Pentagon City mall

UPDATED: Police Seek Man Missing From Pentagon City Mall

By Chris Teale

Update at 4:35 p.m. — The man has been found, according to scanner traffic.

Earlier: Arlington police are searching for a man who went missing from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City earlier this afternoon.

Paul Lowe, 41, was last seen at the mall at around 2 p.m. According to police, he is described as a light skinned black male, approximately 6-foot-2 with a slim build, bald with a small goatee. He was last seen wearing a blue plaid shirt with blue jeans. Lowe is described as having the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

According to scanner traffic, Lowe was ejected from the mall by security guards, but they did not realize he has mental health issues. A friend who was with him reportedly said that while he likely does not have the ability to navigate Metro by himself, he is capable of operating crosswalks.

Police are currently scouring the mall and the surrounding area, including the Pentagon City Metro station, Pentagon Centre and Pentagon Row. K-9 units are on scene to assist with the search.

Anyone with information on Lowe’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department immediately at 703-558-2222.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

New Elementary School Approved — After a years-long process that included neighborhood opposition and lots of community discussion, the Arlington County Board has approved a use permit and ground lease for a new elementary school on the Thomas Jefferson middle school and community center site. [Arlington County]

Rosslyn Farmers Market Approved — Also at its Saturday meeting, the County Board gave the go-ahead to a new FreshFarm Markets-operated farmers market that will be held at the new Central Place public plaza in Rosslyn. The market will be open on Wednesday evenings from April to November. [Arlington County]

Bebe Closing at Pentagon City Mall — The Bebe store at the Pentagon City mall will close by the end of May. It’s part of a larger restructuring for the struggling young women’s clothing retailer. [Patch]

County Board to Honor Trees — “Arlington has about 755,400 trees of at least 122 species that provide $6.89 million in environmental benefits to the County annually in pollution removal, carbon storage, energy savings and avoided stormwater runoff. The Arlington County Board will honor 10 of these trees as Notable Trees at the April 25 County Board Meeting.” [Arlington County]

Blue Virginia’s School Board Endorsement — Local Democratic blog Blue Virginia has endorsed Monique O’Grady in the race for the Democratic endorsement for Arlington School Board. The endorsement cites incumbent James Lander’s recent controversial remarks about a murder victim as a reason for not endorsing him. [Blue Virginia]

Flickr pool photo by Ameschen

BREAKING: Storm Damage Reported Around Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/9

(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A severe thunderstorm that ripped through Arlington just after lunchtime has left some debris and damage in its wake.

In Pentagon City, part of the facade and roof of the Macy’s at the Pentagon City mall was damaged and a portion of it fell onto a car. One minor injury has been reported. As of 2:45 p.m., workers were on the roof inspecting the damage.

According to scanner reports, a tree fell on a car near the intersection of Route 50 and Park Drive. The two occupants of the vehicle were shaken up but not injured.

A tree fell into a home on the 1400 block of N. Wakefield Street, a few blocks from Washington-Lee High School, according to a fire department dispatch. The tree caused damage to the front of the house, but did not hit a car parked next door.

A number of other instances of trees and utility lines falling have been reported around the county, including at the intersections of S. Wayne Street and 6th Street S., S. Adams Street and 8th Street S., and 31st Street S. and S. Randolph Street.

As of 2:45 p.m., just over 550 Dominion customers were without power, according to the company’s outage map.

Via Twitter, residents say the storm brought hail in addition to very strong winds.

Easter Bunny Photos Available At Pentagon City Mall

By Chris Teale

Easter is just a couple of weeks away, and the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is getting in the holiday spirit.

From today through April 15 in the Nordstrom Court on the mall’s first level, shoppers can have their photographs taken with the Easter Bunny.

Times vary each day, but the bunny is around until 8 p.m. each day except Sundays, when he leaves at 6 p.m.

Appointments with the Easter Bunny can be made online for those wishing to skip the line. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required for reservations.

And on April 2 from 9-11 a.m., children and young adults with special needs can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny in an adapted environment in the same location.

The environment will be adjusted to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities. Those interested are asked to RSVP ahead of time.

Easter this year is on Sunday, April 16.

Free People Closed in Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/3

The Free People store has closed in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall.

The boho-chic women’s apparel retailer closed its doors Sunday, according to a sign in the window, which directs shoppers to other Free People stores in Georgetown, Tysons and Montgomery County, Md.

At one point, Arlington was home two Free People stores; a location in Market Common Clarendon closed in 2015.

New Retailers, Eateries To Open At Pentagon City Mall

By Chris Teale
1/6

Four clothing stores, two eateries and a coffee store will be open before the end of spring at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Women’s clothing store ELOQUII is now open in a pop-up location near Kate Spade New York, in the space once occupied by its parent company, the Limited, on the mall’s second level. ELOQUII offers clothing for women in dress sizes 14 and up, and also provides wide width footwear and accessories.

On the same level, Ministry of Fashion has opened its first mall location, having started in 2014 in Georgetown. It looks to provide quality menswear as well as clothing for women, and supports local businesses and talents.

Just two spaces down from Ministry of Fashion and near Macy’s is New York & Company, a specialty retailer of women’s apparel and accessories.

On the edge of the mall’s food court, Indian eatery Naan & Beyond opened earlier this month. The fast casual restaurant offers a variety of Indian staples.

The coming months will bring several new options at Pentagon City. Sugar Factory is slated to open April 1 on S. Hayes Street next to honeygrow as the mall continues to expand. The candy shop and restaurant is famed for its celebrity-endorsed Couture Pops.

The Nespresso boutique is now expected to open May 1 on the ground level at the S. Hayes Street entrance. The store will sell Nespresso coffee and other products and accessories, as well as offer complimentary tastings. The spot was once occupied by Belmont Jewelers.

Finally, The Shoe Box will debut at the Fashion Centre later this spring on the mall’s first level near Nordstrom. It brings more than 50 years of experience in footwear, and contains more than 30 luxury brands as well as its own self-titled house line.

Pentagon City Mall Apple Store Reopening This Week

By Tim Regan

Clarendon Apple Store after its reopening (file photo)Locals looking to pick up the newest iPhone or Macbook Pro will once again be able to do so in Pentagon City.

The Pentagon City mall Apple Store, which closed for renovations last September, is due to reopen this weekend. A grand reopening party is set for Saturday, March 4, at 10 a.m.

“You’ll love what we’ve done with the place,” the company wrote on the store’s website and in an email.

“There’s a lot more to see at your new Apple Store in Arlington,” said the email. “Stop by on March 4 to take a look at what’s changed and try the latest Apple products.”

According to the aficionados at MacRumors.com, the store is slated to reopen with a “next generation” design that includes indoor trees, wood tables and 6K video screens throughout the store.

Last year, the Clarendon Apple Store also temporarily shuttered for a facelift. That location reopened in September.

File photo. Hat tip to Chaz P.

‘Naan & Beyond’ to Open in Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A restaurant serving “adapted versions of Indian classics” will be opening in the Pentagon City mall food court area, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

Located between Haagen-Dazs and the Garrett Popcorn Shop, Naan & Beyond will serve dishes like Tandoori chicken, biryani, meat or veggie rice plates, roti rolls, naan sandwiches, salads and other various specialties.

The restaurant is hoping to open either tomorrow or Thursday, a company rep said today at the mall.

Naan & Beyond has three existing locations in the District listed on its website,

Nespresso Boutique Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A Nespresso boutique is coming to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

The store is located adjacent to the mall’s main entrance off of S. Hayes Street, in the former Belmont Jewelers space. Demolition of the store’s interior started last month.

Belmont is relocating to a different storefront on the first level of the mall and is expected to reopen March 1.

The Nespresso store is scheduled to open at some point this spring, offering “a world of unique coffee experiences.” There are four existing Nespresso boutiques in the Washington area, according to the brand’s website: two in Tysons, one at Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda, and another in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of D.C.

Before it was Belmont Jewelers, the storefront was home to the Tourneau high-end watch store, which was robbed by four hammer-wielding men in 2013.

Pentagon City Mall to Hold Lunar New Year Party

By Tim Regan

Lunar Near Year photo via Pentagon City MallThough the Lunar New Year is technically already upon us, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is planning to mark the occasion next week with a party.

The shopping mall at 1100 S. Hayes Street is scheduled to ring in the Year of the Rooster with dragon and lion dances, “Asian-inspired fashion shows,” and in-store discounts on Saturday, Feb. 11, from noon-5 p.m.

The event will also have food samples, a tea ceremony, calligraphy demonstrations and live music from a Chinese instrument ensemble, organizers said.

“To help guests fully immerse in the diverse atmosphere, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City will team up with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce to host a traditional-style Chinese Spring Festival, complete with activities and entertainment,” a press release for the event says.

The celebration will take place on Metro level of the mall’s food court.

Image via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Visitor Center Renderings on Display at Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Renderings of the planned 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center are up at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall.

The renderings, located next to the elevator bank in the food court area, show the vision for the gleaming center, with a wall of glass allowing visitors to see the side of the Pentagon that was struck by Flight 77 on 9/11/2001.

The visitor center is set to be built within the highway cloverleaf at the junction of Columbia Pike and Washington Blvd, within easy walking distance of the existing Pentagon Memorial.

At last check, the visitor center was expected to be built by 2020.

The mall display encourages shoppers to donate to the project. The Pentagon Memorial Fund is asking for special individual donation of $90.11 to help build the center.

More on the project, from the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial website:

The Pentagon is the only 9/11 attack site without a visitor center or museum to explain the historic significance of the site. Among the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Memorial each year, few know that this memorial is different from all others in Washington, DC in that it is located where the event took place. Research showed that there is a unique teachable moment at the Memorial to explain the events on 9/11; the stories of the victims and heroes; the role of the Department of Defense and Pentagon; and how the United States and governments around the world are working to help prevent another 9/11.

With the guidance of the project’s official education partner, National Geographic, the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center’s interactive exhibits and education programs will give visitors a sense of the broad impact of the tragedy from a variety of perspectives. Stories of the courage and resilient spirit demonstrated by Pentagon employees, first responders and residents of the area will be shared throughout the exhibits…

There will be a multi-media interactive exhibit space, a Children’s Education Area, a Reflection Area, conference and meeting rooms, an Auditorium, and a Sky Terrace.

The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center site is in a dramatic location, right where the attack of 9/11 took place and adjacent to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Air Force Memorial. Its orientation corresponds to the path of Flight 77. This thoughtful arrangement creates a powerful backdrop to heighten the experience for visitors as they arrive at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center.

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