The powers of caffeine and sugar will unite this weekend for the grand opening of Springfield’s new Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins.
After a soft opening on April 3, the combined eateries are set for a more official launch at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday (May 6), promising free coffee or ice cream for a year to the first 100 customers to enter their shared doors at 6310 Backlick Road.
Winners of the giveaway will get four coupons per month for free scoops or medium-sized coffees, lasting 14 months, though they’ll only be accepted at the new location, according to a press release.
With a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m., the opening will feature a Dunkin’ prize wheel, a balloon artist, face painting and the presence of Dunkin’s mascot “Cuppy.” A $3,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation will also be presented to the Capital Area Food Bank.
“The Next Gen restaurant offers Springfield a first-hand look at Dunkin’s enhanced store experience, with a modern look that provides a fresh, friendly, vibrant, and engaging environment,” the coffee and doughnuts company said in the press release.
Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins are both part of Dunkin’ Brands Group, which was acquired by Inspire Brands in December 2020. Inspire also owns Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and several other fast food restaurants.
Replacing a KFC that was closed not long after getting set on fire in 2020, the paired Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins occupy a 2,396-square-foot, drive-thru restaurant with 25 workers and seats for 18 customers.
The company describes the venue as a “next generation” experience, highlighting its modern design, energy efficiency, designated pick-up area for mobile orders and the use of “an innovative tap system” for pouring cold beverages, including a nitro-infused cold brew only available at “Next Gen” locations.
The restaurant’s operating hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
After a few months of settling into McLean, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers and Matchbox are evidently ready for a housewarming party.
The two restaurants paired with McLean’s Lidl grocery store on Chain Bridge Road will get a grand opening celebration, complete with an official ribbon-cutting, this coming Wednesday (April 26).
Both owned by Thompson Hospitality, Big Buns opened its doors to customers on Jan. 16, while the pizzeria followed suit in early February.
The event will take place at 1340 Chain Bridge Road from 5-7 p.m., bringing free food and drinks, a live DJ and giveaways.
“Enjoy complimentary samples of burgers, sliders, nuggets, pizza, and beer from both restaurants as well as tunes from a local DJ all night long,” Thompson Hospitality said in a media alert. “A percentage of proceeds from other items purchased during the evening will be donated to [the nonprofit] Food for Others.”
Expected attendees of the ribbon-cutting, which will be at 5:30 p.m., include Thompson Hospitality president and board chair Warren Thompson, Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Andrew Clark, and Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Director of Diversity Business Investment Karen Smaw.
There are now 14 Matchbox restaurants and 10 Big Buns in existence, including another joint location at Reston Station. Both eateries were also in Fairfax City’s Point 50 shopping center until Slice of Matchbox — a pared-down version of the pizzeria — shuttered last month.
Thompson Hospitality says it currently owns and operates over 60 restaurants and hopes to expand to 100 restaurants by the end of 2023. Its other brands include Chick-fil-A, the Reston-based pub Makers Union, and Milk & Honey Cafe, which has a Fairfax location.
Vienna residents who own a Hyundai can now obtain a free steering wheel lock from the town’s police department.
The Vienna Police Department has “several” wheel locks on hand from Hyundai Motor Company, which launched a national campaign in response to a TikTok challenge that has inspired an increase in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
“The Town of Vienna Police Department is taking a proactive approach to combat the uptick in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles across the United States,” police said in a news release. “Owners of these cars may be wondering how to make their vehicles less appealing to thieves. Locking a vehicle’s doors is a very effective deterrent but, adding a steering wheel lock may provide an additional layer of protection.”
The locks are available to Vienna residents in the zip code 22180 who own a Hyundai vehicle with a key ignition that was made in 2010 to 2021.
Starting today (Monday), the devices can be picked up in the lobby of the police station at 215 Center Street South from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
Thefts began to surge in 2021 when TikTok users started posting videos under the hashtag “Kia Boyz” encouraging teens to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles by taking off their steering wheels and hotwiring them with a USB cable, according to CNBC.
The videos revealed that models manufactured from 2010 to 2021 that use mechanical keys — rather than push button ignitions — are vulnerable to theft due to their lack of immobilizer systems, which prevent hotwiring using computer chips in key fobs that communicate with the engine.
The Fairfax County Police Department reported 28 carjackings last year, up from 16 in 2021, and seven to open 2023, as of Feb. 10. The data that the department shared with FFXnow didn’t specify how many incidents involved Hyundai or Kia vehicles, but it confirmed those were targeted in a series of stolen or damaged vehicle reports in Lorton on Jan. 14.
At that time, the FCPD said its officers had taken 24 reports for stolen Hyundai vehicles and 13 reports for stolen Kia vehicles between Nov. 22 and Jan. 17.
Hyundai and Kia announced in February that they will provide free software upgrades for approximately 8.3 million vulnerable cars.
A mobile clinic will provide free dental screenings for kids and teens without insurance at Richard Byrd Library in Springfield this weekend.
Vans from the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation (MCCP) — a public-private nonprofit based at Northern Virginia Community College’s Springfield campus — will stop by the library at 7250 Commerce Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (March 4).
The free screenings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for uninsured people between 3 to 18 years of age, according to a flyer.
“If further urgent dental treatment is needed, information will be given to parents about who to call,” the flyer says. “We will also bring free goody bags for each child seen.”
Founded in 2007, MCCP is dedicated to providing access to medical and dental health care for kids in Fairfax County.
Medical Care for Children Partnership, along with @NOVAcommcollege, offering free dental screenings for uninsured children 3-18 years old.
Vans will visit Richard Byrd @fairfaxlibrary in Springfield on Saturday, Mar. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
First come, first serve. pic.twitter.com/bQdPVbLtew
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) February 28, 2023
Photo via Google Maps
(Updated at 9:20 a.m. on 4/7/2022) Break out the spoons and waffle cones, Tysons.
An ice cream truck is pulling into the PARC at Tysons and doling out free scoops tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday (April 8).
The local caterer Tyson’s Creamery will be parked at 8508 Leesburg Pike from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days as part of The PARC’s “Spring Is Blossoming” celebration, which kicked off with some spring break pop-up activities on Monday (April 4).
The free ice cream will be available, rain or shine, as long as supplies last, according to Celebrate Fairfax, which operates the PARC. Tyson’s Creamery will also have a stall at the weekly Shop Local Saturday Market on April 9.
Join us for #free ice cream* at the PARC provided by @Tysonscreamery! Rain or shine, so mark your calendars and come on by! And if you can't make it during the week, you can shop their delicious #icecream this #Saturday, April 9th at our #Shop #Local Market!
*While supplies last pic.twitter.com/jrHAkZvKNp
— CelebrateFFX (@CelebrateFFX) April 6, 2022
Celebrate Fairfax Inc., the nonprofit best known for organizing the annual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival, launched the PARC as a community hub and event venue last fall, converting a 19,260-square-foot space on Route 7 previously occupied by the Container Store.
The organization recently announced that it will forgo the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival this summer in favor of smaller events throughout Fairfax County, similar to the Tysons Block Party and other activities it has hosted at the PARC.
Photo via Courtney Cook/Unsplash
