Crystal City | ARLnow.com

Bar Louie to Open Next Week

Published December 19, 2013 at 10:00AM

The new Bar Louie in Crystal City should bring a lot of holiday cheer, considering it’s expected to open the day after Christmas.

Bar Louie will fill a 5,480 square foot space at 320 23rd Street S. formerly occupied by Memphis Barbecue. This will be the sixth Metro D.C. location for the Texas based chain. Bar Louie is known for signature martinis, but also features small plates, flatbreads, salads, burgers and sandwiches.

To celebrate its grand opening next Thursday (December 26), the bar and restaurant will host a three day celebration next week. From Friday, December 27 through Sunday, December 29, customers can enjoy drink specials and free food. Each customer will receive one free appetizer or flatbread just for stopping by. There are reportedly other surprises planned for the bash that have not been announced yet.

“There’s a lot happening during our opening events that guests are going to be blown away by,” said Bar Louie General Manager Tom Jones in a written statement. “The best part of opening after the holidays is we get to throw an amazing grand opening and roll right into our New Year’s Eve party, which is going to be insane.”

Bar Louie will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and offers the entire menu until last call. It will host happy hour drink specials as well as half priced flatbreads and appetizers from 4:00-7:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday.

Route 1 Wreck Involves Metrobus, Overturned Vehicle

By ARLnow.com

Published December 18, 2013 at 4:30PM | Updated July 11, 2017 at 4:35PM

(Updated at 5:05 p.m.) An accident involving a Metrobus and an overturned vehicle has shut down two lanes of northbound traffic on Route 1 in Crystal City.

Police and medics are on the scene at Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) near 23rd Street S. One person suffered an arm injury in the accident, according to police radio traffic, and was transported from the scene in an ambulance.

Drivers should expect some traffic impacts in the area.

Hamburger Hamlet in Crystal City Likely to Close

By Ethan Rothstein

Published December 17, 2013 at 4:30PM

Hamburger Hamlet in Crystal City could close by the end of the year after its parent company filed for bankruptcy in April.

Du-par’s, a California-based diner chain, is attempting to acquire the lease and keep the restaurant, at 1750 Crystal City Shops, open. If successful, the restaurant would be renamed Du-par’s and the staff would be retained. But Du-par’s owner W.W. “Biff” Naylor says that the odds are “80-20 against that happening.”

“I’d hate to see all those people lose their jobs at Christmas time. That would just be brutal,” Naylor said. “We’ve got plenty of time to do it, but the landlord has got to say yes. So far they’ve said no.”

The building is owned by Vornado. Naylor, who lives in California, says he’s coming to the area tomorrow to try to negotiate acquiring the leases for the Crystal City restaurant and Hamburger Hamlet’s location in Bethesda, which he already operates.

If Vornado approves the lease acquisition, Naylor hopes to convert Hamburger Hamlet into a 24-hour restaurant with only minor changes to the menu. If not, the business could close within a couple of weeks and the furniture and equipment sold by the bankruptcy court at auction.

Naylor expects to hear a final decision by Friday.

Small Fire at Portofino Restaurant

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 21, 2013 at 10:30AM | Updated November 21, 2013 at 11:58AM

Update at 12:00 p.m. — Portofino has informed ARLnow.com that an inspector gave the all clear, and the restaurant has opened for business.

Firefighters spent part of the morning dealing with a small fire at Portofino restaurant (526 23rd Street S.) in Crystal City.

According to Arlington County Fire Department spokeswoman Lt. Sarah Marchegiani, firefighters found a dryer fire in the basement of the building. They were able to extinguish those flames quickly with a water can fire extinguisher, as well as some flames that had spread to the area behind the dryer. Crews remained on the scene for a while to ventilate the smoke that had seeped throughout the building.

There were some people cooking inside the building when the fire broke out, but nobody was hurt.

Although a fire marshal was still on scene conducting an investigation as of 10:30 a.m., the fire is not expected to affect Portofino’s business and it will be open as usual.

Photo via Google Maps

Bailey’s Closes in Crystal City

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 20, 2013 at 3:00PM

Bailey’s Sports Grille (2010 Crystal Drive) has closed in Crystal City.

Workers could be seen removing the Bailey’s sign from the building today. The Crystal City location has also been removed from the sports bar’s website.

The Bailey’s in the Ballston Common Mall is still open and employees there did not have any information about any possible plans to close.

A tipster tells ARLnow.com that the space formerly occupied by Bailey’s in Crystal City is being considered for a possible music and comedy venue.

Hat tip to @hamblinj

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published November 13, 2013 at 9:00AM | Updated November 13, 2013 at 11:53AM

Victim, Witnesses Testify During Krusinski Trial — The 23-year-old woman accusing the Air Force’s former sexual assault prevention chief of groping her in May testified about the incident yesterday during the first day of Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski’s assault and battery trial. The woman broke down in tears while describing how Krusinski allegedly grabbed her buttocks after he spent the night drinking in Crystal City. Witnesses reported the woman repeatedly punched Krusinski following the alleged groping. One of the witnesses who testified — a transgender woman who goes by Jordain — also reported being groped and propositioned by Krusinski that night. Jordain said Krusinski appeared to be a “happy drunk” and she brushed him off. The trial is expected to last three days. [Stars and Stripes, Military Times]

County Prepares for Winter — No snowflakes have fallen yet, but Arlington County has already launched preparations for the 2013-2014 winter season. The snow removal team includes 92 drivers and 46 trucks that are equipped with plows and salt spreaders. Residents will be able to track the progress of road clearing online, including the ability to check traffic cameras at certain intersections. Residents are asked to clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm, per the county’s Snow Removal Ordinance. [Arlington County]

1K Wine and Beer Walk on Sunday — The Washington Wine Academy is hosting its semi-annual 1K Wine and Beer Walk in Crystal City on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 16-17). Start times will be staggered from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and participants get to sample 22 different types of wine or beer while strolling through the Shops at Crystal City. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online. [Washington Wine Academy]

Morning Notes

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 25, 2013 at 9:30AM

SoberRide to Offer Free Halloween Cab Rides — The Washington Regional Alcohol Program is offering free taxi rides next Thursday on the night of Halloween. From 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., revelers can dial 1-800-200-TAXI, be picked up and taken to their destination free of charge, within a $30 fare. The service is offered in D.C. as well as the Maryland suburbs and other Northern Virginia municipalities. The service is being offered to prevent drunk driving, and WRAP says that 52 percent of traffic deaths on Halloween come from drunk drivers. [SoberRide]

Crystal City BID to Give Away Free Bike Lights — The Crystal City Business Improvement District will be giving away free bicycle lights this afternoon (Friday). The giveaway is taking place at the Crystal City exit of the Mount Vernon Trail from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. At the bike light giveaway last year, cyclists received front and tail “Bug Eye” lights. [Crystal City BID]

Road Closures for the Marine Corps Marathon — The Marine Corps Marathon is this Sunday, and many road around Arlington will be closed while runners participate. The closures will begin at 4:00 a.m. and many roads will not reopen until 4:30 p.m. [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by ddimick. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Bar Louie Under Construction in Crystal City

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 24, 2013 at 3:45PM

Bar Louie is coming to the ground floor of the Buchanan building in Crystal City.

The Texas-based bar/restaurant chain has started interior construction work that includes core drilling as they work to replace the old Memphis Barbecue restaurant at 320 23rd Street S. Bar Louie applied for a permit in the space this summer, but the company said at the time that it hadn’t made a final decision on a location.

Per an anonymous tipster, management at the Buchanan sent the following note to residents, notifying them of the construction activity.

Dear Residents,

Please be advised that the contractor working the old Memphis BBQ space has scheduled core drilling for tomorrow and Friday, October 24th and 25th, 2013. They intend to work during the day, starting around 8:00 a.m. each day.

Core drilling can be noisy; however, based on the restaurant being on the first floor, we do not anticipate that you will hear too much noise from this activity.

Thank you for your understanding as Bar Louie continues to construct their new restaurant at The Buchanan.

Representatives of Bar Louie could not be reached for comment on a potential opening date for the restaurant. Bar Louie’s website lists the Crystal City location as “coming soon” with a target date of “Winter 2014.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 23, 2013 at 9:15AM | Updated October 23, 2013 at 9:34AM

Terminal A Revamp Underway at DCA — A $37 million renovation project at Reagan National Airport’s Terminal A is proceeding swiftly. The project isn’t adding a significant amount of extra space to the historic terminal, but it will make the existing space seem brighter and more open. Most of the work is expected to be complete by the holiday travel season. [Washington Post]

Pupatella Makes National Pizza Rankings — Bluemont’s Pupatella Neapolitan Pizzeria (5104 Wilson Blvd) serves one of the top 40 slices of pizza in the country, according to new rankings. Pupatella’s capricciosa pizza was ranked No. 36 on the list, as judged by the Daily Meal website. [Daily Mail]

Students Receive Scholarships at NAACP Banquet — Through a partnership with the Arlington NAACP, a new scholarship fund awarded $2,500/year college scholarships to four high-performing local students over the weekend. The scholarship fund allows the NAACP to “invest in our youth,” said the head of the Arlington branch of the organization. [Sun Gazette]

Beer and Wine Walks Return to Crystal City — Crystal City’s 1K wine and beer walks will return next month. The walks — which allow participants to sample various wines and beers while walking through Crystal City’s underground shopping center — will take place on Nov. 16 and 17. [Crystal City]

County Board Adopts Public Safety Radio Resolution — The Arlington County Board adopted a resolution yesterday (Tuesday) that calls on builders to install technology that allows better police and fire department communications in new buildings. Modern construction materials have made it difficult for first responders to receive radio signals in newer buildings. The Board’s non-binding resolution calls on builders to install in-building wireless systems to better transmit public radio signals. [Arlington County]

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

High-Tech Workshop Coming to Crystal City

By Ethan Rothstein

Published October 22, 2013 at 5:20PM | Updated October 23, 2013 at 8:51AM

TechShop, a workshop that offers access to high-tech equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters, is expected to open in Crystal City early next year.

The Crystal City Business Improvement District announced Tuesday that TechShop would move into the Crystal City Shops at 2100 Crystal Drive in early 2014. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

TechShop, which describes itself as a “membership-based, do-it-yourself creative workshop and fabrication studio,” offers monthly and annual memberships to use its facilities, as well as classes for non-members to learn how to use the equipment. According to TechShop, each location includes more than $1 million of machines, tools and equipment.

In addition to 3D printers and laser cutters, TechShop also offers plastics and electronics labs, a machine shop, a wood shop, a metal working shop, a textiles department, welding stations and a waterjet cutter.

“The arrival of TechShop is a huge win for Arlington County and Crystal City – cementing the community’s role as the region’s center of creation and innovation,” Angela Fox, President and CEO of the Crystal City BID, said in a press release. “TechShop is a catalyst for activity, energy, and excitement offering an incredible amenity to area employees, residents, workers, and businesses.”

The Crystal City TechShop will partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to offer a free membership program to veterans. Currently, there are six TechShop locations across the country.

Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 8, 2013 at 8:30AM

Development Proposed to Replace Courthouse Wendy’s — Developer Carr Properties is planning to propose an office building to be built at 2038 Wilson Blvd in Courthouse, replacing the Wendy’s. The building will be similar to Carr’s planned office building at 2311 Wilson Blvd, which was approved by the Arlington County Board in December. [Washington Post]

Questions Remain As Staff Works on Urban Ag Report — County Board Chairman Walter Tejada is pressing county staff to move faster on a report on urban agriculture. The report is expected to recommend a course of action on the controversial issue of urban hen raising, an issue for which many questions remain. [Sun Gazette]

Free Tropical Plants Today — Ferns, palms, ficus trees and banana plants will be given away for free this afternoon at the Crystal City farmers market. Used to decorate outdoor areas of Crystal City during the summer, the plants would otherwise be composted in advance of winter. [Crystal City BID]

Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser. Photo courtesy @BrianWohlert.