Business Rewind: Ballston Mall, Dishcrawl, Yates Center and Where Independent Businesses Gather

The biggest business news by far this past week was that Arlington’s own Ballston Common Mall could eventually be redeveloped into a mixed-use urban development with apartments, office space and retail. The new “Ballston Center” by Forest City Washington, would include “more street-facing store entrances, two-level storefronts and outdoor terraces,” Washington Business Journal reported.

On the Arlington food front, Dishcrawl (sort of like a pub crawl, but with food) will make its debut in Shirlington in March. And Wilson Tavern had a re-opening celebration after renovations.

And, of course, Girl Scout Cookies are now on sale. Find out where to get Girl Scout Cookies in Arlington here.

Down in Alexandria, development also dominated business news, as Yates Center near Del Ray takes shape with a  new 7-Eleven, dry cleaner and automotive center planned. Construction also started on a new Braddock Place development near the Braddock Metro station.

In Old Town Alexandria, big name, national retailers are moving in — but new data shows that 80 percent of King Street is still home to independent retailers.

Out in Falls Church, developers are working on plans for a new Harris Teeter. And, Falls Church Patch talked to a local employee of Northrup Grumman about sequestration. The automatic federal budget cuts are causing people like him to cut back on eating out and delay major purchases.