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Paid Parking Slowly Killing Reston Town Center?


Ferris Bueller

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Update since paid parking was implemented, working mostly from memory so it is possible I missed a few on either side (not intentional). 

Closed

Pottery Barn

Williams Sonoma

M&S Grill

Paolos, then remodelled and opened as Neyla which also closed

Teavana

Ann Taylor

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Il Fornaio

Busara

Edibles Incredible

The Bike Lane

The Running Store

Appalachian Spring

Open

Mason's Lobster Rolls

&PIzza

Balduccis

 

 

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Paid Parking Under Consideration for Reston, Tysons by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is gearing up to study parking management options, which could add paid parking in Reston and Tysons.

FCDOT hopes to hire a professional parking consultant to explore parking management, which FCDOT says would fulfill the vision of the Comprehensive Plan for each area.

It would also reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions from drivers circling blocks to find free street parking and create a new revenue stream, FCDOT argues.

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Businesses Continue to Leave Reston Town Center by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Businesses are closing twice as fast as they are opening in RTC. Several small businesses and restaurants that have been in the area for decades have pointed to dwindling numbers of customers due to paid parking as the main reason behind their closures.

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 It’s not only restaurants -Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma are also leaving-it’s the biggest pain in the butt to pay for parking space in Reston even with the app I go out of my way not to be there now-at least you can park at Balducci‘s for free easily -For those  so inclined  no one will know if you’re in Balducci’s or not and you can park there for free but then you still have to walk a distance to get to whatever store you want——

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1 hour ago, RJS said:

 It’s not only restaurants -Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma are also leaving-it’s the biggest pain in the butt to pay for parking space in Reston even with the app I go out of my way not to be there now-at least you can park at Balducci‘s for free easily -For those  so inclined  no one will know if you’re in Balducci’s or not and you can park there for free but then you still have to walk a distance to get to whatever store you want——

Insider tip: The WS will have plenty of merchandise on clearance, if you're in need or want of such things. (Not just from that store...)

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2 hours ago, reedm said:

Insider tip: The WS will have plenty of merchandise on clearance, if you're in need or want of such things. (Not just from that store...)

My wording may have been misleading. Nothing's afoot with WS in general. I meant to convey other stores may move merchandise to stores that are closing...

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Uncle Julio’s Fights Paid Parking with Suit Against Boston Properties by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Another restaurant sues over paid parking at Reston Town Center by Rebecca Cooper, WBJ

Tex-Mex restaurant Uncle Julio’s is suing Reston Town Center for at least $5 million over controversial paid parking at the popular Northern Virginia mixed-use development. 

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A little odd: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn Close Suddenly Last Night in RTC by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Employees at both of the stores confirmed to Reston Now that Thursday was indeed the final day. Employees at the Williams-Sonoma said that the corporate office suddenly alerted them to the Thursday closing date after telling them that it would be Sunday.

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Boston Properties Taps New Leasing Agent as Stores Shutter by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

“This year will hold exciting changes for Reston Town Center,” Katie Yanushonis, the vice president of leasing at Boston Properties, said in the press release. “Our investment in the branding and placemaking of Reston Town Center will help maintain its place as the leading mixed-use development in the United States.”

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This was previously announced, however there is a little more pertinent info here - timing is much closer ("about a month) to opening.

Peet’s Coffee Set to Bring Brews, Tea Blends to RTC This Winter by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Calling all coffee lovers who looking for new brews. Peet’s Coffee plans to open in about a month at Reston Town Center.

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RTC Apple Store Eyes Neighboring Space Vacated by Pottery Barn by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

 

Apple Inc. filed a building permit for the spot recently vacated by Pottery Barn,which is next door to the Apple Store at 11949 Market St.

The permit description says that it is for a new tenant layout. It remains unclear at this time whether Apple is considering expanding or moving into the new space.

 

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True Food Kitchen Plans to Fill Former M & S Grill Spot in RTC by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Restaurant chain True Food Kitchen plans to open its Reston location at M & S Grill’s former spot in Reston Town Center.

The restaurant will fill the vacant spot at 11901 Democracy Drive, which has been empty since M & S Grill closed last year on New Year’s Day.

When True Food Kitchen will open, though, remains unclear. NOTE: Article references "Spring 2020"

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My wife was tasked to help close the Williams-Sonoma there. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the single digit temperatures a week or so ago. She had to pull a car to the front to load up the various store remnants in frigid temps. Lo and behold, a parking enforcement employee saw fit to take action, and was trying to put a boot on my wife's car. Seriously? My wife was not happy, and let the person know the parking situation was the reason stores were closing. 

Absolutely terrible.

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The Tasting Room Set to Close Next Month in Reston Town Center by Catherine Douglas Moran, Restonnow

A sign recently posted in the window of The Tasting Room Wine Bar and Shop (1816 Library Street) says that the location will close on March 24.

DC Row Set to Open in Reston Town Center This Summer by Catherine Douglas Moran, Restonnow

News of the Reston location first appeared in late January when it was named as one of the six anticipated newcomers for Reston Town Center. The address has not been announced yet.

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Peet’s Handing Out Free Coffee and More This Weekend in Reston by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Before its opening next week at Reston Town Center, the coffeehouse chain will hold a free pre-opening gathering where locals can get a free cup of coffee from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow (March 9).

As part of the celebration, Peet’s will be collecting in-kind donations for Shelter House, a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence.

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On 3/8/2019 at 11:22 PM, DonRocks said:

Ferris, what's your big-picture take on all of this?

Hey Don - big picture - the "community" has spoken in a semi-boycott of the parking debacle.  Boston Properties continues to push ahead, as one would expect (I guess), with some new leases taking up a little of the vacant space(s) created from the exodus.  

RTC has lost its initial charm as a vibrant area people used to go and hang out, walk around, shop, eat and play.  On a nice Spring day you will see people out walking around, but it used to be significantly more consistently busy.  The amended parking FREE in the evenings, may have had a little affect, but I do not think it significant. 

The more recent closure of the large retails spaces, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn, has left the main street of RTC barren.  If one or two of the other original (or almost original) mainstays (Clyde's, Bow-Tie Movie Theater - opened as another brand - Mortons, McCormick & Schmick's, Big Bowl, Jackson's) - that place will be a ghost town center.  I do not have any dog in this fight, and really hope it does not happen.  When RTC was thriving, it was a cool place to go for most.  

There are many who invested in business, condos and THs in the immediate area who may likely see their property/investment values decline(ing), and although there are no guarantees in life, it is hard to believe a ~$20B company like BPX could or would make a decision with only negative consequences.  

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Peet’s Coffee Now Caffeinating Locals at Reston Town Center by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

To celebrate the opening, coffee addicts can enjoy “Peet’s Week” with different special offerings every day at the Reston spot. (Ask a barista for the codes.) Here’s a peek at the upcoming ones:Tuesday: $1 off a medium beverage, Wednesday: buy one beverage, get one free, Thursday: half off an artisan baked good, Peet’s opening was the first from a list of several newcomers slated to arrive Reston Town Center this year.

Muse Paintbar Aiming for Summer Opening by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Muse Paintbar didn’t open in the fall or winter. Now the wine and paint bar expects to open in a few months at Reston Town Center.

Marriott, Comstock bringing 4-star hotel to Reston Station by Michael Neibaur, WBJ

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On 3/10/2019 at 1:17 PM, Ferris Bueller said:

There are many who invested in business, condos and THs in the immediate area who may likely see their property/investment values decline(ing), and although there are no guarantees in life, it is hard to believe a ~$20B company like BPX could or would make a decision with only negative consequences.  

BP is looking at it from a strictly business point of view as parking spaces being revenue generators once the Reston Metro Stop opens. They are willing to sacrifice their commercial tenants who require customers to drive there, shop and leave. 

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Victoria’s Secret Gone for Good at Reston Town Center by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Signs on the front doors say that the location at 11929 Market, Suite 50 is permanently closed. Black tarps were hanging in the storefront’s windows, and the prominent “Victoria’s Secret” sign had already been taken down by the time Reston Now made a visit this afternoon (March 12).

NOTE: This store was located on the main street of RTC, same side as Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn, just down from Clydes.

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Here’s Why You’re Seeing ‘Store Closed’ Signs at Reston Town Center’s Vapiano by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

Locals may have noticed that Vapiano, a restaurant chain that serves up Italian food in a fast-casual setting, keeps posting “store closed” signs at the Reston Town Center restaurant.

The closures are temporary as the Reston location (1875 Explorer Street) undergoes management changes and payment delays for staff, which have now been resolved.

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Matchbox Planning to Move In Near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station by Vernon Miles, RestonNow

“The space is 5,500 square feet and offers expansive patio dining,” the agency said in an email. “The veteran D.C. restaurant group is currently focused on regional expansion within the DMV, targeting smaller, neighborhood-focused properties.”

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While they obviously had to do something to avoid having all the RTC spaces become defacto free Metro spaces, BP blew this.  First 2 hours free on weekdays in addition to the current free evenings and weekends seems like a pretty obvious fix--and don't require people to use the app if they won't be in the space for more than 2 hours.   Or make it 3 hours and cover matinees at Bow-Tie.  No one is going to be able to use Metro for commuting in only 3 hours. 

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DC Row to Fill Appalachian Spring’s Former Reston Town Center Spot by Catherine Douglas Moran, RestonNow

A building permit indicates that the rowing-focused fitness studio recently started interior alterations at 11877 Market Street. A spokeswoman for Boston Properties confirmed that DC Row will occupy the former spot of Appalachian Spring, which closed last January.

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This is relevant, although the preemptive move by BPX hastened the exodus at RTC.  Allow me to segue for informational purposes.

Offering shoppers new experiences isn’t helping as malls see tsunami of store closures, falling traffic by Lauren Thomas, CNBC

  • U.S. retailers so far have announced they will shut 5,994 stores, while opening 2,641 in 2019, according to real estate tracking done by Coresight Research.
  • A separate report by data analytics firm Thasos found foot traffic dropping off at malls across the country in recent months.
  • Thasos also found that malls with so-called experiential tenants that aren’t just focused on selling products, like Apple, Italian food hall Eataly and Tesla, haven’t been drawing in extra traffic.
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Happen to be in RTC area today and noticed a sign posted on the Vapiano location.  It said something to the affect Closed Temporary, deliveries in back.  It does not appear good if the place is not open regularly - hard to turn food, keep staff and just clean the place. 

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Just now, Ferris Bueller said:

Happen to be in RTC area today and noticed a sign posted on the Vapiano location.  It said something to the affect Closed Temporary, deliveries in back.  It does not appear good if the place is not open regularly - hard to turn food, keep staff and just clean the place. 

By "deliveries," they mean legal notices. 😉

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Guess I wasn't the only one to observe.  The article says it has been closed since May 9th.

Reston Town Center’s Vapiano is Temporarily Closed Again by Fatimah Wasseem RestonNow

'Major Restructuring" At Vapiano Reston Town Center by Dan Taylor, RestonPatch

Italian restaurant Vapiano is undergoing a "major restructuring" at Reston Town Center, the company says.

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On 6/2/2019 at 5:39 PM, Ferris Bueller said:

Yelp had posted the RTC Location of Vapiano's "temporarily closed, will be open June 30th."  Their outdoor furniture, and sidewalk area have been removed...it is not looking good.

It's not surprising since the parking issues, I think that Cooper's Hawk Winery has stolen a lot of their business since it opened. They had a similar unobtrusive basic cuisine and for some reason, Cooper's Hawk's marketing branding as a Winery as captured people's interest. 

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Report: Uncle Julio’s and Boston Properties Settle Reston Town Center Parking Lawsuit by Fatimah Waseem - Restonnow (from WBJ)

 

One of the issues Uncle Julio’s had raised in its complaint was that its closest parking garage in the development had become less accessible as a result of another parking-related lawsuit at the property. According to the Uncle Julio’s complaint, after Jackson’s restaurant sued over paid parking, a judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing Reston Town Center from enforcing the pay-to-park system on Jackson’s customers in the Orange garage. Subsequently, according to Uncle Julio’s, the pay-to-park system was disabled at the Orange garage.

“As a consequence, patrons throughout the Reston Town Center now attempt to park at the Orange Garage in order to avoid the imposition of parking charges,” stated the complaint, which was amended in March.

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