Adult crafting
Old Town Alexandria gained a new maker space in AR Workshop, part of the crafting empire that design company Anders Ruff launched in 2016. The DIY shop lets visitors create custom shabby-chic signs, Lazy Susans and seasonal items among friends while sipping on beer or wine.
Rosslyn goes to the foodie and music set
The opening of Central Place brought with it a hub of activity in Rosslyn. The space hosts ventures such as FRESHFARM Rosslyn, a farmers market, and summer concerts.
Workhouse on women
A new museum honoring suffragist Lucy Burns—tortured at the Lorton prison after protesting at the White House with Alice Paul and other suffragists in 1917—is underway at the Workhouse Arts Center. Drawing on resources from the former prison-turned-arts-facility and local funders, the museum will soon welcome visitors to tour former jail cells and learn about the local history of the movement that ultimately led to women’s suffrage in the United States.
Mini art space
A miniature 24/7 public art showcase called the Metro Micro Gallery got on its feet and recently won an artist grant from Arlington. With each new show, the selected artist is asked to “pay it forward” by helping curate a later show and share their
experience with other local artists.
High-end gun club coming to Loudoun
Caliber Club Shooting Sports Inc. is moving ground at its upcoming location next to the Topgolf and iFly at the Commonwealth Center. The high-end gun club is expected to open early this year and will be two stories of shooting range, martial arts studios, yoga and spin rooms, cigar bar, juice and smoothie bar, billiards room, party rooms and meeting spaces. Plans are for it to be a members-only club, which brings with it the luxe services of private locker rooms, massage rooms and saunas.
Premier soccer in Loudoun
FCBEscola Northern Virginia, a franchise of premier soccer schools and training programs from FC Barcelona, opened at Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, its fourth facility stateside. Boys and girls ages 6-18 will be taught using the club’s Barça style, which focuses on position, possession and pressure.
Rappahannock YMCA breaks ground on new tennis facility
With money granted from Adam Fried, brother of Jon Fried, two-time gold medalist in tennis at the Special Olympics, the Rappahannock YMCA is building an outdoor tennis facility that is in honor of the athlete.
Hipster bowling
Self-dubbed a “hipster-inspired, retro-awesome venue,” the Bowlero bowling brand took over two bowling locations in Northern Virginia: King Pinz in Leesburg and a bowling alley in Chantilly on Route 29.
Rev your engines in Sterling and Manassas
Autobahn Indoor Speedway opens in Sterling, making it the second location in Northern Virginia. The first is in Manassas Mall. Nokesville will soon find itself with a motorcycle park fit for the whole family. Family Off-Road Riders of Prince William County (FORPWC) is the power behind getting the lease approved for the space at county-run Lehigh Park, but they still have money to raise to make their vision a reality. The park will have two groomed, man-made riding courses: a small kids course and a mile-long main course.
Olympians bring international skating center to Leesburg
From former Olympic figure skater and Romanian national champion Luiz Taifas and his wife Mitra Setayesh, comes the ION International Training Center, which is planned to be a 95,000-square-foot facility with a full-service gym and cafe. They hope the center will serve as a training ground for international athletes and attract national and international tournaments and hockey camps. The center is expected to open this summer.
Inside skiing
Get your ski on indoors at Leesburg’s Inside Ski Training Center. Located inside Pro-Fit Ski & Mountain Sports, the infinite slope is actually a carpeted surface made of an AstroTurf type of material. The gradient and speed of the revolving carpet (think a treadmill) can be controlled to mimic real ski slopes ranging from green to black.
Mall of fun
Dave and Buster’s is taking over the bottom floor of the former Sears in Fair Oaks Mall, along with a Seasons 52 restaurant. Construction has yet to start.
Bowling and golfing and gaming, oh my
Sullyfield Circle is a happening spot for family fun. Monster Mini Golf opened in late February and holds not only glow-in-the-dark mini golf but also mini bowling, laser tag and arcade games.