Reston and Herndon enjoy late summer
If you have been around Lake Anne lately, you may have noticed something interesting taking shape next to the Brew House. Vintage Reston has turned the former Chesapeake Chocolates space into a mix of mid-century modern shop, zero-proof lounge and neighborhood gathering place. The furniture is meant to be used, the drinks give you a reason to stay, and much of what you see is actually for sale. It feels unusually well suited to Lake Anne, and the story behind how it came together is worth a look.
For the weekend, I would start with the Back-to-School Book Sale at Reston Regional Library, especially if there are young readers in your house. Saturday night brings School of Rock to the big screen at Reston Station, which should be an easy family night out, and on Sunday the Dog Paddle at Hunters Woods Pool gives Reston dogs their annual chance to claim the pool for themselves.
Elsewhere this week, we found a surprisingly adventurous way to hike into Great Falls from Difficult Run, complete with river views, rock scrambles and a few lessons learned in August humidity. We also have the latest local news, including changes coming to Sunrise Valley Drive, new plans at Halley Rise, restaurant news in Reston and Herndon, and more funding headed to local arts organizations.
Feature Story
RESTON’S COOLEST NEW THIRD SPACE
Vintage Reston takes two things the neighborhood does especially well, mid-century modern style and gathering with friends, and puts them under one roof at Lake Anne. The pop-up next to Lake Anne Brew House is part vintage shop, part zero-proof lounge, with restored furniture, records, mocktails, nostalgic sodas, and plenty of reasons to sip, sit, and stay awhile.
Around Town
FREE GREAT FALLS HIKING ROUTE
This Great Falls hike from Difficult Run is one of those local adventures that feels surprisingly wild for being so close to Reston. Expect roughly 4 to 5 miles, plenty of shade, river views, rock scrambles and overlooks, with a spectacular payoff at the falls. Go early for parking, bring more water than you think you need, and use extra caution crossing Georgetown Pike at the end.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Huey Magoo’s plans to open locations in both Reston and Herndon as part of a Northern Virginia expansion by the Florida-based chicken tender chain. Addresses and opening dates have not been announced yet, so for now we just know more chicken is coming.
The Makers Point office complex on Sunrise Valley Drive could be headed for residential redevelopment, adding another Reston office property to the growing list being reconsidered for housing. Apparently "office park" is becoming Reston's most endangered architectural species.
Halley Rise is looking to revise plans for the final pieces of its Reston neighborhood, with proposed changes involving its remaining office development and park space. The Wegmans neighborhood still has a few chapters left to write.
Herndon has authorized collective bargaining for its police officers, following action by the Town Council. It is a significant change in how the town can negotiate pay and working conditions with its police force.
Several Reston-area arts organizations are getting a share of $601,900 in ArtsFairfax operating grants, including Tephra ICA, Public Art Reston, the Reston Chorale and the Reston Community Orchestra. Good news for anyone who prefers their community amenities with a little more art and a little less asphalt.
United is serving new chef-created meals on long-haul international flights from Dulles, with dishes developed by Washington chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy for Polaris passengers. If your next Dulles trip involves Paris, Rome or Tokyo, airplane food may finally require fewer lowered expectations.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
It’s a big back-to-school weekend around Reston and Herndon, with plenty happening before everyone settles into fall routines. Kids can catch Groovy Nate at Herndon’s Farmers’ Market Fun Days, hunt for inexpensive reads at the Reston Regional Library’s Back-to-School Book Sale, or head to Udvar-Hazy for Moonbear’s Shadow story time, while Herndon Elementary welcomes families back with its annual school bash. The weekend keeps rolling with an outdoor School of Rock movie night at Reston Station, a free RTR Pilates class at Reston Town Center, and, because summer should always end this way, a Dog Paddle at Hunters Woods Pool where the neighborhood pups finally get the pool to themselves.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…someone says “meet me at the lake,” and you have to ask which one.”
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