Katie Taranto

Arlington, Columbia

Covering breaking news, business and the city of Falls Church at @ARLnowDOTcom, formerly @comissourian. Local is everything. #MizzouMade journalist 🐅

Articles

New 7-screen movie theater with dining service to open next month in Falls Church

1 week ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

The silver screen has found a new home in the Little City. Paragon Theaters is set to open a new two-story theater with seven auditoriums, a bar, dining service and seating for over 600 moviegoers at 112 Founders Avenue next month. “What we try to create, I guess, is the glory days of movies — where you have these intimate, boutique, sort of neighborhood theaters,” CEO Michael Whalen told ARLnow.
ACPD to host free ‘Wicked’ movie sing-along this weekend

1 week ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

The Arlington County Police Department is inviting families and kids to one short day at a free “Wicked” sing-along event this weekend. ACPD and the Arlington Public Library plan to show the popular musical film this Saturday, April 19, at noon in the Courthouse Library at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Free popcorn and beverages will be provided. “Bring your friends, your best Glinda or Elphaba look and your singing voice!” a Facebook post says. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone over 21.
These Arlington and Falls Church restaurants are 2025 RAMMY Award finalists

1 week ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

Seven Arlington and Falls Church restaurants have been announced as finalists in the the 43rd annual RAMMY Awards. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced local nominees for categories including Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year, Wine Program of the Year and Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year at a ceremony last night (Monday). This year’s finalists also include several local restaurateurs and one Falls Church-based hospitality group.
Arlington Girl Scouts use funds from cookie sales for Wilson Blvd safety project

1 week ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

A group of Arlington Girl Scouts has received high honors for adding new “see me” flags to two Wilson Blvd intersections. Nineteen fifth graders from Ashlawn Elementary School saved funds from cookie sales to add baskets of bright red flags to N. Livingston and N. Liberty streets in February. Last month, Girl Scouts of the USA recognized their efforts with a Bronze Award — the highest honor a junior Scout can earn for community service.
New jewelry boutique celebrates grand opening in Clarendon tomorrow

1 week ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

A jewelry boutique selling upcycled earrings and art has opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Clarendon. The new store, Eliana Curated, will celebrate a grand opening tomorrow (Saturday) at 3110 10th Street N. Founder Angelika O’Reilly, who previously sold her wares mostly at D.C.-area markets, specializes in “fine jewelry, fashion art and curated experiences.”The boutique sells handcrafted Icon Line Design earrings, made from vintage buttons.
Arlington fitness entrepreneur opens new barre3 studio in Falls Church

2 weeks ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

An Arlington woman began her entrepreneurial journey earlier this year with the opening of a new fitness studio in Falls Church. Hope Wheeler opened a barre3 this winter at 450 N. Washington Street, making a career shift after two decades in professional communications. Since February, the new boutique fitness studio has brought dozens of people together for classes in strength, cardio and mindfulness.
Tariff whiplash rattles Eden Center’s hub of Vietnamese businesses

2 weeks ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

Massive retaliatory tariffs that went into effect today before abruptly going on pause have left Eden Center businesses rethinking pricing and fearing for the future. The Falls Church shopping center with over 120 family-owned businesses relies heavily on sales of imported goods from Vietnam, China and numerous other countries that have ridden an economic rollercoaster over the past week.
SER celebrates 10 years in Ballston as owners plan new restaurant

2 weeks ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

Now celebrating a decade in Ballston, an award-winning Spanish restaurant is opening an outdoor patio as its owners consider plans for a new Arlington eatery. SER co-owners Javier Candon and Christiana Campos commemorated 10 years at 1110 N. Glebe Road over the weekend alongside about 300 supporters. Expressing gratitude for community support and regional recognition, they teased expansion plans. “We are looking into opening another location in Arlington,” Candon told ARLnow.
Ballston fitness scene grows with planned new gym and Onelife Fitness expansion

2 weeks ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

Ballston’s fitness scene is growing stronger. Ballston Quarter gym Onelife Fitness is planning to renovate and expand into a nearby vacant space. Meanwhile, Performance 360, a new fitness center, is gearing up to open where Hunan Gate closed in December. The gym on the mall’s third floor is seeking to make use of an empty retail bay on the floor below, according to a permit application filed earlier this month.
Egg hunt and bunny visit happening in Crystal City next weekend

2 weeks ago | arlnow.com | Katie Taranto

Some kid-friendly festivities are coming to Arlington and Falls Church as Easter hops closer. A free egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny are taking place on Saturday, April 19 at Water Park in Crystal City (1601 Crystal Drive). Other family-friendly events are happening in the days leading up to Easter at Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Long Bridge Aquatic Center and Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church.