In a significant development for the local retail scene, the Best Buy store at 1455 Stafford Market Place in North Stafford will close its doors on Saturday, March 2, 2024. A sign on the storefront reassures customers, stating, “It’s not goodbye. It’s see you around,” urging them to explore other Best Buy locations in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge.

The Stafford Best Buy originally opened in 2008, marking a milestone for the county. Residents had long desired additional retail options closer to home, reducing the necessity of traveling to neighboring areas. However, changing consumer habits driven by the prevalence of online shopping have contributed to the store’s closure.

The closure is seen as a setback for the county, where residents consistently desire more shopping and entertainment destinations. The news comes amidst ongoing anticipation for developments like The Garrison, a 57-acre property acquired by Reston-based developer Pence Group in 2015. The original plans for The Garrison included 500,000 square feet of commercial space, over 400 residential units, a 12-screen Regal Cinemas, new restaurants, and apartment homes.

However, ground has yet to be broken, and the original deadline of spring 2018 has passed. The county has been without a movie theater since crews demolished Regal Cinemas 10 at Aquia Town Center in 2016.

Simultaneously, commercial development is progressing at Embrey Mill on Courthouse Road, featuring a Publix grocery store, several fast-food restaurants, and locally-owned establishments such as Table 9 Kitchen, Crimson Coward, Manhattan Pizza, and Up North Cutz.

In a further sign of changing times, a new Wawa is under construction at Embrey Mill Town Center, and Texas retail giant Buc-ee’s has expressed interest in building a 74,000-square-foot convenience store with 120 gas pumps.

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The property at 9329 Main Street in downtown Manassas, which formerly housed the popular Three Monkeys Chophouse, is now listed for sale. The 4,091 square feet space includes fully equipped restaurant facilities, 2,684 square feet of banquet space, and an additional 2,684 square feet of second-floor offices and meeting rooms.

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The Kenmore Inn in Fredericksburg has undergone a change in ownership, with Newport News-based company Ironclad Distillery Co. acquiring the property for $2.4 million in late 2023. Ironclad, known for bourbon whiskey production in Newport News, intends to establish a tasting room in the Kenmore Inn's basement, set to open within a month.

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Local Spotlight: Folks, I’m serious about Local Spotlight being the most effective, affordable advertising I’ve ever offered.

• And it’s a tremendous value for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Local Spotlight members receive:

• At least three ads on our potomaclocalnews.com website (new positions coming)
• Priority posting of announcements and events here in the Publisher’s Post (emailed directly to more than 15,500 opt-in recipients)
• We have 1.5 Million local, engaged readers — authentically local readers, unlike those “local” viewers the big social media companies told you reached during your last “targeted” campaign.
• Flexible payment options that include annual and bi-annual payments
• Plus: I’m so convinced that Local Spotlight members will get such great value that I’m willing to work with smaller businesses on monthly plans to earn your membership in the program.
• Sold $1,620 annually (SAVE 10%), $894 bi-annually, or $149 monthly.
• Contact me today to become a member.

Snow day: We’re expecting up to three inches of snow today, according to our forecast sponsored by Water’s End Brewery. Send us your snow pictures.

Events: Post your events to our local calendar FREE by clicking this link. We reach 1.5 million readers a year, so FREE ain’t bad for that amount of targeted reach.

MLK Day: Reporter Katherine Madere is covering the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Program & Youth Oratorical Competition, held this year at Colgan Senior High School near Woodbridge.

New Mexican-style: Amelia Breeden’s story about Anita’s New Mexican-style diner reopening near Manassas has drawn some debate on our Facebook page, proving once again that people on social media will argue over anything.

• “Oh man, this brings back wonderful memories from my childhood.”
• “So many great El Salvadoran places in Manassas. I was actually sad to see this.”

Huntley event confusion: Some on the FredNats Facebook page are confused about the event at the baseball stadium honoring Fredericksburg’s “Huntley,” who won season 24 of “The Voice” on NBC.

• “What fun? No food, no game, no concert? So everyone just stares at each other and worships Huntley?”

Trash talkin’: The Stafford County Sheriff took a swipe at Dallas Cowboys fans this morning after their 48-32 loss in the wildcard playoff game. Full story.

Supervisors: Prince William and Stafford counties Board of Supervisors meetings will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Our reporters will cover stories about adding classroom trailers to preserve historic sites.

Shootings: We’re following several breaking stories today, including two shootings, on our homepage.

Drop a line: Tell us how we’re doing and send news tips to [email protected].

Thanks for your continued support of local news in our communities.

Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News

Exploding meat: Today, we debuted a new ad format on Potomac Local News for Dixie Bones, and I couldn’t be more excited.

• It’s called the Likable Ad, and, just like a Facebook or Instagram post, you can like the ad and show some love to small businesses that support local news in our communities.
• The most remarkable thing about the new ad format is that it bursts with customizable images when you “like” it.
• In Dixie Bones’ case, it’s exploding meat. What else would it be?
• Please support Dixie Bones and the other small restaurants that are working to provide great food, service, and jobs to their employees.
• As we’ve reported, inflation and a new meals tax in Prince William County have taken their toll on small restaurant owners. So, when you eat out, support local.

An event for your Saturday: “ECPI University Open House; For adult learners looking to pursue their college and career goals in 2024, ECPI University is holding an Open House on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our Northern Virginia campus at 10021 Balls Ford Rd #100, Manassas, VA 20109.”

• Please submit your events FREE to our calendar.

Wet weather: There’s more rain in our forecast, sponsored by Waters End Brewery.

Chicken head: Mike Salmon’s story about a man who found what appeared to be a chicken’s head in his dinner was the most-viewed story on our website this week.

• Check it out if you missed it.

Restaurant Week: It’s almost time to taste some of the restaurants you’ve been meaning to get to during Fredericksburg’s Winter Restaurant Week.

• Members can read all about it. Please become a member today — your contribution helps us pay our reporters.

What we’re working on: Our reporters always look out for you and the following big stories. Here’s what is coming to you in the next few days:

• Caitlyn Meisner looks at the first remarks from newly-elected Prince William Board County Supervisor Chair Deshundra Jefferson, who promises a new day on the body that governs Virginia’s second-largest jurisdiction.
• Charity McCoy will tell us about continuing preparations for a new passenger jet service at the Manassas Regional Airport. 
• Mike Salmon will show us how Fredericksburg works to build a better bicycle network.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for your continued support of local news in our communities.

Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News

 

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Diners in Stafford and those traveling through have a new restaurant to find “down home cooking” in a “cozy place … [that] feels like your dining room.”

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Hey everyone, here is a quick update on some things we’re working on at potomaclocalnews.com.

We start with breaking news, as Stafford County has just issued a boil water advisory for residents in the northern part of the county.

Meanwhile, Mike Salmon is in Fredericksburg at this hour, photographing the flooding downtown.

• Salmon says the water has not affected any homes or businesses but notes, “Everyone and their grandmother are out here taking photos of the flood.”
• A city official tells us the water is now 18 feet deep, five feet above flood stage, and rising. High tide is about 5 p.m. today. City Dock remains inaccessible.
• We’ll post Salmon’s story on the site this afternoon.
• Sign up here to become a member and read all of our local news.

Meanwhile, we’re still taking submissions from small businesses for our Small Business Saturday updates that post on — you guessed it — Saturdays.

• It’s free to submit your notices.

Also, please submit your events to our FREE events calendar.

• I like highlighting events on our calendar in my Publisher’s Post, especially for Local Spotlight members.

Restaurant alert: The news isn’t all bad today because we’re working on a story from reporter Kevin Sandell about the Widewater Grill, a new dining option in Stafford County.

• Look for it on potomaclocalnews.com.

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.

Fredericksburg is hosting Winter Restaurant Week from January 12 to 21, with 45 restaurants from all over the city participating. It’s an opportunity for the chefs to showcase their talents to new and returning customers.

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