Silver Diner Continues DMV Takeover With Plans to Open First Alexandria Location

Modern diner moving in

Silver Diner, the local chain that marries classic American road trip food with contemporary trends of farm-sourcing and flexitarian cooking, is set to open its first Alexandria location. Weingarten Realty announced today that Silver Diner would open its 17th restaurant next summer inside a mixed-use development dubbed West Alex at the corner of King Street at North Beauregard Street. The Rockville-based diner, founded in 1989, has planted its flag all over Maryland and Virginia and has one outpost in New Jersey. Although it hasn’t yet moved into Alexandria, there’s a Silver Diner nearby at the Springfield mall.

Run of ramen continues

A Popville tipster spotted signage advertising a new ramen and izakaya bar called Yaju coming to Capitol Hill in 2020. Washington Business Journal previously reported on the project moving into 525 Eight Street SE on Barracks Row, which comes from the owner of RedRocks Pizza and will replace Phase 1, a Lesbian bar that has been closed for years. D.C. has been on something of a ramen run lately. The Daikaya Group just opened Hatoba in Navy Yard, Iishin Ramen set up shop across form Sakuramen in Adams Morgan, and the owners of Reren Lamen announced plans to open Basebowl by Nationals Park. [P; WBJ]

Fruitful endeavor

South Block, the Arlington-based juice company known for its smoothies and acai bowls, announced today that its forming a new nonprofit in partnership with Brian MacNair, the former executive director of World Central Kitchen and DC Central Kitchen. Fruitful Planet will put fresh produce into the hands of local children and families in need. South Block says it will donate 10 percent today’s profits from its 10 stores to the new enterprise.

Pinball wizards

Lyman’s Tavern in Columbia Heights was the subject of a TODAY show feature on the resurgence of pinball leagues and their growing popularity among women (one of whom may or may not be a dead ringer for Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson). [New Columbia Heights]