Pentagon City mall

The Easter Bunny is Returning to Pentagon City

By Anna Merod

Less than three weeks away from its namesake holiday, the Easter Bunny will be available to snap photos in the Pentagon City mall starting Friday (March 16).

The public can take photos with the Easter Bunny on the mall’s first floor adjacent to the Nordstrom through March 31. For those who don’t want to wait in line, the mall is taking “bunny fast pass” photo reservations online.

There will also be a “Caring Bunny” event on Sunday (March 18). with an adjusted, less stressful environment for children and young adults with special needs. That event will be held from 9-11 a.m. in the same location.

Here are the rest of the Easter Bunny’s hours below:

  • 3/16: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/17: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/18: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 3/19-3/22:  12-8 p.m.
  • 3/23: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/24: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/25: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 3/26-3/29: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/30: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • 3/31: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

File Photo

Italian Lingerie Brand Intimissimi Opening Store in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Where once there were gadgets, there will now be bras.

Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi is opening a new store at the Pentagon City mall, in the former Brookstone space.

Intimissimi, which boasts nearly four times as many stores worldwide as top U.S. lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret, announced plans to expand to the U.S. in 2015. Since then it has opened more than a dozen U.S. stores, from New York to Los Angeles and points in between, while positioning itself as “a more refined alternative to Victoria’s Secret.”

Intimissimi is hiring for its new Fashion Centre at Pentagon City location, which is being paired with a store for parent brand Calzedonia, which offers “Italian legwear and beachwear.”

Here’s Where You Can Buy Girl Scout Cookies in Arlington This Month

By Anna Merod

Girl Scout cookie season is upon us, and there will be plenty of booths throughout Arlington where residents can get their sweet fix.

The net revenue raised from Girl Scout cookies funds the organization’s local council and troops, which in turn is used for trips or donated to community projects or causes.

According to the Girl Scouts website, booth sales in Arlington will kick off this coming Friday, Feb. 16. Below are some of the times and places places you can grab some Girl Scout cookies this month.

  • Four Sisters Grill (3035 Clarendon Blvd.)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-7 p.m.

  • Giant Food (3450 Washington Blvd.)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Giant Food (3115 Lee Highway)

    • Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Giant Food (2901 S. Glebe Road)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Giant Food (2501 9th Road S.)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Key Elementary School  (2300 Key Blvd.)

    • Feb. 16 — 3-6 p.m.

  • Courthouse Metro Station (2100 Wilson Blvd.)

    • Feb. 16 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 19 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 20 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 21 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 22 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Feb. 26 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 27 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 28 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.

  • Virginia Square-GMU Metro Station (3600 Fairfax Drive)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-7 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 4-7 p.m.

  • Pentagon Center Mall (1201 S. Hayes Street)

    • Feb. 16 — 4-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 1-6 p.m.
    • Feb. 23 — 4-7:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 1-6 p.m.

  • Ace Hardware (2001 Clarendon Blvd.)

    • Feb. 17 — 12-4 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 12-4 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.)

    • Feb. 17 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 18 — 12:45-5 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 12:45-5 p.m.

  • Meridian (1401 N. Taft St.)

    • Feb. 17 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Nice Cream (2831 Clarendon Blvd.)

    • Feb. 17 — 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  • Delancey at Shirlington Village (4220 Campbell Ave.)

    • Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Io Piazza Apartments (2727 S. Quincy St.)

    • Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • The Whitmore (4301 Columbia Pike)

    • Feb. 16 — 4:30-7 p.m.

  • Goodwill Industries  (10 S. Glebe Road)

    • Feb. 17 — 12-6 p.m.
    • Feb. 24 — 12-6 p.m.

  • Market Common (2801 Clarendon Blvd.)

    • Feb. 24 — 2:30-6 p.m.
    • Feb. 25 — 1-5 p.m.

  • The Citizen at Shirlington Village  (3000 S. Randolph St.)

    • Feb. 24 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Photo via Girl Scouts of the United States of America

‘Yong Kang Street’ Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/4

A Taiwanese noodle and dumpling restaurant is coming to the food court level of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

A construction barrier and “coming soon” signs are up outside the storefront, located between Garrett Popcorn and Haagen-Dazs.

Described as a “dumpling and noodle house,” Yong Kang Street has existing locations at a mall in Houston and on the Las Vegas Strip. From the mall’s website:

Yong Kang Street showcases the flavors of Taiwan, Hong Kong and China with a menu that is structured differently than a typical Chinese restaurant. With everything made fresh, it features a variety of Dumplings, a large selection of Noodle Soups, Dry Noodle Dishes, Fried Rice, wok-tossed vegetables, dessert as well as Dim Sum carts.

Just steps away from the future Yong Kang Street, also on the Pentagon City mall’s food court level, a “Mediterranean patisserie” called Al Bohsali recently opened. The kiosk, which offers baklava and other baked goods, has another location at Tysons Corner Center mall.

Brookstone Closed in Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Electronics and gadget retailer Brookston closed its store in the Pentagon City mall over the weekend.

Signs in the store indicate that it closed Saturday after a 70 percent off clearance sale. Customers are encouraged to shop at Brookstone.com for their drone, electric scooter and Cordless Heated Gronk Shiatsu Massager needs.

The store’s shuttering appears to be one of a recent spate of closings for the company from coast to coast. It was located in one of the mall’s most heavy foot traffic areas, between the main entrance and the escalators to the food court.

Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Pentagon City Mall Robbery Suspects

By Chris Teale
1/4

The Arlington County Police Department has released surveillance images of four people suspected of a strong armed robbery at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Police said four men stole “numerous sunglasses” from the Sunglass Hut at the mall at 1100 S. Hayes Street just before noon on Tuesday, January 16. In doing so, police said they threatened and pushed a store employee during a struggle, then fled the scene.

The first suspect is described as a black male wearing boots, dark colored pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and a green jacket. The second is described as a black male wearing black track pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and sneakers.

The third suspect is described as a black male wearing sneakers, blue jeans and a black jacket. The fourth is described as a black male wearing sneakers, black pants and a black hooded sweatshirt.

More from an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating four robbery suspects caught on surveillance. At approximately 11:55 a.m. on January 16, police were dispatched to the report of a strong armed robbery at the Sunglass Hut located in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. Upon arrival, it was determined that four suspects entered the business and stole numerous sunglasses. During the incident, the suspects threatened and pushed a male employee during a brief struggle. The suspects fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Suspect One is described as a black male wearing boots, dark colored pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and a green jacket. Suspect Two is described as a black male wearing black track pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and sneakers. Suspect Three is described as a black male wearing sneakers, blue jeans and a black jacket. Suspect Four is described as a black male wearing sneakers, black pants and a black hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information on the identity of these individuals or details surrounding this incident is asked to contact Detective C. Riccio of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

Photos via ACPD

Arlington’s First Dedicated Poke Restaurant Open in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A culinary trend that took D.C. by storm over the past two years has finally landed in Arlington.

A poke restaurant opened recently in the food court of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall. Called Poké it Up, the fast-casual eatery sells poke bowls — and burritos — featuring a variety of seafood, vegetables and sauces, ordered Chipotle-style at a counter.

Prices range from from $7.49 for a vegetarian option — a salad — to $12.95 for a large bowl or burrito with three scoops of fish. Certain ingredients come with an additional charge.

Though Shirlington restaurant Hula Girl has offered the now-trendy Hawaiian dish on its menu for some time, Poké it Up is the only dedicated poke restaurant in the county.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

New Renderings of Crystal City Development — Property owner JBG Smith “has unveiled never-before-seen concept images of its planned 50,000-square-foot Alamo Drafthouse Cinema fronting Crystal Drive, a yet-unnamed specialty grocer and the future look of an office building it plans to convert to multifamily. The images were presented to Arlington County’s Site Plan Review Committee earlier this month.” [Washington Business Journal]

Pentagon City Mall Holiday Hours — Arlington’s biggest shopping mall, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, will be open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Sunday) for last-minute shoppers. The mall will be closed on Christmas and open from 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Boxing Day (Tuesday).

Aurora Highlands Chimney Fire — Thankfully happening prior to Santa’s arrival, a smoky fire broke out in the chimney of a home in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood last night. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they could potentially spread. [Twitter]

Photo courtesy Peter Golkin

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Planning for Transportation Changes in Rosslyn — “Local officials are now partnering with developers to make more improvements to help convince the next big corporate tenant to pick Rosslyn.” [Bisnow]

Teavana to Remain Open — Set to close next year, the Teavana store at Pentagon City mall is now expected to remain open thanks to a judge’s ruling against parent company Starbucks. [Washington Business Journal]

Lopez’s Detention Center Work Criticized — “Del. Alfonso H. Lopez, a Democrat who has represented a Hispanic­-heavy South Arlington district since 2012, was paid more than $5,000 a year in 2014 and more than $10,000 a year in 2015 and 2016 by Immigration Centers of America (ICA), which operates a detention center in Farmville, Va. , according to his state financial disclosure reports.” [Washington Post]

Holiday Events for Incarcerated Parents — Today and tomorrow, the Arlington County jail will be hosting a pair of “special events to allow incarcerated mothers and fathers to visit with their children during the winter holidays.” [Arlington County]

ACPD Show Goes On Despite Snow — The Arlington County Police Department’s “Operation Santa” performance, featuring cops donning costumes and dancing for children in the community, went on Saturday despite the snowy weather. [Twitter]

Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley

Pentagon City Mall Looks Ahead to ‘Super Bowl Day’ Black Friday

By Chris Teale
1/3

The day after Thanksgiving promises to be a busy one for the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, as it throws open its doors at 7 a.m. for Black Friday.

It marks the start of the Christmas shopping period across the country, and the mall here will be open until 9:30 p.m. for shoppers looking for deals.

Todd Jerscheid, director of marketing and business development, said anticipation is building for customers and mall employees alike.

“It’s like our Super Bowl Day, if you will. It’s a big day for us,” he said. “It’s where retailers really pull out all the stops and put their best foot forward, and not only supply great sales and promotions and that sort of thing, but it’s also offering that customer experience and welcoming shoppers in during the holiday.”

Jerscheid said customers can expect a slightly slower start to the morning — fewer doorbuster shoppers — than in some other places that open early for Black Friday. But then by mid-morning, foot traffic really picks up.

“I’ve been here nine years, and we pretty much have a very good flow of traffic on Black Friday,” he said. “We are not an early-riser mall, like some malls that open really early in the morning. I would say from 11 a.m. on, the traffic becomes very heavy and then it goes on through the remainder of the evening.”

As in previous years, Jerscheid said the mall will offer its “Shopper Survivor Kit” for the first 100 people who visit Guest Services after opening. The kit has bottled water, coupons, samples and snacks, and is intended to encourage people to shop early in the day.

And the other offer, which Jerscheid said is a “pretty big hit,” is “Santa’s Grab Bag Giveaway.” If a shopper spends $150 or more between 7 and 9 a.m., they can reach into the grab bag and have a chance to win gift cards, prizes from retailers or even a free coffee at Starbucks.

That is in addition to the dozens of stores that will have sales and deals throughout Black Friday and the weekend, while the mall will have a special visitor for children of all ages.

“We can’t forget the big man in the red suit,” Jerscheid said. “He is definitely here. He arrived on November 18, and will be here for photos… Kids can also write a little letter electronically to Santa and send it up to the North Pole.”

Superdry Now Open at Pentagon City Mall

By Chris Teale
1/7

A British-based clothing store is now open at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Superdry opened a 5,600-square-foot store next to Kate Spade New York on the mall’s second level earlier this month.

The chain offers “vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with a British style,” and is known for, among other things, its Windcheater jackets that keep the worst of the weather off. It also has clothing for men and women, and does a line of sportswear.

Its only other location in Virginia is in Tysons Corner, with another at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets in Maryland.

“Inspired by a trip to Tokyo in 2003, Superdry fuses design influences from Japanese graphics and vintage Americana, with the values of British tailoring,” reads a blurb on the mall’s website. “The result – unique urban clothing, with incredible branding and an unrivalled level of detailing. Such distinctiveness has gained the brand exclusive appeal, as well as an international celebrity following.”

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