News

Lego Discovery Center is planning a big birthday bash to celebrate its first anniversary in Springfield.

The 32,000-square-foot play area dedicated to all things Legos will kick off the birthday festivities at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) — exactly one year after it launched — by announcing a name for its giraffe outside Springfield Town Center.


News

Across the U.S., malls are trying to make a comeback in a post-pandemic world, pulling consumers back to spaces once considered to be on the decline amid the rise of e-commerce.

Yet, representatives for Springfield Town Center argue that the actual risk to malls comes not from e-commerce, but from a failure to evolve with shifting consumer preferences.


Around Town

(Updated at 4/2/24) Build-A-Bear Workshop is seeking a permit from Fairfax County to renovate a space at Springfield Town Center.

Earlier this month, the Missouri-based toy retailer submitted a permit application for “interior alterations” at an undisclosed space inside the mall. The cost of the renovations total more than $50,000, according to county records.


Around Town

An event for foodies — specifically barbeque fanatics — is coming this week to Fairfax County.

The first-ever Halal Ribfest is coming to Springfield Town Center (6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway) this Friday through Sunday (Oct. 27-29) as part of a 20-city tour. As suggested by its name, the festival features halal food — an Arabic term that denotes meat that is slaughtered in accordance with methods prescribed by Islamic law.


Around Town

The dalmation and husky from “Paw Patrol” will be on call at Springfield Town Center (6500 Springfield Mall) tomorrow (Saturday) to give kids a day of fun before school resumes on Aug. 21.

Appearances by the animated dogs Marshall and Everest — or at least people costumed to look like them — are among the attractions promised for the mall’s “Fuel for School” event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Grand Court near the newly opened Lego Discovery Center.


Around Town

The highly anticipated Lego Discovery Center has launched in Springfield, though it’ll be a few more days before the brick-building mecca officially welcomes the general public.

With a ribbon cut by scissors made out of Lego bricks and a burst of confetti, the 32,000-square-foot attraction opened its doors at Springfield Town Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Suite 12004) around 11 a.m. yesterday to dozens of kids, parents and other adults who snagged advance tickets.


Countywide

Thefts at retail businesses in Fairfax County dropped sharply in June after spiking this spring, local police say.

The Fairfax County Police Department reported on Thursday (July 6) that there were 573 shoplifting offenses last month, down from 642 offenses in May and 603 in April. The department attributes the decline to its increased focus on retail thefts as part of a 2023 summer crime prevention initiative.


Around Town

A Pride Month celebration is coming to Springfield Town Center for the first time ever.

The shopping center at 6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway will host its inaugural Pride Night Out tomorrow (Friday) from 6-9 p.m. in the lower level Grand Court area near Starbucks.


Around Town

The much-anticipated Lego Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center (6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway) will open on Aug. 9, meeting its promised summer launch date.

The company announced the grand opening date yesterday (Monday), inviting community members to sign up for its newsletter for access to pre-sale tickets.


Around Town

(Updated at 1:55 p.m. on 4/6/2023) Spring is here, and despite a cold snap over the weekend, cherry trees around the D.C. area are rapidly approaching full bloom.

The Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin remain on track with the National Park Service’s prediction that they will reach peak bloom — meaning that 70% of the flowers will be open — between Wednesday and Saturday (March 22-25).


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