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New Retail Coming to Courthouse

Published May 29, 2014 at 11:15AM

A 7-Eleven, a Hair Cuttery, a nail salon and a new gourmet store are all coming soon to the Courthouse area.

The four retailers are those announced so far for the nine ground floor retail spaces available at the new 2001 Clarendon Blvd building, which is expected to wrap up construction soon. The seven-story, mixed-use building, which replaced the former Taco Bell and the beloved Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse, has 30,000 square feet of retail space and 154 “trophy” apartments.

The nail salon, Modern Nails, appears to be from the same owner as the Modern Nails salons at the Pentagon City mall and Ballston Common Mall.

The 7-Eleven store is located on the Clarendon Blvd side of the building, only a few blocks away from an existing 7-Eleven store at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Quinn Street.

On the Wilson Blvd side, the Hair Cuttery will be adjacent to a gourmet store called The Olive Oil Boom. Reached by phone today, owner Judith Westfall — who moved with her husband from Texas to Arlington (Va.) just over a year ago, following a career in the oil industry — says Olive Oil Boom will sell olive oils, balsamic vinegars, wine, beer, cheese and other gourmet products.

The 1,360 square foot store will have an “oil company theme,” she said. Customers will be able to enjoy their purchases outdoors in a courtyard space next to the store.

Westfall says she’s hoping to open at some point this fall.

Image via 2001clarendon.com

Peet’s Coffee Expected to Open in Shirlington Next Month

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2014 at 4:45PM

The former Caribou Coffee at 4115 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington is closed and is expected to reopen as a Peet’s Coffee and Tea next month.

Construction was being performed on the interior of the store today. That construction is expected to wrap up and the new Peet’s coffee shop is expected to open “in approximately 6 weeks,” according to Molly Hippolitus, a spokeswoman for the Village at Shirlington shopping center.

Minneapolis-based Caribou announced last year that it would be closing about half of its stores and converting the others to the California-based Peet’s brand.

The former Caribou location in Crystal City was originally expected to become a Peet’s store, but is instead becoming a new We, the Pizza location. The pizza shop from celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn is expected to open any day now.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2014 at 9:00AM | Updated May 7, 2014 at 9:46AM

Free People to Open Next Week — The “bohemian” women’s clothing store Free People will open next Friday (May 16) at the Pentagon City mall. The 3,200 square foot boutique is the company’s 94th retail store and the fourth in the D.C. area. [PRWeb]

Bike and Walk to School Day — Today is Bike and Walk to School Day for Arlington Public Schools. Children and parents were encouraged to seek people-powered transportation to school to teach students “about the health and environmental benefits of biking and walking.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Make-A-Wish Star’s Video Released — Addy, the 5-year-old who shot part of a music video in Rosslyn after her wish to become a pop star was granted by Make-A-Wish, has had her video released on YouTube. The video is a cover of the Katy Perry song “Roar.” Addy is suffering from a Wilms Tumor, a form of kidney cancer. [YouTube]

Entrepreneurial Author to Speak at Library — U.S. News & World Report senior money editor Kimberly Palmer will discuss her book “The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life” tonight at 7:00 at Arlington Central Library. [Arlington Public Library]

Flickr pool photo by Brian Allen

New 7-Eleven Now Hiring in Nauck

By ARLnow.com

Published April 11, 2014 at 10:50AM

A new 7-Eleven store is opening on the ground floor of The Shelton apartments in Nauck.

The store, located on the corner of Shirlington Road and 24th Street S., is now hiring, according to signs posted in the window. Interior construction appears to be wrapping up and equipment is being brought in. A Slurpee machine was visible inside the store as of Thursday morning.

The 7-Eleven may present a bit of competition to the 62-year-old Green Valley Pharmacy, which sells similar convenience staples just a block away. Green Valley Pharmacy received a historic designation from Arlington County last year.

No word yet on an opening date for the 7-Eleven.

Hat tip to @RahulG86

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 18, 2013 at 8:55AM

No Metro Work This Weekend — In an occurrence that’s somewhat rare these days, there is no Metro rebuilding work planned on the Blue, Orange or Yellow Lines this weekend. [WMATA]

New Rosslyn Cafe to Open Monday — Caffe Aficionado, a new independent coffee shop at 1919 N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn, is scheduled to officially open on Monday, according to owner Adiam Berhane. The cafe is also holding events for neighbors today and Saturday.

Chamber Joins Small Biz Shopping Initiative — The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the organizers of Arlington Small Business Day. The Chamber will help promote the holiday shopping day, which debuted last year and is scheduled for Nov. 30. [Sun Gazette]

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick

New Gift and Decor Store Opens in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published September 24, 2013 at 10:30AM

Knightsbridge Trading Company, a gift and home decor store, has opened in Clarendon.

The store, at 2871 Clarendon Blvd in the former Papery space, opened its doors over the weekend. It offers customers “an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection at surprisingly attractive prices,” according to its website.

“Our store present[s] a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including paintings, body-care products, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, stationery, greeting cards, home accessories and floral products,” the website says. “Knightbridge [sic] Trading Co. also offers an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise from all over the world, as well as many unique items carried throughout the year suitable for giving as gifts.”

Originally named The English Trading Company, the store has an existing location in Rockville that opened in 2010.

Food and Retail Makeover Planned for DCA

By Katie Pyzyk

Published September 18, 2013 at 11:45AM

Food and retail options at Reagan National Airport will soon take on a new look. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has launched a wide ranging food and retail development program for DCA and Dulles International Airport.

MWAA plans to redevelop about 95 percent of DCA’s concessions over a 30 month period. The revamp will occur in five phases, with construction on the first kicking off in the next few weeks. Customers can expect to see changes both before and after passing through security checkpoints.

“This allows us to take advantage of broader trends and designs in the industry to provide enhanced offerings for our passengers,” said MWAA spokesman Chris Paolino. “This is something that’s been in the works for quite some time.”

During the planning process, Paolino said MWAA researched airports around to the world to determine the best practices in the concessions industry, noting what works well at an airport and what does not. It also took into consideration feedback about what existing concessions customers like and what they would like to see added in the future.

As mentioned yesterday, well-known restaurants and stores such as Ben’s Chili Bowl, Legal Sea Foods, Pinkberry and Spanx will be added. Those phase one additions will be joined by others such as Brighton Collectibles, Lacoste and Vineyard Vines. Some existing restaurants and stores, such as Five Guys and Brooks Brothers, will remodel and/or expand. The 34 phase one offerings at DCA are expected to open sometime in the spring of 2014.

The redevelopment plan released today estimates each restaurant will be under construction for about four months and stores will take a little more than two months. MWAA will do its best to stagger construction so not all of the food and retail will be under construction at the same time.

“We want to maintain as many dining and shopping opportunities as possible for passengers while this is being done,” Paolino said. “We’ll try to limit the inconvenience as much as possible.”

MWAA plans to put out regular updates about which concessions are under construction and which will open soon. Customers can get updates on the Reagan Food and Shops website or via the DCA Twitter feed.

New Petco Store to Open Sept. 4

By ARLnow.com

Published August 28, 2013 at 9:55AM

The new “Unleashed by Petco” store in Ballston is expected to open next week.

A sign on the door of the store, on the 3900 block of Wilson Blvd, says it will open on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The former tenant, a burger restaurant called Wiinky’s, closed on March 31.

Unleashed by Petco is a “boutique” version of the pet retailer’s large-format stores. There is a limited amount of free, off-street surface parking in front of the store.

Pier 1 Imports, 100 Montaditos Coming to Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published June 11, 2013 at 2:50PM | Updated June 11, 2013 at 3:14PM

(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) A home furnishings store and a sandwich shop are coming to the Rosslyn area.

Pier 1 Imports and Spanish sandwich chain 100 Montaditos will be moving into the ground floor retail bays at 1776 Wilson Blvd, a new office building that opened last year. Pier 1 will take the retail space at the corner of Clarendon Blvd and N. Quinn Street, while 100 Montaditos will be on the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Quinn Street.

Pier 1 Imports sells home furnishings, decor and furniture. The chain has more than 1,000 stores, including a location at Potomac Yard. The Rosslyn location will be more than 11,000 square feet.

100 Montaditos is a Spanish sandwich chain that is planning to open its first U.S. location outside of Florida in Bethesda this summer. The restaurant uses Mediterranean ingredients like Serrano ham, Spanish tortilla, chorizo sausage and Manchego cheese, and offers 100 varieties of fillings. It also sells Spanish wine, beer and sangria.

100 Montaditos will occupy nearly 3,000 square feet, and will have space for 140 diners inside and 50 on an outdoor patio.

Both Pier 1 Imports and 100 Montaditos plan to open this fall, Washington Business Journal reported.

Skanska USA, the building’s owner, just issued the following press release about the new retail tenants.

Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc. announced today that it has secured two more leases at its project 1776 Wilson Boulevard with 100 Montaditos and Pier 1 Imports.

100 Montaditos, a Spanish franchise restaurant known for serving 100 different tapa-sized rolls, a typical element of the Spanish culture and gastronomy, will occupy 2,940 square feet of ground floor corner retail space at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and North Quinn Street. The restaurant will be able to serve approximately 140 customers inside and an additional 50 diners on the patio.

Pier 1 Imports, the original global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts, will lease approximately 11,083 square feet of ground floor space on the Clarendon Boulevard side of the building.

“We are excited to be welcoming two very popular and rapidly expanding retail establishments to our building,” said Rob Ward, executive vice president of Skanska USA Commercial Development. “The opening of Pier 1 Imports and 100 Montaditos will undoubtedly bring a renewed energy and refreshing vibrancy to Rosslyn.”

Skanska acquired the site in May 2010, and self-financed 100 percent of the development costs for the five-story, Class A project, which recently celebrated its completion in November 2012. The building features 134,750 square feet of highly sustainable office and retail space.

Current office tenants in the building include CRDF Global, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Evermay Wealth Management and Skanska USA. Currently, there are 11,750 square feet of retail and 27,660 square feet of office space available.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 29, 2013 at 9:00AM

‘Virginia Room’ Reopens With New Name — The former Virginia Room at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) has reopened following renovations. Meanwhile, the room has been renamed the “Center for Local History.” [Arlington Public Library]

Phoenix Bikes Plans Move — The nonprofit Phoenix bike shop has been raising money for a planned move. The new location will be larger than the current classroom-sized shop. Like the current shop, it will be located on public property — at S. Walter Reed Drive and Four Mile Run Drive, next to the W&OD Trail. [Arlington Mercury]

Haute Fabrics Now Open Near Ballston — Marshall, Va.-based fabric shop Haute Fabrics has opened a second location, near Ballston. The new location is located at 730 N. Glebe Road and offers two floors worth of fabrics. [My Notting Hill]

DJO Softball Ranked #7 — Bishop O’Connell’s state champion softball team has been ranked #7 in the nation, with a 30-1 overall record. [MaxPreps]

Flickr pool photo by Mrs. Gemstone

Modell’s to Open Tomorrow in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published May 8, 2013 at 2:15PM

The new Modell’s Sporting Goods store in Pentagon City is expected to open for business tomorrow morning.

The store, in the former Borders book store space at the Pentagon Centre shopping center (1201 S. Hayes Street), says it will open its doors at 9:00 a.m. and offer “great prizes,” “exciting giveaways for early bird shoppers,” and “crazy deals.”

As part of a four-day grand opening event, Modell’s will host “meet and greets” with two local professional athletes. Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez is scheduled to be at the store on Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Washington Nationals linebacker Brian Orakpo is scheduled from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

As we reported last month, this will be the first Arlington location for New York City-based Modell’s, which was founded in 1889. The company operates more than 150 stores along the East Coast, including existing locations in Fairfax County, Montgomery County and the District of Columbia.