new store

Podcast: Commonwealth Joe Co-Founder and CEO Robbie Peck

By ARLnow.com
1/8

Robbie Peck has the kind of founding story for his company that reinforces the artisanal cred that is fueling its growth.

Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters, which owns Java Shack in Courthouse and is opening a new flagship cafe in Pentagon City, started as a mom-and-son operation in Culpeper, Va., a coffee shop where Peck was the barista and his mother was the chief coffee roaster.

From those beginnings Peck founded Commonwealth Joe with one coffee roasting machine and three friends from college. A few years later, and now he’s just a week or two away the culmination of a lot of hard work and investment: the opening of the first Commonwealth Joe-branded coffee shop.

Located next to a new Whole Foods on 12th Street S., just two blocks from the Pentagon City Metro, the cafe will feature the company’s most popular product: nitro cold brew coffee, which is smooth, dark and served out of a keg — the Guinness beer of coffees.

In this week’s 26 Square Miles podcast, we learned that Commonwealth Joe’s nitro cold brew was the result of keeping a close eye on coffee culture in New York and other trend-setting coffee cities, in addition to a lot of experimentation.

We also learned:

  • It takes quite a bit of effort to pedal a tricycle outfitted with a coffee keg up a hill
  • Though Peck is competing with Starbucks, he credits the company for paving the way for smaller coffee companies like his
  • Contrary to the experience of other small businesses, Peck says he hasn’t encountered much trouble from Arlington County on regulatory and permitting issues so far

You can listen to the full interview below. Be sure to subscribe to ARLnow.com’s new podcast, 26 Square Miles, on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Our podcast sponsor is Crystal City, which is hosting its annual Pups and Pilsners beer tasting event this Sunday from 2-6 p.m.

Michael’s Store to Open Tomorrow Near Fairlington

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A Michael’s craft store is set to open tomorrow (Sept. 2) near Arlington’s Fairlington neighborhood.

As of this afternoon, “opening” signs were posted on the window of the store and employees could be seen training inside.

The new Michael’s is located in the Bradlee Shopping Center at 3690 King Street in Alexandria.

New High-End Barbershop Coming to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Hendricks Gentlemen's Barbershop (Photo courtesy Tim Donaldson)

Clarendon is getting a new upscale spot for men to get their hair cut and their beards trimmed.

Hendricks Gentlemen’s Barbershop, which is billing itself as Clarendon’s only high-end barbershop, is planning to open in just over a week.

Hendricks is the creation of Melanie St. Clair and Lisa Dahl, owners of Smitten salon in nearby Lyon Park.

“At Smitten we have a large male clientele so we know a barbershop is something Clarendon needs,” St. Clair tells ARLnow.com. “Hendricks… will offer men’s haircuts, beard trims and hot [straight razor] shaves. The concept is a throwback to old school barbershops, in a comfortable upscale setting.”

“Hendricks boasts a wall projector screen with ESPN as well as an original 100 year old barbershop chair from my great great grandfather’s barbershop in Baltimore,” St. Clair added. “We have experienced barbers on staff and will be opening Wednesday, September 7. Once the website is live this week, clients will have the convenience of online booking.”

Hendricks is located at 3000 Washington Blvd, near the 7-Eleven store, in the former Primp by Smitten space. Primp has since relocated to the main Smitten salon on N. Pershing Drive.

Photo courtesy Tim Donaldson

New Stores Coming to Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com
1/2

A pair of stores are coming to a couple of once-vacant storefronts on Pentagon Row.

Express Jewelers is moving from the under-construction Ballston Common Mall to the former Pacers space at 1101 S. Joyce Street.

The store offers “fine jewelry, watches, jewelry repair, watch repair, battery and band replacement, custom-designed jewelry, restringing, appraisals and eyeglass frame repair.” It is “getting close” to opening, according to a Facebook post.

Next door, a menswear and tuxedo rental store is coming to the former Denim Bar space, according to a tipster who chatted up the owner over the weekend. That store may open as soon as mid-month, we’re told.

‘Blumen Cafe’ In Progress in Clarendon

By Lindsay Smith
1/3

A new independent coffee shop is slated to open at some point in the near future in the Clarendon area.

The shop, called Blumen Cafe, is coming to the space that formerly held CD Cellar at 2607 Wilson Blvd, which is about halfway between the Courthouse and Clarendon Metro stations. Signs for the forthcoming cafe state that the business is “coming soon.”

Though we were unable to contact the proprietor behind the cafe, Andira Jabbari, for comment, real estate agent Kenneth Matzkin — who helped lease the property to Jabbari — was able to provide some insight.

The cafe will bring “high-end teas and coffee” and snacks to the space as early as some time this month, Matzkin said.

“They’re putting in a boatload of money to make it look nice,” Matzkin said. “They’re also going to open it up in the front so you could walk directly to the sidewalk from the space.”

But Matzkin cautioned that the end result is still subject to change.

Altar’d State Now Open in Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

Altar'd State in the Pentagon City mall (photo via Facebook)

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City has a new fashion retailer.

Altar’d State, a faith-based retailer of boho-chic women’s clothing, opened this week on the first level of the mall, not far from its main S. Hayes Street entrance.

In a press release, below, the store is described as “a place of respite for the modern-day woman and offers a distinctive shopping experience with the latest fashion finds, the most sought after accessories and delightful home décor.” As a company, Altar’d State emphasizes its giving to charitable causes with the slogan “Stand Out. For Good.”

Altar’d State, an inspiring women’s boutique, is opening at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City at the end of July. This site will mark the 73rd store and the first location in the Arlington community for the growing retail chain.

Altar’d State is a place of respite for the modern-day woman and offers a distinctive shopping experience with the latest fashion finds, the most sought after accessories and delightful home décor. Altar’d State’s breath-taking interiors seek to inspire guests as they shop and provide them with a place of rejuvenation from their daily stressors.

Altar’d State’s popularity is growing not only for its trend setting apparel and inspiring retail design, but also for its emphasis on giving back to charitable organizations locally and globally. Every Monday is Mission Monday, where 10% of Monday’s net proceeds are donated to a local nonprofit charity selected by the store associates. During the months of July and August, Altar’d State at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City will be supporting a charity that focuses on “Pet Pals”. The company encourages associates to get involved in charitable missions through paid volunteer hours and also sponsors children in impoverished areas around the world. The sponsorship provides children with clothing, nutritious meals, education, shelter, healthcare and counseling support to help them rise up and out of poverty. Altar’d State focuses on giving back by seeking out vendor partners who share their giving philosophy.

Arlington shoppers can feel good about their purchases by knowing they are helping those in need in their home town and on a global scale.

“The give-back mission isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are,” comments Aaron Walters, Chairman and CEO. “From the very beginning, our mission has been to help the less fortunate. For Altar’d State, a new store means a new community in which we can have a positive impact.”

Altar’d State also offers an online retail store found at www.altardstate.com.

For employment opportunities, please visit www.altardstate.com/careers.

Photo via Facebook

More American Tap Room Rumors Surface

By ARLnow.com

American Tap Room in ClarendonMight changes be in the works at American Tap Room in Clarendon?

Multiple sources tell ARLnow.com that the bar and restaurant at 3101 Wilson Blvd is either set to close or, at least, give up part of its space for a new Verizon Wireless store. No timeline was given for when either might happen.

A local manager at American Tap Room told us that it’s not planning to close. The restaurant’s Reston-based parent company, Thompson Hospitality, did not return a call last week seeking comment.

In late 2014 we reported, citing commercial real estate sources, that American Tap Room was seeking a buyer to take over its large, pricy lease for space just across from the Clarendon Metro station. It has remained open since that report.

LEGO Store Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

LEGO logoThe Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is getting a new LEGO store.

LEGO builders will be able to head to the mall to get their supply of the versatile plastic bricks starting this fall. The store is expected to open around Sept. 1, according to the mall website.

The nearest existing LEGO stores are in Tysons Corner and Woodbridge, according to the Danish company’s website.

The store will be located on the first level of the Fashion Centre, next to the Microsoft Store.

Hat tip to C.H. McMillan

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Greene Turtle ad spotted on the side of a bus (photo courtesy Melissa P.)

Historic Designation May Not Stop Westover Redevelopment — It’s probably too late to start the process of designating a soon-to-be-redeveloped garden apartment complex in Westover as a local historic district, county officials said in response to residents who want to stop the development. By state law the county can’t stop a by-right development, so the only option for preserving the garden apartments would be for the county to buy the property, said County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac. [InsideNova]

Zara Now Open in Pentagon City Mall — The fashion retailer Zara is now open in the expanded portion of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall. [Patch]

Continued Kudos for W-L Soccer — After winning the state title, the Washington-Lee High School boys soccer team has since been recognized by the Arlington County Board, the School Board and has received a raft of media interest. [InsideNova]

Wardian Wins Crazy Trophy at Crazy Race — Arlington’s resident elite ultramarathoner Michael Wardian has won the Great New York City 100 Mile Running Exposition and the very unique trophy that goes along with it. [Instagram]

Arlington’s Street Names, Explained — In a post that was just republished, after originally appearing in 2009, urbanist blog Greater Greater Washington explains the complex but mostly logical system for naming streets in Arlington. [Greater Greater Washington]

Photo courtesy Melissa P.

New Starbucks Now Open in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A brand new Starbucks store is open on the corner of 12th Street and S. Fern Street in Pentagon City.

The cafe opened last week and has already attracted a sizable flock of MacBook-bound latte sippers.

The coffee shop is one of the first businesses to open along the new 12th Street extension between Fern and S. Eads Street. A Whole Foods is also opening soon on the block, and a competing cafe — Commonwealth Joe — is working to open its “flagship” location on the block, on the ground floor of the new Bartlett apartment building, this summer.

The Pink Palm Now Open in Clarendon

By Jackie Friedman
1/7

Lilly Pulitzer signature store The Pink Palm has opened its new store in Clarendon.

The store, at 2871 Clarendon Blvd, is the company’s fifth. It opened two weeks ago, after moving to Clarendon from their now-closed McLean location. The store is located in the former Knightsbridge Trading Co. space.

“We are so excited to be in Arlington because it is in the middle of where our prime demographic is,” said Pink Palm owner Lizanne Jeveret.

The privately-owned Lily Pulitzer store carries clothes, accessories and gifts. As a signature store, non-apparel brands such as Jack Rogers and Kendra Scott are also sold.

Customers can earn points for every purchase they make with the customer loyalty program. For every $500 spent, a $20 in store credit will be rewarded.

“We focus on getting to know our customers and we have a very specific interaction with our customers,” said Jeveret.

Aside from dropping by the store, customers can also order products online. Other Pink Palm locations include Alexandria, Bethesda, Richmond and Charlottesville.

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