greaterrestonliving Kathy loves a good fake holiday like “National Ice Cream Day” but has no idea that there is a National Kathleen Day, and it’s today. I’m (Graham here) pretty much the only person who ever calls her that, so I thought I’d use the occasion to give you some fun facts about Kathy. Hopefully, you’ll have as much fun getting to know something you didn’t know about Kathy as I had making this post! I can’t wait to see her reaction! HAHAHA!! Oh, and if you have a fun fact about Kathy you should definitely add it here. Oh, oh, also if you are a Kathleen, tell us your favorite fun fact!

greaterrestonliving Big development news near the Herndon Metro station 🚇🏗️ The former T-Mobile office campus along Sunrise Valley Drive (right by Fairfax County Parkway) is being proposed for a major transformation. A Reston-based builder, Stanley Martin, has filed a rezoning application for a project called East Link that would replace the aging office buildings with a new transit-oriented neighborhood. Here are the highlights locals should know: 
🏘️ More than 1,000 new residences are being proposed, including 174 income-restricted units
🏢 The plan shows four multifamily buildings plus around 210 townhouses, including stacked townhomes
🏛️ A one-story brick building next to the Metro garage would be repurposed into a community center
🌳 Nearly 3 acres of park space is part of the concept, with a playground, common green, pavilion with amphitheater-style seating, and even a pickleball court
🚲 Along Sunrise Valley Drive, the proposal includes upgraded bike and pedestrian connections, including a separated cycle track concept. This is still early in the process, but it gives a clear picture of where this corridor could be headed as Reston and Herndon continue to grow around Metro. If you live nearby, this is the kind of project that can shape daily life, from traffic patterns to where you spend time outdoors. What would you want most here: more green space, more housing options, or more retail mixed in? #restonva #herndonva #sunrisevalleydrive #silverline Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: 
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving ☕️ The best-tasting coffee in Reston might come from a kiss and ride. If you’ve never stopped at The Traveling Shepherd Coffee Company, here’s why it’s worth the detour. The owner, Brandon, sources beans from 25+ countries, then roasts and brews them in the styles those places are known for. When you chat with him, you do not just order coffee. You get the story behind it, and somehow the cup tastes even better once you know where it came from. 🌍 We recently got to tour his roasting setup, and he’s roasting fresh every week. That freshness is a big part of why so many people keep coming back. There’s a growing crew of regulars who show up week after week, and it feels more like catching up with friends than waiting in line. 🤝 📍 Where to find him locally
Fox Mill South Reston Park and Ride (2531 Reston Pkwy, Reston)
🗓️ Fridays, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM (year round, weather permitting) 🍫 Bonus: he also partnered with River-Sea Chocolates for a special bar made to pair with his coffee. If you love coffee and chocolate together, do not skip that. Have you tried The Traveling Shepherd yet, and what’s your go-to order? #RestonVA #HerndonVA #FoxMill #NorthernVirginia Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: 
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Heads up, foodies: Fairfax County will add a 4% meals tax in 2026. It applies to prepared food and drinks at restaurants, cafes, takeout, delivery, grocery prepared foods, and food trucks. Exempt spots: the Towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna, plus the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Will this change where you eat out? Tell us below. For weekly local updates, comment “Insider.” 🍽️✨ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving 🚧 Traffic alert: Northbound Reston Parkway loses its right lane on the bridge over the Dulles Toll Road for repairs. No left turn to the westbound Toll Road; follow the detour via Sunset Hills Rd and Fairfax County Pkwy. The shift starts at 9 a.m. and is expected to last about two weeks, so plan extra time. Want more local openings + events? Comment “Insider” to join our weekly Reston Insider newsletter. Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving 🎨 New spot to add to your Reston Town Center walk: Ovissi Art Gallery and Boutique. It’s part gallery, part boutique, and the artwork hits you right away with rich color and bold, vibrant energy. This space celebrates Nasser Ovissi, a longtime Reston resident whose work is tied to the Saqqakhaneh movement, blending modern style with traditional Persian symbols and storytelling. He even exhibited alongside Salvador Dalí in 1977, which says a lot about the scale of his career. One detail that stayed with me: his paintings place women front and center in a way that’s powerful and celebratory, the kind of portrayal the current Iranian regime would not allow. And you do not have to be shopping for an original to enjoy it. They have prints, books, scarves, jewelry, and more, so it’s an easy stop if you want something meaningful to take home or a unique gift. 📍 11932 Democracy Drive, Reston Town Center
🕒 Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00 AM–6:30 PM, Sun 12:00–5:00 PM If you go, tell me what you’re drawn to most, the colors, the horses, the women, or the details. #RestonVA #RestonTownCenter #northernvirginia #restonarts Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: 
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving 🍕 Reston Station update: Matchbox appears to have closed. 
A neighbor reported showing up with a New Year’s Eve reservation (12/31/25) and finding the restaurant dark with a notice on the door. The sign reportedly points guests to the McLean Matchbox, but that location has already been open for about two years, so this reads as a true closure. This spot was on the ground floor of the Google building at Reston Station, with a great bar and outdoor seating right beside the plaza where the Summerbration concerts happen. Front-row seat, basically. 🎶 Matchbox is part of Thompson Restaurants (Thompson Hospitality, based in Reston), the group behind local favorites like Big Buns, Makers Union, and Wiseguy. We reached out to Thompson Restaurants for comment and will update when we hear back. What would you love to see replace it at Reston Station? 👇 Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: 
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Comment “Pottery” for a chance to win a free workshop session at Potters Union in Herndon. 🏺✨ Potters Union pottery studio is officially open in Herndon, and it is one of those places that pulls you out of your routine in the best way. 🏺✨ I brought my son, Jack, for a workshop and loved how quickly it felt like a reset. No phone in your hand, just clay on the wheel, an instructor keeping you on track, and a room full of people quietly making something together. It felt less like “a class” and more like a community space where everyone is rooting for your first little bowl to survive. Quick backstory: Potters Union was created by two Reston neighbors who wanted more studio space and flexibility in our area, so they built the kind of warm, home-like studio they wished existed. If you want to try it, their workshops are a great entry point. They are 3 hours, beginner friendly, and include clay, tools, glazing, and firings. Bonus: coffee, tea, and snacks while you work. ☕️ Your finished piece is typically ready for pickup about 4 to 5 weeks later. And yes, we had a “Ghost moment.” If you have never seen it, Ghost is a classic 1990 movie with a famous pottery wheel scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. I was struggling, the instructor leaned in to help, and suddenly it felt very cinematic for about three seconds. Jack, meanwhile, picked it up way faster than I did, which was both impressive and humbling. 😄 📍 Potters Union Studio: 427 Carlisle Drive, Suite B (2nd floor), Herndon
🕒 Hours: Tue–Thu 10am–9pm | Fri–Sat 10am–6pm | Sun 10am–4pm | Mon closed Comment “Pottery” for a chance to win a free workshop session at Potters Union, and share this video with the friend you’d bring with you. #HerndonVA #RestonVA #FairfaxCountyVA #NorthernVirginia Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving