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Here's what's in this week's issue:
Voodoo Brewing is weeks away from opening at Dulles Station
Neighbors report trespassing and fires at two vacant Wiehle Avenue office buildings
Five things to do, starting with a Dolly Parton tribute at Reston Station on Friday
Kathy & Graham
THE BIG STORY
VOODOO BREWING IS WEEKS AWAY FROM OPENING AT DULLES STATION
Voodoo Brewing plans to open its first Washington-area taproom in early October on the ground floor of Makers Rise, the apartment building at 2315 Dulles Station Boulevard. We toured the space on Sept. 17, and owner Curry Lee told us he expects to open in two to three weeks.
Lee, who goes by Curry, lives in Reston and spent about seven years in the brewing industry before he won the Herndon franchise territory during the pandemic. He first aimed to open at the end of 2025, then in May 2026.
The 3,750-square-foot space has murals by local artists, retro pinball machines (we spotted Jaws and Iron Maiden), a hidden speakeasy-style door and patio tables out front. Voodoo brews its beer in Pennsylvania, so nothing is brewed on site. The core lineup includes Good Vibes, a West Coast IPA; Thunder Lizard, an imperial IPA; and Lacto Kooler, a Berliner weisse, which is a tart, low-alcohol wheat beer. Seasonals include a Key Lime Kolsch, and the full bar adds cocktails, wine and frozen margaritas.
General manager Travis, who comes from Wisconsin, runs the kitchen. The menu includes burgers with brisket, fries cooked in beef tallow and Midwest-style cheese dishes.
Parking plans weren't final when we visited. We'll share the opening date as soon as Voodoo announces it.
QUICK HITS
AROUND RESTON AND HERNDON
Neighbors of the two vacant office buildings at 1831 and 1861 Wiehle Avenue report trespassing, graffiti, fires and people camping on the property. Police logged 11 calls to the two addresses this year through Sept. 14. Supervisor Walter Alcorn's office says the owner, JBG Smith, is working on a plan, and residents expect to meet with the county and police, possibly in October. Read more
A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge ruled for Comstock on Sept. 17 and closed the Town of Herndon's lawsuit over the five downtown acres at Elden and Center streets. Judge Tania M. L. Saylor granted Comstock summary judgment, which decides a case on the law without a trial, so the deed stays in Comstock's name. Herndon has until Oct. 19 to note an appeal. Read more
Fairfax County issued the first building permits in early September for Booz Allen Hamilton's new global headquarters at Reston Station, and eight demolition and framing permits for the second tower reached the county on Sept. 16. Booz Allen plans to move from McLean in fall 2027 into about 310,000 square feet at 1870 and 1800 Reston Row Plaza, a five-minute walk from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Read more
The Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing Sept. 29 at 4 p.m. on a plan amendment, a change to the county's nonbinding guide for what can be built where, that would make room for a larger Reston Community Center branch near Lake Anne. The amendment would raise the non-residential space allowed at the Crescent Apartments site on Cameron Crescent Drive from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet. The Planning Commission recommended it unanimously on Sept. 9. Read more
Tona Coffee, an Ethiopian coffee shop, filed a Fairfax County permit on Sept. 22 for heating and ventilation work at its café on the ground floor of The Mark at Dulles Station, 2323 Dulles Station Boulevard. The owners have not announced an opening date. Tona will share the building's retail row with Tensu Ethiopian Restaurant & Market, down the street from Voodoo. Read more
Reston's median sold price rose 19.6 percent in August to $693,500, mostly because of which homes sold. Detached houses made up 36 percent of August closings, up from 19 percent a year earlier, while condo sales fell. Through August, Reston prices rose 4.9 percent. Read more
Early voting runs through Oct. 31 at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, on weekdays from 1 to 7 p.m. The ballot includes the U.S. Senate and 11th District House races, two local bond questions and three constitutional amendments. Election Day is Nov. 3. Read more
Fairfax County wants input on a $2.5 million renovation of Alabama Drive Park in Herndon, including synthetic turf on the athletic field, a new playground and drainage work. Share your thoughts at Salsa in the Park on Oct. 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or online. Read more
The HCA Healthcare Foundation gave the American Heart Association's Greater Washington Region $25,000 through Reston Hospital Center. The money pays for health kits for new parents and a self-service blood pressure station at a community partner. Read more
Friday Night Live's 500th concert raised $2,000 for Herndon's chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which mails a free book each month to children from birth to age 5 in the 20170 and 20171 ZIP codes. The Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston runs the chapter, which serves 1,650 children. Jimmy's Old Town Tavern hosts a Dolly Day Celebration with raffles for the chapter on Sept. 27. Read more
South Lakes beat West Potomac 28-6 on the road and moved to 4-0. Quarterback Christian Wyatt completed 11 of 12 passes for two touchdowns and ran for a third. The Seahawks play Herndon after a bye week. Read more
Reston Association maintains 55 miles of paved paths and natural-surface trails, including six named, color-marked routes from 1.43 to about 5 miles long. Our guide lists each route's distance, the four lake loops and where to park at every trailhead. Read more
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
OPEN Navarasa by Biryani Grill, 328 Elden Street, Herndon. The Indian restaurant took over the former Paradise Indian Cuisine space and began its soft opening Sept. 17. Read more
OPEN Kinship Wine + Wares, 1635B Washington Plaza North, Lake Anne Plaza. Certified sommelier Jen Cafiero Monago sells wine from small and family-owned producers alongside vintage barware and glassware. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday. Read more
COMING Ebbitt House, Reston Station, across from the JW Marriott. Clyde's Restaurant Group plans an October opening for its take on Old Ebbitt Grill, with a 275-seat dining room and a 125-seat patio. Read more
COMING Big Greek Cafe, North Point Village Center, in the former California Tortilla. The owners hope to open by the end of the year or in early 2027. Read more
COMING Mpanadas, Sunrise Valley Center, near Wiehle Avenue. The empanada shop plans to open this fall. Read more
COMING Peruvian Charcoal Chicken & Grill, Worldgate Centre, Herndon. The rotisserie chicken restaurant has installed its sign and is hiring. No opening date yet. Read more
COMING Huey Magoo's, Arrowbrook Centre, off Centreville Road. Construction has started on the chicken tender chain's first Northern Virginia restaurant, and the franchise team is aiming for December. Read more
COMING Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, Village Center at Dulles, in the former Noodles & Co. No opening date yet. Read more
CLOSING MOD Pizza, Plaza America. The last day is Sept. 30, and Andy's Pizza plans to open in the space before the end of the year. Read more
FROM GREATER RESTON LIVING AT COMPASS
What would your home sell for this fall?
We price homes against recent sales in your own neighborhood. Get a range in a couple of minutes.
THINGS TO DO
OUR FIVE PICKS FOR THE WEEK
FRI., SEPT. 25 · 7:30 P.M. · RESTON STATION
A Tribute to Dolly Parton. An outdoor tribute concert in the Summerbration Fab Fridays series. Reston Community Center cancels for weather, so check its social media or call 703-476-4500 if storms are in the forecast.
SAT., SEPT. 26 · 8:30 A.M. · RESTON ASSOCIATION HQ
Community Yard Sale. Eighty-five families sell kids' clothes, toys, furniture and dorm gear at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive until 1 p.m. The rain date is Sunday.
SAT., SEPT. 26 · 7 P.M. · WINDOW PLAZA, RESTON TOWN CENTER
Silent Disco. Free, with refreshments from Paris Baguette while they last and free garage parking.
SUN., SEPT. 27 · 2 P.M. · LAKE ANNE PLAZA
Do It Your Way 0.5K. A 650-step race with a DJ, a raffle and baked goods from South Lakes culinary students. The money goes to the South Lakes High School PTSA food pantry, which serves more than 500 students and families each week.
THU., OCT. 1 · 2 P.M. OR 6 P.M. · HERNDON COMMUNITY CENTER
Herndon 2050. The town wants residents' help with its comprehensive plan update. Sessions run from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
ASK THE INSIDERS
Send us your Reston and Herndon questions
Starting next Thursday, we'll answer one reader question here. Ask about a road name, a construction site, an empty storefront or anything else you've wondered about.
READER POLL
Which of the new restaurants coming to Reston and Herndon are you most excited to try?
We'll share the results next Thursday.
A FINAL NOTE
YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
"…you give directions by lake instead of by street name."
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Reston Insider is written by Kathy and Graham Tracey of Greater Reston Living at Compass, and you can call or text us at (703) 231-7049.
Compass, 11943 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190 | (703) 783-7485
