Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
Kensington Anniversary
Kensington is celebrating its 8th anniversary in Falls Church today, February 6. Executive Director Amy Feather will speak, and Chef Daniel will prepare special refreshments. There will be a champagne toast and live music from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
New Grocery Stores Opening
Greater Falls Church is gaining two new grocery stores. Amazon Fresh opened a 40,000 square foot store in December at Crossroads Center Way. Ummah Market at 6053 Leesburg Pike has its grand opening today, Thursday, February 6 at 5:30 p.m. Tomorrow, February 7, Whole Foods will have a grand opening for their Broad and Washington location. The first 300 people in line will receive a tote bag and coupon. The Idylwood Plaza location closed on February 3. And North Carolina-based Fresh Market is expected to open in the new West Falls development in 2026.
Washington Sinfonietta Presents Mozart and Hayden
The Washington Sinfonietta performs Mozart and Hayden on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. Betty Bley, basset clarinet, joins the Sinfonietta. The concert features Masonic Funeral Music, K.477; Concerto for Basset Clarinet, K 622; and Haydn’s Symphony No. 75. A reception follows. The concert will be at Falls Church Episcopal, and tickets are available online (https://washingtonsinfonietta.org/ ) and at the door.
Restaurant Week Ends Sunday
The second Falls Church Restaurant Week is under way, running January 31 – February 9. Forty-two restaurants are participating. An added benefit is to print or pick up a Passport and those with stamps from 8 participating restaurants or more will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. More details are available at https://fallschurchrw.com/restaurants.
Contest: Great Places to Work
Washingtonian Magazine is holding its contest for “best places to work” in the region. Any workplace with at least five employees may nominate their employer. Register by February 28 at https://workplaceregistration.washingtonianvoting.com/ and a survey will be sent to complete by March 7. This year, participants will receive a report showing how their business compares with other participants.
Marketing 101 Webinar
The Mason Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosts this webinar on Wednesday, February 12 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. how to effectively market goods and/or services. This is a refresher for business owners as well as for those planning to start a business. Bernard Ferret, Senior Business Counselor, Mason SBDC & Serial Entrepreneur, will cover how to choose your target group, how to communicate with your target(s), market definition, segmentation, company branding, and online (SEO) and offline marketing. The session is free, and the Zoom link will be shared upon registration at https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=110450004.
Onelife Acquires 24 Hour Fitness
McLean-based Onelife Fitness has purchased the last two locations of 24-Hour Fitness Centers which are located in Falls Church and Fairfax. Onelife plans to upgrade and rebrand the clubs, the last ones in the Greater Washington area.
Northrop Announces Agreement
Falls Church-based Northrop Grumman announced an agreement to sell its training services business to Serco Inc. The transaction is expected to close mid-year for $327 million in cash.
