Reston Firms Offers Insights on Buying Online — “Reston, Virginia-based digital tracking and audience measurement company comScore Inc. has released a report on the state of online retail spending and it notes total digital commerce now accounts or nearly 1 in 4 discretionary dollars spent by consumers. During the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, comScore reports the highest share ever of digital spending.” [WTOP]

Double Meals Offered to FCPS Students Later This Week — “FCPS will be distributing double breakfast and lunch meals on November 2 to cover both November 2 and 3, which are student holidays.” [FCPS]

School Staff to Discuss Status of Athletics — The director of the school system’s office of student activities and athletic programs will offer information about what to expect for athletics as the phased return to school begins. [FCPS]

Photo via Marjorie Copson

Businesses throughout the area have succumbed to the pressures and drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hunters Woods Cleaners has joined that list, as a member of management confirmed that the business will close its doors on Saturday, October 31. The store previously reduced its hours of operation from being open seven days a week to closing on Sundays this year.

The business, located at 2308 Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston, has been a staple in the Hunters Woods Village Center since the cleaners was established in 1990.

The cleaners joins a multitude of businesses that have announced closures during the pandemic, including Best Buy in The Spectrum at Reston Town Center and restaurants Big Bowl and Le Pain Quotidien in Reston Town Center.

The pandemic caused larger layoffs early in the summer. Over 450 layoffs were reported in notices filed by six businesses in Reston and Herndon through the Virginia Employment Commission.

Photo via Google Maps

Dense Fog Advisory In Effect — The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory until 10 a.m. today. Drivers should slow use, use car headlights, and leave plenty of distance between vehicles. [NWS]

Solutions Proposed to Reduce Early Voting Wait Times — With less than two weeks until Election Day, Fairfax’s NAACP President Sean Perryman says that the county should improve wait times for early voting. He sent a letter to county officials calling on measures like extending voting hours. [WJLA]

Reston Contractor Wins $135M Task Order — “Reston-based AceInfo Solutions LLC  announced Tuesday it had been awarded a potential five-year, $135 million task order from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).” [Virginia Business]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Cellphone Pioneer Fades Into History — “Reston, Virginia-based NII Holdings, whose predecessor Nextel Communications pioneered the push-to-talk cellphone in the 1990s, has filed a petition for dissolution of its business. The Verified Petition for Dissolution was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.” [WTOP]

Police Investigate Sunoco Gas Station Robbery — The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating a robbery at the station, which is located at 13470 Coppermine Road. A man assaulted an employee and demanded cash from the register at around 12:14 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. He disappeared from the scene, police said. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Police Department]

At-Large Listening Session Set This Week — After a series of district-focused meeting, Reston Association is hosting an at-large listening session on Thursday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. via Zoom. [Reston Association]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Be Wary of Deer Crashes — The Fairfax County Police Department is warning residents that fall is breeding season for deer. Deer crashes are a particular safety concern between October and December.  [FCPD]

At-Large Listening Session Set for Next Week — The last of Reston Association’s five listening sessions will take place on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. [RA]

Reston Contractor to buy Alexandria Tech Company — “Reston-based government IT contractor Xenith Solutions LLC announced Thursday it will acquire Alexandria-based tech company TRI-COR Industries (TCI). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.”  [Virginia Business]

Photo via Marjorie Copson

Reston-based Company Lands Huge Contract — “The U.S. Army awarded Reston-based Fortune 100 defense contractor General Dynamics Corp.’s land systems division a potential five-year, $1.22 million contract.” [Virginia Business Monthly]

Committee to Discuss Local Transportation — Reston Association’s Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committees opening the floor fr comment from residents about the state of transportation in Reston. The meeting is set for Oct. 8 via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. [Reston Association]

Traditional Trick-or-Treating Not Recommended by County — “Fairfax County government and the health department will recommend against traditional trick-or-treating but will not cancel it altogether. The county’s guidance is in line with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for Halloween and other fall activities.” [Reston Patch]

Photo via vantagehill/Fickr

OmMade Peanut Butter is expanding from its original, home-based operation to a manufacturing operation over the next three years.

The company sells a wide-range of peanut butter options including flavors with chocolate, coconut, espresso and more, and a new flavor will be released in a couple weeks, according to Radhika Murari, founder and creator. Murari has lived in Reston since 1991.

Governor Northam announced the upcoming expansion in a press release yesterday.

Murari recently received a $25,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, a partnership between the Commonwealth, Fairfax County, and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

“It’s a real honor,” said Murari. “As the press release says, we’ve used Virginia peanuts since the beginning and so, it’s just really nice.”

The grant will secure the project for Virginia. Fairfax County will also match the grant with local funds, according to the press release, providing Murari with a total of $50,000 for the OmMade Peanut Butter manufacturing operation.

Murari sold her first jar of OmMade Peanut Butter in May of 2017. Customers can now buy jars at several Whole Food stores in Virginia, including locations in Arlington, Ashburn, Falls Church, Fairfax, McClean, Reston and Vienna. The peanut butter is also sold at the Carlyle House in Alexandra, Va.

Murari said expansion was inspired by an increase of production. She is “looking for a facility that allows for production and a storefront and we’re hoping to have other small businesses in the same space.”

The manufacturer will create five more jobs, according to the press release. Murari said these will be a range of jobs “anywhere from a production manager, to social media consultant, to people running the storefront.”

The location and address of the manufacturing operation is still to be determined.

Here’s more from Northam’s office:

RICHMOND–Governor Ralph Northam today announced that OmMade Peanut Butter, a Virginia’s Finest® company, will invest nearly $300,000 to establish an all-natural, gourmet peanut butter manufacturing operation in Fairfax County. Over the next three years, the woman- and minority-owned company will source 30,000 pounds of peanuts from Virginia farmers. The new facility will be located in one of the target redevelopment areas for the county and will feature a storefront to complement its production activities. The project will create five new jobs.

“Supporting innovative agribusinesses like OmMade Peanut Butter is key to spreading economic growth and opportunity to all parts of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “With bold and unique flavors, high-quality natural ingredients, and a commitment to locally-sourced peanuts, the company is a natural fit for Virginia. I also want to commend Fairfax County for its commitment to growing the next generation of Virginia’s business leaders.”

Radhika Murari began making peanut butter nearly eight years ago in an effort to create a preservative-free snack that was both delicious and healthy. After years of positive feedback, Murari started selling OmMade Peanut Butter at the Fairfax County Farmers’ Market. Success there led to new sales online and at area Whole Foods stores. With this project, Murari will move production from her home kitchen to a commercial facility and transition the home-based company into a job-creating business venture.

“Virginia has a long history of growing the world’s best peanuts, and thanks to companies like OmMade Peanut Butter, we are also home to some of the world’s best peanut butter,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “I am pleased that the Commonwealth has been able to support OmMade Peanut Butter, first through the Virginia’s Finest® program and now with this funding award. It is through partnerships like these that we keep our economy and our agricultural community growing.”

OmMade Peanut Butter has participated in the Virginia’s Finest® program since 2018. Created more than 30 years ago with more than 500 participating companies, the Virginia’s Finest® program identifies, differentiates and promotes top-quality Virginia-produced agriculture and specialty food and beverage products with a classic blue and red VA check mark logo.

“There is one simple reason for the success of OmMade Peanut Butter: Virginia peanuts,” said Radhika Murari, founder and creater of OmMade Peanut Butter. “Because of the unmatched flavor of Virginia peanuts, OmMade Peanut Butter is not only the best-tasting peanut butter on the market, it is also extremely healthy. I appreciate this support from Fairfax County and the Commonwealth, which will enable OmMade Peanut Butter to set up a commercial production facility and allow for nationwide sales expansion.”

The Commonwealth is partnering with Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Governor Northam approved a $25,000 grant from the AFID Fund to secure the project for Virginia, which Fairfax County will match with local funds.

Photos courtesy Radhika Murari 

Several Reston and Herndon’s local officials came together virtually yesterday (Monday) to discuss the possibilities of what the retail industry will look like after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts “Metro Monday” on the last Monday of each month. This month Herndon’s Mayor Lisa Merkel, Fairfax County’s Director of Economic Initiatives Rebecca Moudry and other local business owners were present to talk about the future of retail in Reston and Herndon.

The possibilities of the future of retail include promoting more online ordering for food, creating new digital ways for businesses to interact with its customers, and merging more restaurant and retail places together.

Merkel believes “restaurants are becoming anchors for retail centers which promotes social engagements and draws in the office crowd during lunch hours.”

Although many local businesses received grants to help with its loss of income, Moudry said the coronavirus pandemic has particularly affected the retail system.

“RISE grants have been awarded. We mailed postcards to every single business for local and federal grant programs,” Moudry said. “Economic Recovery Framework was recently launched to confront the economic shifts. That is the current task at hand.”

Job access and workforce development are essential factors in the framework. Moudry said the framework will work with the local transit system to improve both.

“The Reston bus plan will significantly improve bus transit and people’s access to jobs, as well as more opportunities for retail and people to come in and out,” Moudry said.

Tony Stafford, owner of Ford’s Fish Shack, said many businesses have had to take steps they thought they would never do.

“A lot of businesses had to reinvent themselves. We’ve seen a loss of lunch business because people aren’t going to work,” Stafford said. “This time last year, our takeout business was 7 p ercent of our overall sales, this year its 43 percent. of our overall sales. People are now comfortable ordering their meals off computer screens.”

Omar Aru, the owner of Escape Room Herndon, said setbacks posed by the pandemic have been significant, despite grants from the federal government and local assistance.

“There used to be a 15-minute wait period between each visit, but now it’s a 30-minute to an hour wait period between each visit to allow more time for proper cleaning and for rooms to air out,” Aur. said. “This means that we’re getting fewer games in and less people because we’re taking longer to clean.”

Photo courtesy of Omar Aru

European Wax Center – a hair-removal salon – will be accepting its first clients tomorrow (Sept. 29) at 9 a.m. for its first day of operation in North Point Village Center.

The salon offers a range of waxing services including facial and body waxing such as eyebrow waxing, bikini, legs, arms, and more.

The hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Manager Tippy Gibson said the spa will close an hour earlier after Day Light Savings (Nov. 1).

Gibson said her wax specialists are “excited and ready to go.”

Photos courtesy Tippy Gibson 

Reston Tech Company Announces New Hire — “Reston-based tech and network security company Electrosoft announced Wednesday it has hired Teena Lavu as vice president of civilian programs. With more than 20 years of government contracting experience, Lavu was most recently the senior director of civilian services with NTT Data Services LLC.” [Virginia Business]

Local Leaders Encourage Flu Shots — “Leaders from Northern Virginia localities came together Thursday morning to encourage residents to get the flu shot ahead of flu season in the fall and winter. Amid the potential double threat of flu season and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, leaders want to keep pressure off hospitals as well as personal protective equipment and testing resources.” [Reston Patch]

Sewing Center Volunteer Slots Open to Make Masks — “Fairfax County has collaborated with Volunteer Fairfax to designate a volunteer space to make masks for kids. The sewing center at Audrey Moore RECenter — 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale — will be open daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.” [Fairfax County Government]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Wiehle-Reston East Station Closing for Three Weekends —  “Metro’s Silver Line will shut down for three weekends for work to prepare for a likely opening of the Silver Line’s second phase next year. Metro and the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority (MWAA) say the likely dates are November 7-8, November 21-22, and December 5-6.” [WJLA]

Treatment on Two Reston Lakes to Begin Today — “On Sep. 15 Lake Anne and Lake Thoreau were monitored for algae by Aquatic Environment Consultants (AEC). AEC confirmed this morning that they will be proceeding with the regularly scheduled algae treatments for both lakes.” [Reston Association]

Local Firm Boasts ‘Stellar Year’ — “Venture capital firm Proof.VC has been on a roll in 2020. The Reston company’s portfolio has seen 3D-printing startup Desktop Metal and Inc. online gaming platform Skill Inc. both announce their intentions to go public, as well as the earlier IPO of mattress company Casper Sleep Inc.” [Washington Business Journal]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Big Changes Coming to Metro — “Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said Wednesday that without more federal help, big cuts will be needed for a COVID-19 related budget shortfall. As of January, Wiedefeld is proposing closing rail stations at 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, having trains arrive every 12 minutes weekdays, and pushing the Silver Line phase two start to July.” [WJLA]

Reston Contractor Buys Maryland Company — “Reston-based government contractor Acclaim Technical Services Inc. announced Sept. 1 it has acquired Rockville, Maryland-based software and systems engineering company Global Consulting Services Inc.” [Virginia Business Monthly]

Remembering 9/11 Amid Coronavirus in Reston — “Reston is one of many communities not planning ceremonies amid the pandemic. Fairfax County public safety personnel, however, will be marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Friday morning. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be gathering outside the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters for a brief ceremony at 10:15 a.m.”  [Reston Patch]

The Spectrum is Reston Town Center will have a major vacancy next month.

Best Buy, which is located at 1861 Fountain Drive, will close on Oct. 31, a company official told Reston Now.

A spokesperson said the company decided against renewing its lease.

“Our customers have shown us that they prefer to shop at other stores in the area, including the Tyson’s Corner store nearby, which is just seven miles away, as well as our Sterling and Fairlakes stores.”

The last day of business is Saturday, Oct. 31.

A store employee said increasing rent prices prompted the decision. Currently, the store is opened every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Image via Google Maps

In Forbes’ second annual ranking of America’s Best Employers by State, several Fairfax County businesses topped the list. 

In the Virginia state ranking, Reston’s Science Applications International Corporation, or SAIC, ranked #55 (12010 Sunset Hills Road). 

Peraton, the Herndon based IT company founded in 2017, was ranked #78 (12975 Worldgate Dr.).

Reston’s Leidos, a holding company involved in defense, intelligence, civil and health markets ranked #87 (1750 Presidents St.). 

The list was compiled by surveying 80,000 Americans, according to Vicky Valet’s article on Forbes. Surveys were conducted on a rolling basis from October 2019 through May 2020.

Additionally, responses about the same employers were compared to make up for any variation before and after the onset of the coronavirus, according to Valet. 

Photo by Peraton via Google Images