Pentagon Row

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Car drives through standing water in Pentagon City

Water Change Underway — The annual, temporary switch from chloramine to chlorine as the tap water disinfectant is beginning, as part of a flush of the water system. During this time, Arlington residents may notice a change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. The water system’s “spring cleaning” is scheduled to run through April 29. [Arlington County]

Ballston Garage to Get $3.5 Million in Repairs — The Arlington County Board on Saturday awarded a contract of up to $3.5 million for structural repairs to the eighth level of the Ballston Public Parking Garage. The eighth level of the garage was added in 2006, but the concrete was found to be deficient for long-term use — prompting claims that resulted in the county settling with the original contractor for an undisclosed sum. Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which is located on the top level of the garage, will remain open during the construction, which is expected to take 5-6 months. [Sun Gazette]

Spring Yard Waste Collection Begins — Updated at 12:20 p.m. — Arlington’s annual spring yard waste collection began Monday. During the collection, which runs through April 26, residents can get paper bags full of yard waste picked up the next business day after their regular trash collection day. [Arlington County]

Pentagon Row Ice Rink Closes — Yesterday (Monday) was the last day of the season for ice skating at Pentagon Row. The Pentagon Row ice rink is now being dismantled. Skating is expected to resume in November. [Pentagon Row]

Street Closures for ‘Love the Run You’re With 5K’

By ARLnow.com

Love the Run You're With logoSeveral streets in and around Pentagon City will be closed Sunday (Feb. 10) for the Love the Run You’re With 5K race.

The race starts and ends in front of the Pentagon Row shopping area on S. Joyce Street. According to the Arlington County Police Department, S. Joyce Street will be closed between 15th Street S. and Army Navy Drive from 07:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Army Navy Drive will be closed between S. Joyce Street and 25th Street S. from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m.

“Street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary ‘No Parking’ signs,” the police department said in a press release. “Race attendees are encouraged to use Metro, however, if driving please utilize the parking garage at the Pentagon City mall.”

Individual registration is still open for the race, which is organized by Pacers. The Valentine’s Day-themed race caters to both couples and singles. Participants are given different colored race bibs depending on whether their relationship status is “single,” “in a relationship” or “it’s complicated.”

Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

By Katie Pyzyk

Valentine's Day chocolatesWith a little more than a week until Valentine’s Day (February 14), now is a good time to make some plans so all the good reservations aren’t taken. Many restaurants offer special menus for the big day, but there are plenty of other options for celebrating in Arlington besides going out to dinner.

Here is a sampling of some of the more unique ways to treat your Valentine:

      • Sip on a special cocktail at TNT Bar‘s (2413 Columbia Pike) “My Bloody Valentine” event, featuring cocktails inspired by “terrible horror movies.” Drinks such as the “Candyman 1992” and “Love Object 2003” can be purchased individually or as part of a tasting menu for two.
      • Put on your skates and hold hands while taking a few laps around the ice skating rink at Pentagon Row (1201 S. Joyce Street). The rink is open until 10:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.
      • Pacers is spreading the love a little early, with the Love the Run You’re With 5K on Sunday (February 10). Runners will receive colored bibs based on their relationship status — green for single, red for in a relationship and yellow for “it’s complicated.” The race begins at 9:00 a.m. at Pentagon Row and costs $40. Registration is available online.
      • Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Teens are invited to take part in the Broken Hearts Party at the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) on February 14. The celebration of love, affection and loss will include decorating broken heart cookies, playing trivia games, listening to music and rating which tear-jerker books require the most tissues. The free event runs from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
      • Hire a singing telegram from Potomac Harmony Chorus. A women’s quartet will sing two songs for your loved one and present him or her with a card and box of candy. Pricing is available online. All orders must be placed by this Friday, February 8.
      • The Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) is serving up wine, comedy and two showings of The Princess Bride. For $8, customers can take in a stand-up comedy show followed by a viewing of The Princess Bride. Tickets are available online for both the 7:00 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. events. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for an optional wine tasting.

Photos: Chanukah on Ice at Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com
1/19

Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington held its annual Chanukah on Ice celebration at Pentagon Row Sunday night.

The event included ice skating, kosher hot dogs, hot latkes, a free raffle and a figure skating performance. There was also a ceremonial Menorah lighting.

Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz joined Rabbi Mordechai Newman for the lighting, which was hampered by a brief period of driving rain. Despite valiant efforts at keeping the Menorah lit, the flames were inevitably extinguished by the rain.

“This is what happens to fire when I’m around,” quipped Chief Schwartz.

Oakley, Sperry to Open, Lucy to Close in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

 

(Updated at 1:20 p.m.) Two new stores are coming to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, while another is closing at Pentagon Row.

A new Oakley store and a new Sperry store are both under construction on the second level of the shopping mall. The stores are directly adjacent to one another. Oakley is best known for its sunglasses, while Sperry is best known for its boat shoes. Oakley also sells clothing and Sperry sells other types of footwear.

Both stores are expected to open in time for Christmas shopping, with the Sperry store hoping to open around Dec. 7 and the Oakley store hoping to open around Dec. 14, according to a PR rep for the mall.

Lucy, an women’s activewear store, will be closing soon at Pentagon Row. A sign in the window advertises a 25 percent off sale at the store, while directing shoppers to other locations at Union Station in D.C. and Tysons Corner Center mall in Fairfax County.

Photo (right) courtesy Desiree Lomer-Clarke

Ice Skating Starts at Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com

 

In a sure sign of the season, ice skating has started at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street).

The outdoor shopping center’s ice rink opened on Friday and will remain open every day — including holidays — through March 18. The rink opens at noon on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. on weekends. It closes at 10:00 p.m., except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at 11:00 p.m. Holiday hours vary.

Two hours of skating time is $8 for adults and $7 for seniors and children 12 and under, Skate rentals are $3. Season passes are also available, as are skating lessons and birthday party/event rentals.

Pentagon Row will hold an ice skating “kick off celebration” this weekend. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, the rink will host a free acoustic performance by 80s pop musician Tommy Tutone, of “867-5309 / Jenny” fame.

Petco Store Coming to Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com

An Unleashed by Petco store will be replacing the former Hallmark store at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street), the shopping center confirmed on its Facebook page today.

ARLnow.com reported in June that the Hallmark store was closing on July 29 and that employees were telling customers that it would be replaced by a Petco store. At the time, a Petco representative was unable to confirm that report.

Unleashed by Petco is a “boutique” version of the pet retailer’s large-format stores. Arlington’s first Unleashed store opened on Lee Highway last May.

No word on an exact opening date, but Pentagon Row says the new Unleashed store will be holding a grand opening at some point this fall.

Hallmark Store Closing at Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com

 

The Hallmark Gold Crown Store at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street) will be closing next month.

The store is closing up shop on July 29 after losing its lease, we hear. Employees are telling customers that a Petco store will be taking its place. Lisa Epstein, a Petco spokeswoman, was unable to immediately verify that a Petco store will be opening at the location, but added that the company only discusses stores that are no more than three months away from opening.

The Hallmark store is offering all greeting cards and merchandise, including sale items, for 25 percent off until it closes.

Hat tip to Desiree L.

Two New Restaurants Now Open in Pentagon Row

By Katie Pyzyk

 

It’s been a big week at Pentagon Row, where two new restaurants officially opened to the public.

Nando’s Peri-Peri has opened in the space that used to be PR Grill, and Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has replaced Baja Fresh.

This is the second Lime location in Arlington, joining the one in Clarendon that opened earlier this year. Just as with the Clarendon location, this one experienced some delays in getting off the ground, but is now in business. A long line snaked out the door of the restaurant during lunchtime today.

Nando’s has 850 locations around the world, and expansion in the D.C. area was its first foray into the American market. The Pentagon Row location is the first in Virginia. It opened according to schedule, after two days of mock service.

‘Dash for Dad’ Race to Close Streets in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Hundreds of runners will celebrate Father’s Day with a race in Pentagon City.

The Dash for Dad, organized by Pacers in partnership with ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer, consists of three separate events: a four mile run starting at 8:30 a.m., a one mile fun walk at 8:35 a.m., and a kids dash at 9:30 a.m. for those eight years and under.

Participants can register individually or as a daddy-daughter or father-son team. There will be prizes for the top-finishing father-daughter and father-son teams of various age groups.

At the one mile mark of the four mile race, participants can “tie one on for dad” — they can select and tie a necktie, then wear it for the remainder of the race. The top three fastest male and female tie tiers will receive prizes.

The event will take place on Sunday, June 17, and will start in front of Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street). After the race, there will be a post-race party at Pentagon Row.

Advance registration is $35 for the four miler, $12 for the one mile course, and $10 for the kids dash.

To accommodate the race, Arlington County police will be closing two stretches of road from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. S. Joyce Street will be closed between 15th Street S. and Army Navy Drive, and Army Navy Drive will be closed between S. Joyce Street and 25th Street S.

Photo by Swim Bike Run Photography

Pentagon Row Concerts Begin Thursday

By Katie Pyzyk

Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street) is getting ready to rock out. Tomorrow, June 7, kicks off the beginning of its summer concert series.

Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m., patrons in the plaza can take in the sounds from one of the bands performing at “Rock at the Row.”

Bands are scheduled for every Thursday evening through August 30. Although the series touts “rock,” there are also bands catering to those who prefer other sounds, like reggae, funk and zydeco.

Tomorrow, the Bon Jovi tribute band “Slippery When Wet” will play. Next week it’s Beach Bumz, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. The full schedule is below.

  • June 7 — Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi Tribute
  • June 14 — Beach Bumz, Jimmy Buffett Tribute
  • June 21 — Just Like Prom Night, 80’s Tribute
  • June 28 — MONSOON & STORM, Reggae
  • July 5 — The Crawdaddies, Roots Rock, Zydeco
  • July 12 — Old Man Brown, Southern Soul
  • July 19 — Higher Hands, Funk
  • July 26 — Donegal Xpress, Celtic Rock
  • August 2 — Bobby Lynch Band, Pop Variety
  • August 9 — Crowded Streets, Dave Matthews Tribute
  • August 16 — Unity, Reggae
  • August 23 — Matt Hutchison, Rock
  • August 30 — Gonzo’s Nose, Pop Rock
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