic” menu including sushi, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and steaks; a redone outdoor patio; and lots of flat screen TVs.

Scott Parker, a partner in the new restaurant along with existing owner Mike Cordero and his son, Nick, says crews are working hard to get the eatery ready for a hoped-for August 1 opening.

“We’re on a tight schedule,” he said in an email. “The construction crews are working like crazy.”

Flickr pool photo by Maryva2

Ballston Buffalo Wild Wings Opening Next Week

By Katie Pyzyk

Buffalo Wild Wings is preparing to open its newest location (950 N. Glebe Road) in Ballston next week.

Passers-by may notice a lot of activity at the site right now, because new employees are going through training this week. But the sports themed restaurant won’t open to the public until Monday, July 16, after a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

Regional manager Don Rizzie said based in part on the success of the Buffalo Wild Wings in Crystal City, the decision was made to expand in Arlington.

“It’s a great area, it’s bustling,” said Rizzie. “Northern Virginia is the place to be right now.”

Rizzie said the Ballston location is expected to be a top five store within the company. The Crystal City location, which has been open for about a year and a half, came in third in sales last year for all Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants across the country. It’s anticipated that the one in Ballston will perform as well, if not better.

“You’re not going to be able to beat the lunches we do around here,” said Rizzie.

Although the Ballston area is quickly accruing sports bar style restaurants, such as the recently opened Greene Turtle, Rizzie doesn’t think competition will be a problem. He said there are things that set Buffalo Wild Wings apart from the competition, specifically the high energy employees who put an emphasis on customer service.

“What really makes Buffalo Wild Wings is our people. That’s why we’re so selective about hiring,” Rizzie said. “Anybody can have signature sauces and put up TVs and show all the sporting events, but what we have is the energy.”

The restaurant has outdoor seating for 75 people. There will be some TVs inside the establishment that face out toward the patio for those who want to keep up with the games while getting some fresh air.

Rizzie points out that even though the chain is known for its wings, there is a full menu available for anyone who wants something a little different. There will be a variety of lunch specials on weekdays.

As part of the opening festivities, next week the restaurant will be raffling off a year of free wings every hour, along with other freebies.

“Come out and see us next week,” said Rizzie. “It’s going to be a party!”

1/6

Slight Delay on Opening, but Progress at World of Beer

By Katie Pyzyk

Construction is progressing at World of Beer (901 N. Glebe Road) in Ballston, and it should be open in a month.

Owner Evan Matz said the original goal was to open by the end of July. That’s been pushed back to August 6, however, due to a few delays including the late arrival of some supplies due to last week’s storm.

Earlier this year, the County Board approved a request for outdoor seating and live music at the establishment. Free live entertainment will take place on Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

Matz said although there will be televisions for sports fans, WOB will be different from the other restaurants and sports bars in the area. Instead of a focus on sports and food, Matz said the focus is on providing good quality beer with a social atmosphere.

“We don’t carry Michelob, Budweiser, Miller, Pabst Blue Ribbon. We don’t do two dollar pitchers. It’s not that kind of place,” Matz said. “We’re giving Ballston and Arlington a place to enjoy that has better tasting, better quality beer.”

If WOB gets 1,000 Facebook fans and 500 Twitter followers, it will throw a special pre-grand opening party for all the fans next month.

World of Beer is currently hiring friendly, energetic people for all positions at the Ballston location. Those interested can download an application online and email General Manager Sarah Miller at [email protected] for more information.

Woman Sexually Assaulted in Ballston Parking Garage

By Katie Pyzyk

A woman was sexually assaulted in the Ballston Public Parking Garage (665 N. Glebe Road) yesterday (Wednesday).

According to police, around 2:30 p.m., a 23-year-old woman was walking to her car, which was parked on the fourth level of the garage adjacent to the Ballston mall. Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said a man approached the victim from behind when she was just feet from her vehicle. The suspect reportedly lifted up the woman’s skirt, grabbed her buttocks, and sexually assaulted her with his hand.

Police say the suspect was startled when the victim screamed, and he fled the scene. The woman then left the parking garage and called police. She did not have any other injuries requiring medical attention.

Although the victim didn’t get a good look at the suspect’s face, she was able to provide other details. Police say the suspect is described as a black male, about 6′ and 150 pounds, between the ages of 17 and 25. At the time of the assault, he was wearing dark pants, a light shirt, sneakers and a black knit hat.

Anyone who can provide information about the assault or the suspect should call the police non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.

Ballston Farmers Market Starts Today

By ARLnow.com

The grand opening of the revamped Ballston Farmers Market will kick off at 3:00 this afternoon.

The market, which is now managed by FRESHFARM Markets and sponsored by the new Ballston Business Improvement District, will be held Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Welburn Square, through October 25. The square is located between N. Stuart and Taylor Streets, across from the Ballston Metro station.

Today’s grand opening will feature live music from local rockabilly group Jumpin’ Jupiter.

Per the Ballston BID, the merchants planning to offer their products at the market include:

File photo. Disclosure: Ballston BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

View More Stories