Real Nova Newsletter by Chris Colgan
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💛 NoVa Restaurants for Valentine's Day & Luxury Club Debuts in DC!

💛 NoVa Restaurants for Valentine's Day & Luxury Club Debuts in DC!

Experience Northern Virginia's dynamic growth: from soaring real estate and bustling businesses to vibrant cultural scenes and economic expansion!

Chris Colgan
February 07, 2025

Happy Friday, Northern Virginia!

In this week’s update:

💗 Valentine's Day at Northern Virginia's Most Romantic Restaurants: With Valentine’s Day approaching, four Northern Virginia restaurants—2941 Restaurant, Bistro L’Hermitage, Fahrenheit 132, and L’Auberge Chez Francois—have earned spots on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list.

🏢 Ned's Club Debuts in Downtown D.C.: Ned's Club is located inside the Walker building at 734 15h St. NW, though parts of the club extend into the adjacent building.

🛍️ Kohl’s Plans Move to Bull Run Plaza with Smaller Store Format: Kohl’s is relocating its Manassas store to Bull Run Plaza, downsizing to a 52,000-square-foot space that aligns with its smaller-format strategy. Meanwhile, Parkridge Center, the current location, is exploring redevelopment opportunities, including potential new residential and mixed-use projects.

🍝 4 NoVA Eateries Rated Among the Most Romantic Restaurants in the Country

Grab your Valentine’s Day reservations before these spots book up.

Driving the news: With Valentine’s Day around the corner, OpenTable named four Northern Virginia restaurants to its Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list. The rankings are based on over 10 million diner reviews and factors like reservation demand and five-star ratings.

Details:

2941 Restaurant (Falls Church): Upscale dining surrounded by waterfalls, koi ponds, and lush views.
Bistro L’Hermitage (Woodbridge): Classic French dining with fresh flowers, warm service, and signature dishes like Coquilles St. Jacques.
Fahrenheit 132 (Fredericksburg): Romantic steakhouse with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list.
L’Auberge Chez Francois (Great Falls): An iconic French restaurant offering authentic cuisine from Chef Jacques Haeringer.

Why it matters: These restaurants elevate Valentine’s Day plans with exceptional ambiance, fine dining, and unique experiences—perfect for a romantic night out.

The big picture: Northern Virginia’s culinary scene continues to be recognized on a national scale, with fine dining spots like these regularly earning accolades. The region offers a blend of upscale and approachable options for locals and visitors alike.

What’s next: Valentine’s Day reservations are filling up quickly. Book a table on OpenTable now to secure your spot.

The bottom line: Whether it’s a candlelit steak dinner or a French-inspired charm, these restaurants offer memorable experiences to make this Valentine’s Day truly special.

Driving the news: The exclusive Ned’s Club has opened its newest location in downtown Washington, D.C., just steps from the White House. Housed on the top three floors of the historic Walker Building, the social club welcomed more than 1,000 members on its first day, with many more on the waitlist.

Details:

The D.C. club spans common spaces like the drawing room, gallery, and conservatory, creating an intimate, home-like atmosphere for members.
Membership costs $5,000 to join and $5,000 annually, with a premium $100,000 tier offering elite perks, including access to the Founders Dining Room.
The venue features world-class dining concepts such as Kaia (pan-Asian), The Gallery (Italian-American), and Library Bar, with executive chef David Testa and head bartender Vlad Novikov leading the culinary program.
Designed by Soho House and Stonehill Taylor, the club pays homage to the building’s Art Deco architecture with elegant, neoclassical-inspired interiors.

Why it matters: The opening marks a significant shift for the global Ned’s Club brand. Unlike other locations in London and New York, the D.C. site focuses solely on social spaces, without a hotel, spa, or gym, making it a unique offering within the network.

The big picture: This is Ned’s fourth location worldwide and a test case for a standalone social club concept. Members gain access to other Ned’s Clubs globally, creating a highly valuable, scalable membership model.

What’s next: Depending on the success of the D.C. location, Ned's Club may consider expanding into larger spaces within the city or replicating this stand-alone model in other major markets.

The bottom line: With its prime location, luxury amenities, and strong focus on member experience, Ned’s Club D.C. is poised to become a major fixture in the capital’s social scene.

🎥 I Ranked Northern Virginia's BEST & Worst Areas to Live Near Arlington VA

In today's video, I ranked Northern Virginia's best & worst areas to live near Arlington, VA!

🥪 Jersey Mike's to Open this Week in Manassas; Three Days of Sales Going to Local Schools

Founded in 1956, Jersey Mike’s Subs serves fresh-sliced, fresh-grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread.

Driving the news: Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened its doors at 9805 Liberia Avenue in Manassas, marking the occasion with a three-day fundraiser to support local schools. The new shop began welcoming customers on Wednesday, January 31.

Details:

Fundraiser schedule:
- Wednesday: 100% of sales benefit Osbourn High School
- Thursday: Proceeds go to Baldwin Elementary
- Friday: Sales support Baldwin Intermediate
Franchise owner Chris Brown emphasized the company's commitment to making a difference: “The most cherished institutions of any community are its schools, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate our grand opening.”
Customers can order in-store, through the Jersey Mike’s app, or for delivery via third-party services.

Why it matters: Jersey Mike’s has a long-standing tradition of community support. Since 2010, the company has raised over $135 million for local charities through fundraising events at its locations across the country.

The big picture: Jersey Mike’s continues to expand its presence, with more than 3,000 locations nationwide. The Manassas opening reinforces the brand’s mission of giving back to the communities it serves.

What’s next: The new Manassas location is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Interested in joining the team? Applicants can visit jerseymikes.com/careers to apply.

The bottom line: Jersey Mike’s Manassas launch offers locals the chance to enjoy fresh subs while supporting their community schools.

🛒 Kohl's Expected to Relocate Manassas Store Into a New Center — and a Much Smaller Footprint

Parkridge is a 312,000-square-foot shopping center in Manassas.

Driving the news: Kohl’s Corp. is set to relocate its Manassas store from Parkridge Center to Bull Run Plaza, downsizing by roughly 40% in the process. The move involves taking over the 52,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods at 10800 Sudley Manor Drive.

Details:

The new store fits Kohl’s strategy of operating smaller-format locations, which has become a company preference in recent years.
The current Kohl’s location at Parkridge Center spans nearly 87,000 square feet and is nearing lease expiration.
Willard Retail, co-owner of Parkridge, is preparing alternative plans for the space, which could involve either re-tenanting or mixed-use redevelopment.

Why it matters: The shift to smaller stores reflects broader trends in retail, where companies are adapting to evolving consumer behavior and optimizing their real estate portfolios.

The big picture: Parkridge Center itself is undergoing significant changes. Developer Hines is transforming the site of the former Regal Manassas Theater into a residential project with plans for at least 162 townhomes. Additional redevelopment opportunities at Parkridge could bring over 350 homes to the area.

What’s next: While Kohl’s has not confirmed the move publicly, site plans for Bull Run Plaza suggest preparations are underway. Meanwhile, Parkridge’s future may include further residential and mixed-use development, though it is expected to maintain a retail presence given its prime location off Sudley Road and I-66.

The bottom line: Kohl’s Manassas relocation to Bull Run Plaza signals a shift in the retail landscape, with opportunities for both redevelopment and new residential growth at Parkridge Center.

📊 Our Current Local Market Numbers

The Northern Virginia real estate market continues to thrive across Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax Counties. Whether buying or selling, having an experienced guide by your side is crucial in today's dynamic market.

Selling your home? I'll create a targeted marketing strategy and help you set the right price to attract serious buyers and maximize your return.

Looking to buy? With current interest rates, this could be your ideal time to purchase. Let me help you find and secure the perfect home.