Chico’s, a women’s clothing store, has officially shuttered its doors at Reston Town Center.
The business, which was located at 11910 Market Street, closed up shop last month.
It started off in 1983 as a small gallery and has since expanded across the country. There are several local locations, including McLean, Fairfax, and Leesburg.
There is no word yet on what will replace the store. The company did not return multiple requests for comment on why the store closed and when the last day of business was.
The closure comes amidst a flurry of recent changes in the town center, including the departure of Bow Ties Cinema and the addition of a new athletic facility from The St. James.
The center’s public spaces are slated for a facelift starting this spring, and tenants like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Fogo de Chao — among others — are slated to open up their doors this year.
A major gateway project that will guide people from Metro into the Town of Herndon is moving forward with a leaner model.
The plan for Parkview by Lerner Enterprises — which includes three mixed-use buildings — is headed to the town’s Architectural Review Board for preliminary review tonight (Wednesday). The buildings will open up to the Herndon Station promenade on the nearly 5-acre site at 593 Herndon Parkway.
The site is directly next to the north entrance of Herndon-Monroe Metro Station and flanks the west corner of the proposed promenade. The promenade extends from Metro’s pavilion to Herndon Parkway and is intended to serve as a pedestrian gateway to the town.
The board is reviewing the third version of this project. The first version maxed out on allowable residential, office and retail densities, while the second option focused on office and retail only. This latest iteration proposes less density and slashes building heights significantly.
The first building, which stands 170 feet tall, has mostly retail and housing on the base, a parking garage in the middle section, and an upper section of office space. Facing the Dulles Toll Road and Metro, it is the tallest of the three buildings proposed.
The ARB described the parking garage as “imposing.”
“The architectural design of the garage and the office building are very different and visually express two different forms and means of articulation. Ways to better tie the two together should be explored,” a May 2 memo from staff states.
The second building is described as a mid-rise residential building. Both the second and third buildings are roughly 85 feet tall.
The board is expected to review the project at a meeting to 7:30 p.m. The proposal is in the pre-application phase and must go through a number of steps before any approval is made. The final version may incorporate previous versions of the project.
Nordic-Knot has won $40,000 in a national contest for small businesses.
The Reston-based bakery — which specializes in its twisted pretzels — placed second out of 10 finalists in the annual Small Business Big Wins contest, which is run by Barclays Bank.
Ashland Birth Center placed first in the nationwide contest, which recognizes businesses that were heavily impacted by the pandemic. The Wisconsin-based maternity health care center received a grand prize of $60,000.
More than 4,750 small businesses from across the country shared stories of how the pandemic impacted their daily operations. After the 10 finalists were selected, public voting determined the final winners.
Nordic-Knot co-owner Melissa Romano said they plan to use the funds to increase marketing, outreach and boost its production line to “better serve our community.” Results were announced yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
“We’ve grown this business very carefully and we were put through the runner during the pandemic,” Romano told FFXnow. She expects to announce some big, new clients in the coming weeks.
For Nordic-Knot, the pandemic meant a dramatic business shift came quickly into play. With many of its distributors closed during the peak of the pandemic, the business shifted to providing their products to customers directly.
Now, even as wholesale distribution picks up, the business plans to maintain direct services for consumers directly.
A vending cart that offers customer direct access to goodies will return to Lake Anne Plaza this summer.
Romano says they plan to continue big partnerships while providing direct access to their items.
“Lane Anne has and will always be our special place of business,” Romano said. “We are really excited for this opportunity for our business.”
Reston’s annual Founders Day will return on Saturday (April 9) to Lake Anne Plaza.
While the event celebrates Reston’s diversity and rich history, this year’s festivities give a special nod to Uruguayan artist Gonzalo Fonseca, who designed many of the sculptures at Lake Anne.
Fonseca was an internationally recognized artist, world traveler and polylingual, according to Reston Museum, which will house an exhibit paying tribute to the artist.
Fonseca, who died in 1997 and would have been 100 years old this year, viewed sculpture as a “microcosmic way to engage civilization and weave together past and future,” according to his website. With stone as his medium of choice, he designed a playground, underpass and monument in Reston.
Other activities include a sun boat design contest and art projects at Reston Art Gallery & Studios, Public Art Reston, the Japanese Culture Club, and Robert Bernhards at the studios.
The day kicks off at noon with a performance by award-winning duo 123 Andres.
The complete schedule is below:
Musical Performances & Remarks
- 12 p.m. — 123 Andrés
- 12:30 p.m. — Opening Remarks & Brick Dedication by Reston Museum Board Representative Chuck Veatch
- 12:33 p.m. — Remarks by community representatives
- 1:10 p.m. — Foley Irish Academy of Dance
- 1:50 p.m. — Reston Chorale
- 2:10 p.m. — Reston Community Orchestra Brass Ensemble
- 2:50 p.m. — Lopez Studios
- 3:30 p.m. — Reston Community Players
Schedule of events at Reston Community Center
- 1-1:50 p.m. — Multilingual Birthday Party: enjoy cake and learn birthday phrases in other languages.
- 2-3 p.m. — Community is what it is all about: an ode to Lake Anne book launch with the book creators Cheryl Terio-Simon and Eric MacDicken
- 3-4 p.m. — Film Series about Reston and Reston’s Public Art:
- “Fun, Beauty, Fantasy: Reston’s Public Art” by Rebekah Wingert-Jabi
- Fonseca Film Project by Ryan Burke
- “Moon Viewing Platform” by by Raphael Chambers (2nd Place winner of the “My Community” video contest celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Reston)
- “If You Lived Here: Reston” by PBS
The annual Founder’s Day celebration is presented by the Reston Historic Trust with support from Reston Community Center. It is co-sponsored by Reston Association and Public Art Reston.
Another Nashville-style hot chicken spot is taking the county by storm.
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken plans to open a Centreville location at 14215U Centreville Square in the next few weeks, according to a company representative.
The restaurant has been rapidly expanding in the county, opening an initial Fairfax location in September and one at Herndon’s Worldgate Centre in January. More Virginia locations are planned in Oakton, Short Pump and Alexandria.
While a exact date has not been determined yet, the restaurant will offer 25% off all orders on grand opening day.
Derek Cha, the founder of sweetFrog, a frozen yogurt spot, launched the business with business partner Mike Kim.
Hangry’s serves hot chicken ranging from “plain” to “angry hot.” Other items on the menu include loaded waffle fries, salad, chicken tenders, okra and Korean-style chicken nuggets.
Photo via Google Maps
There’s more movement on the tenant front at North Point Village Center in Reston.
Subway, located at 1474 North Point Plaza, appears to have closed up shop. Its windows are covered up with paper and its website states the location is closed.
The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment from FFXnow. It is unclear if the closure is permanent or temporary.
Most recently, Matsutake Sushi & Sake Bar opened in the center, replacing a former Boston Market. Bb.q Chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot, opened last July, replacing Jerry’s Subs.
The center has other food-oriented tenants like Gregorio’s Trattoria, Finn Thai, Bobby’s Bagel Cafe and Glory Days Grill.
Fairfax County staff have flagged a number of issues with a proposal to bring townhomes to Fannie Mae’s former campus in Reston.
Wheelock Street Capital, a Connecticut-based company, wants to build up to 90 townhomes on the site, which was previously approved for three office buildings.
The development houses one office building at 11600 American Dream Way but hopes to replace the approved yet unbuilt offices with residential units.
In a 237-page report, county staff raised a litany of issues with the rezoning proposal, including lack of pedestrian walkability and connections to the surrounding community, poor integration of the townhomes on the site, and too many parking spaces.
The move from office to residential is fairly common in Reston, particularly given the community’s close proximity to the anticipated Silver Line extension.
Roughly 24 of the proposed units are located on protected open space and Environmental Quality Corridor areas, which are given a higher level of scrutiny due to their environmental value.
“Staff has significant concerns with the proposal that have not been adequately addressed,” the report states.
Other aspects of the proposal do not conform with the county’s desire to ensure the development connects seamlessly to surrounding areas, particularly since the development is located within a half-mile between two new Metro stations.
Major concerns include:
- Over-parking by 213 spaces
- Trails are disconnected from American Dream Way
- The installation of a gate on the property is “unacceptable” and limits public access
- Vehicles could overhang on proposed driveways, creating a safety issue for pedestrians
- Sidewalk widths are not appropriate on American Dream Way
In the initial application to the county, the developer’s land use attorney, Scott Adams, said the change would complement the existing office development.
“The introduction of an option for residential use will help to complement and balance the existing office use on the property, and will create positive traffic impacts relative to the full office build-out option,” Adams wrote in the proposal.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission delayed a decision on the proposal this week. A rescheduled meeting is expected to take place on April 27.
Fannie Mae has moved its offices to Boston Properties’ Reston Gateway development, where it occupies one office tower and part of a second tower.
The 11.4-mile extension of the Silver Line is still eying a summer completion date, but an exact date remains elusive.
At a meeting earlier today (Thursday), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Safety and Operations Committee did not provide a specific date for the completion of the $2.8 billion project.
Instead, members noted that cooperative agreements do not call for a specific date. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is currently negotiating the period between substantial completion — which it completed in November — and Operational Readiness (OR).
Andrew Off, WMATA’s executive vice president of capital delivery, said that Metro’s general manager will officially determine an Operational Readiness Date (ORD) once OR testing is completed.
Because of the fluid nature of testing and issues that may arise as testing and certification continues, MWAA cannot provide a target opening date. Once the ORD is determined, Metro will formally accept the project from MWAA.
WMATA expects that a 90-day period of pre-revenue activities will then commence.
“There is no defined time period between substantial completion and operational readiness,” Off said, adding that the date of operation is “all condition based.”
That date has already been delayed several times, resulting in some consternation and frustration from county officials.
Metro’s punch list of the main line and station — known as Package A — is 80% complete. Package B — which covers the Dulles Yard — is 95% complete and has been “stagnant” for several weeks, Off said. Remaining items include contract safety certification and certificates of occupancy that are needed for employees.
Joe Leder, WMATA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said 400 new employees have been hired for the extension project. Another 20 are expected to be hired by the end of the month.
Dulles District Supervisor Matthew Letourneu noted that the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission — which oversees and enforces safety practice of the rail system — must also complete its own safety enforcement measures, including a safety certification process.
“There’s obviously increasing interest in having this up and running,” Letourneu said.
He clarified with staff that WMSC’s reports should not produce additional delays or surprises because the commission is coordinating closely with Metro.
“As a result of this process, there shouldn’t be surprises from the WMSC that come kind of at the last minute because it’s been iterative,” he said.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors is closing in on identifying the organization’s next CEO after Hank Lynch resigned last year.
Yesterday evening (Wednesday), the board narrowed down the list of candidates during a closed meeting. Finalists will be interviewed next week, according to RA spokesperson Mike Leone.
“The interviews will take place ‘in-person,’ not virtual, and the full Board will participate,” Leone told FFXnow by email. “The current Board hopes to complete the hiring process in early April before the next Board is seated and is on-track to do so.”
Reston Patch first reported that the board conducted virtual interviews with candidates last weekend.
The hiring process continues as some call on the board to delay a hiring decision until new directors are elected on April 1. Consulting firm Baker Tilly is conducting a national search for the new CEO. The annual salary was advertised in the mid-$200,000s.
This year’s election is uncontested, but a 10% quorum of votes must be met. Laurie Dodd, Irwin Flashman and Glenn Small are running for three seats that will be vacated by Aaron Webb, John Mooney and Tom Mulkerin.
RA has not yet filled vacancies for three other leadership positions, including a human resources director, an information technology director and a high-level environmental position.
A move by at-large board member Sarah Selvaraj-D’Souza to involve future new board members failed at a Feb. 9 Board of Directors meeting.
Selvaraj-D’Souza sought to create a committee with the three board candidates to sit on interviews with CEO applicants and observe the hiring process.
The effort failed by a 3-4 vote, with dissenting votes from board president Caren Anton, Mike Collins, John Mooney and Tim Dowling.
In a separate move, Flashman asked that the board delay the hiring process so newly elected board members could have input.
“The difference in terms of time is relatively small, at most one or two months of deferral time, while the impact could be relatively great, three years and more,” Flashman said during a Jan. 27 board meeting.
Lynch replaced Cate Fulkerson who resigned in 2018 after 13 years in her position.
Fairfax County Public Schools plans to maintain its mask mandate despite Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order removing masking requirements in schools across the state.
The school system was one of several in the Commonwealth, particularly Northern Virginia, that pushed back against the freshly inaugurated governor’s order over the weekend.
FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said the decision was made in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Our layered prevention strategies have proven effective in keeping transmission rates low in our schools,” Brabrand wrote in a message to the community on Sunday (Jan. 16). “We know our students are best served by in-person instruction. Adhering to our layered prevention strategies, especially universal masking, keep our schools open and safe places for students to learn.’
In his executive order — one of several instituted after he took office on Saturday (Jan. 15) — Youngkin said that the universal masking requirements in schools has provided “inconsistent health benefits” and inflicted “notable harm.”
“There is no greater priority than the health and welfare of Virginia’s children,” the executive order reads. “Under Virginia law, parents, not the government, have the fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care of their children.”
Brabrand did note that the school system is reviewing Youngkin’s executive order and will update the community about any changes to COVID-19 practices and protocol if they occur.
The Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics concurred with the school system’s decision.
“Face masks remain safe and reliable, and children have demonstrated their ability to wear them effectively,” the chapter’s statement reads, adding that masks allow schools to remain open.
The Democratic Party of Virginia called the governor’s actions “illegal” and an attempt to “appease the far-right instead of protecting Virginia’s children.”
“It’s a sad situation when local school boards in Virginia understand the law and the science more than the governor of Virginia does,” DPVA Chair Susan Swecker said.
But Youngkin says that while the CDC recommends masks, research has found no statistically significant link between mandatory masking and reducing transmission of COVID-19. He says that many children do not wear masks correctly and that the practice produces a “demoralizing” effect.
The executive order will go into effect on Jan. 24.
FCPS has reported 620 COVID-19 cases after five days of in-person instruction this year. A little over 1,500 students have been in quarantine this month.
Other school districts that plan to maintain their masking requirements include Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, Manassas City, Prince William County, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County.
It is unclear how Youngkin will legally enforce the lifting of the mask requirement, but because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, localities do not have powers outside of those enumerated by the state.
Photo via Mika Baumeister/Unsplash
