News
According to Private Equity Hub, Blue Tulip Inc., the all occasion gift shop with a Falls Church location in Idylwood Plaza, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to hold store liquidation sales at its 24 locations later this month.
The Falls Church Blue Tulip opened at 7505 Leesburg Pike in July 2007 and quickly became a popular shopping destination. The Blue Tulip website is no longer functioning and the Falls Church store manager was not available for comment. A copy of PE Hub’s notice is available at www.pehub.com/27649/blue-tulip-wilts/.
The former Chicken Out restaurant located in the Falls Plaza on W. Broad Street in the Falls Church is still vacant and likely will remain so for months. The restaurant chain opted not to repair damages caused by a fire several years ago. A local bank is considering moving one of its current Falls Church branches into the space.
Julie’s Hallmark, located for the last 11 years at 1208 W. Broad St in Falls Church, is scheduled to close Sun, Jan 11 but may remain open a day or two longer depending on sales. The independently owned and operated franchise store is offering a minimum of 50% off of all merchandise, including seasonal items. Massage Envy (www.massageenvy.com), a chain of more than 800 clinics nationwide, has been secured to take over the space. For information about Julie’s Hallmark and the sale items they have available visit the store.
The Falls Church Syms store will be vacating their space at 1000 E. Broad Street later this year. The “Off Price. On Style” retailer that claims educated consumers are their best customers will be moving just down the street to Seven Corners in the space next to Shoppers Food Warehouse previously occupied by Best Buy. The move is scheduled to take place in August. Syms carries more than 200 designer and brand names in formal and casual clothing for men, women and children. For more information stop by the store or visit www.syms.com.
Two Falls Church businesses were highlighted December 29 by ABC News 7 in a news story regarding local New Year’s Eve celebrations. Shawn Dimitriades, manager of Economy Party Supply and Ciara Collins, wife of Colm Dillon, popular owner of Ireland’s Four Provinces, were both interviewed regarding the economy’s impact on their businesses which were both thriving New Year’s Eve. Economy Party is located at 1049 W. Broad Street. Ireland’s Four Provinces is at 105 W. Broad Street. To view a clip of the newscast, visit http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1208/581081_video.html.
Thanks to donations from the Falls Church community of personal care items, nonperishable food, and funds, Ireland’s Four Provinces and Divot Charities shipped 192 boxes of Holiday Care Packages to two battle ships and 40 different platoons that are in forward positions in four countries. For more information about the effort, contact Divot Charities’ Amy Smith at Aimlmt@aol.com.
Resources
Accessing information from the City of Falls Church’s Economic Development website is now a little easier. To find information on the City’s Commercial Property Rehabilitation Tax Abatement Program, the Technology Zone Program, Industrial Revenue Bonds, or available commercial space in Falls Church, you can now go directly to www.developfallschurch.org. The information can also be accessed by going through the City’s website address, www.fallschurchva.gov, and clicking on Business Services.
The Virginia Department of Business Assistance now has “An Interactive Guide to Starting a Business in Virginia” available online – for free. The guide provides assistance and resources for entrepreneurs starting or growing a small business. For information about downloading the guide or to find out about the many free services offered by the VA DBA, visit www.dba.state.va.us/.
Events
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Breakfast with the CEO on Wed, Jan. 14 from 7:30 to 9am. The breakfast presentation, sponsored by West Group, will feature the Honorable Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and Dr. Jerry Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, The event includes a full networking breakfast and opportunity to learn about the local county economy and services available to assist business during these economic times. It will be held at Ocean M Restaurant at 1381 Beverly Road, 2nd Level in McLean. Reservations are $20.00 for GMCC members, $25.00 for guests. Registration is available at www.mcleanchamber.org or by calling 703-356-5424.
