As preparations continue on a taproom expansion, Lake Anne Brew House will build anticipation for the new space with the launch of a vintage furniture pop-up.
The resale shop Vintage Reston will initially open at 11426 Washington Plaza West, next door to the brewery, at Lake Anne Plaza this Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 23 from 2-6 p.m.
In addition to browsing and buying mid-century furniture, décor and art, visitors will be able to enjoy zero-proof beverages, including craft mocktails, throwback sodas and non-alcoholic beer in the temporary showroom, which was inspired by Lake Anne Brew House co-owner and architect Melissa Romano’s interest in “beautifully designed objects.”
“I believe the history of a place should be reflected in its architecture, its furnishings and the objects we surround ourselves with. And beautiful things shouldn’t just be displayed or saved for special occasions — they should be used, lived with and loved,” Romano said in a press release. “Vintage Reston is a chance to bring all of that together in a place that has such a strong design history of its own.”
Romano developed the idea for Vintage Reston while waiting for Fairfax County to approve the permits needed for Lake Anne Brew House to complete its planned expansion, which will eventually fill a storefront that was previously home to Chesapeake Chocolates.
With the process dragging out longer than anticipated, she decided to make use of the extra space by opening a pop-up, rather than allowing it to languish unoccupied.
In addition to reflecting Romano’s personal interests, Vintage Reston’s focus on mid-century pieces nods to Lake Anne Village Center’s origins in the 1960s and distinctive modernist and brutalist architecture.
More from the press release:
At the heart of Vintage Reston is Romano’s own curated collection, assembled over years and encompassing furniture, lighting, glassware, barware, art and other distinctive pieces. Many of the pieces have been personally and carefully restored by Romano, reflecting her longstanding passion for preserving and giving new life to beautifully designed objects.
The collection will continue to evolve. Vintage Reston will feature select consigned furniture, home goods and artwork alongside Romano’s collection, as well as a small number of original art pieces created by Romano herself. The result is an ever-changing mix of vintage finds, restored pieces, consigned treasures and original work rather than a static retail inventory.
The shop itself is designed less like a conventional resale store and more like a series of lived-in spaces. Visitors are encouraged to sit on the furniture and experience the collection as it was intended to be experienced — as beautiful, functional objects meant to be used and enjoyed.
After its initial launch, Vintage Reston will operate during regular hours to be announced this weekend, Romano says.
Established in April 2016 by Romano and her husband, brewmaster Jason Romano, Lake Anne Brew House announced that it had leased the former Chesapeake Chocolates storefront and planned to expand its taproom in July 2025.
The expansion will double the seating capacity of the brewery’s bar, enable it to serve different types of drinks like hard ciders and non-alcoholic beers, and allow more space for Nordic-Knot, the wholesale pretzel bakery that Melissa Romano also owns.
Though it has been delayed, Melissa Romano is hopeful that Lake Anne Brew House’s expanded taproom will be ready to open “very soon.”
“The official expansion of the Brew House taproom will be complete as soon as the county approves the final building permit with combined occupancy of the two spaces,” she told FFXnow by email. “… Vintage Reston and our planned community room (‘The Common Ground’) will both continue to be part of the Brew House expansion, even after the walls come down!”
