(Updated at 3:07 pm to clarify opening date) Reston Town Center’s new steak house is gearing il for a launch this year.
Fogo de Chão plans to on open in the spring at 11915 Democracy Drive.
The restaurant, which has locations in Tysons, North Bethesda and Penn Quarter, will feature an open-air churrasco bar where guests can watch chefs prepare multiple cuts. Another bar area includes whiskey and bourbon.
This is the second Fogo location in northern Virginia. It takes space formerly vacated by Big Bowl, which called RTC home for nearly two decades.
“We are proud of our brand’s rapid growth in recent years as we expand in new and existing cities, and credit that to our differentiated, experiential dining and broad guest appeal,” said Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chão. “We’ve been fortunate to be able to bring our experience to the Metro DC area for nearly 17 years, and we look forward to sharing the culinary art of churrasco with guests at Reston Town Center soon.”
Here’s more from the company on the opening;
The new restaurant will feature unique design aesthetics, including wood-beamed ceilings, modern chandeliers and a towering glass wine case displaying many of South America’s finest varietals. Dry aged meat lockers for in-house aging display indulgent cuts such as a 32 oz. long bone Tomahawk Ribeye, aged for a minimum of 42 days for rich flavor. Fogo’s “next level” design concept includes an elevated bar experience for guests to enjoy all-day happy hour and relax with a craft cocktail, premium South American wine, whiskey, or bourbon. The Reston location will also offer Fogo To-Go and Offsite Catering so guests can enjoy Fogo in any space.
The restaurant was first founded in southern Brazil in 1979 and has since expanded throughout the world.
Image via Fogo de Chão
Heading into this weekend before Valentine’s Day, here are the top stories on Reston Now from this week.
- Clyde’s in Reston Town Center is closing after 31 years
- Fairfax County Board to consider bus service changes for Silver Line extension
- After decades of business, The Bird Feeder appears to have closed
- No injuries reported in Herndon house fire
- WETA to feature Reston in upcoming show
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
After 31 years of business, Clyde’s of Reston is closing its doors.
In an announcement yesterday, Clyde’s Restaurant Group said the Reston Town Center will close on May 21, bringing an end to a business that has been a part of Reston’s urban core for decades.
CRG’s president John McDonnell said the company has enjoyed being a part of the community.
“From its earliest days, Clyde’s of Reston has been a part of the extraordinary Reston neighborhood as a comfortable and timeless gathering place,” says John McDonnell, CRG President. “Clyde’s has had a tremendous 31-year run in the Town Center and we are so grateful for the steadfast support of the community.”
Clyde’s lovers may not need to grieve for long, however. The company is considering opening another location in the Greater Reston area.
“We are very excited about the growth and development activity in the area and are eager to share some big news soon,” Jeff Owens, CRG’s chief financial and corporate development officer, said.
The company plans to retain its 73-member staff roster in other locations.
Boston Properties did not indicate what will replace the business once it shutters.
“Reston Town Center continues to offer a variety of restaurants to suit different tastes and budgets and we look forward to announcing some exciting new additions in the coming months,” the company’s marketing director wrote in a statement to Reston Now.
Photo courtesy of Molly Quigley
County Government to Develop COVID-19 Memorial — “Fairfax County supervisors on Feb. 8 directed staff from the county’s Facilities Management Department, Park Authority and other agencies to begin planning for a COVID-19 memorial that will be placed on property owned by the county government or its park system.” [Sun Gazette]
Reston Association to Host Candidate Forum — Residents can meet candidates running for RA’s Board of Directors election in a debate-style forum on Feb. 23. [RA]
McKay Responds to Senate Move on Mask Authority — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said that he is deeply disappointed in the state Senate’s attempt to overturn local authority to be able to require masks in schools. He says that a “one size fits all directive will only put our children and teachers at risk.” [McKay]
Photo by David Taube
The weekly planner is a roundup of interesting events over the next week in the Herndon and Reston area.
We’ve searched the web for events of note. Want to submit a listing? Submit your pitch here!
Monday, Feb. 7
- Babes in the Woods — 10-11 a.m. at Walker Nature Center — Have your toddler make crafts, eat a snack and take part in activities that build motor and other skills. Cost starts at $8.
Tuesday, Feb. 8
- March & April Herndon Community Center programming registration — Begins at 10 a.m. online — After Herndon residents got first dibs, signs-ups for upcoming classes, from martial arts to yoga classes and more, open up to non-Herndon residents.
Wednesday, Feb. 9
- Beginner Yoga Series — 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at New Trail cycling studio — A four-week series delivers 30-minute classes on Wednesdays. Cost is $60.
Thursday, Feb. 10
- Josh Allen Band — Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern — Hear a range of rock ‘n’ roll and country covers and more as this local band delivers its first performance at this Herndon hangout.
Friday, Feb. 11
- Bobby Thompson – Acoustic Blues — 6-9 p.m. at Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar — Taste wine and hear music from Arlingtonian, blues rocker Bobby Thompson.
Saturday, Feb. 12
- Calamity Improv — 7:30-9 p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon — Dark Horse Theatre Co. delivers zany, one-of-a-kind performances that form a blend between “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Saturday Night Live.” Tickets start at $15 ($10 for students).
Sunday, Feb. 13
- Valentine’s Day Carriage Rides — Noon to 3 p.m. at Reston Town Center — Take part in a horse-drawn carriage ride. Reservations required. Following rides on Saturday, event also continues Monday. Tickets start at $30.
A distillery and restaurant will transform a space at Reston Town Center, possibly at the end of this year.
Open Road Distillery — along with a chef-driven speakeasy-style restaurant Heirloom — will share a space at the former Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market (1871 Fountain Drive), part of numerous changes coming to the shopping-office-residential destination.
The Burn first reported the exact location of the new business.
Matthew Carlin, president of the West Falls Church-based Metropolitan Hospital Group, tells Reston Now that the end of 2022 is a target date for opening, but it will likely be pushed to the beginning of 2023.
“Having been born and raised in Northern Virginia, I have always wanted to be part of a great landmark like the Reston Town Center. We are excited to bring something truly unique to the Reston community,” Carlin also said in a statement.
The new space will feature a casual dining room, indoor/outdoor patio bar, live music and a tasting room with distillery tours.
The new distillery comes through Carlin and Metropolitan Hospitality Group chief operating officer Vince Spinoso, who have brought forth other restaurants throughout Virginia and D.C., including CIRCA, Open Road, Trio Grill, El Bebe and Salt. The distillery marks a new approach for the pair.
Carlin says they’ll be in need of many workers.
Photo via Google Maps.Â
Boston Properties has executed 11 office leases in the fourth quarter of the year, filling more than 140,00 square feet in previously vacant space.
The company has signed a lease with Peraton, a technology company, for 90,000-square-feet of space in Reston Town Center, a company representative told Reston Now.
So far, the first phase of the company’s Reston Next project has been delivered. The project is 85 percent leased, with Fannie Mae as the anchor tenant.
Gainwell, a Pennsylvania-based technology company, has also leased 11,000 square feet of space at the next phase of Reston Town Center, according to Boston Properties..
Other leases include:
- SoFi, a personal finance company
- Lennar Multifamily
- About Objects, a computer consultancy firm
- Addison Group, an employment agency
“It is transformative to the Reston skyline and it’s a five-minute walk to the heart of the town center retail,” Doug Linde, Boston Properties director and president, said.
The company appears to have generated extra income earlier than expected from leasing, particularly in Reston and San Fransisco.
Boston Properties has also collected payments from several tenants that it had written off in 2020.
Jake Stroman, a senior vice president of Boston Properties, said Reston is the “poster child” for attracting tenants who are currently housed in suburban campuses.
“We saw our portfolio there materially outperforms both in terms of occupancy deal flow and especially rental rates,” Stroman said. “And we’re attracting tenants who may be in an unamenitized suburban campus coming back to the urban core in Reston Town Center.”
Staff photo by David Taube
Boston Properties Makes Progress in Reston — The Boston-based real estate firm has signed 11 office leases at Reston Town Center, which signals that the company is picking up business this year. [Washington Business Journal]
Permit Process Begins Early — The county is encouraging residents to beat the rush for outdoor permits from the county. Permitting for summer projects like decks and screened porches tend to be busy, county officials warn. [Fairfax County Government]
Widow of Bob Simon Acquitted from Misdemeanor Charge — Cheryl Terio-Simon, the widow of Reston’s founder Bob Simon, was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery. The incident happened in October outside of Reston Community Center. [Reston Patch]
Possible Winter Weather On the Way — Some snow may be possible this week. Snow could develop on Friday and into Saturday this week. [Ready Fairfax]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Banana Republic is planning to close its location at Reston Town Center by the end of the month.
A store representative tells Reston Now that the retailer, which sells women’s and men’s business casual clothing, is expected to close by Jan. 24.
No word yet on what will replace the store at 11905 Democracy Drive.
Banana Republic has other locations in Dulles Town Center, Tysons Corner Center, and Montgomery, Md.
County permits do not indicate what will take up the space, once it is vacated.
The parent company, Gap Inc., plans to close 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores by the end of next year. The closures are part of the company’s plans to move out of malls and other areas where foot traffic is low.
The company did not return several requests for comment.
Boston Properties has indicated that seven new businesses are expected to open this year.
Compass Real Estate, for example, is in the permitting process to open at 11943 Democracy Drive.
Crunch Fitness closed on Dec. 20.
Image via Google Maps
Crunch Fitness in Reston Town Center has closed.
The fitness center — which routinely offered outdoor classes and activities near the pavilion — offered a full slate of tines classes, personal training, and other services.
Crunch Fitness opened in 2014.  No word yet on what new business will take over the gym’s current location.Â
The business has locations across the country, Canada and Costa Rica. Locally, Crunch has locations in Baltimore, Md., Timonium, Md., and the District.Â
The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but a sign posted on the gym’s door says that last day of business was Dec. 20.
Boston Properties has remained mum about new tenants expected to open at the town center.Â
So far, Open Road Distillery, Hammer & Nails and Compass Real Estate have signed leases with the company, along with a new steakhouse.Â
The company has declined to comment further on those leases.Â
Image via Crunch Fitness
The Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chão is looking to expand in the northern Virginia region.
Permits show the restaurant is looking to add a location at Reston Town Center at 11915 Democracy Drive across from outdoor dining staple Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge and the Mexican restaurant Uncle Julio’s.
The addition would make it one of numerous additions coming to the shopping district in 2022. It would fill a location that’s been vacant for most of the COVID-19 pandemic after the Chinese and Thai restaurant Big Bowl closed in early 2020 after nearly two decades of business.
A marketing executive with the Plano, Texas-based company didn’t respond to a message seeking comment, but a New York City public relations firm for Fogo de Chão answered, saying they have limited information available and adding that they’ll “be in touch with a bit more insight when available.”
But a manager at the Tysons location tells Reston Now that the new location should open in 2022, hopefully by the middle of the year, noting that the Tysons location will remain.
Fogo de Chão has yet to start hiring for the new location, the Tysons manager said. The Brazilian steakhouse is also working to open another location in Southern California.
Photo by Josh Hrach/Flickr
Boston Properties’ CEO Doug Linde says that Reston’s urban market is dramatically outperforming other areas.
In a quarterly earnings call, Line said that the community’s urban market core is under 10 percent vacant, bringing in starting rents in the high 50s and 60s gross.
The company’s Reston Next Project — which is welcoming anchor tenant Fannie Mae this month — has secured rents starting in the low 60s. The company takes up roughly 700,00 square feet of space. Volkswagen will also move into that project.
Reston Town Center also secured several leases this year. While the company did not disclose the name’s of the latest tenants, Boston Properties signed a 20,000-square-foot lease with a new theater operator.
Last week, the company also completed a 20,000-square-foot fitness operator.
He also said three other leases for restaurants are “close to execution.”
Last month, the company confirmed that Open Road Distillery, Hammer & Nails, and Compass Real Estate signed leases and are slated to open next year.
So far, the company has declined to comment further on the leases.
Reston Company Adds New Domains — Public Interest Registry is adding .giving, .charity, and .foundation to its network. The Reston-based company hopes to give more options for nonprofits, mission-driven organizations, and other entities. [Technical.ly]
Where to Find the Best Holiday Trees — There are many options to find the biggest and brightest trees in Northern Virginia. One local option is Reston Town Center, which is also hosting horse-drawn carriage rides and min train rides. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
County Issues Guidance on COVID-19 — The county is encouraging residents to maintain social distancing as the holidays draw near. Cases of COVID-19 are increasing. Northern Virginia has returned to a high transmission level this week, although the Omicron variant has not been identified locally. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Planning is underway to begin the construction of a sidewalk along the south side of Sunrise Valley Drive and west of Reston Parkway.
The roughly half a-million-dollar project is expected to improve pedestrian connectivity near the future Reston Town Center Metro Station, which is expected to open sometime in the spring of next year.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering an agreement to fund the project at a meeting today. The project was recommended in the Reston Area Metrorail Station Access Group study, which endeavored to ensure ample pedestrian connectivity and walkability to and from Metro stations in the area.
The agreement would be made with the Metropolitan Washington Airports. Authority.
MWAA has already constructed a contractor for the sidewalk project. Last year, the county already completed the first phase of the project from Glade Drive to just east of the Reston Association entrance.
If the agreement is approved this week, MWAA expects the project to take roughly four months to complete.
“There are no anticipated delays to Phase 2 of the Silver Line with the inclusion of this work,” according to a Dec. 7 staff memo.
The weekly planner is a roundup of interesting events over the next week in the Herndon and Reston area.
We’ve searched the web for events of note. Want to submit a listing? Submit your pitch here!
Monday, Dec. 6
- Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights— 5:30-10 p.m. at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens — Enjoy lights and holiday scenes in this annual transformation, which will stick around through Jan. 2. Tickets start at $16.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
- Bouncin’ Babies — 10:30-11 a.m. online — Sing songs, read stories and enjoy the sounds of a ukulele with this literacy program hosted by Fairfax County Public Library.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
- Chair & Mat Yoga Class — 10-11 a.m. online — A class geared for relaxation makes use of both a yoga mat and chair.
Thursday, Dec. 9
- “The Nutcracker” — 7 p.m. at the CenterStage with performances through Sunday– Reston’s Conservatory Ballet performs this holiday classic. Face masks required. Tickets start at $30.
Friday, Dec. 10
- Critter Caboodle Workshop — 7-8 p.m. at the Walker Nature Center — Create woodland critters using natural materials. Face masks required. The cost starts at $10.
- “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” — 8 p.m. at NextStop Theatre Co. with recurring performances throughout December — A three-member cast brings together this satirical and irreverent holiday production featuring traditional carols to pop-cultural references and of course, Christmas icons ranging from Santa to the Grinch. Tickets start at $25.
Saturday, Dec. 11
- Holiday Market — noon to 4 p.m. at the Reston National Golf Course — From photos with Santa to free hot drinks, local vendors, food trucks, music, and more, celebrate the holiday season with this family-friendly event. Free and open to the public.
Sunday, Dec. 12
- Reston Town Center Holiday Performances — 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Promenade — Sing along and enjoy holiday performances by The Beltway Brass Quintet and Reston Chorale.
