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Daytime eatery First Watch set to open fifth location in Fair Lakes this summer

Site of new First Watch restaurant chain in Fair Lakes (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Updated at 9:50 a.m. on 6/5/2024 — First Watch anticipates opening at Fair Lakes Promenade on Monday, June 24, a spokesperson says. 

Earlier: The day-time dining spot First Watch is set to open its new Fair Lakes location this summer.

The fast-casual Florida-based chain restaurant, known for its unique breakfast, lunch and brunch-only concept, expects to open the new location in late June 2024 at 12249 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive, according to the restaurant’s spokesperson Hunter Carpenter.

Spanning 7,000-square-foot space, the restaurant will be one of its largest in Virginia. It follows a series of other openings across Fairfax over the last few years, including one last month in Franconia. A sixth location is also scheduled to open at Idylwood Plaza on Leesburg Pike this fall.

First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states, nine of which are located in Virginia.

The menu offers an “elevated approach” to traditional breakfast, brunch, and lunch, including favorites like avocado toast, lemon ricotta pancakes, and million-dollar bacon.

When FFXnow went by the site to take peak at its progress, painters had just started putting a fresh coat on the front entrance.

“While the restaurant is still under construction, it will carry queues of what we call ‘urban farm’ — bringing the rustic feel of a farmhouse with the modern elements of an urban loft,” Carpenter said in an email.

Similar to its sister restaurants, the Fair Lakes location will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is expected to employ approximately 30 people.

Carpenter emphasized their “No Night Shifts Ever” policy, aimed at promoting work-life balance for their team members.

Jamie Rogers contributed to this report.

About the Author

  • James Jarvis covers county government, local politics, schools business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa. He joined the ARLnow news team as an assistant editor in August 2023.