🏢 MetroStar is growing its Reston footprint with a larger headquarters at Reston Town Center as it prepares to merge with Tysons-based Steampunk.

🍽️ Clyde’s Restaurant Group is returning to Reston with Ebbitt House, a new 385-seat restaurant and patio concept set to open at Reston Row this October.

💙 Youth for Tomorrow has opened a new Fair Oaks counseling center, expanding access to in-person and telehealth services for children, teens, adults, and families across Fairfax County.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

The festival returns to Old Town Alexandria for its 10th anniversary with food representing 20 countries, cultural performances from 12 countries, and a marketplace featuring more than 100 artisans and makers. It is the strongest all-ages pick of the weekend for residents looking for a full afternoon of food, music, and global culture by the waterfront.
📍 Location: Oronco Bay Park, Alexandria
📅 Date: Aug 29 | 11 AM – 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

The Montaines close out Water Park’s summer concert series with a free outdoor performance in National Landing. It is an easy post-work option for live music, dinner nearby, and a relaxed start to the weekend.
📍 Location: Water Park, Arlington
📅 Date: Aug 28 | 5:30–8 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

The annual Pickle Festival returns this Saturday, with pickle-themed foods, drinks, vendors and plenty of quirky activities. Expect everything from fried pickles, pickle flights and pickle lemonade to pickle burgers, cupcakes and beer, plus contests like the Pickle Toss, Brine Chug and Homemade Pickle Competition.
📍 Location: West Oaks Farm Market, Virginia
📅 Date: Aug 29 | 11 AM
🎟️ Tickets: Free admission
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE 10+ GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND→

Driving the news
Reston-based IT contractor MetroStar Systems has signed a lease for 37,844 square feet at 12010 Sunset Hills Road in Reston Town Center, ahead of its planned merger with Tysons-based Steampunk.

Details

Why it matters
MetroStar’s expansion keeps a growing federal technology employer rooted in Fairfax County while bringing more workers, customers and business activity to Reston Town Center.

It also adds momentum to the Dulles Toll Road corridor, where defense and technology companies have been driving much of Northern Virginia’s recent office demand.

The big picture
MetroStar was founded in 1999 and now employs more than 500 people.

Veritas Capital acquired the company in late 2025 and is now working to combine it with Steampunk, creating a larger technology contractor with offices in Reston and Tysons.

The larger Reston headquarters will give MetroStar more room for its Design Studio and Innovation Lab, which support work with defense and intelligence customers.

What’s next
Veritas is expected to close its acquisition of Steampunk during the third quarter of 2026.

MetroStar will then prepare for its headquarters move to Reston Town Center in the second quarter of 2027 while the combined company continues operating from both Reston and Tysons.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
Clyde’s Restaurant Group says Ebbitt House is on track to open this October at 1860 Reston Row Plaza in Reston Station.

Details

Why it matters
Ebbitt House gives Reston another major dining destination and brings Clyde’s back to the community more than four years after Clyde’s of Reston closed.

The opening also adds more restaurant activity to Reston Row as the neighborhood fills out around the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.

The big picture
Clyde’s of Reston closed in May 2022 after a 31-year run at Reston Town Center. Soon after, Clyde’s Restaurant Group began planning a new concept at Reston Station.

Ebbitt House takes inspiration from the group’s Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, D.C., but will have its own menu, look and identity centered on Reston.

Between the lines
Longtime Clyde’s customers may spot some familiar faces. General Manager Ajay Bhatia and Executive Chef Diego Ramirez both previously worked at Clyde’s of Reston.

The restaurant is also leaning into a mix of nostalgia and something new, with classic American dishes and a large bar program without trying to recreate the former Clyde’s location.

What’s next
Ebbitt House will join Noku Sushi, Tous Les Jours and Vida Fitness at Reston Row, with Back Nine Golf also on the way. A new conference center at the nearby JW Marriott is expected to be completed this fall.

The bottom line
Clyde’s is returning to Reston with a much-anticipated new restaurant, a large patio and a menu built around American favorites, seafood and cocktails — all in one of the area’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
Youth for Tomorrow opened its new Fairfax Counseling Center on July 1 at 12011 Route 50, Suite 504, bringing in-person and telehealth counseling services to children, teens, adults and families.

Details

Why it matters
The new Fair Oaks location gives Fairfax County families another nearby option for counseling, especially those looking for in-person care.

Its central location near medical offices, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and other community resources could also make it easier for families to connect with multiple types of support close to home.

The big picture
Youth for Tomorrow had served Fairfax County from Springfield for six years, but the nonprofit wanted a larger and more centrally located space.

The Fair Oaks office was chosen in part to create more room for face-to-face counseling, including services for children ages 5 to 12 and their families.

What’s next
The nonprofit plans to keep growing its clinical team at Fair Oaks, starting with the addition of a bilingual play therapist this fall and another therapist in early 2027.

The bottom line
Fairfax County families now have another local place to turn for counseling, with Youth for Tomorrow expanding both its space and staff in Fair Oaks.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Reply and let me know what you liked the most and what you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter. See ya!