Sushi restaurant Kusshi at Westpost (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Kusshi, known for its sushi and sake, is aiming for an early April opening at Westpost.
The Bethesda-based, high-end Japanese restaurant first announced it was coming to the Pentagon City retail center in June 2021, filling the space once occupied by Nepalese eatery Namaste Everest. That restaurant closed about two years after opening.
Now, Kusshi is hoping to open its doors in less than two months at 1201 S. Joyce Street.
Kusshi was initially supposed to start serving by the end of last year, but delays typical these days (supply chain, permitting, materials) forced the opening back by several months.
Kusshi co-owner Tony Chow tells ARLnow that they decided to make the move to Westpost because the development is owned by the same developer Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) as Bethesda’s Pike & Rose, where the restaurant opened its first location in 2018.
Chow also notes Amazon’s growing presence in the neighborhood as another major reason for choosing Pentagon City for its next location.
There will be indoor and outdoor seating and the menu will be “similar” as the Bethesda location, Chow says. That includes sushi, sashimi, ramen, katsu, sake, and other Japanese fare. The restaurant also offers omakase, a formal meal left to the chef’s choice.
Westpost has changed drastically over the last two years. That even includes the center’s name, changing from Pentagon Row to Westpost in late 2020.
Interior of a Road Runner Sports location (photo courtesy of Road Runner Sports)
The soon-to-be Road Runner Sports at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Specialty athletic shoe store Road Runner Sports is sprinting towards opening next week in Pentagon City.
It will be the first Arlington location for the running shoe retailer, with its next closest store being in Falls Church. It’s filling the 4,500 square-foot space at 1101 S. Joyce Street once occupied by Unleashed. The Petco off-shoot closed more than a year ago.
This is the store’s 42nd U.S. brick and mortar location.
“We’ve enjoyed serving customers in our Falls Church location and know our opening in Arlington will provide us with the opportunity to help even more consumers achieve their running, walking and fitness goals,” the company’s director of customer acquisition Sean Peterson tells ARLnow.
As part of its planned opening on Friday, Feb. 25, the store is partnering with Project Sole, which will donate three dollars to the nonprofit Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA) for every used or unwanted shoe collected. AHA helps provide free adaptive bikes to children with permanent physical disabilities.
The store was first announced in October. Back in November, a spokesperson for Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns Westpost, told ARLnow that Road Runner was on track for May or “possibly earlier.” It appears the shoe store will end up opening several months sooner than expected, a rarity as supply chain woes delay many retail and restaurant openings.
This includes Nighthawk Pizza, a beer and pizza hall with a “90s vibe,” which is aiming for a late March opening. The Baltimore-based Banditos Bar & Kitchen, at last check, is hoping to open by April.
Chef Johnny Spero at Nighthawk Pizza (photo courtesy of Nighthawk Pizza)
Nighthawk Pizza at Westpost in Pentagon City, opening spring 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Nighthawk Pizza at Westpost in Pentagon City, opening fall 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Tavern-style pizza at Nighthawk Pizza (photo courtesy of Nighthawk Pizza)
Smoked wings at Nighthawk Pizza (photo courtesy of Nighthawk Pizza)
Fried cheese curds at Nighthawk Pizza (photo courtesy of Nighthawk Pizza)
Nighthawk Pizza, the beer and food hall with a “’90s vibe,” is aiming for a late March opening in Pentagon City, co-owner Scott Parker tells ARLnow.
The newest venture from the local serial entrepreneur was initially expected to start serving in the late fall, but supply chain hang-ups (a common refrain these days) pushed the date a few months.
The head chef is Johnny Spero, breakout star of Netflix’s Final Table and one of the buzziest chefs in the D.C. region right now. The menu will feature thicker-crust Sicilian pizzas and a crisper, thinner tavern-style pizza as well as sandwiches, smoked wings, fried cheese curds, ribs and ice cream sundaes.
The 10,000 square foot beer and pizza eatery is leaning hard into the ’90s vibe with the design inspired by the after-school hot spot “the Max” on the television show “Saved by the Bell.”
“The whole space is not going to be as bright or as loud, but when we were looking for design touches, that was the inspiration,” Parker says. The interior is currently under construction, so photos are not available quite yet to compare Nighthawk to Zack Morris’s favorite place to hang out.
There will also be an outdoor bar, which pairs nicely with Westpost now permitting “sipping and strolling.” Meaning, patrons can roam the shopping plaza with a drink in hand.
He says one of the reasons he chose to open his newest creation at Westpost was because of the abundance of buzzy openings in recent months, including Lucky Danger, Mattie and Eddie’s, and soon-to-open Banditos Bar & Kitchen. Amazon’s arrival in the neighborhood is driving these restaurants to set up shop in Pentagon City, says Parker.
As to why Arlington is constantly the setting for Parker’s new businesses, he says it’s because of the clientele.
“There are so many people who are doing well professionally right out of college,” he says. “It’s just a great demographic with a lot of people who have disposable income. For the business I’m part of, that just fits well.”
Napoli Salumeria in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Napoli Salumeria in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Napoli Salumeria in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Napoli Salumeria in Pentagon City appears to have closed (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
It appears that the Italian market in Pentagon City has closed.
Napoli Salumeria on S. Joyce Street at Westport (formerly Pentagon Row) opened just over a year ago, but now it has seemingly served its last focaccia.
The windows are covered with brown paper, most signage is gone, and the storefront has seemingly been cleared out.
ARLnow has reached out to ownership for confirmation and to get a reason for the apparent quick departure, but has yet to hear back as of publication.
A spokesperson for Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns Westpost, noted the market was always intended to be a pop-up and not permanent. It’s not known yet what might replace it.
Napoli Salumeria was owned by Antonio Ferraro and served Neapolitan street food — like focaccia and fried mozzarella — as well as sandwiches, homemade sauces, pasta, Italian meats, and cheese.
Ferraro also owned Napoli Pasta Bar in D.C., which was named a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in 2018. That eatery closed its doors in early 2021.
While a number of businesses in Westpost have closed in recent months, including Thaiphoon, the development is preparing for a big year of openings, including Nighthawk Pizza, Banditos Bar & Kitchen, and Target.
Police say the man was stopped by an off-duty military police officer when he tried to walk into the gym without a membership Friday afternoon. A physical altercation ensued, during which the 28-year-old suspect allegedly tried to take the officer’s gun.
An Arlington County officer joined the fray and the intoxicated suspect also tried to disarm her, according to a police department crime report. She urgently called for backup, which arrived quickly and helped to take the suspect into custody.
More from ACPD:
ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2021-12170145, 1300 block of S. Joyce Street. At approximately 3:05 p.m. on December 17, police were dispatched to the report of a fight in progress inside a business. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the two male subjects and determined that one of the subjects was an off-duty military police officer who was attempting to detain the suspect. The suspect disregarded the commands of the arriving officer and moved further into the business. As the officers were attempting to take him into custody, he continued to disregard their commands, act disorderly and resist arrest. A brief struggle ensued, during which the suspect grabbed at an officer’s exterior vest and attempted to disarm her. With the assistance of additional officers, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was treated by medics and medically cleared on scene. The investigation determined that the suspect allegedly entered into the business where he did not have a membership and became involved in a physical altercation with the off-duty military police officer, during which he attempted to remove his credentials and disarm him. [The suspect], 28, of Springfield, Va., was arrested and charged with Assault & Battery on Police, Attempting to Disarm a Law Enforcement Officer (x2), Obstruction of Justice, Trespassing and Public Intoxication. He was held without bond.
The event, organized by the Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, will include skating, latkes, kosher hot dogs, a raffle, and the lighting of a six-foot menorah for the fifth night of Hanukkah. It will take place from 6-8 p.m. and is family-friendly.
In case of heavy rain, the ice skating rink will close, but as of right now, weather looks clear and seasonably warm for Thursday.
This fire meets ice holiday event has been held for at least a decade. In past years, Arlington officials have provided their presence and helped light the menorah. No word yet who might be there this year, though.
“Chanukah on Ice” isn’t the only festival of lights event going on this week in Arlington.
On Tuesday night (Nov. 30), the Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington will also host a menorah lighting outside of the organization’s headquarters at 1307 N. Highland Street in Clarendon starting at 6 p.m. There will be music, latkes, dredels, chocolate, and pre-packaged jelly donuts for all.
Congregation Etz Hayim at 2920 Arlington Blvd is putting on a family Hanukkah party on Sunday (Dec. 5), the last day of the holiday. Games, magic, and latkes will be the entertainment, plus there’ll be a sock collection for local non-profit Bridges to Independence.
Hanukkah (or “Chanukah”), the festival of lights, began last night and will continue for eight nights. The holiday will conclude next Sunday night (Dec. 5).
Local Man Charged in Bailey’s Xroads Shooting — “Fairfax County police have charged a 33-year-old Arlington man in connection with a shooting that occurred Nov. 20 at the Food Star supermarket at 5521 Leesburg Pike. According to police, officers were called to the store at 6:43 p.m. by Harvey Coleman, of Arlington, after he reported to police he had shot someone in self-defense… Following several interviews and the review of surveillance footage, detectives have charged Coleman with malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.” [Sun Gazette]
Ice Cream Store Now Open in Pentagon City — “Have I got a scoop (get it?) for my followers! For those who may be in search of a sweet treat this afternoon, Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream opened today at @PentagonRow (Westpost). Impressive variety.” [Twitter]
Arlington Vet Chooses Health Career — “After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, she was commissioned as an Army officer and chose to attend flight training, following in her late father’s footsteps. Soon, she was soon piloting Blackhawk helicopters… it was the time she was in the military that really prepared her for physician-assistant school.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Monday — Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Sunrise at 7:06 a.m. and sunset at 4:47 p.m. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 5 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. [Weather.gov]
An airplane taxis after landing at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Calling 911 Over Leaf Blowers — Writes a former Arlington County 911 dispatcher, regarding a recent ARLnow opinion column about leaf blower noise: “Hard hitting stuff coming out of ArCo, as always. I remember taking a 911 call once where the caller complained about this very issue and, in an effort to get police dispatched, called his neighbour’s leaf-blower a ‘violent weapon.’ This county is truly deranged.” [Twitter]
New Drug Recovery Resource — “For individuals having difficulty with substance use, the first step to a better life involves withdrawing from alcohol or drugs. The new Arlington Recovery Center – a partnership between the County and National Capital Treatment and Recovery (NCTR) – is ready to help people with that journey. Arlington Recovery Center opened its doors this year and includes both Withdrawal Management and Early Recovery programs.” [Arlington County]
Book About Arlington House’s Builder — “Arlington journalist, historian and author Charles S. (‘Charlie’) Clark recently penned ‘George Washington Parke Custis: A Rarefied Life in America’s First Family.’ The book chronicles the complicated life of Custis (1781-1857), who was raised at Mount Vernon – he was the grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson of George Washington – and in adulthood was responsible for the construction of the Arlington House estate using both free and enslaved workers.” [Sun Gazette]
VHC Expanding With McLean Building — “Virginia Hospital Center is charging ahead with its campus expansion while growing its ambulatory footprint — starting with a $34.5 million purchase in McLean. The Arlington health system has purchased a building at 1760 Old Meadow Road where it’s setting up an orthopedic outpatient surgery center, according to VHC CEO Jim Cole. The hospital is now renovating a 14,900-square-foot area of existing building in a project expected to cost $6.4 million including construction and equipment.” [Washington Business Journal]
Crossing Guard Spreads Thanksgiving Cheer — From Williamsburg Middle School Principal Bryan Boykin: “Mr. La is bringing a little holiday flavor to his traffic duties,” thanks to a large turkey costume. [Twitter]
New Tech Repair Store in Pentagon City — “Leading tech repair provider uBreakiFix by Asurion has opened its newest location in Pentagon City at 1101 S. Joyce St., Suite B-12 on Pentagon Row. The store offers professional repair services for anything with a power button, from smartphones, tablets, and computers to game consoles, smart speakers, and drones-and everything in between.” [Press Release]
Officials Urge Caution on the Roads — “The American Automobile Association predicts that 1.4 million Virginians will travel for this Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday, which equates to 11 percent more motorists than in 2020. Virginia State Police urge patience for motorists planning to hit the roadways. ‘With traffic on the roads increasing and many people anxious to get to their destination, I encourage all Virginians to be patient. Buckle up and take your time,’ said Col. Gary Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Wednesday — Today will be sunny, with a high near 47. Sunrise at 7:01 a.m. and sunset at 4:48 p.m. Thanksgiving day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Showers early Friday morning, then mostly sunny, with a high near 46. We will not be publishing Thursday but will be back with a light publishing schedule on Friday.
Thaiphoon at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Thaiphoon in Pentagon City is closing for good this weekend, we’re told, set to be replaced by a “taco temple” in spring 2022.
The Thai restaurant located in Westpost — formerly Pentagon Row — is closing on Sunday, Nov. 21, an employee confirmed to ARLnow. The owners made the decision to not renew their lease at the shopping plaza on S. Joyce Street, we’re told, and there are currently no plans to open another location at this time.
Thaiphoon has been serving customers for more than a decade at Pentagon Row.
This is the first Virginia location of the self-described “taco temple.” The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will serve classic fare like tacos, quesadillas, and margaritas, and is planning to have outdoor seating.
Thaiphoon’s D.C. location is still open, though it’s run by separate ownership than the Arlington location, the employee noted.
A slew of new restaurants and businesses are opening in Westpost over the next year, but that also has come with a number of closings.
Nighthawk Pizza at Westpost in Pentagon City, opening spring 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
A soon-to-be Target at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream is opening in late 2021 at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Kusshi, a sushi restaurant, is opening in 2022 at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
The soon-to-be Road Runner Sports at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Rendering of Arlington location at Westpost (Photo courtesy of Banditos Bar & Kitchen)
Bun’d Up at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Privai, spa and salon, at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
Nighthawk Pizza at Westpost in Pentagon City, opening fall 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
(Updated, 4:30 p.m.) A slew of new restaurants and stores are set to open at Westpost in Pentagon City over the next year.
From a “taco temple” to a pizza and beer hall to a running store to a new Target, the shopping center formerly known as Pentagon Row will have more than a half dozen new businesses by the fall of next year.
All of these new additions now make Westpost fully leased, confirms a spokesperson for Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT), which owns the mixed-use development.
The next to open will be Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream, which is targeting scooping by the end of this month. The 935-square-foot ice cream parlor was originally going open in the late summer, but that was delayed. Located at 1201 S. Joyce Street, next to Bun’d Up, the shop is owned by local Rollin Amore and named after his daughter. His partner, Sarah, owns an ice cream parlor in Bethesda.
“I have been cooking and creating desserts since I was seven years old and I am excited to make this hobby my job,” Amore told ARLnow back in May.
Kusshi, a sushi restaurant with a location at Bethesda’s Pike and Rose, will be opening in the spring in the space formerly occupied by Namaste Everest, which is next to Mimi’s. We previously reported it was going to start serving by the end of the year.
“Arlington has a lot of business and commerce and has Amazon HQ2 going there as well,” Kusshi’s owner told ARLnow in June about the choice to open at Westpost. “We like to go to mixed-use developments, which is part of our success at Pike and Rose.”
The Baltimore-based Banditos Bar & Kitchen remains on track to also open in the spring. The FRIT spokesperson confirmed that could mean as early as April.
This is the third location of the self-described “taco temple,” but the first in Virginia. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will have outdoor seating and serve classic fare like tacos, quesadillas, and margaritas.
Also aiming for a spring opening is a 34,000-square-foot Target in the old Bed, Bath, and Beyond space and Road Runner Sports in the former Unleashed space, which shuttered at the beginning of the year.
Target’s target is April while Road Runner Sports is on track for May or “possibly earlier,” says the spokesperson.
Much-anticipated Nighthawk Pizza is also arriving next year. The pizza spot with “a 90s vibe and a beer hall-like atmosphere” is opening “early 2022,” according to a spokesperson. It was originally supposed to start serving slices this fall — in fact, the storefront sticker still advertises this — but that’s been pushed back. (Such delays seem to be common these days, at least in Arlington.)
Other developments at Westpost include the opening of the spa and salon Privai, set for November 22. The 4,127-square-foot spa located at 1101 S Joyce Street Suite B-35 specializes in body treatments, facials, salon services, and guided meditation. It is the salon’s fourth Virginia location.
Bun’d Up, meanwhile, is also going through a renovation, according to the FRIT spokesperson. It currently remains open. That’s owned by chef Scott Chung, will reopen.
Restaurants and stores are not the only openings at Westpost. The center’s ice skating rink opened for the season over the weekend.
Pentagon Row Ice Skating Rink at Westpost (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
(Updated, 11:40 a.m.) Pentagon Row Ice Skating Rink opened for the season this past weekend, despite not-quite-winter temperatures.
Starting the season a week earlier than last year, the nearly-7,000 square foot rink located in the plaza at 1201 S. Joyce Street in Pentagon City is said to be the “largest outdoor ice skating rink in Northern Virginia” and the second-largest in the state.
The rink will be open until mid-March, providing about four and a half months of skating time. There are a few changes at the rink from last year, when capacity and mask restrictions were quite a bit tighter.
Masks are now optional while skating, an employee tells ARLnow, as opposed to required last year, though will still be sanitizing high-touch areas including skates and rails around the rink.
Capacity is increasing from the 50% mark in 2020 to full capacity. That means the number of skaters allowed on the ice at any given time is being doubled, from 75 last year to 150. Social distancing is still being requested while on the ice, waiting to get on the ice, and at the rental facility, though.
There’s also a pricing change, with admission rates increasing by a dollar from last season. It now costs $11 for those 13 years and older. For those younger than 13 and senior citizens, admission is $10. Skate rentals are $5.
Group and party rates are being offered once again as well as private skating lessons. Reservations for skating can still be made online.
Despite the shopping center on S. Joyce Street rebranding late last year to “Westpost,” the ice skating rink remains called “Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink.” However, that could change in the coming months, writes a rink manager in an email to ARLnow.
In 2013, the ice skating rink underwent a renovation that increased the size by 50% and added an outdoor dual-sided stone fireplace on the side of the rink for those off the ice.
The rink is open every day of the week, including holidays:
