November will be a busy month for McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center, bringing a new restaurant and the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation project.
Sweetgreen announced today (Tuesday) that it will officially open its doors to customers on Nov. 11 at 6220 Old Dominion Drive in Chesterbrook Shopping Center.
During the grand opening, the fast-casual salad chain will offer “special treats” while supplies last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Adding to the festivities, there will be a build your own flower bar by Elegant Lollies, Coffee & Matcha from Cha Coffee Co, and Sweetgreen hats — providing guests a memorable way to celebrate the occasion,” a public relations representative for Sweetgreen said.
In addition, for every meal purchased on its opening day, the business will also donate one to the Merrifield-based food bank Food for Others.
Customers looking to get a sneak peek — and a free meal — can RSVP through Eventbrite for two soft opening days on Nov. 7 and 8. Tickets for both days are limited and will presumably get snapped up quickly.
Founded in 2007 in D.C. by a trio of recent college graduates, Sweetgreen aimed to “reimagine fast food” by providing both convenience and healthy, quality meals. The company now boasts more than 250 locations nationwide, with the McLean outpost becoming the 13th in Virginia.
Located in a former Truist Bank building that will be shared by the Mexican restaurant Surfside, Sweetgreen’s 2,571-square-foot storefront in McLean will seat 41 people and operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Along with the chain’s standard salads, warm bowls and protein plates, the menu will feature limited-time seasonal items, including an autumn harvest bowl and “fall-forward” toppings like candied pumpkin seeds and maple-glazed brussels sprouts.
While Surfside hasn’t announced a potential opening timeline yet, the beach-themed restaurant submitted plans to build out its space at 6218 Old Dominion Drive in late September. The application, which indicates that the site will include an enclosed, 391-square-foot dining patio, is currently being reviewed by Fairfax County staff.
Open house to celebrate renovations
Shortly after Sweetgreen’s grand opening, Chesterbrook Shopping Center will host a Friendsgiving Open House on Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the completion of renovations that were underway for three years.
Started in fall 2022, the $8.5 million project followed property manger Federal Realty Investment Trust’s acquisition of the shopping center in May 2021. Updates included an overhaul of the building façades, new lighting and outdoor spaces, a repaving of the parking lot, and the installation of pollinator gardens and landscaping beds.
According to the event page, the open house, which is free to attend, will feature:
- Live jazz performance
- Carnival games and giveaways
- Photo opportunities with a vintage 1965 Chevrolet C-10 truck styled for the season
- Visits with friendly alpacas and baby goats from My Pet Alpaca
- Exclusive in-store promotions and activations from Chesterbrook merchants
A student string quartet from McLean High School will also perform inside the temporary McLean Art Gallery (6224B Old Dominion Drive), which opened last month and will continue showcasing work by the McLean Art Society through the end of 2025.
