New Retail Sprouts in Arlington & A Chance to Win Big!

Winter is almost behind us, and the spring time has brought some new retail to Clarendon, making it a perfect time to try something new in Arlington. Check out these latest offerings and win free cooking and chocolate making classes when you try something new yourself.  

Screwtop Wine Bar is a cozy addition to Clarendon that opened its doors in mid-December with a menu of delicious cheeses, flavorful charcuterie and boutique wines.  If you like to keep your shopping local, you’ll love that Screwtop serves French roast coffee from The Jack Shack and a selection of Boccato Gelato favorites.  You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Twisted Vines Bottleshop & Bistro, coming soon to Columbia Pike with its own unique wine and cheese specialty offerings, free weekend afternoon tastings, and happy hour specials Tuesday through Friday.

If Clarendon smells especially sweet these days, it’s probably thanks to the neighborhood’s newest resident, Artisan Confections.  Sign up for a hands-on chocolate-making class and learn the secrets behind the flavor-infused ganaches, with lots of “homework” to enjoy once you leave.  Had your fill of holiday sweets? Lebanese Taverna offers full-participation weeknight classes to learn to prepare authentic Middle Eastern dishes such as baked kafta, tabouleh and baklava; there’s also a vegetarian class once a month! 

Of course the kitchen isn’t the only place to try and learn something new.  Get a fresh start on your health by releasing lingering holiday stress and focusing inward with yoga classes at Thrive Pilates & Yoga.  This new Shirlington studio offers private and group classes – check out the Web site for a free first class! – with discounts available for purchasing “packs” of classes.  Those who want more of a workout might enjoy Pacers, (a 2009 ABBIE winner!) free 3-7 mile “fun runs”.  No need to RSVP, just check the calendar for locations and times!

Whether it’s savoring a glass of flavorful wine, perfecting your culinary skills or pounding the pavement, Arlington offers lots of opportunities for new beginnings. And that’s where you come in!  We want to know where you have the most fun!  Upload photos/captions of your favorite Arlington shopping and dining adventures (and no, they don’t have to be mentioned here – any Arlington adventure counts!) on ShopArlington’s Facebook fan page for a chance to win a drawing for an Artisan Confections chocolate-making class ($65 value) or a Lebanese Taverna cooking class ($60 value)!  (If you’re not already a ShopArlington fan, you’ll need to become one before the above link will allow you to upload photos.)

The fine print: Entries must be received by Wednesday, March 31.  Multiple photos may be submitted, but submissions from the same entrant will count as one drawing entry. If you are not a Facebook member, you can still enter by sending a photo with caption to shop@arlingtonva.us, which we will then upload to Facebook with your photo credit.