Fairfax City | FFXnow

Published July 28, 2026 at 9:15AM

Three-in-One Hand-Ripped Noodles: hot-oil seared noodles, pork zhajiang bean sauce, and tomato egg. (Courtesy Chin Xi'an-Style Restaurant)

A new restaurant aims to bring a taste of regional food from one of China’s oldest and largest cities to Northern Virginia.

Chin’s Xi’An Style Restaurant plans to bring hand-ripped noodles, prepared in a home style inspired by foods in Xi’An — the capital city of Shaanxi, a province in northwestern central China — when it opens its third location this August in Fairfax City. The new location will be based inside the 99 Ranch Market at 10780 Fairfax Blvd, with takeout or seating available in the grocery store.

Countywide

Herndon, Fairfax City saw largest apartment rent drops in D.C. region last month

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 21, 2026 at 8:30AM

Entering the Town of Herndon (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem)

A new data analysis finds two local communities have seen the largest year-over-year declines in median rents across the metro area.

Herndon posted a drop of 4.8% to $2,000, and Fairfax City saw a 3.8% dip to $2,010 in the median rental price of one-bedroom apartments in June, according to the latest monthly report from Zumper.

Around Town

Ornery Beer Company to close Fairfax City pub, keep Herndon location

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 20, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 20, 2026 at 3:26PM

Ornery Beer Company in Fairfax City with Girl Scouts selling cookies outside (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Ornery Beer Company is downsizing, sacrificing its Fairfax City restaurant to focus on ensuring the future of its other locations.

The brewpub announced today (Monday) that its location at 3950 University Drive, Suite 106, will permanently close on Sunday, July 26 after nearly eight years of operating in Old Town Fairfax.

News

Fairfax City seeks voter referendum on sales tax to fund school improvements

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 20, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fairfax City Hall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fairfax City voters will decide in November whether to approve a general retail sales tax increase of up to 1% that could generate up to $13.5 million to fund construction projects and long-term maintenance of the city’s schools.

The Fairfax City Council voted unanimously last Tuesday (July 14) to request that the Fairfax Circuit Court order a special election on Nov. 3 asking voters whether the city should levy the tax. Long sought by the city, the ability to implement the sales tax was authorized by the General Assembly’s new state budget late last month.

News

Police: Officer shoots man holding knife outside Fairfax City Wawa

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2026 at 11:30AM | Updated July 12, 2026 at 7:02PM

Wawa in Fairfax City (via Google Maps)

A Fairfax City police officer shot a man who was allegedly armed with a knife at Wawa shortly after midnight today (Saturday).

City of Fairfax Police officers were dispatched to the convenience store at 9700 Fairfax Blvd at around 12:07 a.m. after 911 received a call about a man wielding a knife inside the business.

Countywide

Fairfax County opens 24-hour cooling center after Extreme Heat Warning issued for July 4

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 2, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated July 2, 2026 at 1:38PM

The Jim Scott Community Center in Oakton on a summer day (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With the D.C. region facing scorching heat through this weekend, Fairfax County is adjusting its holiday closure plans to allow for a 24-hour cooling center at the Jim Scott Community Center in Oakton.

On top of previously announced alerts for today and tomorrow (Friday), the National Weather Service has issued another Extreme Heat Warning for the region on the Fourth of July, predicting potential heat index values of up to 113.

Around Town

Where to find fireworks in Fairfax County for Fourth of July 2026

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 26, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 26, 2026 at 6:01PM

Fireworks light up the night at the Workhouse Arts Center (courtesy Workhouse Arts Center)

Some of the biggest fireworks shows in the county are kicking off this weekend, as America prepares to mark its semiquincentennial on July 4.

In the week ahead, local communities and organizations will offer everything from classic community celebrations to alternatives to traditional fireworks displays, such as a daytime option at Mount Vernon or the Fairfax County Park Authority’s new patriotic drones lights show at Lake Fairfax Park.

News

Planning underway for new linear park in north Fairfax City

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 26, 2026 at 10:00AM

The development plan for Northfax Linear Park (via City of Fairfax)

Planning is underway for a Northfax Linear Park that will one day have open green spaces, capture stormwater, and connect neighborhoods with a trail and retail plaza in Fairfax City.

During the Fairfax City Council’s work session on Tuesday (June 23), staff presented an early concept for what the park could look like, along with a timeline for finalizing the design guidelines.

News

Fairfax City Council approves pay raises for its members and mayor

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 25, 2026 at 10:00AM

The sign in front of Fairfax City Hall (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax City Council has unanimously approved the first pay raise for its members and the mayor in over a decade, increasing annual compensation to $22,000 for members and $24,000 for the mayor.

The new rates are the maximum allowed under Virginia law, and will take effect July 1, 2027. The current pay is $12,000 for council members, and $13,000 for the mayor.

News

Construction begins to restore wetlands at Gateway Regional Park

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 24, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 24, 2026 at 9:43AM

The Gateway Regional Park picnic area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Construction work is underway on a summertime effort to reinvigorate Gateway Regional Park in the City of Fairfax.

Avon Corp., which received the contract for the project, has started work that’s expected to run through September. The park will remain closed through November for the construction and subsequent fall plantings, according to NOVA Parks, which manages the site.