When the Exxon Station/Circle K Convenience Store at 11854 Sunrise Valley Dr. is fully remodeled by the end of the summer, it will have something new.
The convenience store — which currently has many of its beverage coolers outside the store as the inside is renovated — will have Reston’s first Laredo Taco Company location.
Laredo Taco Company is a popular chain of fast casual Mexican restaurants found inside 480 Stripes convenience stores in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Laredo Taco bills itself as “fast, fun, friendly and delicious,” offering “generous portions of your favorite Mexican food, handmade with the freshest ingredients every day.” Its menu includes made-to-order breakfast tacos, beef enchiladas and beef fajitas, as well as a salsa bar.
There will be a couple of seats in the store, but mostly it is geared toward takeout, Exxon management said.
Laredo Taco Company has made a push to towards the East Coast recently, opening locations in gas stations in Ashburn and in Pennsylvania.
Photo: Lardeo Taco Company/Yelp
Vienna’s Kiln & Co., a locally owned paint-your-own pottery studio, has set up in the old Lakeside Pharmacy space at Lake Anne Plaza for a summer pop-up studio.
The business is exploring the idea of signing a permanent lease, but for now will be open daily for young artists to drop in or to take part in a summer camp.
Summer camps will be offered beginning the week of June 27. Half and Full Day sessions are available. Camps have various themes such as “Zoofari,” “Under the Sea,” or Garden Party. Check out Kiln & Co.’s website for more information. Camps start at about $350 a week.
The art studio will also bring over products from Kustard & Company in Vienna for a summer frozen custard stand. Kustard & Company offers about a half-dozen flavors of custard daily, as well as custard pies, shakes and other treats.
The space at 1641 Washington Plaza has been vacant since September of 2014. The pharmacy, in operation for more than 40 years, had been the last original business at Lake Anne Plaza.
Reston has a new pet supply store. Pet Valu recently opened its doors at 1422 North Point Village Center.
Pet Valu, a national franchise that also has a South Lakes Village Center store, sells pet supplies, food, toys and other necessities. It also hosts pet rescue groups for weekend adoption events.
The North Point store features a do-it-yourself dog washing station.
There will be an all-day grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 25. The day will feature raffles, prizes, adoption information, goody bags, balloon art, magic, and more, says Pet Valu.
Reston’s NVR is back on the Fortune 500 list after an eight-year absence.
The homebuilder and parent company of Ryan Homes was hit hard by the real estate downturn and was off the list since 2007-08.
But with a 16.1-percent jump in revenues this year over last, the company just barely makes it at No. 498. NVAR posted revenues of $5.2 billion last year.
Eight Fairfax County-based companies in a variety of industries made Fortune magazine’s 2016 list of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the United States. That is the same as in 2015.
Fairfax County has more companies on the list than 30 states and the District of Columbia, says the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
“The Fortune 500 list continues to demonstrate that Fairfax County is one of the best business locations in the nation, and the top location in the Washington area for large headquarters operations,” Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said in a statement. “The fact that we have eight companies from a diversity of industry sectors on the list also demonstrates the long-established and ongoing evolution of the county’s economy beyond our government contracting base.”
Fairfax County businesses on the Fortune 500:
43. Freddie Mac (Financial services)
88. General Dynamics (Aerospace and defense). General Dynamics plans to move its headquarters to a new building in Reston in the next several years.
112. Capital One Financial (Financial services)
118. Northrop Grumman (Aerospace and defense)
233. CSC (Information technology)
254. Hilton Worldwide (Hotels, resorts)
487. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding (Information technology)
498. NVR (Home construction)
For every group of Reston residents floating around on a summer night on Lake Thoreau, there’s another party that’s stalled, swearing and sometimes, paddling to shore.
That’s why Erin Cloney has started a business to help the unique issues of Reston boat owners. Cloney has discovered, like so many Restonians, that the neighborhood pontoon and deck boats need special care.
Those boats mainly run on batteries and small motors, and those need special attention to work properly, he said. Many boat owners don’t realize until it is too late and they are out of power, said Cloney, who calls himself the company’s “Chief Problem Solver.”
“Everyone out there on the lake has problems,” said Cloney, a seven-year resident of Lake Thoreau. “And every spring, I tow people back.”
That’s how SolvTec LLC was formed. Cloney, an electrical and security engineer by day, has started this side business to keep Reston’s boats in, well, ship-shape.
For $20 ($30 if not on Lake Thoreau), he will come over and investigate your boat problem. He checks the motors, the batteries, even the electrical outlets, where the problem sometimes originates. Prices after that vary with the issue and the solution.
Cloney can also do small decking, lighting and upholstery repairs. He will even come tow you if you get stranded on your boat (and then of course help you fix the motor so it does not happen again). See a full list of services here.
The only thing Cloney can’t do is pull a boat out of the water — but he can call someone who can.
He says Reston’s boats run on standard marine batteries, and many Reston residents don’t “properly care for them” and they wear out quickly.
“The battery industry is kind of a scam,” he said. “The industry does not want them to last long. They want you to turn them in so they can recycle them.”
But most boat owners want to have a beer and float around the lake.
“They want to go out and have their glass of wine and not worry about how to get back,” said Cloney. “
Having a boat issue? Visit SolvTec’s website or call 770-540-7750 or email [email protected].
Photo courtesy Erin Cloney
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, the latest in a series of men’s salons to open in the past year in Reston, is now taking clients on Market Street at Reston Town Center.
The salon opened last month in a previously unfinished space at 11990 Market St., on the ground floor of Midtown Condominiums. Roosters joins PR Barbers, which opened last fall on Market Street, and North Point Barber Shop, new to North Point in May.
Roosters, a national franchise, is offering high-end grooming just for men, including hair cuts and “color camouflage,” beard trims, head shaving, hot towel shaves and more.
Roosters says it aims to combine the “charm and comfort of of an old school barbershop updated for the modern man.”
Some of the special offerings: Roosters Club Cut ($45); Signature 7-Step Facial Shave ($38); Head Shave ($45); and Camouflage (gray blending, $40).
Roosters’ hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (571) 325-2888 or visit Roosters website for an appointment.
One of Reston Town Center’s longest-running tenants is moving — but just to another location at RTC.
Davelle Clothiers, which has been located at 11904 Market St. for 25 years, will open a new space this summer. The new shop will be just across the lobby of the same building, and will face the parking garage rather than the fountain, Davelle management says.
The locally owned men’s clothing store is currently holding a moving sale, where all merchandise is 30 to 60 percent off.
When the store relocates later this summer, it will be into a larger space with much more offerings, says Davelle’s website. Look for a custom design studio, an expanded shoe department and refreshments, among other changes.
There are a batch of men’s grooming opening around Reston, but the owners of North Point Barber say their niche is old-school, no-nonsense men’s hair care.
Cousins Trang Nguyen and Kevin Do opened North Point Barbers at 1436 North Point Village Center about two weeks ago. Even though the shop is a few doors down from a Hair Cuttery and the high-end KLS Studios, Nguyen says they know they have a market.
“We are not doing color,” said Nguyen, who worked at nearby Reston Barber Shop for 10 years. “Nothing fancy. Just making men look handsome.”
Customer Joseph Britto, getting a haircut on Wednesday, says that’s what brought him into the shop.
“I am just a guy who wants a straightforward haircut,” he said.
Cuts at North Point Barber are $14, with discounts for kids, seniors and military members. They also offer hot towel shaves. Walk-ins are welcome.
North Point Barber is open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 703-429-1147.
Brighton Collectibles is closing its Reston Town Center store.
The last day for the store at 11858 Market St. will be Sunday, May 22, store management said.
Brighton, which sells handbags, wallets, costume jewelry and other accessories, opened at Reston Town Center in late 2012.
There are no special sales happening as the store stock is being shipped back to the chain’s national headquarters.
That part of Market Street near Presidents Street will soon undergo redevelopment as Boston Properties plans to construct a 17-story office building there.
The redevelopment was approved last year. A Boston Properties spokesman said the start date for the project has not yet been determined. However, look for Ann Taylor and FedEx Kinko’s to also be affected by the project.
The owners of a new barbershop at North Point Village Center say they will be opening their doors on Friday.
North Point Barber will provide men’s hair care and grooming at 1436 North Point Village Center. The space was formerly occupied by Fotoimage 1HR, which closed in January.
There has been a run of men’s grooming locations popping up around Reston in the last year. High-end salon Joe Grooming (now PR Barbers) opened at Reston Town Center, and an outpost of Roosters Men’s Grooming will also open on Market Street next week.
At North Point, there is also a wide selection of places to get groomed, including KLS Salon, Hair Cuttery, Massage Envy and Sahel’s Medical Spa & Beauty Studio.
Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market has signed a lease to open at The Signature, Boston Properties’ new building at Reston Town Center.
The gourmet market is expected to open when The Signature opens its 508 residential units and nine levels of underground parking in 2018. It is currently under construction at Reston Parkway, Freedom Drive and New Dominion Parkway, on the site of the former surface lot.
“We are thrilled about joining the Reston community and look forward to bringing our exemplary food selections and impeccable service to new area customers,” John Coleman, a Balducci’s spokesperson, said in a release.
The Reston site will be the eighth full-service store for Balducci’s, with locations operating in New York, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia, the company said.
Balducci’s formerly had a store down the street at The Spectrum, where PetSmart is currently located. The location, formerly a Sutton Place Gourmet, opened in 1996 and closed in 2005. The Balducci’s CEO at the time called it an “underperformer.”
But with hundreds of new apartment and condo units built or planned in the Town Center area, the 2018 timing — and population density — may be better for a new store.
Boston Properties Vice President of Development Rich Ellis said the market will be a “tremendous amenity” for the area.
“Balducci’s is a best in class gourmet market that will serve as a tremendous amenity not only for residents of The Signature, but for the Reston community as a whole,” he said. “Our team is very excited to be partnering with Balducci’s on this exciting new destination.”
Balducci’s will have gourmet groceries, as well as a large prepared food and retail wine selection.
Photos: Top, rendering of Signature/Boston Properties; Bottom, Balducci’s of McLean/Credit: Yelp
Madewell, a younger relative of JCrew, opened its doors at Reston Town Center last week.
The store is part of a rehabbed retail row aimed at young women shoppers. The stretch, formerly home to Gap and Gap Kids, includes bluemercury and Kendra Scott.
Madewell is owned by JCrew (also located at Reston Town Center) and is geared towards younger — and more price-conscious — customers.
Some of the best sellers: jeans, of course. Madewell has a Denim Bar with a wide variety of fit and washes. The company is also known for its signature Transport Tote, a $168 leather all purpose bag.
Also top sellers: casual dresses, delicate costume jewelry, and peasant blouses.
The store also has a jeans recycling program. Bring in your old pairs and the staff will give them to Blue Jeans Go Green, (and you will get $20 off on a new pair). Blue Jeans Go Green keeps denim out of landfills by turning jeans into housing insulation.
Madewell is located at 11928 Market St. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: 703-481-1020.
Reston has a new exercise option. InForm Fitness opened it doors at 1875 Campus Commons Dr. last week.
The Reston studio is an expansion of the Leesburg location owned by trainer Nicole Gustavson. The national company also has locations in New York, Colorado, California and New Jersey.
Inform, first established by a New York City trainer in 1999, says it is a different type of strength training workout, where participants work with a trainer to do a 20-minute workout that involves slow-motion repetition.
They call it “the Power of 10” because weights are lifted 10 seconds up and 10 seconds down.
Says InForm: “Twenty minutes, once a week is all you need to set into motion the chain reaction in the body to start building stronger muscles. Arthur Jones, the father of High Intensity Training (HIT), once said, ‘There is no such thing as a long, hard workout.’ In other words, the harder the workout the shorter it lasts.”
InForm also recommends several days between workouts.
To find out more or learn about rates and schedule a training session, call InForm at (703) 791-1717 or visit www.informfitness.com.
Reston Town Center will get a second salon dedicated to men when Roosters Men’s Grooming Center opens at 11990 Market St. on May 13.
Owners Amy and Larry Hall of Ashburn are the owners of nearby local Roosters franchises in Loudoun County. They say Reston, particularly in the ground floor if the Midtown Condominium, is a great spot for their store.
“We were met with such an overwhelmingly positive response when we opened our locations in Ashburn and Leesburg that our dream of opening an additional location in Reston Town Center is now becoming a reality,” the Halls said in a release. “We are thrilled to become active members of the Fairfax business community.”
This will be the second salon dedicated to men’s haircuts, shaves and other treatments that opened at RTC in the last year. A few blocks down Market St. is PR Barbers, formerly Joe Grooming.
Roosters aims to offer modern services in an environment reminiscent of an old-style barbershop. The interior features oversized leather barber chairs in eight barber stations with personal shampoo bowls. Read More
Reston photographer Jennifer Heffner is taking advantage of Lake Anne Plaza’s loft-like spaces with natural light.
She recently opened a third-floor studio space at 1612 Washington Plaza North, above the Lake Anne Coffee House, which is undergoing renovation.
Heffner, a former White House photographer and photo editor, has been operating a studio, Vita Images, out of her Reston home the last several years. When a space became available at Lake Anne, she said it was a great chance to get her business into community space.
“I have always loved Lake Anne,” said Heffner. “I had been looking for studio space for a few years. This one was love at first site. There is beautiful natural light, which is perfect for portraiture.”
Heffner snaps business headshots and other studio photos in the new space, but also specializes in shooting subjects out in the natural Reston environment, as well as corporate, editorial and travel photography.
“Lake Anne is a great backdrop,” she said, pointing out many family and engagement photos she has taken around Reston.
Heffner said she plans a grand opening celebration next month. Meanwhile, she is available by appointment at [email protected] or 202-630-8238.
Photos: Session at new photo studio at Lake Anne, top; Photographer Jennifer Heffner, bottom/Courtesy Jennifer Heffner Photography
