The 2024 Year-End Update on New Businesses Recently Opened and Coming Soon

Background

At the City Council Economic Development Committee meeting on November 26, 2024, staff provided an update on the new businesses that have signed leases with developments in the City and are in the process of applying for a building permit and/or certificate of occupancy. We provide a summary based on this update.

EDA to focus on business retention in 2025

Ross Litkenhous, Vice Chair of the Economic Development Authority (EDA), wants the EDA to focus on what the City can do to support the existing businesses in the City to ensure that they are successful and remain in Falls Church. A recent EDA meeting with the City of Fairfax about their efforts was helpful in pointing out that a separate local government initiative is needed to focus on business retention.

Community Planning and Economic Development Services Director Jim Snyder said the City is able to offer a “high touch” service where businesses can interact directly with staff and staff are accessible to them. He maintained that this has been a big advantage in attracting businesses. Often, staff from multiple departments are able to meet with businesses at the same time to quickly resolve issues. Mr. Snyder also noted that other jurisdictions have many more staff working with businesses and more resources dedicated to serving businesses. There was broad agreement that the City should work on a plan to address this issue.

[Mr. Snyder has announced that he will retire in January 2025 – See CPEDS Director Snyder Announces Retirement; EDA Chair Young Dies.]

Commercial occupancy

Office vacancy in the City is currently 6.1%. Staff pointed out that these data include spaces that are intentionally left vacant by landlords, perhaps because of future plans for redevelopment. Retail vacancy is presently 2%.

The Washington and Broad apartments are 45% occupied. The first residents are expected to move into the West Falls apartments now. 25% of the condominiums have been sold, although no initial move-in date has been set.

[Restaurant pricing note: In the tables below, for restaurants, we rate the prices of the majority of entrees, as follows:

• $-Under $15;
• $$ – $15 to $25;
• $$$ – $26 to $39;
• $$$$ – $40 and over.]

Recent restaurant openings

Click here for an explanation of the steps for moving a business to Falls Church City.

Before a business can operate in the City, it may need to modify the space it plans to occupy. Depending on the extent of the modifications, a building permit may be needed. Applying for a building permit may involve multiple submissions of plans, revisions, and staff reviews. Once the building permit is issued, renovations and construction can begin operating.

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is required for all new businesses to move into their place of business. On-site inspections are carried out by the relevant City departments. Once those are satisfactory, the CO is issued, and the business can begin operation.

We indicate the status of the new businesses by these phases where information is available:

• Awaiting plans
• In review
• Building permit issued
• Inspections
• CO issued.

West Falls

The Voluntary Concessions agreement with the City requires that the West Falls development include a grocery store and a performing arts/education studio or school occupying 4,000 sf to 8,000 sf. Fresh Market agreed to lease the grocery space. The late EDA Chair Bob Young and City Manager Wyatt Shields helped to negotiate two successful deals between Hoffman, the West Falls developer, and Levine School of Music and the City Dance Studio. The development also includes event space that can be used for performances.

New businesses coming to West Falls

Founders Row I

More blue tarps have or soon will be replaced as new stores open up. Unfortunately, there are still three sites remaining along West Street and Park Avenue. Two letters of intent (non-binding) have been signed for the remaining two sites on Broad Street. The businesses will be announced when leases are signed.

Ellie Bird is expanding its site, a good sign. The owners of Kyo Matcha and Kyu Ramen are to open a third business, Tiger Dumpling, at Founders Row. (Trivia: Nue, Chasin’ Tails and Roll Play are also owned by the same company.)

New businesses coming to Founders Row

New businesses in Broad and Washington

New businesses in Founders Row II

Updates on two restaurant projects in the City

Stratford Gardens, the new restaurant on the Stratford Motel site received site plan approval from the Planning Commission last December 2023 (See Pulse post Stratford Gardens Restaurant – Site Plan Approved). The project is close to obtaining its building permit.

Little Falls Creperies is located at 106 Little Falls Street. This is a project by the founders of Pupatella to open a French café serving crepes, sorbettos, and drinks. The intent is to renovate the existing building. The City is awaiting plan revisions.

The Eden Center Pop-Up District

Eden Center will open the 8,000 sf Pop Up District that will be designed as a food hall with a lounge area. Two spaces will be allocated to pop-up shops that may open for three to ten days to support starting entrepreneurs to market new products on a trial basis. The Pop-Up District is expected to open in January 2025.

… and elsewhere in the City

• Grocery Outlet, a discount grocery chain to be located in the Target space at 455 S Maple Avenue, is scheduled to open mid-2025.
• GrillMarx, a high-end restaurant, also plans to open at 455 S Maple Avenue.
• Paris Baguette, a bakery and café,is expected to locate in the Aldi shopping center.
• Barre3, a workout studio,plans to open its doors in the Northgate building on N Washington Street.

References

Economic Development Meeting presentation, November 26, 2024.