After years of community discussion, a few months of tweaks to the plan and a snow delay, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is finally set to approve Lake Anne Development Partners’ vision for Crescent Apartments and the Lake Anne Plaza area.

The Board of Supervisors will vote on several LADP-related items at its meeting on Tuesday. Approval will mean the massive overhaul — which is slated to add more than 1,000 residences to where the 181-unit, county owned Crescent Apartments stands today. The votes were deferred from the supervisors’ Feb. 17 meeting due to a snowstorm that day that may have prevented people from attending the public hearing.

LADP’s plan also calls for 78,000 square feet of office space and 58,000 square feet of retail space, a modest-sized grocery store and realignment of Village Road. The project will also have a 1.1-acre central park, an outdoor amphitheater, a bike share station and 12 public art works, according to the project’s county staff report.

The interior section of Lake Anne Plaza, Reston’s original village center, has historic designation and will not be altered. However, developers hope the increased density and revitalization of the surrounding area will draw retailers and people to the plaza.

The project was recommended for approval earlier this year by the Fairfax County Planning Commission. The Board of Supervisors held public hearings on the project last month, where they were reminded to remember the residents of Crescent who count on affordable housing.

As part of its agreement with the county, Lake Anne Development Partners must provide 185 replacement affordable apartments and designate 20 percent of the other units as affordable and workforce housing.

LADP was chosen by the county in 2013 to redevelop the aging Crescent Apartments, which was purchased by the county for $49.5 million in 2006 for use as affordable housing.

Among the specifics the supervisors will be voting on at Tuesday’s meeting:

A reduction in parking. LADP requested to reduce by nearly 500 (18 percent) the number of parking spots in the Crescent area.

LADP says Crescent redevelopment is being planned in a more urban style, so it should not have to meet suburban standards and that the project has proffered a comprehensive transportation plan with specific goals and strategies targeted to reduce auto ownership among future residents as well as reducing parking supply. The project has proffered an overall 25-percent trip reduction goal for the resident and office users, which corresponds to a strategy that reduces the parking supply, acccording to county documents.

There will still be 2,167 total spaces when the project is fully developed, says LADP. That includes hundreds of garage spaces for Crescent residents and a 120-space parking garage to be built on a parcel of land adjacent to the current Lake Anne Plaza. That land, formerly owned by Reston Association, was the subject of a controversial land swap in late 2o13.

Land issues. The Supervisors will vote on the agreement for the 99-year ground lease by the county of the site for the replacement affordable units; the conveyance of the remaining approximately 1.2 acre portion of County owned land to Reston Association, who will in turn convey approximately 1.04 acres of adjacent land to LADP to facilitate the project (this is the final ruling on the 2013 land swap). Read more specifics in the Supervisors Agenda Package.

Earlier this year, LADP met county development conditions by agreeing to increase its contribution to the Fairfax County Park Authority from $100,000 to $500,000.

Renderings courtesy of LADP

Chesapeake Chocolates is now open in the former space occupied by Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine & Gourmet at 11426 Washington Plaza.

Virginia Wine & Gourmet had held a spot at Lake Anne Plaza since 1996. Owner Linda Fuller decided to retire and closed the store at the end of February.

Chesapeake Chocolates owner Doris Tyler, who had rented a tiny counter in a portion of the florist for the last seven years, has expanded into the rest of the store and leased it back from Fuller.

Chesapeake Chocolates held its grand reopening on Saturday,during the Virginia Polar Dip, which brought hundreds of people to the plaza.

Chesapeake Chocolates specializes in hand-dipped milk, dark and white chocolates. In additional to traditional varieties, Tyler has a large collection of chocolate molds and can custom make anything from a bushel of chocolate crabs to a collection of chocolate seashells or race cars, all of which would make a good gift for Valentine’s Day.

Chesapeake Chocolates will also carry other gift items such as handmade soaps and other gourmet snacks.

The store is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. They can be reached at 703-620-0082.

For eight years, Restonians have jumped into Lake Anne in early February for a good cause.

The annual Virginia Polar Dip  — where participants pledge a minimum of $100 to jump — raises money for Camp Sunshine, a Maine summer overnight experience for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Some years, it is a balmy 40-50 degrees. Other years, organizers have had to chain saw through the ice to get to the water.

This year, it looks like it will be the former. The forecast calls for partly cloudy a high of 50 degrees. The water, however, will be around freezing.

The festivities on Lake Anne Plaza begin at noon, with the jumps beginning at 2 p.m.

Last year’s Virginia Polar Dip raised more than $85,000. This year’s goal is to top $100,000, which will allow 50 families from the Mid-Atlantic area to attend Camp Sunshine. As of Thursday, there was nearly $70,000 in pledges.

For more information about the event or to register to participate, visit the event’s home page. Spectators are welcome free of charge.

Photo: Jumpers at an icy Lake Anne at the 2012 Virginia Polar Dip/file photo

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are considering a request from Lake Anne Development Partners to reduce by nearly 500 the number of parking spots that will be available in the area after the redevelopment of the 24.3 acres of Crescent Apartments and the surrounding area is completed.

The county has parking standards for suburban development, but since the Crescent redevelopment is being planned in a more urban style, the developers have asked for the reduction.

A reduction in parking will have a positive impact on traffic levels and walkability, among other reasons. Some of the reasons, according to county documents:

The project has proffered a comprehensive transportation plan with specific goals and strategies targeted to reduce auto‐ownership among future residents as well as reducing parking supply.

The project has proffered an overall 25-percent trip reduction goal for the resident and office users, which corresponds to a strategy that reduces the parking supply.

Managing parking by reducing supply helps to reduce the undesirable impacts of parking demand on local and regional traffic levels and the resulting impacts on community livability.

The project seeks to promote a vibrant community where people can live, play and work providing opportunities to limit auto‐ownership among residents; single occupancy vehicle trips.

This site is served by existing established Fairfax Connector and RIBs bus routes along North Shore Drive.

The site is located entirely within 1.65 miles of the Wiehle‐Reston East Silver Line Metro station providing a mass transit commuter option in the nearby proximity.

Most importantly, the project has proffered a comprehensive TDM and Parking Management Plan that will monitor and measure the project’s traffic and parking reduction goals. If the parking reductions are not achieved in the East Side, a plan to provide additional spaces has been proffered.

It has been requested that 477 fewer parking spaces serve the project. That is a parking reduction of 18 percent. A minimum total 2,167 spaces is proposed at full build-out to serve the East and West Sides of the project.

When it is completed, the project will have 1,037 new residential units (including replacement of the 181 affordable units at Crescent); 60,000 square feet of retail; a 15,800-square-foot grocery store; and 78,000 square feet of office space. 

“We worked with the County developing features insuring the walkability of the Lake Anne redevelopment,” said Stacy Hornstein, Senior Vice President and Director of Acquisition and Development for Republic, the parent company of Lake Anne Development Partners.

“In the area around Lake Anne commercial center we developed shared parking program that is based upon the model developed by Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). Parking in a mixed use environment has peaks and valleys and the ITE model creates a balance of parking needs at various times during the day and night. On the Crescent property we have requested a parking reduction due partly from the walkability of the community but also the efforts we have proffered to reduce the reliance on automobiles.“

The County Executive recommends that the Board approve the 18 percent parking reduction. The county also says parking should include at least 1,031 parking spaces on the west side of the development and a minimum of 1,136 parking spaces on the east side for a total of 2,167 total spaces when the project is fully developed.

At full build-out, a minimum of 388 garage parking spaces shall be maintained to serve the West Side residential dwelling units, the county executive said.

The project also calls for a 120-space parking garage to be built on a parcel of land adjacent to the current Lake Anne Plaza. That land, formerly owned by Reston Association, was the subject of a controversial land swap in late 2o13.

The board will also conduct public hearings on several Lake Anne-area topics. The public hearings were deferred from the Supervisors’ Jan. 27 meeting. The three separate topics all have to due with density and development conditions, as well as stormwater management, to allow the project to finally proceed.

The Supervisors will vote on the issue at their Feb. 17 meeting. The Supervisors will also conduct a public hearing and vote on Feb. 17 whether to move the entire Lake Anne-area plan forward.

The project was recommended for approval by the Fairfax County Planning Commission last week.

Rendering of Lake Anne/Crescent project/Credit: Lake Anne Development Partners

Chesapeake Chocolates, the tiny chocolatier that has been leasing a counter in a portion of Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine and Gourmet at Lake Anne Plaza for seven years, will expand into the rest of the storefront.

Lake Anne Florist owner Linda Fuller said previously she would retire at the end of January. There is currently a closing sale to move merchandise out of the store at 11426 Washington Plaza West.

Lake Anne Florist will close Jan. 31. The new Chesapeake Chocolates will open on Feb. 7.

Chesapeake Chocolates will increase its chocolate offerings and carry jewelry, pottery, crafts, plants, and more. Future plans include adding wine and craft beer, a Lake Anne Plaza spokesman said.

Chesapeake Chocolates owner Doris Tyler specializes in hand-dipped milk, dark and white chocolates. In additional to traditional varieties, Tyler has a large collection of chocolate molds and can custom make anything from a bushel of chocolate crabs to a collection of chocolate seashells or race cars.

For its Grand Opening, Chesapeake Chocolates will be offering free tastes on the plaza (inside store if weather permits), free dipped pretzels and coupons for future purchases.

Ten percent of the proceeds for the day will go to the Freezin’ for a Reason event taking place on the plaza the same day. Freezin’ for a Reason benefits Camp Sunshine, an overnight camp in Maine for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Photo of handmade chocolates at Chesapeake Chocolates/Credit: Yelp

Correction: an earlier version of this story said the Board of Supervisors would vote on the plan on Jan. 27. They will not vote until Feb. 17.

The long-awaited Crescent Apartments/Lake Anne area plan will go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in a series of meetings that get it closer to construction starting at the site of the aging apartment complex.

The first meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 27. It will focus on the public-private partnership between Lake Anne Development Partners and the county government, addressing the business aspects of the partnership such as the purchase and sale agreement and associated fees, county officials said.

The second public hearing will take place Feb. 17, and will focus on the LADP’s zoning application needed to proceed with the Lake Anne Redevelopment Plan.

Both hearings will take place at the Fairfax Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. To view the latest presentation on the Lake Anne Redevelopment Plan, Click Here. 

The Board of Supervisors public record is open. You can send comments Supervisor Cathy Hudgins at [email protected]. 

A vote of final approval from the board would clear the way for the project will add needed density to the Lake Anne area with 1,037 residential units (including replacement of the 181 affordable units at Crescent). It also plans 60,000 square feet of retail; a 15,800-square-foot grocery store; and 78,000 square feet of office space. 

The project will also have a 1.1-acre central park, an outdoor amphitheater, a bike share station and 12 public art works, according to the county planning staff report.

Lake Anne Plaza will not be redeveloped as it is a historic property. However, nearby revitalization is expected to improve the retail district at Lake Anne.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted 11-0 on Thursday to recommend approval of the project  to the Board of Supervisors.

A big sticking point held over from the Jan. 8 planning commission meeting was the contribution of developer Lake Anne Development Partners to the Fairfax County Park Authority. LADP wanted to proffer $100,000; the park authority wanted them to pay $1.4 million. The two sides reached a deal at a $500,000 contribution prior to Thursday’s planning commission meeting.

The planning commission also agreed to waive some conditions set forth by the planning staff concerning residential street length, transitional barriers and underground stormwater facilities.

LADP was chosen by the county in 2013 to redevelop the aging Crescent Apartments, which was purchased by the county in 2006 for affordable housing.

See the entire staff report on the project on Fairfax County’s website.

Photo: Artists rendering of Lake Anne-area redevelopment/Credit: LADP

Lake Anne Florist Virginia Wine and Gourmet is closing its doors later this week.

Now is your chance to take advantage of some great closing deals. Wine and beer are discounted 25 percent; Gourmet food discounted 50 percent.

The store is also offering deep discounts on wine accessories, baskets and containers  as well as “buy something, get something free,” Tuesday and Wednesday.

You can also pick up a small helium tank at the sale.

Store owner Linda Fuller is retiring. Fuller, who has been operating the shop at 11426 Washington Plaza since 1996 — and at other spots in and around Reston for 40 years — has been seeking an owner for her businesses since last summer. Asking price for the business is $24,995.

Other store closing and opening news around town:

Unleashed at Hunters Woods Village Center closed Jan. 24.

The Dandelion Patch at Reston Town Center is slated to close this week.

Today (Jan. 26) is the last day for The Gap at Reston Town Center.

Glory Days Grill at North Point Village Center opens for business on Wednesday.

Photo: Lake Anne Florist/file photo

More than 100 brave people will jump into Lake Anne at the annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Feb. 7.

The annual event — which attracts chilly participants in swimsuits as well as a wide variety of whacky costumes to the dock at Lake Anne Plaza — raises money for Camp Sunshine, a Maine summer overnight experience for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

The event warmup begins at noon. The dip begins at 2 p.m. Last year’s Virginia Polar Dip raised more than $85,000.

The Virginia Polar Dip was started in 2008 by the Toth family of Oakton. They first attended Camp Sunshine as a participating family in 1996,  when their then-3-year-old daughter Jennifer was a cancer patient at age 3.

After Jennifer participated in a Camp Sunshine Polar Dip in New Jersey, her family decided to bring the event to Virginia in order to help more local families. Since 2008, 931 people have participated in the Virginia Polar Dip, raising over $395,000 for the camp.

The event will be emceed for the fifth year in a row by 97.1 WASH-FM morning show radio personality Chilli Amar.

This year’s goal is to raise $100,000, which will allow 50 families from the Mid-Atlantic area to attend Camp Sunshine.

Each participant will raise a minimum of $100 for the “opportunity” to plunge into the chilly Lake Anne, which some years needs a crew to break through the ice for the event.

The event is sponsored by Lake Anne Plaza, Whole Foods Market Reston, Reston Lifestyle Magazine, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, David Madison Photography, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Spotted MP (Marketing + Public Relations), Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, Fairfax Christian School, 97.1 WASH-FM, Salon Khouri, Fusion 360, Small Change Consignment, and the Sheraton Reston Hotel.

For more information about the event or to register to participate, visit the event’s home page. Spectators are welcome free of charge.

Photo: Freezin’ for a Reason 2014/file photo

How much money Lake Anne Development Partners should proffer to the Fairfax County Park Authority is one of several sticking points as the county planning commission works towards recommending for approval the massive redevelopment project.

After a public hearing on Thursday, the planning commission said it will revisit the issue at the Jan. 22 meeting.

LADP, a division of Republic Land Development, was chosen by the county in the summer of 2013 to redevelop the county’s 16-acre Crescent Apartments site as well as areas adjacent to Lake Anne Plaza’s Historic District.

LADP’s plans for the area include 1,037 residential units, including replacement of the 181 affordable units at Crescent; 60,000 square feet of retail; a 15,800-square-foot grocery store; and 78,000 square feet of office space. The project will also have a 1.1-acre central park, an outdoor amphitheater, a bike share station and 12 public art works, according to the staff report.

The standard county rubric for fair share contributions to the Park Authority is $893 per resident. That means LADP should make a contribution of about $1.4 million, the county’s staff report said.

However, LADP says its fair share should be $100,000, paid in four installments.

“It is the staff’s opinion that what LADP is providing enhances the quality [of the area], but does not provide active amenities such as basketball courts or athletic fields,” a county representative said. “Their proffer is 7 percent of the recommended contribution.”

Lynne Strobel, the attorney representing LADP at Thursday’s hearing, said the developer’s application “is providing significant and costly improvements to Washington Plaza. Those are not unlike parks; they are public areas that serve the community.”

Strobel said the improvements to Washington Plaza total $1.2 million, so an alternative formula for LADP’s contribution should be used. Read More

Lake Anne Florist — Virginia Wine & Gourmet will close at the end of this month as owner Linda Fuller is retiring.

Fuller, who has been operating the shop at 11426 Washington Plaza since 1996 — and at other spots in and around Reston for 40 years — has been seeking an owner for her businesses since last summer. Asking price for the business is $24,995.

Chesapeake Chocolates, the homemade chocolatier that rents a small corner of the Lake Anne Florist space, will remain open.

Meanwhile, Lake Anne Florist will hold a big retirement sale from now until Jan. 31. Among the discounts:

• Wine and Beer — 25 percent off
• Virginia Gourmet — 50 percent off
• Wine accessories — 50 percent off
• Flowers — Fresh Holland tulips at $5.99 per bunch

Lake Anne Florist is one of several locally-owned businesses at Lake Anne to close in the last year. In 2014, The CupCake Ladi, New Family Naturals, Lakeside Pharmacy and Jasmine Cafe all shut their doors. Lake Anne Coffee House remains for sale.

The area surrounding the plaza is readying to undergo a massive redevelopment, which will bring higher density to the area and is expected to revitalize the retail area in the historic part of Lake Anne Plaza.

Photo by Lake Anne Florist via Facebook

The plans for massive redevelopment in the Lake Anne area are ready to move forward in 2015. The first step: a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing on Jan. 8.

A 350-page staff report issued by the county planning commission in late December recommends approval of the redevelopment, provided developers Lake Anne Development Partners meet proffer and other conditions.

Lake Anne Development Partners was chosen by the county in the summer of 2013 to redevelop the area, including the 16-acre site of the county-owned Crescent Apartments.

LADP’s plans for the area include 1,037 residential units, including replacement of the 181 affordable units at Crescent; 60,000 square feet of retail; a 15,800-square-foot grocery store; and 78,000 square feet of office space.

The project will also have a 1.1 acre central park, an outdoor amphitheater, a bike share station and 12 public art works, according to the report.

See the entire report on Fairfax County’s website.

Among some of the staff report conditions:

• LADP must contribute $100,000 in four installments to the Fairfax County Park Authority. Additionally, Fairfax County recommends $893 per new resident as a proffer guideline, which means that LADP should eventually contribute more than $1.4 million to the park authority. 
• LADP must contribute $1,006,725 to Fairfax County Public Schools
• Road improvements will include widening Village Road from North Shore to Baron Cameron, with three northbound and two southbound lanes.
• Build an elevated walkway from the Crescent Apartments area and a 10-foot-wide Crescent Trail.

In December, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved comprehensive plan changes for Lake Anne-area revitalization.

The changes approved in December mostly tweaked densities and added continuity to the six separate land bays, including the county-owned Crescent Apartments, that comprise the Lake Anne revitalization area.

The interior of Lake Anne Plaza is under historic designation and will not be altered. However, Lake Anne merchants and Republic Development (LADP’s parent company) President and CEO David Peter have said they hoped added density and additional retail nearby will bring new life to the plaza.

Several Lake Anne Plaza businesses closed in 2014. Among them: Lakeside Pharmacy, Jasmine Cafe, The CupCake Ladi and New Family Naturals.

A new pet supply store, PetMAC, has taken over The CupCake Ladi space. Singh Thai restaurant at Lake Anne will move into the Jasmine space. A dry cleaner has signed a lease for the New Family Naturals vacancy. The large Lakeside Pharmacy space remains vacant and the Lake Anne Coffee House and Lake Anne Florist are both for sale.

The Reston Association Design Review Board approved LADP’s concept in October.

The county planning commission discussion and hearing will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center on Jan. 8 at 8:15 pm. If recommended for approval, the plan will go to the Board of Supervisors for a Jan. 27 public hearing.

Peter said the entire project should take at least 10 years to complete.

The staff report says the project will take place in three phases:

• Phase 1: Demolish the Association of School Business Officials’ building, the Lake Anne Service Station and three buildings at Crescent. Replace the 181 existing affordable housing units, realign Village Road and build grocery store.
• Phase 2: Demolish two Crescent buildings. Construct townhouses at Crescent.
• Phase 3A, 3B, 3C: Demolish Millennium Bank building, currently housing Just Cats Clinic. Demolish convenience store building. Develop residential tower and more multifamily construction.

PetMAC — the Marketplace and Adoption Center, opened its doors at Lake Anne Plaza on Friday.

The locally owned pet supply shop is located at 11412 Washington Plaza West, in the space formerly occupied by The CupCake Ladi.

PetMAC is a nutrition-based pet supply shop selling all-natural pet foods, treats, toys and other supplies for dogs and cats, says owner Cindy Williams. They work closely with local animal rescue groups to host adoption fairs, and will have resident cats available for adoption at the shop.

PetMAC made the move to Lake Anne after more than nine years in the Virginia Square area of Arlington.

“I loved being in Arlington, but we were a stand-alone building and I really wanted to be a part of a community of other merchants and residents,” said Williams. “I moved from Vienna to Reston two years ago and fell in love with Lake Anne and thought it would be the perfect place for PetMAC.”

Williams is a native of the DC area who formerly worked in corporate America. She opened the shop after volunteering and working in the animal rescue field. The business began as a web-based one, and Williams did local pet food and supply deliveries.

In 2005, Williams opened the Arlington location of PetMAC, in partnership with Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. PetMAC still works closely with the animal rescue group, as well as others, to find homes for dogs and cats in need. PetMAC donates a portion of their sales to one of their partner animal rescue groups each quarter, in addition to sponsoring and donating to various fundraisers benefiting animals.

PetMAC will regularly be hosting dog and cat adoption events, as well as seminars by veterinarians and other industry experts, food tasting demos, and social events such as Yappy Hours, photos with Santa and a yearly Howl-o-Ween party for dogs.

PetMAC has a number of events scheduled for January.

Jan. 4 and 11, 12 to 2 p.m. — Cat adoptions with Homeward Trails.

Jan. 17, 10 a.m. to noon — Adoptable dogs from Homeward Trails, and a representative from Answers Raw Pet Foods will be offering samples and providing information.

For more information about PetMAC and upcoming events, go to their website at www.petmac.org and click on the Lake Anne page.

Winter operating hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

An established Lake Anne restaurant will move into the space at Lake Anne Plaza that housed Jasmine Cafe for more than 20 years.

Singh Thai, currently located at 11424 Washington Plaza, hopes to open Feb. 1 at 1633 Washington Plaza, said co-owner Chai Lerlertkitsakun.

“The space there is a lot bigger,” he said. “The layout is good and we will have good visibility in that space.”

Singh Thai has been in its current spot for nearly five years.

Jasmine Cafe had been a mainstay of Lake Anne since the 1980s. It abruptly closed last April when restaurant owner Eduardo Faubert got into a dispute with the property owner over back rent.

Lerlertkitsakun says he will spend the next few months renovating the former Jasmine space. He will also retain Jasmine’s outdoor seating.

Now that comprehensive plan changes for Lake Anne-area revitalization have been approved, the real work can begin on transforming Crescent Apartments and the surrounding areas.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week approved changes that mostly tweaked densities and added continuity to the six separate land bays that comprise the Lake Anne revitalization area.

That sets the stage for the next round of county discussions and approvals to begin in early January.

Lake Anne Development Partners, which was chosen by the county in the summer of 2013 to redevelop the area, has shown concept designs of a wide entry boulevard, mixed-use housing and enhanced retail.

LADP’s plan concept calls for up to 1,535 dwelling units and up to 135,000 square feet of non-residential use under full consolidation.

Crescent Apartments is a county-owned affordable apartment complex. The plans call for replacement of all 181 affordable units on the 16-acre property, as well as adding additional affordable units and market rate units, including an active seniors community.

The interior of Lake Anne Plaza is under historic designation and will not be altered. However, Lake Anne merchants and Republic Development (LADP’s parent company) President and CEO David Peter have said they hoped added density and additional retail nearby will bring new life to the plaza.

Staff reports on the Lake Anne plans are scheduled to be released in late December. The Reston Association Design Review Board approved LADP’s concept in October.

The county planning commission will discuss the Lake Anne plans on Jan. 8 at 8:15 pm. If recommended for approval, the plan will go to the Board of Supervisors for a Jan. 27 public hearing.

Peter said the entire project should take at least 10 years to complete.

PetMAC, the locally owned pet supply store opening this month at Lake Anne Plaza, is inviting all pet owners to bring their pets in on Saturday, Dec. 13, for a photo with Santa.

Santa will be at the store, located at 11412 Washington Plaza, from 2 to 4 p.m.

“Santa loves our pets as much as we do, so bring your dog or cat to sit with Santa for a photo and to let him know what your best friend wants for Christmas this year (hint, hint, PetMAC’s Christmas toys and treats make perfect stocking stuffers),” says PetMAC owner Cindy Williams.

Cats are welcome during the last half hour of the event, says Williams. She asks that they cats visit the store in a secure cat carrier.

Reservations are requested. To reserve a time with Santa, please call 703-908-7387. Walk-ins will be accepted, depending on availability.

The cost of the photo is a $15 donation (cash or check), which will be given to Homeward Trails to help rescue more cats and dogs in need of homes.

Photo Courtesy of Virginia Tech, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine