Merrifield | FFXnow

Published November 10, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated November 13, 2022 at 2:11PM

Settle Down Easy Brewing will have a grand opening for its Oakton Tasting Room on Nov. 12 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 2:10 p.m. on 11/13/2022 to correct zip code) It’s going to be a busy Saturday for Settle Down Easy Brewing. In addition to marking its fourth anniversary, the Merrifield area brewery will throw a grand opening party for its new Oakton restaurant and bar from noon to 8 p.m.

Replacing the shuttered Austins Big and Tall store in Hunter Mill Plaza at 2952E Chain Bridge Road, The Oakton Tasting Room is envisioned as not just a place to grab dinner and drinks, but as the kind of hangout spot that Settle Down Easy owner Frank Kuhns says is missing from Oakton — despite nearly 37,o00 people calling it home.

Countywide

Last Call: Blackfinn Ameripub in Merrifield to close out this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2022 at 1:30PM

Blackfinn Ameripub in Merrifield (image via Blackfinn Ameripub/Facebook)

The Blackfinn Ameripub in Merrifield (2750 Gallows Road) will serve its last beer this weekend, according to staff at other franchise locations.

The pub featured classic Americana fare, like burgers and fries, a broad selection of ales, and a specialized “gameday menu“.

News

Mosaic District skating rink proposal skids to a halt until next year

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 21, 2022 at 2:30PM

A few skaters use the Mosaic District's roller rink in July 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

There will be no ice skating at the Mosaic District this winter.

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals agreed on Wednesday (Oct. 19) to postpone a decision on Rink Management Services Corporation’s special permit request for a rink in the Merrifield neighborhood that would have roller skating in the spring and ice skating in the winter.

News

Merrifield real estate agent and husband get prison time for stealing identities

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 17, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 4:02PM

A model house with a magnifying glass and piggy bank in the background (via Photo by Tierra Mallorca/Unsplash)

A couple in Merrifield have been sentenced to prison for using the wife’s real estate job to steal people’s identities.

Caprice Foster, 51, and Marcus Foster, 33, took personal identifying information from at least nine people and used it to “buy a luxury vehicle, lease high-end residences, and obtain loans and credit,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said Friday (Oct. 14).

Around Town

Mosaic District bakery from former White House pastry chefs has closed

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 12, 2022 at 1:30PM

Praline Bakery has closed in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Praline Bakery is no longer serving up cake, macarons and other pastries in the Mosaic District.

The bakery closed for good this fall after its lease ran out, according to a farewell message posted to the door at 2987 District Avenue, Suite 160.

News

Regional Tex-Mex chain is coming to Merrifield’s Gatehouse Plaza

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 27, 2022 at 2:15PM

Guapo's will replace the now-shuttered Chevys Fresh Mex restaurant at Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A family-owned chain of Tex-Mex restaurants will soon add Merrifield to its roster of locations across the D.C. area.

Guapo’s plans to take over the former Chevys Fresh Mex restaurant at 3052 Gate House Plaza, as the Washington Business Journal reported on Friday (Sept. 23).

Countywide

Oktoberfests and fall festivals launch around Tysons next weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 9, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Boro is bringing back its annual Oktoberfest celebration (courtesy The Boro Tysons/Lancer Photography)

Theoretically, an intrepid day drinker could hit up all three of the Oktoberfest celebrations around the Tysons area scheduled for next weekend.

Provided they have a designated driver or don’t mind quick Uber trips from the Metro: here’s where they’ll be going:

News

Coworking company will open shared office spaces in Merrifield this winter

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 16, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated August 16, 2022 at 3:18PM

Venture X's Merrifield franchise will include a community space (courtesy Venture X)

(Updated at 3:20 p.m.) A coworking company that advertises its flexible offices as “the future of workspace” is bringing that future to Merrifield.

Venture X has leased nearly 28,000 square feet of space on the third floor of Williams Crossing (3060 Williams Drive) and will open its first coworking location in Fairfax County on Jan. 2, 2023, the company announced last Wednesday (Aug. 10).

News

Chocolatier behind Belgian pralines to set up shop in Mosaic District

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 9, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Belgian company Neuhaus Chocolate will open a boutique at the Mosaic District (photo by Federica Carlet/Neuhaus Chocolate)

The Mosaic District has a new chocolate shop on the way to fill the hole left two years ago by Artisan Confections.

Neuhaus Belgian Chocolate will open its first Northern Virginia store in the Merrifield neighborhood this fall, confirmed Antony Verbaeys, the company’s U.S. managing director.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published August 8, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated August 8, 2022 at 8:55AM

A car at the Franconia-Springfield Metro station pick-up line (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Sidewalk Projects Planned to Address Route 7 Pedestrian Safety — Virginia and Fairfax County officials are working to add sidewalks along Route 7 in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads. Prioritized sites include the Liberty gas station where a pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle in December, prompting safety advocates to campaign for improvements. [Annandale Today]

Person Rescued from Lincolnia House Fire — “Units arrived on scene with smoke visible and fire on the second floor. Two of three occupants evacuated the home prior to fire department arrival. One occupant was trapped in a bedroom. Crews rescued the occupant via a ground ladder — unharmed!” [FCFRD]