<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->What better way to kick off the summer than to enjoy the fabulous and FREE Columbia Pike Blues Festival? On Saturday, June 20 from 1-8 pm several blocks of S. Walter Reed Dr. just north of the Pike will be transformed into the area’s favorite street party and community celebration. Featured artist Memphis Gold will headline this year’s festival with his “sanctified Beale Street urban gutbucket blues.” The festival line-up also includes blues notables such as Nadine Rae & the Allstars, Paul Mark & the Van Dorens, Danny Blew & the Blues Crew, and Deja Blue. The event will include signature eateries serving mouth watering foods (including Pike favorites Big Daddy’s BBQ, Rincome Thai Restaurant, Bob & Edith’s Diner, & Restaurante Abi) Yuengling beer and various wines, a variety of arts and crafts vendors, community resources, and plenty of family friendly activities. The Blues Festival is presented by CPRO with the support of a number of business, government, and non-profit organizations. This annual event helps showcase the progress that is being made on Columbia Pike including construction of exciting mixed-use developments, new retail and dining spots, and streetscape improvements—all of which are enhancing the experience of those who live, work, or play here. For more information about the festival, visit www.columbiapike.org.

 Shop Local, Shop Arlington
Spearheaded by Arlington Economic Development (AED), Arlington’s new retail campaign - Shop <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Local, Shop Arlington - is designed to help promote Arlington’s retail community to both Arlingtonians and those who visit the county. The newly launched Web site www.shoparlington.org features shopping, dining, top picks and bargains. Retailers interested in being listed on the Web site should send emails to shop@arlingtonva.us.

At Long Last, Demolition of Adam’s Square is <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Underway!

The owners of the new Lost Dog Cafe located in the Halstead Building (2920 Columbia Pike, 703-553-7770, www.lostdogcafe) opted for a low-key “soft” opening this month but the word got out fast and created quite a buzz among the Pike community. Even as colorful murals (of dogs of course) were being painted on the wall, the restaurant welcomed a steady stream of customers all eagerly awaiting Lost Dog’s great pizza, hot sandwiches, and extensive offering of beers from around the world.   The restaurant offers dine-in, carry-out, and delivery service.   Parking is available on the first level of the Halstead, garage entrance on S. Walter Reed Drive.

While it is true that the Giant Grocery has closed at Adams Square while the new Penrose Square is constructed, there are many alternative grocery shopping options available. The latest is a new mini-market grocery located at 2609 Columbia Pike, just down the street from the old Giant Grocery.   M&R Grocery offers a variety of every-day items (milk, bread, soda, eggs, cereal, etc.) as well as lots of party supplies and more. The Giant continues to offer a shuttle service to their Bailey’s Crossroads store for those "big shops" while M&R Grocery gives Pike residents a convenient, close-by alternative when you just need to restock the basics. Store hours are 9:00 am-9:00 pm Monday – Saturday and 10:00 am-7:00 pm on Sunday. Parking is available just a few doors down in the parking lot adjacent to the CVS.

The owner of Le Touche Beauty Salon (2615 Columbia Pike, 703-920-5666,      www.letouchebeautysalon.com) has hung a new sign on Columbia Pike for the Arlington Education Center Cosmetology School, located on the lower level of the salon. In addition to training new cosmetologists, it’s a great place to get reasonably priced hair cuts ($5.99 for men and $8.99 for women) by cosmetology students under the supervision of professional stylists. For more information, please call Vicky at 703-521-8888.

 

A variety of prime retail space is available on Columbia Pike.  At the Westmont Shopping Center (Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Rd. the space formerly occupied by Hollywood Video has 6438 sq. ft. on the ground floor, and 3512 sq. ft. of basement level storage, and offers excellent visibility from the Pike’s busiest intersection. A smaller space next door is also available. It offers 1037 sq. ft. on the ground floor, and 486 sq. ft. of basement level storage. The contact is Marianne Pukal of Polinger Shannon and Luchs at (301) 968-9134. The attractive Pike storefront at 2330 Columbia Pike is now available for lease. Formerly the Saah’s Unfinished Furniture store, it offers 3,500 sq. feet on the ground level, and more space on the basement level. Interested parties should contact the B.M. Smith Co. at 703-920-2200. Another option is the storefront at 2803 Columbia Pike which is just off of the intersection at S. Walter Reed Dr. It offers 1100 sq. ft. of retail space plus a 500 sq. ft. basement. For this opportunity contact William J. Reap at (703) 892-4966. For new retail space prospective tenants should consider The Halstead Arlington at 1028 S. Walter Reed Dr. (Call Lindsey McGaw of KLNB at 703-722-2707) and Siena Park at 2301 Columbia Pike (call Jim Farrell of Madison Retail at 202-730-2008). 

Like to find great deals? Come find them at the Community Flea Market at Nauck Town Square, located at the intersection of Shirlington Rd. and 24^th Road South, on the 3^rd Saturday of the month through September! Booth space is also available. For more info contact Frances Walker at 703-521-2852.

CPRO’s annual membership drive is underway. Each year CPRO gratefully receives a grant from Arlington County that covers almost one-third of our budget. For the other two-thirds we rely on the support of our members, as well as organizations and companies who sponsor our events. Today, our members include 20 civic organizations, 65 businesses, and more than 180 local residents. Please join them in becoming a CPRO member today. To access a residential/civic or business membership form, please click here. Thank you!

 

As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to Jim Whittaker at jwhittaker@columbiapike.org; Pam Holcomb at pholcomb@columbiapike.org; or Amy McWilliams at amcwilliams@columbiapike.org or call 703-892-2776. Know someone who would like to receive the CPRO e-Newsletter? Please send us email addresses and we will add them to our distribution list.   As always, for more information about what’s happening on the Pike go to www.columbiapike.org.