If you have walked through Reston Station near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro lately, you may have noticed something different. Neighbors are reporting that Matchbox at Reston Station has quietly closed, with the timing pointing to New Year’s Eve 2025 (December 31, 2025).

This story is developing, and we will update it as we learn more.

Quick outline

• What neighbors reported on New Year’s Eve

• Why the “moved to McLean” sign is confusing

• Why this location was such a Reston Station staple

• Who owns Matchbox (and the other brands locals know)

• What could come next in the space

What neighbors reported on New Year’s Eve

On January 1, 2026, a Reston resident shared on Nextdoor that they arrived for a reservation on New Year’s Eve and found the restaurant dark, with a notice posted on the door. They said security nearby mentioned the team had been packing out during the day. The poster added that they ended up finding seating at Founding Farmers and still had a great New Year’s dinner.

In the comments, neighbors reacted with surprise and started comparing it to other recent restaurant rumblings in the area. One commenter noted the closure caught them off guard. Another said they had assumed a different nearby spot might be the one to go first. Others wondered about visibility and rent at Reston Station, and one person pointed out that at least one other Matchbox location is still operating (they mentioned Merrifield specifically).

The door sign reportedly says “moved to McLean,” but that is not really a move

Several neighbors have noted that the sign on the door directs customers to the Matchbox in McLean.

That message reads more like a redirect than a relocation. The McLean Matchbox has been open since early 2023, with a grand opening event in April 2023, so it is not a brand-new replacement for Reston Station.

Why this Matchbox location mattered at Reston Station

This Matchbox had one of the most interesting restaurant settings in Reston’s Urban Core. It sat on the ground floor of the office tower commonly known as the Google building at Reston Station, 1900 Reston Metro Plaza.

It also had a patio setup that felt made for warm-weather nights. The outdoor seating and bar area were right next to the plaza where Reston Station hosts seasonal programming like the Summerbration concerts and events. When the music was on, it was basically a front-row seat.

Who owns Matchbox, and why locals recognize the other brands

Matchbox is part of Thompson Restaurants, which operates under the larger Thompson Hospitality umbrella. Thompson Restaurants’ home office is based in Reston, which is one reason their brands feel so familiar around Reston and Herndon.

In addition to Matchbox, many local residents know the group for:

• Big Buns

• Makers Union

• Wiseguy Pizza

We reached out for comment

We have reached out to Thompson Restaurants for comment and will update this article when we hear back with confirmation, timing, or any additional details about what is next.

What could come next in the space

This is a high-visibility restaurant box with real strengths: strong foot traffic patterns, a built-in audience from nearby residences and offices, and outdoor seating that connects directly to the plaza energy during events.

At the same time, neighbors have raised a fair point. If a restaurant is not easily visible to Metro riders as they come and go, it can be harder to capture casual walk-in traffic, especially for a place that depends on spur-of-the-moment decisions.

So now the big question: what would be the best fit here?

Are you disappointed by the news, and what would you like to see take over this space at Reston Station?