Jared Serre | FFXnow

Falls Church man pleads guilty to murder at Idylwood apartment complex

Published August 28, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated August 28, 2024 at 2:18PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A Falls Church man pleaded guilty yesterday (Tuesday) in connection to a fatal shooting and stabbing incident at an Idylwood apartment complex last year.

Vladimir Garcia Montes faces up to 40 years in prison for a charge of felony homicide, a form of second-degree murder involving an accidental killing while committing another felony, according to state law. He entered the plea to the shooting death of one of the victims, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office said.

Around Town

Bing & Bao shutters in Idylwood, making way for new noodle restaurant

By Jared Serre

Published August 27, 2024 at 1:30PM

The site of the forthcoming Kajiken in Idylwood Plaza (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A local option for Chinese street food has closed in Idylwood.

Bing & Bao officially closed its doors at the end of July, bookending a four-year stint in the Idylwood Plaza shopping center.

Around Town

J. Crew Factory store may be coming to Tysons strip mall

By Jared Serre

Published August 26, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated August 27, 2024 at 10:08AM

The location of the forthcoming J.Crew Factory store in Pike 7 Plaza (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A discount clothing retailer appears to be coming soon to Tysons, right down the street from both Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.

Pike 7 Plaza will be home to a J. Crew Factory store, according to permit applications submitted to Fairfax County. It will be located at 8387 Leesburg Pike, between the strip mall’s Lidl and DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse stores.

Around Town

Indoor trampoline park landing in Chantilly next year

By Jared Serre

Published August 26, 2024 at 9:30AM

A girl jumps on a trampoline at Sky Zone (courtesy of Sky Zone)

The indoor trampoline park chain Sky Zone has targeted Chantilly for its next location in Northern Virginia.

While the exact address is still being determined, the general area will be home to one of eight new parks announced by the company last Thursday (Aug. 22).

Countywide

Restaurant industry launches campaign against potential Fairfax County meals tax

By Jared Serre

Published August 23, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

As Fairfax County leaders explore adding new sources of revenue, an advocacy campaign has emerged in opposition to a potential tax on prepared food.

Though many Northern Virginia localities already have meals taxes, a nonprofit called Fairfax Families and Workers Against the Food Tax that publicly launched last week argues the tax would be unpopular with Fairfax County residents, who narrowly rejected the idea at the ballot box twice before.

Around Town

Moby Dick to open kabob shop in Great Falls, relocate in McLean

By Jared Serre

Published August 23, 2024 at 9:30AM

The vacant Bottega Medici in McLean, where Moby Dick may be relocating (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A local kabob chain is expanding its footprint in Northern Virginia.

Moby Dick House of Kabob is planning two new locations in Fairfax County — one in Great Falls and one in McLean, according to county permits.

Countywide

With new council, Fairfax County board seeks forward-looking approach to economic growth

By Jared Serre

Published August 21, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is taking a new approach to economic development, one that it hopes will place a greater emphasis on results rather than process.

By replacing the long-standing Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) with a Council for Economic Opportunity (CEO), the county’s Board of Supervisors can modernize its efforts to encourage county-wide economic growth, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck says.

News

Jury convicts Springfield man of accepting stolen mail

By Jared Serre

Published August 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

A judge's gavel on a table (via Wesley Tingey/Unsplash)

A Springfield man has been convicted for his role in a string of mail thefts from the West Springfield Post Office.

Kenshaun Thompson, 26, faces up to 15 years in prison after a federal jury convicted him last Thursday (Aug. 15) of three charges of possessing and receiving stolen mail, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Around Town

Red Lobster in Fairfax City ‘not closing’ despite company’s financial struggles

By Jared Serre

Published August 15, 2024 at 9:45AM

Fairfax City's Red Lobster location (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Cheddar bay biscuits will continue to be served in Fairfax City — for now.

Red Lobster’s lone Fairfax restaurant, located at 10325 Fairfax Blvd, will remain open despite the company’s ongoing financial troubles.

Around Town

Vietnamese restaurant opens in Fairfax City’s former Old Country Buffet

By Jared Serre

Published August 14, 2024 at 1:30PM

The front of 54 Restaurant & Lounge located in Fair City Mall (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A new spot for Vietnamese cuisine has opened in Fairfax City’s Fair City Mall.

Tucked in the corner of the shopping center near Cinema Arts Theatres is 54 Restaurant Bar & Lounge, a Vietnamese restaurant that says it utilizes fresh ingredients from local farmers. The eatery had a soft opening at 9650 Main Street, Unit 10, on July 18.