For years, the ground floor at 2800 Clarendon Boulevard was a bookstore. You went in for a paperback and a coffee, browsed the tables up front, maybe sat in one of the chairs near the magazine rack. That space is now under construction for two entirely different businesses: a Charlottesville brewery pouring its first Northern Virginia pints, and a New York noodle shop known for a lamb burger Anthony Bourdain ate on television.

That single address is the clearest example of something happening across a few blocks of Wilson Boulevard this summer. Clarendon isn't adding restaurants at random. It's filling in the corridor's oldest, longest-vacant storefronts, almost all at once, with operators who picked this specific stretch on purpose.

The Bookstore Is Becoming a Brewery and a Noodle Shop

Three Notch'd Brewing Company, based in Charlottesville, is opening its first Northern Virginia location on the ground floor of the former Barnes & Noble at The Crossing Clarendon. In the same building, Xi'an Famous Foods is building out a location for its hand-pulled noodles and spicy cumin lamb burger, the dish CEO Jason Wang's chain became known for after Bourdain featured it on "No Reservations" back in 2007. An architect on the Xi'an project told ARLnow in March that contractors were targeting an August opening, with construction expected to wrap in about four months from that point.

That timeline puts the noodle shop's debut right around now. Whether it's open by the time you read this or a few weeks out, the larger point holds: one shuttered big-box bookstore is becoming two food-and-drink businesses in the same summer, in the same building, on the same block.

The Corridor's Other Long-Vacant Addresses

The bookstore isn't the only long-empty space getting a second life. A few blocks away at 2915 Wilson Boulevard, the old Wilson Hardware space reopened this spring as The Boulevard, a restaurant blending modern American food with Asian fusion, with a rooftop bar called Solset perched above it. The project comes from Antonis Karagounis, a McLean resident with a string of Washington nightlife spots to his name, including Decades and Ultrabar. Solset can seat about 60 people under a retractable awning, connects by stairs to a street-level patio on Garfield Street, and runs a daily happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with $10 appetizers, $5 beers, and a $10 watermelon margarita called the sandia.

Down at 3137 Wilson Boulevard, a storefront has sat empty since a 7-Eleven closed there in late 2024. Before the 7-Eleven, that address spent decades as the Public Shoe Store, a fixture from 1938 to 2015. A permit filed this year under the name "Clarendon Eats" ties back to Ahmad Ashkar, founder of the fast-casual chain Falafel Inc, though it's not yet clear whether the concept will carry the Falafel Inc name or something new. And at 3101 Wilson, Paris Baguette opened its doors this spring, one more formerly dark storefront now lit up on the same stretch.

Here's how the corridor's recent turnover lines up:

Address	What Was There	What's Coming or Open	Status as of August 2026
2800 Clarendon Blvd	Barnes & Noble	Three Notch'd Brewing Co.	Under construction
2800 Clarendon Blvd	Barnes & Noble	Xi'an Famous Foods	Targeting August opening
2915 Wilson Blvd	Wilson Hardware	The Boulevard + Solset rooftop	Open since spring
3101 Wilson Blvd	(prior tenant not specified)	Paris Baguette	Open
3137 Wilson Blvd	7-Eleven, formerly Public Shoe Store	"Clarendon Eats" (Falafel Inc founder)	Permit filed, opening TBD
1137 N. Highland St	(prior tenant not specified)	Cielo	Open since June 16

Why This Cluster Broke Now, Not Gradually

Vacancies like these don't usually clear out on the same calendar. A bookstore closing, a hardware store closing, a convenience store closing after replacing a shoe store that ran for 77 years: those are separate stories that happened over separate years. What's notable is that the businesses filling those gaps all landed in the same several months of 2026, turning what used to be a scattering of dark storefronts into a run of active addresses you can walk in one evening.

Karagounis, describing why he picked Clarendon for The Boulevard and Solset, put it simply. He said the neighborhood these days "feels more downtown than being in the suburbs." Whether or not you'd have said that about Wilson Boulevard a year ago, it's a harder case to argue against with a bookstore turning into a brewery and a noodle counter, a hardware store turning into a rooftop bar, and a shuttered convenience store on deck to become someone's next fast-casual concept.

What's Already Open, and What's Still a Few Weeks Out

If you want to eat your way down this stretch tonight, Cielo has been open since June 16. It's a Latin supper club with a heaven-and-hell theme and live music, serving a dry-aged, coffee-rubbed tomahawk steak alongside branzino with kiwi chimichurri. The Boulevard and Solset have been running since spring, with Solset's happy hour menu and a beverage program directed by Glendon Hartley, previously known for his work at D.C. spots Service Bar and Amazonia. Paris Baguette has been open since early May.

What's not open yet: Xi'an Famous Foods and Three Notch'd Brewing, both still finishing out their space in the old Barnes & Noble, and the Falafel Inc-linked project at the former 7-Eleven, still at the permit stage. If you've been checking that storefront's windows for a sign of life, the permit filing is the first real evidence something is happening there. It's worth watching over the next few months.

Restaurant Week Is the Test Drive

If you'd rather sample the corridor in one organized push instead of hopping storefront to storefront on your own schedule, Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week runs Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 30, with 30 participating restaurants across Arlington. Ambar Clarendon, the Balkan restaurant on Wilson Boulevard, is on this year's list, offering a $35 lunch and a $55 or $65 dinner menu depending on the course count. It's not one of the corridor's newest additions, but it sits in the same few blocks as everything above, which makes this week a reasonable excuse to pair an old favorite with a first visit to whichever new address has opened by the time the week arrives.

The event is organized by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and as with any fixed-price week, it's worth checking each restaurant's specific menu and reservation availability before you go, since offerings and prices vary by location.

Walking It This Month

None of this changes what Clarendon has always been good at: a walkable few blocks where you can get dinner, a drink, and a coffee without moving your car. What's changed is which storefronts are doing the work. A bookstore that used to be a place to sit quietly with a magazine is, this summer, becoming a brewery and a noodle shop. A hardware store is a rooftop bar. A convenience store that replaced a 77-year-old shoe shop might soon be somebody's falafel counter. If you've lived here through the quiet years on this stretch, this is the first summer in a while where you'd notice the difference walking home.

If you're watching this corridor for a different reason, whether you own a home nearby and are curious what a stretch like this does for walkability and resale interest, or you're weighing a move into Clarendon or another part of Arlington, Michael Falcone has spent years tracking how neighborhood-level change like this plays out in local real estate. Reach out for a consultation if you want to talk through what a corridor like Wilson Boulevard means for your own plans.

Living & Working in McLean, VA: Pros & Cons (Local Guide)

By Michael Falcone • Updated Aug 18, 2025

Home ▸ Guides ▸ McLean, VA

Local Guide

Living & Working in McLean, VA: The Real Pros & Cons

Reading time: 8–10 mins Region: McLean, Tysons, Great Falls corridor

Tree‑lined street and elegant homes in McLean, VA (placeholder)

McLean blends quiet, tree‑canopied neighborhoods with fast access to Tysons, DC, and the George Washington Parkway. It’s where privacy and proximity meet—if you know which streets to target.

Pros (Why people choose McLean)

Proximity without the city noise. Minutes to Tysons, 15–25 minutes to DC in off‑peak via GW Parkway; quick access to I‑495, Route 123, and Route 7.
Top‑tier public schools. Many neighborhoods feed into highly rated FCPS pyramids; competitive private options nearby.
Lot size & privacy. Mature trees, larger lots than Arlington or Alexandria; pockets with estate‑style settings.
Safety & prestige. Quiet streets, well‑kept homes, and a refined, low‑key feel.
Outdoor access. Great Falls Park, Scott’s Run, and Langley Oaks trails are weekend staples.
Dining & retail upgrades. Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Galleria, and a growing fine‑dining scene within a 10‑minute radius.

Cons (The trade‑offs)

Peak‑hour traffic. GW Parkway, Chain Bridge, Route 123, and Route 7 bottlenecks can add significant time.
Price point. Premium land values; new builds and renovated homes command high multiples.
Walkability varies. Some pockets are car‑dependent; sidewalks aren’t universal on interior streets.
Older housing stock in core McLean. Many 1960s–1980s homes need updates; tear‑down activity is common.
Metro access is nearby—but not everywhere. Silver Line stations sit mainly in Tysons; plan for a short drive or bike unless you’re very close to the McLean station area.

Local note: If your commute depends on Chain Bridge or the GW Parkway, your exact street matters. Two similar addresses can mean a 10‑ to 20‑minute difference during peak.

Neighborhood snapshots (insider quick‑takes)

Langley / Chain Bridge Road Estate lots

Leafy, quiet, and close to GW Parkway. Popular for privacy, proximity to DC, and access to scenic trails.

West McLean sidewalk scene (placeholder)

West McLean Convenience

Near central McLean shops and dining; mix of renovated ramblers and new builds. Sidewalk coverage is better here.

Salona Village Walkable pockets

Coveted for proximity to downtown McLean and parks; premium for updated homes on larger lots.

Lewinsville / Chesterbrook School focus

Streets with a neighborhood feel, strong school pyramids, a CLub and Pool, and quick access toward Tysons and Arlington.

Tysons Fringe Urban access

Townhomes and newer builds within a short hop to Silver Line stations and luxury retail.

River Oaks / Potomac side Scenic

Near Scott’s Run and the river; serene streets and a nature‑first vibe. Limited retail—by design.

Commute & transit

Fast routes off‑peak: GW Parkway to DC (Chain Bridge/Memorial Bridge), I‑495 to Maryland or Dulles tech corridor.
Metro (Silver Line): Stations at McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill. Most McLean addresses are a short drive or bike away.
Peak tips: Depart before 7:15am or after 9:15am for DC‑bound trips; in the evening, watch Route 7/123 merges near Tysons.
Airport access: DCA via GW Parkway; IAD via Dulles Toll Road or I‑495 express lanes.

Simplified commute map: McLean to DC, Tysons, airports (placeholder)

Schools (public & private)

Many McLean neighborhoods feed into sought‑after Fairfax County Public Schools pyramids. Several respected private schools are within a 15–25 minute radius. Admissions and boundaries change—verify for your specific address.

Local check: Before you bid, plug the address into the FCPS boundary tool and call the school office to confirm future‑year assignments.

Lifestyle: dining, parks & weekends

Dining: Elevated options cluster in Tysons Galleria and along Route 123/7; downtown McLean offers neighborhood favorites and low‑key gems.
Parks & trails: Great Falls Park, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, Clemyjontri Park, and Langley Oaks. Many streets back to parkland—ask about trail cut‑throughs.
Retail: Luxury shopping at Tysons Galleria; everyday errands in central McLean. Expect ongoing enhancements along the Tysons corridor.

Costs & housing types

McLean skews higher than neighboring markets due to land value and lot sizes. You’ll find:

Renovated 1960s–80s colonials and ramblers on established streets.
New‑build luxury homes and curated infill projects (tear‑downs common).
Townhomes and condos closer to Tysons for a lower‑maintenance lifestyle.

Buyer tip: Premiums track lot characteristics: usable rear yard, tree canopy, topography, and street quietness. Two similar homes can appraise differently based on these subtleties.

Agent tips (street‑level insights)

Mind the cut‑throughs. Some streets feel busier during school drop‑off/commute windows; tour at those exact times.
Test your commute. Drive your actual route at your actual hours before you write.
Inspect the trees. Mature canopy is a signature here—evaluate health, root systems, and drainage around the foundation.
Plan for permits. Renovations and tear‑downs are common; build in time for Fairfax County reviews.
Sidewalks & safety. If walkability is key, shortlist West McLean/Salona pockets and verify sidewalk continuity on your block.

FAQs

Is McLean good for commuters?

Yes—especially if you leverage the GW Parkway and avoid peak bottlenecks. Silver Line stations nearby add flexibility.

How competitive is the market?

Turn‑key properties in prime pockets move quickly. Pre‑inspection, strong terms, and flexible post‑occupancy can help.

Which areas are most walkable?

Look around downtown McLean, West McLean, and select pockets near schools and parks. Tysons‑fringe townhomes are walkable to retail and Metro.

Thinking about McLean?

I tour these streets weekly and track off‑market inventory. Let’s refine your shortlist by commute, school path, and street‑level quiet.

Request a consult Browse McLean homes

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Clarendon's Old Barnes & Noble Is Becoming Two Restaurants This Summer