Capital One no longer has a branch in Reston Town Center, the company that manages the shopping area confirmed today.
The bank has “moved out” of Reston Town Center in just the past few days, according to a representative of Boston Properties. Friday was the bank’s last day in business there.
A sign posted on the bank’s window urges customers now to visit other branches in Reston (11874 Spectrum Drive), Herndon (1201 Elden St.) and Brambleton Town Center (42405 Ryan Road).
It wasn’t immediately clear why Capital One decided to vacate the popular shopping center. But the Reston location is just one of dozens of Capital One outposts across the country that have closed since 2012.
Capital One locations in the D.C. metro area have gone down from 206 in 2012 to around 174 in June 2015, the Washington Business Journal has reported. CEO Richard Fairbank said earlier this year in an earnings report that the bank is “accelerating” closures and renovations on its brick-and-mortar locations in a strategy to save money and increase efficiency.
Per that strategy, Capital One has closed some of its lesser-visited branches and renovated many of the locations that remain with upgraded features, largely due to the fact that more and more of its customers are managing their bank accounts online.
Photos courtesy of Michael McFarland
Toys for Tots volunteers are set to accept donations of cash and new, unwrapped toys to benefit children in need at the Reston Town Center Pavilion this week.
Volunteers from United Methodist Family Services of Northern Virginia and local hauling company 123Junk are slated to help collect donations from 1-4 p.m. Friday.
UMFS has support services for children aged 12 to 17 who are at-risk or in crisis. The organization helps advocate for foster parents to take in children who have no capable family members to care for them, and works with families to help them provide for their children.
The organization also operates Leland House, which provides up to 45 days of intervention and stabilization care for children in crisis. Kids receive therapy, education and behavior management, among other services.
“Stop by and enjoy the feelings of the holidays, knowing your gift is making a child’s wishes come true,” Reston Town Center’s website says.
Photo via Reston Town Center
A new pop-up shop is slinging chocolate treats for the holiday season at Reston Town Center.
Truffle Shots is now open at 11826 Market Street, according to co-owner Lauren Athay. As the name implies, the shop sells “truffle shots,” an original confection that “replaces the chocolate shell of a traditional chocolate truffle with a sealed shot glass to create new levels of truffle indulgence for all the senses.”
The shop’s shots are available in more than 30 flavors, including minted grapefruit, caramel beurre noisette and champagne vinaigrette.
“As D.C. area natives, we jumped at the chance to open a pop-up here with the hope of establishing a permanent store in the area,” Athay told Reston Now in an email.
Truffle Shots is open at the town center Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The temporary shop will stay open through “at least” the end of the year.
Photo courtesy of Truffle Shots
Metro Aware of Track Problems Before Silver Line Derailment, NTSB Says — Metro was aware of track issues that could cause cause a derailment before a Silver Line train went off the tracks outside of the East Falls Church Metro station in July, according to the he National Transportation Safety Board. [Washington Post]
Reston Chorale and Symphonic Brass to Hold Holiday Concert This Weekend — The Washington Symphonic Brass is set once again to join the Reston Chorale for their annual holiday concert. The performance is scheduled for Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors 62 and older. Military personnel and children 17 years old and younger are free. [Reston Community Center]
South Lakes to Face Westfield in Finals Saturday — South Lakes High School’s varsity football team is set take on defending state champion Westfield High School tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Region 6A Finals. The winner of this game will go on to the state finals in Hampton. South Lakes is currently ranked No. 5, and Westfield is ranked No. 10. [Washington Post]
Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Begin This Weekend — Reston Town Center will start having horse-drawn carriage rides this Saturday. They generally will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Pickup is in front of Clyde’s on Market Street. A donation of $5 per person, to benefit local charities, is asked of any riders age 5 and older. [Reston Town Center]
Santa’s been training for this all year. What about you?
The 6th annual Cap Tech Run With Santa 5K takes place this Sunday, Dec. 4, at Reston Town Center.
Here is what you need to know:
- The race begins at 8:30 a.m. You can run as an individual or a team. All teams must be pre-registered.
- Online registration will close Friday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 p.m. Attendees can also register in-person, however.
- Packet pickup is at the Potomac River Running Store at Reston Town Center on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 7 to 8 a.m.
- The course starts and finishes on Market Street near Fountain Square. Affected roads include Town Center Parkway, Cameron Glen Drive, Fountain Drive, Reston Parkway, Sunset Hills Road, Market Street and Explorer Street.
- There will be a free kids “fun run” (it goes a few hundred yards). For the fun run, registration will take place on race day. Little participants will receive a finisher medal for running the race. The fun run will take place around 9:30 a.m., after the 5k but just before the awards ceremony.
- There will also be a costume contest with prizes. Runners are free to don festive suits or elf costumes. Go nuts.
Photo of 2014 Run With Santa 5K/Courtesy PR Races
South Lakes to Host Holiday Concert — The Seahawk Chorale, Seahawk Camerata, DeReMigas, SMAC, Noteworthy and the Concert and Symphonic orchestras will perform holiday music Monday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the South Lakes High School Little Theatre. [South Lakes Chorus]
WMATA Pushes for New Metro Hours — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is looking to end Metro service at 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 p.m. on Sundays. [Washington Post]
Holiday Performances at Reston Town Center to Kick Off This Week — Reston Town Center will start holding regular holiday musical performances in front of the Pavilion, beginning with jazz this Friday at 6:30 p.m. See the full calendar for shows online. [Reston Town Center]
A new pop-up store at Reston Town Center is selling Gucci, Chanel and Dior clothing for less than original retail price.
Ella-Rue, a Georgetown-based “boutique consignment shop,” opened a temporary store at 11862 Market St. earlier this month. The pop-up is part of the Market Street Pop-Ups series.
The store gets its stock by buying from customers. People who have designer clothing, handbags and jewelry still in good quality can make an appointment with an Ella-Rue buyer and sell their possessions to the store on consignment.
Ella-Rue representatives said the company’s items sell for an average of 50 to 70 percent off the usual retail price.
Just next door to Ella-Rue at the town center is another new pop-up shop, Scrawl bookstore.
All Market Street Pop-Ups are open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Reston Town Center has opened its Ice Skating Pavilion for the season.
Friday night marked the rink’s debut, and it will remain open through mid-March for skating, according to Reston Town Center staff.
The Ice Skating Pavilion opens at 11 a.m., seven days a week. The rink closes at 7 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays; and at 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Late-night skating until 11 p.m. is available on Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under, senior citizens 55 and older, and military personnel. Skate rentals are $6. On Thursdays, college students can earn a $2 discount from 6 to 9 p.m., with a valid college ID.
The rink will host a “Rock ‘N’ Skate” night weekly on Fridays from 8 to 10 p.m., and a “Cartoon Skate” with kids’ characters like Scooby Doo and The Cat in the Hat on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition, the pavilion is available for birthday parties, fundraisers and other gatherings and will host ice skating classes.
Three sessions of ice skating lessons are available this season. Sessions are $125 per skater and include four 30-minute lessons on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 10 a.m. or 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Sessions begin Nov. 19, Jan. 7 and Feb. 4. Registration is available online.
For more information, visit the Ice Skating Pavilion page on Reston Town Center’s website.
Fairfax County Police have arrested Elvis Josue Alvarado Martinez of Reston in connection with Wednesday’s bank robbery at the Wells Fargo branch at Reston Town Center.
Martinez, 21, has been charged with one count of bank robbery.
A man, believed to be Martinez, entered the bank at 11911 Freedom Dr. shortly after 9 a.m., implied he had a weapon and left with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.
Police set up a perimeter and apprehended Martinez on Sycamore Valley Drive about two hours later.
Update, 11:15 a.m. — Fairfax County Police took three suspects into custody at an apartment off of Sycamore Valley Drive. No arrests have been made yet, police said.
Original Story: Fairfax County Police are searching for a suspect in a bank robbery at Reston Town Center Wednesday.
FCPD spokesman Don Gotthardt said a man entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 11911 Freedom Dr. at 9:09 a.m. and demanded money.
“The man implied he had a gun,” said Gotthardt. “He left with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries.”
As of 9:50 a.m., police had set up a perimeter in the streets around town center and were looking for the suspect by air, ground and with K9 units, said Gotthardt.
The suspect was described by witnesses at the bank as a Hispanic male, about 5-foot-7, in his 20s with a goatee. He was wearing a black skullcap and black clothing, witnesses said.
See you in the beer garden on Saturday.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Oktoberfest Reston is tomorrow at Reston Town Center.
Food, wine, music and vendors will fill the area around Market Street. Oktoberfest takes place rain or shine (and there is rain in the forecast for Saturday).
Here is what you need to know:
The fun begins at noon and runs until 11 p.m.
Admission is free. Food and drink tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. You can purchase advance tickets online at www.OktoberfestReston.com or at the festival.
Beers on tap include Samuel Adams Oktoberfest, Warfteiner, Blue Moon and Miller Lite. There will also be a Craft Beer Alley featuring Fair Winds, Flying Dog, Heritage, Old Ox and Old Bust Head.
Among the local restaurants with food for sale: Tavern 64 Regional Kitchen; Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro; American Tap Room; Neyla; Buffalo Wing Factory; The Melting Pot; Pittsburgh Ricks; The Melting Pot; and GreenFare.
Among the entertainment: Alpine Dancers, The Low’nBrows German Band, Dr FU, DJ Edward Daniels and DJ Moon Man. Check the event website for the exact schedule at the two stages (RTC Pavilion and on Library Street).
While Oktoberfest is one day only, the celebration continues on Sunday, Oct. 9 with the Pumpkin 5K and Kids Pumpkin Dash. Participants are encouraged to run in their Halloween costumes. The race begins at 8:15 a.m. and goes on a flat course around Reston Town Center.
Online registration ends today. Participants can also sign up Saturday and Sunday at packet pickup.
A woman told police a man with a knife attempted to abduct her as she was getting into her car on Wednesday afternoon at Reston Town Center.
Fairfax County Police said the woman was parked in the parking garage at Freedom and Fountain Drives about 3:30 p.m.
A man approached the victim and displayed a knife. The victim screamed loudly; she shouted for help and the suspect walked away, police said.
Officers were able to identify a suspect and obtained a warrant for Derrion M. l.ewis, 27, of Herndon, charging him with abduction.
Police, citing a pending case, did not give details on whether the suspect and victim knew one another or how they identified the suspect so quickly.
Officers have attempted to serve the warrant, but Lewis could not be located. The warrant is on file. The victim did not require medical attention.
Paid parking at Reston Town Center has been postponed until January, but citizen concerns about using the new Park RTC app remain.
Many would-be users say they are wary of downloading the app, developed by Passport Parking, because of privacy concerns about the app having access to credit card information and the phone’s camera. Additionally, the “find my car” kiosk feature has been called a “stalker’s dream” by some Reston Now commenters.
A Reston Town Center spokesman said users can find parking more quickly, pay for parking from the comfort of their own vehicles, extend parking sessions remotely, get receipts online, avoid credit card and transaction fees and much more by using the app.
The app also features LiveSafe, a feature where patrons can report security concerns to town center management and security, as well as contact Fairfax County Police with the touch of a button. LiveSafe is now live on the app, which can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play.
But RTC has still been hit with many security questions. That’s why they have released some answers.
Here are some of the most common ones directed at RTC, with answers from its owner, Boston Properties:
Is my credit card data safe and privacy protected?
Yes. Both Passport Inc. and Reston Town Center take the important responsibility to protect credit card information very seriously.
Passport conducts regular audits of its information security systems to ensure there are no vulnerabilities — data security is core to their business.
Passport employs a two factor authentication (2FA) process that requires first-time users to verify their identity by entering a text authorization sent to verify device ownership in addition to a pin number. Read More
There is still time to get off the couch and run in your Halloween costume this weekend.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Reston Pumpkin 5K & Kids’ Pumpkin Dash is part of Oktoberfest Reston on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Race time is 8:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to debut their Halloween costumes or dress in their Oktoberfest Lederhosen and join in the fun with the whole family.
Here is what you need to know:
The race is at Reston Town Center.
Race Day Schedule:
- Race Day Packet Pickup/Registration: 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- 5K Start Time: 8:15 a.m. (course open for 60 min)
- Kids’ Pumpkin Dash Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
Awards Ceremony: 10 a.m.
Registration Fees:
5K Adult (ages 15 and over):
$30 per person through Oct. 7
$35 per person – Oct. 8 – Oct. 9 (at packet pick up)
5K (ages 14 and under):
$20 per person through Oct. 7
$25 per person – Oct. 8 – Oct. 9 (at packet pick up)
Kids’ Pumpkin Dash (recommended for kids ages 8 and under, all finishers will receive a finishers keepsake)
$10 per person through Oct. 7
$15 per person – Oct. 8 – Oct. 9 (at packet pick up)
Streets affected include Market Street inside the town center, as well as Baron Cameron Avenue, Town Center Parkway, Fountain Drive and Reston Parkway. Only Market Street will be fully blocked; the rest will have a lane closed off, so be aware if you are driving that route Sunday morning. See the course map on the PR Races site.
The rest of the Oktoberfest Reston festivities — food, beer, wine, live entertainment and more — take place on Saturday. See this previous Reston Now post for more details.
Photo: Pumpkin 5K 2015/Credit: Chip McCrea
Fast-casual restaurant Cosi abruptly closed its doors at 11909 Democracy St. earlier this week.
While the restaurant’s manager said on Tuesday the store’s lease was coming to an end, the entire chain closed a large number of stores this week prior to filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday.
That means local issues, such as the lease terms and the paid parking that begins in January, probably were not the reason for the Reston closure. A branch in Arlington also closed Tuesday. The company says it is closing about half its 74 stores nationwide.
There are now several vacancies at Reston Town Center, which is relatively rare. Storefronts that used to hold Bebe and PR Barbers are vacant on Market Street. Salon Nordine recently closed (though a new tenant is set to take over).
The former location of Davelle Clothiers at 11904 Market St. is temporarily empty but will soon house FedEx, which will move from 11811 Freedom Dr. as the Freedeom Drive building prepares for redevelopment.
Cosi’s space is located next to PR Running at the base of one of RTC’s soon-to-be paid parking garages. What should open there now? Tell us in the comments.
