Account Executives: Judy Harbin jharbin@ashburnmagazine.com Steve Dennen steve@ashburnmagazine.com
ART DIRECTOR
Kara Thorpe
CONTRIBUTORS
Paul Anthony Arco • Denise Scott Love Runs Wild Photography
PUBLISHED BY Rappahannock Media LLC • InsideNoVa 9319 Grant Ave. Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 318-1386
PRESIDENT
Dennis Brack
BUSINESS OFFICE
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Fast cars, Irish jigs and cute cows
Even though I was a big sports fan from a very early age, I tended to follow the “ball and stick” sports – football, baseball, basketball and golf. And I’m not a “car guy,” by any means. I can put gas in the tank and air in the tires, but that’s about it.
So it wasn’t until I began working as a sports editor for the newspaper in Richmond that I started paying attention to NASCAR.
And, boy, did NASCAR grab my attention. The first time I went to a race in Richmond, I was hooked. The roar of engines as the cars whizzed past literally shook my body. The speed, dexterity and synchronization of a pit crew changing four tires in 14 seconds was impressive to see up close.
ON THE WEB www.ashburnmagazine.com Facebook and Twitter: @ashburnmagazine
Then during a sports editors conference, I had a chance to put on a fire suit and helmet and ride in a race car on the Richmond track with a NASCAR driver at the wheel. He was probably only driving at about 80% of race speed, but I still felt as though we were going straight toward the wall when we entered the first turn. Let’s just say it was a good thing lunch was afterward and not beforehand.
And although NASCAR has traditionally been considered a Southern sport, one of Ashburn’s own is making a name for himself in the sport’s second-highest level. Read about
Stone Bridge High School graduate Ryan Ellis’ career in our cover story, which starts on Page 18.
Elsewhere in this issue, meet a couple of local teens who are making names for themselves in a totally different activity – Irish dance. You’ll definitely want to do a jig after you read their story on Page 24.
If all this racing and dancing tires you out, why not drive to northwest Loudoun County to relax at Sterling Hills Farm with its adorable Scottish Highland cows? The shaggy beasts are featured on Page 32. You’ll also find lots of other things to do this summer in our online Road Trip! section –see Page 28 for details. Finally, we were delighted last month to celebrate with over 100 representatives of our 2026 Best of Ashburn winners at a special reception held at Belmont Country Club. See pictures from the event on Page 12, and if you missed the announcement of the winners, check out our May/June issue on AshburnMagazine.com.
Enjoy the rest of your summer – just like a race car, it’ll go by fast!
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"SHE SAVED MY LIFE"
Loudoun county resident Dawn R. had been experiencing the painful side effects of Peripheral Neuropathy, “my feet and legs were extremely painful and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do. That I would have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my life.”
Then she met Ashburn's very own Rachal Lohr, L.Ac.
Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort, and numbness caused by nerve damage to the peripheral nervous system. Dawn explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful
“How can you live for the next 30 years when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?”
She was experiencing the burning, numbness, tingling, and sharp pains that those suffering from neuropathy often describe. “The way that I would describe it, it’s equivalent to walking on glass.” Dawn hadn’t worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big, so that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet.
Unfortunately, Dawn’s story is all too familiar for the over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.
If you’re unfortunate enough to be facing the same disheartening prognosis, you’re not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet You have difficulty walking, shopping, or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain. You’re struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall Your doctor told you to ‘just live with the pain,’ and you’re taking medications that aren’t working or have uncomfortable side effects
PERIPHERAL
Fortunately, two months ago Dawn read an article about Rachal and the work she was doing to treat those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, without invasive surgeries or medications.
Rachal Lohr, L.Ac., founder and integrative medicine practitioner of Firefly Acupuncture and Wellness, located in Ashburn, is using the timetested science of Acupuncture and a technology originally developed by NASA that helps increase blood flow and expedite recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease.
“Now, when I go to bed at night I don’t have those shooting pains. I don’t have that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs.”
Dawn enthusiastically describes life after receiving Rachal Lohr's treatments. “I can wear socks and shoes!”
Dawn and her sister now operate a successful dog-walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day.
“It’s life-altering. As far as I’m concerned Rachal saved my life!”
Rachal and her team have been helping the senior community for nearly 20 years using the most cutting-edge and innovative integrative medicine. Specializing in chronic pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed ‘hopeless’ or ‘untreatable’, she consistently generates unparalleled results.
What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now easily accessible to the residents of Northern Virginia
If you’ve missed too many tee times because of pain or you’ve passed on walking through the town centers with friends because you’re afraid of falling, it’s time to call Rachal Lohr, L.Ac., and the team at Firefly.
It’s time you let your golden years BE GOLDEN!
Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. is once again accepting new patients. And for a limited time will be offering Complimentary Consultations, so call (703)263-2142 to schedule a consultation today.
Visit FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com to learn more and to take advantage of their New Patient Offer!
AROUND ASHBURN Pinball Partners
Two buddies turn a passion for arcade games into a burgeoning business
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
In 2019, Ocelot Brewing had some unused space at its taproom off Old Ox Road near the airport. The owner got to chatting with his neighbor, Chris Chatman. He knew Chatman had a collection of pinball machines he’d bought over the years and wondered whether some of those games would be a fun addition to Ocelot.
That simple conversation between friends turned into a business – named Outatime Amusements – that is growing in leaps and bounds.
From a handful of pinball machines and one Loudoun location seven years ago, it has now grown to nearly 200 pinball machines, arcade games, claw machines, ATMs, jukeboxes and more at roughly 30 locations in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
“I was a teenager in what was the heyday of arcades in the early to mid ’80s,” Chatman said. “One of my favorite memories is visiting the arcades on our annual summer trip to Ocean City. Seeing multiple copies of the latest and greatest arcade games lined up is a core memory.”
Chatman – who lives in Aldie and is mostly retired from a career in the software industry – partnered in the Outatime venture with his buddy, Matt Wycoff from Warrenton. The two had met a decade earlier in an online pinball forum and discovered their mutual love of old games. They bought, sold, traded and repaired old games for years before launching Outatime.
“Chris and I are both passionate pinball collectors and enthusiasts,” said Wycoff, who still works in cybersecurity when he’s not focused on arcade games. “We built a friendship around a shared passion.”
The business model is simple: They buy games and other entertainment devices in bulk from distributors, then place them in bars, restaurants and other venues. They share the revenue the machines generate with the establishment under an operating agreement.
And no, it’s not all running around collecting bags of quarters. While some of Outatime’s machines in smaller venues do still run on quarters, most have digital “cashless” payment systems.
Put it altogether and it’s a model that has produced rapid growth for the company. It seems many bars and restaurants
Matt Wycoff (left) and Chris Chatman (right) playing one of their beloved arcade games.
“The name OUTATIME Amusements comes from the iconic license plate on the DeLorean time machine in ‘Back to the Future,’” Matt Wycoff said.
“Chris and I are both huge fans of the movie franchise – we’ve both attended events to meet cast members from the films – and it perfectly captures the nostalgia and sense of fun that drew us to arcades and pinball in the first place.”
and other venues are eager to have a selection of games onsite.
“Games help increase ‘dwell time,’” Wycoff said. “They keep patrons entertained and encourage them to stay longer and spend more time at the venue.” And presumably spend more money, too – a win for the establishment.
Chatman and Wycoff are now working with The Pelican Group, a national amusement operator that has helped them get their games into Regal Cinema locations and – soon – into a Sky Zone Trampoline Park location in Maryland. The hope is that will lead to additional Sky Zone locations.
Outatime has also recently partnered with a moving company that provides warehouse space for games and transports them to new clients.
“That partnership has helped us grow more efficiently while staying focused on customer experience and machine quality,” Wycoff said.
Ah yes – machine quality. That’s a big deal to the guys at Outatime. They make sure their games are in tip-top shape, repairing and refurbishing them regularly.
“One of our core principles from the beginning has been quality,” Wycoff said. “Nobody wants to put money into a machine that is broken, poorly maintained or impossible to win.”
And that philosophy is working. Today, that first game location near Ashburn – over at Ocelot Brewing –continues to be a tentpole for the company. The brewery now has 20 pinball machines plus a handful of classic arcade games to entertain its guests. A
AROUND ASHBURN
Covering His Community
Ashburn man launches international news site for South Asians abroad
BY DENISE SCOTT
As T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman drove his family back to Ashburn after a summer trip in 2024, his daughter was curious about his plans to launch a daily national news website for the South Asian diaspora a few months later.
When he explained that South Asian Herald would provide free subscriptions and rely on funding through advertisements, sponsorships and grants, the then 10-year-old decided to help the venture succeed. After arriving home, she set up a lemonade stand in their Belmont Country Club community.
“True to her word, she, with the help of her brother, Raghu, raised $134, becoming our first donor,” Jayaraman said. “Her name, Anagha, fittingly means the ‘Goddess of Wealth.’”
Since its launch, the South Asian Herald has quickly gained about 100,000 readers across the United States and globally, with a significant following in the DMV region.
Jayaraman, who is editor-in-chief, says he works 15-plus hours per day, publishing the original stories reported by himself and a team of writers on the publication’s website.
Jayaraman is a veteran journalist, having worked at multiple newspapers in India before moving to the United States in 2006, where he earned his second master’s degree, in Diplomacy and International Relations. He also earned a doctorate in International Administration with a focus on the United Nations and South Asia.
He has covered the White House, U.S. Congress, United Nations, World Bank, IMF and the South Asian community.
“Our contributing editors are senior journalists who I have either worked with or known professionally for years. They write opinion articles and
South Asian Herald founder T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman (above) was honored by U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill in May as a leading Asian American for his journalism work.
analysis on various international and national issues affecting the diaspora,” Jayaraman said. “From time to time, I also invite experts and students to write guest columns on different topics. Last year, we had interns from India, Canada and across the country, including from the Academies of Loudoun [near] Ashburn who helped us with social media and marketing.”
The South Asian Herald covers everything from politics to parenting, all from a unique perspective.
“I started South Asian Herald because I felt our community needed a place where our stories are told with care, accuracy and pride,” Jayaraman said. “South Asian Americans are growing in number and influence, and yet so much of our news is scattered or misses the cultural context. I wanted to build a platform that brings our voices together and reflects who we really are.”
In addition to the website’s daily news, the South Asian Herald has become a media organization with multiple offerings plus bureaus in Dubai and Australia. It launched a weekly e-newsletter in November 2024 and a weekly e-paper in April 2026. Both are posted online and emailed to subscribers. And a sister podcast called The D.C. Dispatch launched mid-2025.
“Our growth has been almost entirely organic,” Jayaraman said. “People read a story, share it with their friends or family, and the circle widens. We didn’t launch with a big marketing push – the community itself has carried us forward.” A
You can follow the South Asian Herald at southasianherald.com.
AROUND ASHBURN CELEBRATING
The Best of Ashburn
Winners of Ashburn Magazine’s 2026 Best of Ashburn awards, along with colleagues, friends and family members, gathered at Belmont Country Club on June 3 for the second annual Best of Ashburn celebration.
The 2026 Best of Ashburn winners were announced in the May/June issue of the magazine.
Over 100 people attended the evening reception, held in the country club’s manor house and on the front lawn. Best of Ashburn plaques and banners were presented to the winning businesses and organizations represented.
“Ashburn Magazine was created in 2019 to connect our community and help us meet our neighbors and learn about local businesses,” said Bruce Potter, publisher of the magazine. “There’s no better way to do that than to bring together so many of the community’s top business leaders in this beautiful setting.”
The Best of Ashburn winners were selected in about 120 categories by nearly 10,000 area residents who cast about 80,000 total votes during online balloting in February. Nearly 2,000 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated for the honors.
Belmont Country Club served as the host for the event, and Loudoun Economic Development was the primary sponsor.
Photos by Scarlett Eleganza Photography
Many of the businesses, individuals and organizations that were chosen as Best of Ashburn 2026 received banners and plaques, during the celebration, including Loudoun School for Advanced Studies and Row House, both of which won in multiple categories. Attendees enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the manor house and on the front lawn of Belmont Country Club.
around ashburn
CALENDAR
LOUDOUN CARS & COFFEE
For more events across the region, visit InsideNoVa.com/calendar.
LOUDOUN STATION, 43805 CENTRAL STATION DRIVE, ASHBURN
SATURDAY, JULY 11 AND SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
Whether you drive an exotic car, a classic car, or a muscle car – or you just love the automotive scene, everyone is welcome at Cars & Coffee events. Spectators are always encouraged to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. Bring your family, friends, kids and even your pets for a relaxed outdoor community event built around positive vibes and shared passion.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: HANDMADE MARKET AT BEAR CHASE
BEAR CHASE BREWING CO.
18294 BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN ROAD, BLUEMONT
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 11 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
30 local artists with handcrafted gifts! Enjoy drinks and food from the brewery while enjoying beautiful views. Free admission
2026 POLO IN THE PARK
MORVEN PARK INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER
41580 SUNDAY MORNING LANE, LEESBURG
SATURDAYS – JULY 11, 18, 25 6 TO 10 P.M. EACH WEEK
TICKETS:
Each night of the season will include two arena polo matches, with the first starting at 7 p.m. and the second starting at about 8:30 p.m. Each match will showcase the skills of nationally and internationally recognized polo players, performing at the top of their game. Spectators are encouraged to bring a picnic or visit the many food and wine vendors and enjoy their beverage of choice in the viewing area next to the arena.
PURCELLVILLE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
FIREMAN’S FIELD PARK
250 SOUTH NURSERY AVENUE, PURCELLVILLE
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2 TO 8 P.M.
A day of local wine, beer, food, live music, art and more. The event will feature 40 vendors, including wineries, breweries, food and snack purveyors, and local exhibitors. Enjoy live music performances by The Darby Brothers, The Rick Reaves Band and the Franklin Park Big Band.
LOUDOUN COUNTY FAIR
LOUDOUN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
17558 DRY MILL ROAD, LEESBURG
TUESDAY, JULY 21,
TO SATURDAY, JULY 25
OPENS AT 10 A.M. EACH DAY
It’s time for the 90th annual Loudoun County Fair celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage. Food vendors, carnival rides and games, 4-H competitions, musical performances and animals galore.
POTOMAC RUNNING:
PR BASH 5K AND 1K
ONE LOUDOUN
20436 EXCHANGE STREET, ASHBURN
SUNDAY, JULY 26
8 A.M.
Join the party as Potomac Running celebrates 23 years with a race followed by an ice cream truck, face painting, lawn games, caricature drawings, balloon animals, a hydration station, raffles, giveaways and more.
NATIVE BEES
ASHBURN LIBRARY
43316 HAY ROAD, ASHBURN FRIDAY, AUG. 7
11 A.M. TO 12 NOON
Did you know that there are more than 400 bee species native to Virginia? Some, like bumble bees, are huge. Others are almost too small to see! This is your chance to peek into the fascinating lives of native bees and learn to identify bees you might see in your garden.
NEXT STOP COMEDY SHOW
LOST RHINO BREWING COMPANY 21730 RED RUM DRIVE NO. 142, ASHBURN FRIDAY, AUG. 21
7:30 P.M.
Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues! Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts.
LEESBURG FESTIVAL OF ARTS & KITES
IDA LEE PARK 60 IDA LEE DRIVE NW, LEESBURG SATURDAY, AUG. 22
11 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Enjoy a fun-filled festival with flying kites, handmade arts and crafts and interactive activities. Meander amongst a bevy of artisan vendors and discover their unique handmade goods – all while watching the sky come alive with vibrant kites dancing in the breeze.
’80S MAYHEM FEATURING THE LEGWARMERS
LOUDOUN STATION 43751 CENTRAL STATION DRIVE, ASHBURN SATURDAY, AUG. 29, 6:30 TO 9:30 P.M.
Break out the neon and get ready for a night of totally awesome throwback fun as The Legwarmers take the stage for an unforgettable evening packed with the biggest hits of the 1980s. From rock anthems to pop classics, you'll be singing, dancing and reliving your favorite decade all night long. A
RED: Diamond hinged teardrop hoop earrings, Christopher Designs three -row pear diamond ring, PANDORA “Bow” sterling silver and CZ bracelet, diamond dangle bracelet, WHITE: Sapphire and diamond wrap ring, sapphire and diamond fan pendant, blue corundum and diamond h alo drop earrings, BLUE: Ruby and diamond bracelet, red coral and diamond earrings, PANDORA red cord snake chain bracelet, Beverley K. ruby “scatter” baguette band. All items or similar available for purchase at Ketterman’s. Please call, text or email for pricing and availability.
AroundtheTrack
Ashburn native racing to stay ahead in NASCAR
Growing up, Ryan Ellis imagined one day donning the jersey of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. He had that kind of talent coming up through the junior hockey ranks. But as good as he was handling a stick, Ellis was even better behind the wheel of a race car.
The Ashburn native started racing at age 4 and took off from there, winning several regional and national championships in quarter midgets racing. By the time he was 11, Ellis had moved into Legends Car racing, where he won the Virginia state championship and finished fourth in the national points championship.
After graduating from Stone Bridge High School in 2008, Ellis went on to attend college at George Mason University, but his sights were set on reaching the pinnacle of professional auto racing. In 2012, he joined the NASCAR circuit and now competes in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – the second level of NASCAR racing and often seen as a proving ground for drivers. It’s just below the top series, known as the Cup Series.
Ellis, 36, and his wife, Allison, a nurse, and their two children now call Huntersville, N.C., home.
In a recent interview with Ashburn Magazine, Ellis opens up about his love of racing, the challenge of being a professional racer and how he juggles the demands of competing on weekends while being dad to Hayden and Zoey.
BY PAUL ANTHONY ARCO
Track
How did you get involved in racing?
“It’s in my blood. Both of my grandfathers raced. Fredd Hayashi was an off-road racer, and Vic Ellis raced dirt bikes until he was killed in a race in 1958, the same year my dad, Jim, was born. My dad – Jim Ellis – raced his whole life until he passed the reins to me in 1993, when I started racing quarter midgets when I was 4.”
What has your dad meant to your career?
“He has provided a ton of support. When I was 16 and driving for race teams, he was everything – crew chief, driving our go-karts legend carts to the track and setting them up. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my dad.”
What was it like to be a young driver growing up in Ashburn?
“It was cool. There weren’t too many kids racing cars in Northern Virginia so being a race car driver as a kid became my identity. And I was good at racing. It’s the only job I have loved doing.”
Your mom, Jane, now lives near you in North Carolina, and your dad is in Florida. Do you ever get up to Northern Virginia these days?
“I do occasionally get back to NoVa. I come to visit friends sometimes and since I’m a huge Washington Capitals fan, I have driven up to watch them play – most recently with my family. Plus, I miss Moby Dick's a lot. Ha ha.” (Editor’s Note: He’s referring to the local kabob restaurant chain.)
What do you love about hockey?
“I dreamed of playing in the NHL, but I didn’t have the body for it. I played professionally with the Potomac Mavericks of the PIHA [Professional Inline Hockey Association] and for the George Mason team in college. I still play recreationally in adult leagues on Sundays here in Charlotte. You can get your anger out in hockey, but I try not to get hurt.”
How tough is it to be competitive in professional racing?
“As a young kid, I felt like I was winning everything or finished second. It was cool and I got used to winning. But once I hit NASCAR, everyone is so competitive and has a good variance in talent and budget. Most of these kids are 18 and their parents sponsor or own the racing company. A lot of us are competing with millionaires. I’ve never felt slightly comfortable to the point where I can relax. There are hundreds of drivers trying to take your job every day.”
Earlier this year, you finished sixth at Daytona, which was your careerbest in 165 O’Reilly Series starts. How did it feel to crack the Top 10?
“It felt great, but my first thought was ‘Dang, I missed the top five.’ But in this competitive sport, finishing near the top feels like a win. Drivers live lap by lap and race by race. We find wins along the way. People in this sport know how hard it is to be successful.”
What other jobs have you held?
“To make ends meet, I’ve had a few jobs including retail, fast food and I even worked as a director for a marketing firm. I became a full-time driver three years ago.”
How do you describe the demands of sitting behind the wheel during a race?
“It’s like playing chess in a sauna that is 130 degrees and riding a roller coaster at the same time. It’s a hellish environment. You’re dragged around the track from the G-force. There’s not a lot of room for mistakes. It’s so hot and so many things can go wrong. And it takes so long to physically recover from each race.”
Are you a driver who can repair his own car?
“I’m mechanically useless. There are two kinds of drivers – those who know their car inside and out, and those who don’t. It’s a mixed bag. A lot of young drivers have never turned a wrench. I think it pays to understand how the car is affected by changes, but I don’t need to know how to build the car. Some guys try to crew chief their own car. But you can have too much going on in your head.”
RYAN ELLIS STATS
Ellis has over 160 career starts in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts series since 2012, with two top-10 finishes, at Charlotte Motor Speedway last year and at Daytona International Speedway this year. He has also run six races in NASCAR’s Cup Series. Here are Ellis’ year-by-year rankings in the O’Reilly Auto Parts series:
What does the NASCAR season entail?
“It’s a very long season and it’s tough with young children. My season starts in February and runs through Thanksgiving. There are only three or four off weeks, so I try to get home one or two days between most races to spend with my daughters Hayden [4] and Zoey [1]. Going into dad mode on Sundays keeps my sanity after a bad race. Instead of getting uptight about the next race, I’d rather play ‘Pretty Pretty Princess’ with my kids.”
“I’d
OF THE Pluck Irish
Local teens shine in unique form of dance
BY DENISE SCOTT
Abby Swearingen and Natalie Booker
Imagine fully extending your feet and toes and going “en pointe” in ballet or doing the jumps and kicks and tricks of tap dancing. Now imagine doing it while keeping your upper body – torso, neck, head –almost completely still. Ok, now add in a heavy, bejeweled costume and a tall wig. What do you get? Why, the magic of Irish dance, of course. Abby Swearingen, 14, and Natalie Booker, 16, know all about this centuries-old form of dance. They represented Ashburn and Kristin Butke Irish Dance, a local school, at the World Irish Dancing Championships this spring in Chicago. Abby earned fifth place for her solo competition, and Natalie’s eight-person team took 10th place in its category.
The Dance
The origins of this specific style of Irish dance are somewhat lost to the mists of time. However, it’s thought that it started to come to prominence in the 17th century, influenced by English country dances and French quadrille dances.
One theory posits that the limited arm and head movements and frenetic foot movements of Irish dance came about because the dancing was often done in pubs or other places that were crowded or had
For solo dancing, the focus is on individual moves, tricks and kicks. For teams, the footwork is simple with the focus instead on spacing and synchronicity, explained the girls’ dance teacher, Kristin Butke Zagorski of Warrenton, herself a former competitor and professional dancer.
The School
She opened Kristin Butke Irish Dance 25 years ago and said her students benefit mentally and physically from the exercise, pattern memorization, coordination and socialization.
She and Denise Fumagali, the Ashburn location’s instructor, are the two certified U.S.-based teachers for the school, which has four locations in Virginia – including Ashburn – and one in Nashville.
Certified instructor John Lonergan of Cork, Ireland – a six-time world champion – has been a choreographer for the school for three years. In May, Butke Zagorski merged her school with Lonergan’s Cork location and another in Meath, Ireland, to form a new school called Clann Ríoga Irish Dance Academy.
“I went to Ireland and danced as a kid. They’re very proud of their heritage and their roots. And I just wanted to learn as much about Irish dancing as I could, to teach it. I met all the best people,” said Butke Zagorski, who began Irish dancing at age 4 and was a competitive dancer before performing with “Lord of the Dance” and other professional stage shows.
At age 25, she started her namesake dance school in Virginia, but she doesn’t mind changing its name because of what the new title represents.
“It is three schools coming together to form one large school,” she said. “Clann Ríoga is Gaelic – Clann means family and Ríoga means regal. Our new motto is ‘Built on Loyalty, Defined by Excellence.’”
Lonergan and the other Irish staff members will not teach in person every month, but they will be accessible through WhatsApp chats, videos and FaceTime lessons “to have that international bond, that access to Ireland,” Butke Zagorski said.
The Gear
Abby, who lives in Brambleton and is a rising freshman at Independence High School, said different footwear is designed for specific moves.
“We have Ghillies, which are more like ballet slippers, and that’s more light dancing and more jumps and tricks and stuff,” she said. “And then we have hard shoes, which are more like tap shoes, but they have fiberglass tips instead of metal, and you can go up on what we call blocks, which is kind of like going en pointe in ballet shoes.”
Their dazzling dresses are custom-made by designers. “They have Swarovski kind of gems all over them,”
Abby said. “So, they’re pretty heavy to dance in, but they’re very pretty.”
She completes the look with a platinum blonde wig and stage makeup, topped off with dramatic false eyelashes.
Natalie, who lives in the Village of Waxpool neighborhood and is a rising junior at Briar Woods High School, also enjoys the transformation that occurs when donning her costume.
“They’re super sparkly. So, it’s really fun to wear them because you feel like a whole new person,” she said. “The wigs are really secure, but they’re a little bit heavy, so it’s more about balance than worrying that it’s going to fall off your head.”
The Hard Work
Natalie’s mother, Cindy Clarkson, was impressed with the teachers’ resumes at Butke Zagorski’s dance school when her daughter began taking classes four years ago.
“The list of their achievements was quite impressive,” she said. “Everyone made us feel welcome. Natalie came out
of her first class and she was hooked.”
Butke Zagorski said Natalie is a phenomenal team dancer.
“There are eight positions on a team, and she could do any spot at any moment,” she said. “Very, very clued-in with counts and positions and spacing. That’s just an excellent quality to have.”
Natalie said her strong friendships with teammates have helped her to succeed. “It takes a lot of practice, and you kind of have to work as one brain,” she said.
Abby attended a summer camp at the dance school when she was 4 and began competing at age 5. Her mother, Maggie Swearingen, said she was surprised when Butke Zagorski approached her about Abby competing overseas when she was just 7.
“She said, ‘I think we need to take her to England for competition this fall,’” Swearingen recalled. “And I was like, ‘Oh, I think you have the wrong Abby’s mom.’ And she’s like, ‘No, I don’t have the wrong Abby.’”
Butke Zagorski recalled telling Swearingen, “I think she’s capable. There’s no rule that says how long you have to be in it before you can compete.” (Her own son, 2022 world champion Garet Zagorski, began competing at age 4½.)
She said Abby has always had a lot of energy and listened well. “Those kinds of aspects are what a teacher looks for in competitive dancers. Somebody who enjoys coming to class, always smiling, always listening, coming back with the things that we have taught – fixed or better.”
Abby’s dedication to her craft is obvious by her schedule: dancing at the studio four days each week for three-hour sessions, plus one day of cross training. Overseas competitions quickly became the norm, with Abby participating in several per year.
“I go to a lot of local feises [Irish dance competitions] every other weekend or so. But then there’s in-country majors –regionals and nationals, like two times a
year,” she said. “Overseas, probably four times last year.”
Swearingen said Abby works hard for her success. “She practices, she loves it, and so we keep doing it,” she said. “It would certainly be a cool thing to have her be able to tour. There’s a lot of opportunities. But also, we just want her to do what she wants to do.”
Abby Swearingen and her instructor, Kristen Butke Zagorski, celebrate her success at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Chicago this spring by giving the trophy a traditional kiss.
SUMMER 2026 ROAD Trip!
Quick summer getaways and fun experiences, just a road trip away
Sometimes, you just need a break. Thankfully — to our north, south, east and west — it’s not too late for a spontaneous summer jaunt.
In the summer of America 250, one of NORTHERN VIRGINIA’s most-immersive places to dive into the thrilling and historymaking moments of the American Revolution is found at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir. Dive into two Revolution-focused exhibits, featuring augmented reality — and reality, including a special gift given by Gen. George Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette.
Speaking of our first president, George Washington’s Mount Vernon now includes a beer garden featuring rotating local craft brews. And visitors to the estate can now take advantage of Mount Vernon’s new shuttle service from the King Street Metro station in Alexandria.
Next month, the largest county fair in Virginia, the Prince William County Fair, runs Aug. 7-15, promising livestock demonstrations, a petting zoo, rodeos and carnival rides.
Our own PIEDMONT AREA presents its own array of delights. In mid-August, the Brandy Station Firemen’s Fair returns Aug. 12-16, featuring its signature Firemen’s Parade and the Lawn & Garden Tractor Pull, alongside classic carnival rides, games, food and live music every evening.
Time
to hit the road!
Of course, shopping and sipping options are aplenty, including:
• Just down Route 211 in Little Washington, R.H. Ballard Shop & Gallery offers an artful mix of unique home goods, specialty gifts, fine art and decor.
• Head south, to Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery and Tap 29 Brewery, celebrating over 40 years of Virginia winemaking, guests can enjoy standout selections, including the
Governor’s Cup Gold Medal-winning 2024 Petit Manseng, while enjoying live music and relaxing among scenic vineyard views.
• To the north, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville is pouring its award-winning spirits in a refreshed tasting room.
• Round out the summer Sept. 5 by watching the round-up at the Culpeper Rodeo, featuring bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting.
In the SHENANDOAH VALLEY, music festivals abound, notably:
• Staunton’s Oak Grove Folk Music Festival in late August features three days of folk and acoustic music, including concerts, an open mic show and a gospel sing
• The 22nd Annual Watermelon Pickers’ Fest in September in Berryville, offering bluegrass, country and Americana music.
Throughout our region, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is celebrating the 90th anniversary of Virginia State Parks in June, marking nine decades of conserving and stewarding the state’s natural, scenic, cultural and historic resources.
health CONNECTION
Meet some of Ashburn's top medical providers in this new feature.
Kelly E Morgan, DMD MS
MORGAN ORTHODONTICS
EDUCATION: Dr. Kelly Morgan graduated at the top of her class from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She is certified by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and specializes in airway orthodontics – recognizing the important connection between facial development, breathing, sleep and overall health.
EXPERIENCE: Dr. Morgan has provided orthodontic care in private practice since 2008, treating patients as young as age 5 through adults. She manages simple to complex cases, including jaw (orthognathic) surgery, and emphasizes early evaluations in children to support healthy growth and development.
CERTIFICATIONS AND HONORS: Dr. Morgan is routinely named Best Orthodontic Practice and has been recognized on
the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. She is frequently invited to speak at conferences, reflecting her leadership, clinical expertise and respected standing in the orthodontic community.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Dr. Morgan specializes in comprehensive orthodontic care for children, teens and adults, from routine alignment to complex malocclusions. Her approach blends innovation, advanced techniques and patient experience focusing on comfort, efficiency and exceptional outcomes.
WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE
APART? Morgan Orthodontics is a woman-owned, private practice with four locations, offering custom treatment plans and affordable payment options. Known for technology and innovation, patient-centered care and early evaluations, the practice also provides a complimentary school shuttle for transportation to and from appointments, supporting busy families with convenient, personalized orthodontic care.
Noah Hankerson, BS, LSA, CSA, CSFA
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CAPITAL REGION SURGICAL ASSISTANTS, LLC (CRSA)
With more than 10 years of surgical assisting experience, Noah has built a distinguished career specializing in complex surgical procedures with a strong emphasis on robotic-assisted surgery. His clinical expertise spans a broad range of specialties, including neuro/spine surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urology, gynecology and minimally invasive procedures.
Capital Region Surgical Assistants is unique among surgical assistant practices because of its true multi-specialty focus. While many Surgical First Assistants develop expertise in only one or two specialties, CRSA’s team is intentionally trained and experienced across a wide spectrum of surgical disciplines.
Clarity Psychological Services, LLC
EDUCATION: Providers have completed their advanced degrees and post-graduate training at leading institutions, including post-doctoral fellowships and specialized residencies. Clinicians are well-versed in the most advanced diagnostic assessments and evidence-based therapeutic modalities available today.
EXPERIENCE: Clinicians are rigorously selected and have worked in premier academic medical centers, universities, schools and psychological clinics. Their experience across diverse settings ensures an elevated standard of care, the development of strong therapeutic alliances, and highly effective treatment.
CERTIFICATIONS AND HONORS: Committed to clinical excellence, our providers hold certifications in trauma-informed care, parent-child interaction training and administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Providers are nationally recognized for their scholarly work and leadership contributions.
This diversified clinical expertise allows the organization to provide highly skilled Surgical First Assistant services across nearly every surgical specialty, with the exception of cardiac surgery.
Additionally, CRSA maintains one of the largest operational footprints of any surgical assistant practice in the DMV region. The organization supports numerous highly respected healthcare institutions, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practices throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
By combining advanced clinical expertise, broad specialty coverage, educational leadership, and a commitment to surgical excellence, Noah Hankerson and Capital Region Surgical Assistants continue to help shape the future of surgical care throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY : Providers have advanced competencies in trauma, cognitive-behavioral therapies, mood/behavior disorders and medication management. Comprehensive psychological, neurodevelopmental and educational evaluations, including testing for Autism, ADHD and learning disorders, is available for all ages.
WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE
APART? As a boutique practice, Clarity prioritizes a highly individualized approach from start to finish, matching each client with a provider best suited for their needs and personality. Clinicians combine sophisticated clinical judgment with a warm, compassionate and person-centered environment to help clients achieve emotional regulation and confidently navigate a pathway to lasting mental wellness.
(Not pictured: Lindsay Garey, MS; Karyn Kayes, BS; Maryke Caputo, PhD; Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD; and David Nickelson, PsyD, JD)
Mountcastle Medical Spa & Laser Center
EDUCATION: Dr. Timothy Mountcastle earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed General Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery residency training at Louisiana State University, where he received extensive training in cosmetic, reconstructive, and microsurgery.
EXPERIENCE: Dr. Mountcastle has more than 20 years of experience in plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine, laser treatments and vein care. He has performed thousands of surgical and nonsurgical procedures and has proudly served patients throughout Northern Virginia since 2006.
CERTIFICATIONS AND HONORS: Founder of Mountcastle Plastic Surgery & Vein Institute and Co-Founder of Mountcastle Medical Spa & Laser Center with Meredith West, PA-C.Proud recipient of Best of Ashburn 2025 & 2026 honors, including Best Plastic Surgeon and Best Medical Spa.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY:
Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Eyelid Surgery, Facial Rejuvenation, Botox, Dermal Fillers, Sculptra, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Body Contouring and Vein Treatments.
WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART?
Led by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy Mountcastle, Mountcastle Medical Spa & Laser Center combines surgical expertise with an award-winning team of injectors, licensed aestheticians and laser specialists. Every treatment
plan is personalized using advanced technology, evidence-based medicine and a commitment to achieving natural-looking results. Patients throughout Northern Virginia have trusted our team for exceptional surgical and nonsurgical care since 2006.
LOUDOUN FARM LETS VISITORS GET UP CLOSE WITH UNIQUE SCOTTISH COWS
And the roughly 50 head of cattle they have are not raised for their milk, their meat or their hides.
Instead, Sterling Hills is all about education, experiences and – let’s face it – loving on some really cute cows.
“I know it’s a funny concept,” Robin said. “You know how people have horses and they don’t necessarily race them or do anything with them. They’re just beloved animals. That’s how we treat our Highlands.”
The Darters have spent most of their careers working in the restaurant industry. When life slowed down during the pandemic, the couple liked the more relaxed lifestyle they – and the rest of the world –found themselves forced into.
ABY CHRIS WADSWORTH
PHOTOS BY LOVE RUNS WILD PHOTOGRAPHY
t first glance, it may look as though the cow is wearing a wig. But don’t be fooled. That shaggy crop of hair hanging over its eyes is sometimes called a “dossan” and it’s a signature feature of a Scottish Highland cow.
It’s one of the things that drew Robin Darter to the small, rugged beasts.
“They’re just so beautiful,” Robin said. “Every single one is so unique, so different. They’re a little sassy and they definitely throw their weight around and have no cognizance of space or anything.”
Darter, along with her husband, Shawn, own and operate Sterling Hills Farm – 30 minutes north of Ashburn in the rolling hills of rural Loudoun near the Potomac River.
The farm isn’t a farm in a traditional sense – no crops are grown here – although a peony field is in the works.
built their home there. (They have since bought neighboring property and expanded to 107 acres.) In June 2022, they purchased their first five Scottish Highlands cows, also known by the nickname “Hairy Coos.”
The plan was to breed them and sell the offspring to other folks like them – people with farms or lots of land and people who just love animals. That worked well for a few years –but soon the growing herd of cute cows– often visible over the fence line from the road –was piquing people’s interest.
So, in 2020 they closed on the original 70 acres that became Sterling Hills and
“[Friends] are surprised to learn I have cows,” said Olivia Darter, the couple’s 8-year-old daughter. “They ask me what colors they are and I like to share the colors I know – like ‘dun.’”
(Editor’s Note: Dun is described as a muted grayish-brown or sandy-tan color. Yes, we had to look it up.)
Soon people were asking to visit the cows. They wanted to pet them, talk to them, take selfies with them. So Robin started letting family friends visit. She would teach them about the breed and the farm – how Scottish Highlands are a hardy breed from northern Scotland accustomed to frigid temperatures who love the winter and how they want to be good stewards of the land and keep the cows out of the streams that run through the property. That protects the water quality and the stream banks, as well as the cows.
Demand for visits continued to grow, so eventually Robin created an online reservation system. It filled up almost immediately. Since then, this has become a major focus for the farm. Guests are welcome for
Owner Robin Darter poses with one of her beloved "hairy coos" at Sterling Hills Farm.
various “experiences” where they can meet the cows and – if they’re interested – get a little education too.
The farm also holds special events such as tea parties, art classes, wreath decorating, egg hunts and more – all with the cows present as part of the fun.
Loudoun-based photographer Jill Mandichak owns and operates Love Runs Wild Photography. She has done family photo shoots at Sterling Hills, high school senior portraits, even engagements – all with the mop-haired cows playing an integral part.
"As a photographer, I immediately recognized how special the property was. The rolling hills, the stunning cattle,” Mandichak said. “Fami-
lies return year after year, and children light up the moment they meet the Highlands.”
The Darters’ herd, which now includes both full Scottish Highlands and Highland crosses – Highlands mixed with other breeds – continues to grow. Two more were expected to join this summer.
Longterm, Robin says she could see them eventually getting up to 70-75 Scottish Highlands and Highland crosses. But no matter how large the farm and its bovine brood grow – don’t for a second think the business side will overtake the personal side of the Darters’ endeavor.
“They’re fully 100% my pets,” Robin said. “They all have names. They’re all my sweet babies.” A
If you would like to visit Sterling Hills Farm and its Scottish “Hairy Coos,” the Darters offer a spring season and a fall/winter season. Prices start at $175 and reservations are made through the farm’s website at lovesterlinghills.com. Fair warning – slots for visits fill up quickly.
The cattle at Sterling Hills Farm are popular with photographers looking for fun and unique family photo shoots.
Showing
Spies
Held
Musical Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors
July 10-12, 17-19
Disney’s The Little Mermaid July 24-26, 31-Aug 2
Madagascar, A Musical Adventure KIDS Aug 7-9
She Kills Monsters (play) Aug 14-16
Joshin’ Around Clown Show - Monday, July 13 Summer Camp registration open to ages 5 and up.
StageCoach Theatre 15th Year Anniversary Celebration Aug 18
REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP
ASHBURN'S TOP 10
THE BIG PICTURE:
The local real estate market remained relatively strong in May with home sales up 1.3% in the two Ashburn ZIP codes combined, compared with May 2025. That was the fourth straight monthly increase. Countywide in May, home sales were up 4.4% compared with the prior year.
19854 Annenberg Drive
$2,000,000
June 12
44662 Brushton Terrace
$1,550,000
May 1
square feet
20258 Kentucky Oaks Court
$1,450,000
April 15
43464 Foxgrove Court
$1,400,000
May 29
43814 Grantner Place
$1,360,000
May 18
The five highest-priced homes that sold in each of Ashburn’s two ZIP codes between mid-April and mid-June. Data and photos from Realtor.com.
BUT SIGNS OF A SLOWDOWN:
New listings in May were down in both ZIP codes – 17.4% in 20147 and 10% in 20148 – according to the latest data from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors. Countywide, listings were down 3.7%. Pending sales were up in 20148 but down in 20147, and median sales prices were likewise mixed. On the positive side, homes continue to sell very quickly – in as little as two weeks.
23055 Welbourne Walk Court $2,500,000
April 29
Welbourne Walk Court
April 30
43250 Candice Drive
$2,000,000
May 20
42679 Gulicks Landing Court
$1,967,963
May 15
22455 Pine Ridge Court
May 27
THE MAY DETAILS
CLOSED SALES:
Down 11.1% in 20147 ZIP code to 80 units
Up 18.2% in 20148 ZIP code to 78 units
Combined sales totaled 158, up 1.3% from the previous year.
PENDING SALES:
Down 5.9% in 20147 / Up 8.8% in 20148
MEDIAN SALES PRICE:
Down 3.5% to $706,897 in 20147
Up 7.5% to $877,495 in 20148
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET (HOMES SOLD IN MAY): 13 in 20147 / 18 in 20148
Mocktail Mania
COCKTAILS WITHOUT the BOOZE are BIGGER THAN EVER
BY CHRIS WADSWORTH
You’re out for dinner and drinks with friends. Everyone is ordering a cocktail, but you’re not in the mood. Maybe you’re taking medicine. Maybe you had drinks the night before. Or maybe you’re just being more health conscious.
Whatever the reason, it used to be your options were a soda – perhaps a ginger ale – or a non-alcoholic beer or – God forbid – a glass of water. But where’s the fun in that? Just because you aren’t drinking doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join in the revelry. That’s where mocktails – or spirit-free cocktails – come in. You can’t swing a blue cheese stuffed olive without spotting more and more non-alcoholic options on beverage menus.
And the stats show the interest is there. In 2025, a Gallup poll found the percentage of adults who said they drank had fallen to 54% – the lowest point in the 90 years they’ve been asking the question.
Young people are leading the way. A similar survey from Gallup in 2023 found the percentage of those under age 35 who drank had dropped 10 percentage points over the past two decades.
Ashburn Magazine reached out to John Filkins, beverage director for the Clyde’s Restaurant Group, to discuss the trend. The company operates
John Filkins
six restaurants around the region, including Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm here in Ashburn.
The menu at Clyde’s features such concoctions as the Tea Time with raspberry hibiscus tea, watermelon-mint, cranberry, lemon and hibiscus ginger beer, and the La Repuesta with Ritual-brand non-alcoholic tequila, grapefruit, lavender and lime.
Filkins shared with us some of his observations on this growing preference for spirit-free cocktails.
BETTER OPTIONS
“The interest in non-alcoholic cocktails isn’t new – we’ve been watching it build for about 15 years. What has changed dramatically in the last five years is the quality and availability of non-alcoholic spirits. Every program I’ve run has had N.A. options, so when we built out the Clyde’s menus, it was a natural inclusion. We formally launched N.A. cocktails across the group in fall 2021 with three dedicated options on every menu, and they’ve been there ever since.”
CREATING THE MENU
“Twice a year, I bring together a group of bartenders from across all six Clyde’s locations to do R&D [research and development] for our seasonal menus – N.A. cocktails are part of that process. It’s genuinely collaborative. The challenge early on was two-fold – limited availability of quality N.A. spirits –and a fundamental technical problem – when you remove alcohol from a spirit, you also
THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION
remove a significant amount of texture and ‘mouthfeel.’ Alcohol carries flavor and weight in ways that take real creativity to replicate. Our team has gotten much better at solving for that through technique, ingredient layering, and the improved products now on the market.”
“We approach the N.A. menu the same way we approach the full cocktail menu –there’s range and intention.”
GUEST REACTION
“The growth speaks for itself – sales have increased 20-25% every year since we launched. We approach the N.A. menu the same way we approach the full cocktail menu – there’s range and intention. We typically feature two styles – something bright and easy-drinking and something rooted in classic cocktail tradition for the guest who wants that familiar experience without the alcohol. One thing that’s been fun to watch –guests will sometimes ask to add spirits to the lighter, fruit-forward options.”
PASSING FAD OR PERMANENT FIXTURE?
“They’re here for good. The conversation around drinking has shifted. Guests are making more intentional choices about alcohol consumption for all kinds of reasons – health, wellness, medication, work commitments or simply personal preference. Our job isn’t to question that –it’s to make sure every guest at the bar has something worth drinking. A great N.A. cocktail does exactly that. N.A. cocktails should add to our beverage program rather than being an afterthought.” A
Expressly for Life on the Move
Scan the QR code to get the inside track to express travel.
PICKLE PERFECTION
A decade or two ago, fried pickles were a rare sight to see on a restaurant’s menu – more bar food than anything else. But today, the fried pickle has gone decidedly mainstream. You can still find it in bars, but also at fast food joints, fast casual eateries and even full-service sit-yourselfdown-and-stay-awhile restaurants. When you have a hankering for fried pickles, the choices around Ashburn are seemingly endless. But here are five that jumped out at us and are sure to satisfy.
The textbook golden-fried pickle. Texas Roadhouse serves up a basket of thinly sliced chips, covered in a secure batter that doesn’t slide off into your lap. It comes with a creamy ranch dipping sauce – or if you’re feeling wild a Cajun sauce with a little zing is available, too.
Burger 21
43800 Central Station Drive, No. 100, Ashburn burger21.com
Burger 21 bills its fried pickles as “dillliciously perfect” and we have to give them points for being punny. The fried pickles at Burger 21 are served with a side of the restaurant’s signature 21 Sauce. But others such as Thai Ketchup, Ragin’ Cajun and Chipotle Mayo are available too.
Alamo Drafthouse
20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn drafthouse.com
The fried pickles at the Alamo Drafthouse are a bit on the controversial side – they are breaded and fried pickle spears rather than the more common sliced pickle chips. You can’t pop the whole thing in your mouth at once like you can a chip – or at least you shouldn’t. Let the debate rage on over which format – chip or spear – is better!
Wayback Burgers – often still called by its old name “Jake’s Wayback Burgers” – gets in on the pun action by saying that its fried pickles are a big “dill” versus a big “deal.” Coated in a crunchy batter, the pickle chips at Wayback are served with the most traditional of accompaniments – a little ramekin of ranch.
Ted’s Bulletin serves up fried pickle chips that are cut a bit on the thick side and then coated with plenty of golden batter. The crispy tangy snack comes with a side of heat – namely the restaurant’s buffalo ranch dipping sauce.
NEWS FROM THE BURN opened
The latest news from the local restaurant and food scene – powered by The Burn. For more details, check out at TheBurn.com and follow The Burn on Facebook and Instagram.
The long-awaited Tatte Bakery & Cafe opened in June at One Loudoun. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items including egg dishes, sandwiches, soups and salads. It also has fresh baked French-inspired pastries. The first location for the Tatte brand in Loudoun, the eatery is part of a new, expanded portion of the center that also saw the recent opening of a Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop and will soon be home to a Bartaco restaurant.
Pinstack , a huge new entertainment center that includes a full restaurant and bar on the premises, opened for business in June. Located at the Kincora property off Russell Branch Parkway, Pinstack features bowling, bumper cars, rock wall climbing, laser tag, video games and more.
The Difference Baker has opened its new location at the Dulles 28 Centre. That’s the shopping center near Waxpool Road and Route 28 next to the Target and Wegmans stores. The Difference Baker – which specializes in foods prepared free of many of the major allergens that impact people – closed its longtime Ashburn Road location to make the move.
coming
Speaking of Bram Quarter, construction is underway on a new Asian-themed restaurant coming to the center. It’s called Southeast Impressions and will reportedly feature a menu with dishes from countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. When The Burn passed by recently, walls were going up inside the space as the new restaurant takes shape.
If the date holds, by the time you read this, the new Sheetz convenience store and gas station off Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn should be open. At press time, it was scheduled to start welcoming customers July 2. The c-store features a full fast-food restaurant inside with a menu of breakfast sandwiches, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, fries and more.
The Chipotle Tex-Mex restaurant brand has opened another new location in Ashburn. This time, it’s taken over the space at the Brambleton Town Center that used to be California Tortilla. Chipotle already has two other locations in Ashburn – one at the Shoppes at Ryan Park and another at Belmont Chase. A fourth is reportedly in the works for the Goose Creek Village area.
A new restaurant focusing on breakfast and brunch dayparts has opened in Brambleton. Similar in concept to the First Watch brand, the new establishment is called Another Broken Egg Cafe and it’s the latest outpost for a fastgrowing chain. The restaurant is part of the Bram Quarter center at Loudoun County Parkway and Evergreen Mills Road.
The Burn broke the big news that a new Italian restaurant is in the works for the Brambleton Town Center. Capellini’s Classic Italian will be taking over the space of the recently shuttered Rebel Taco restaurant. That’s right across from the movie theater in the same building that is home to the Brambleton Library. Capellini’s will be a new concept from the owner of Carbonara restaurant in Arlington.
In some sweet news, the Brambleton Town Center is also getting a Kilwins ice cream and candy shop. The popular brand is perhaps best known for its locations at beach towns and popular tourist destinations. This is one of two Kilwins locations in the works for Loudoun County. The other is coming to King Street in Leesburg.
Innovation in Storage Inside MG Moving’s New Sterling Warehouse
Managing storage can be a notorious headache for consumers, primarily because once items are tucked away, they are easily forgotten.
To solve this dilemma, MG Moving CEO Steve Kuhn showcased the company’s new, highly efficient warehouse facility in Sterling during a ribbon-cutting event for the new location. The state-of-the-art space blends cutting-edge inventory technology, eco-friendly logistics and streamlined operations to redefine the moving and storage experience. This is in addition to their proven, skilled workforce handling residential and commercial moves, both locally and long distance.
A Visual and Digital Approach to Tracking
At the core of the new facility’s appeal is a commitment to complete transparency. Addressing the common pitfall where clients forget what they have stored, MG Moving uses an advanced digital inventory system:
• Street-to-Office Inventory: Crews inventory all items right on the street using tablets, recording the description, quantity, and exact condition of each item.
• Client Portal Access: Everything is uploaded with photos so clients can visually see their items a year down the road.
• On-Demand Delivery: Through the system, clients can easily click on specific items to schedule a delivery.
Specialized Care and High-Profile Partnerships
The Sterling warehouse handles substantial commercial and residential operations, including a massive partnership with one of the nation’s largest home builders. MG Moving manages all of its model home inventories on the East Coast. Goods arrive daily from manufacturers via FedEx, UPS and other freight lines. They are meticulously inspected, inventoried and held until decorators call for them.
MG Moving crews then transport, deliver and fully install the interiors – handling everything from furniture to drapes and wall sconces and following decorator specifications.
For residential moving clients, the facility uses oversized wooden storage vaults. Unlike traditional
movers who load a truck and transfer items into vaults back at the warehouse, MG Moving loads empty vaults directly onto specialized trucks equipped with curbside pallet doors.
Items are inventoried, padded, stretch-wrapped and packed into the vaults at the customer’s home. Once sealed, the vault remains untouched until final delivery, drastically reducing handling, item loss and damage. Large upholstered items or oversized goods that cannot safely fit in a vault are given extra padding and stored securely on dedicated overflow racks.
Efficiency, Sustainability, and Professionalism
Beyond storage, the warehouse functions as a hub for ecofriendly moving supplies, stocking reusable crates for office moves that reduce costs and environmental impact.
The facility also features a dedicated dispatch room. While operations are entirely paperless via digital tablets, all crews report in person between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. daily. This ensures every mover is in uniform, properly prepped on job details by management, and ready to provide professional service before hitting the road to arrive at clients’ doors by 8 a.m.
Brett Burks (left), owner of MG Moving, with operations director Michael Kuhn (center) and CEO Steve Kuhn
MG Moving owner Brett Burks (left) and CEO Steve Kuhn participated in a ribbon-cutting for the company’s new warehouse with Tony Howard (right), president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. Afterward, attendees were given a tour of the warehouse.
DOUG STROUD
ADVENTURE FOR ALL AGES IN ASHBURN
A dynamic duo is in the works for one Ashburn shopping plaza. We’re referring to plans to bring both a Tiffin Hut restaurant and Fantasticks gelato bar shop to the Ashburn Farm Village Center. Tiffin Hut, which has a Herndon location, features a menu with dishes from southern India. Fantasticks, which has a stand at One Loudoun, serves up gourmet gelato treats.
A new pasta restaurant is coming to the Ashburn Village Shopping Center. It will be called Pasta di Guy and it’s taking over the spot recently vacated by the Carnegie NY Style Pizza restaurant. According to the brand’s website, Pasta di Guy is a small chain out of Tampa. The menu features a variety of pasta dishes, a create-your-own pasta option, as well as sandwiches, flatbreads, desserts and more.
The old Ashburn Mill property along Ashburn Road is slated to get a new coffee house soon. Signage went up on the building touting the imminent arrival of Chai Caafi . The owner told The Burn that the menu will include traditional coffee shop beverages and also feature some South Asianinspired coffees, lattes and shakes.
closed
In a surprising move, the City Tap House restaurant at One Loudoun closed suddenly in late May. The restaurant – which sat on a prominent corner facing the center’s main plaza – gave no warning before covering its windows and locking its doors. The popular Lost Fox Hideaway restaurant and bar above the City Tap House space is open and operating as usual.
The Chopathi India Kitchen closed late this spring at the Goose Creek Village shopping center. The restaurant –which also included a sports bar establishment next door – had been a staple of the center since 2016. No word yet what new tenant might take over the nearly 5,000 square feet of space left vacant. A
Loving With Your Whole Heart
A crisis and deep faith leads to charity for families in need
BY DENISE SCOTT
When your child has a life-threatening heart condition, it’s all-consuming. You feel like the world should stop turning –but it doesn’t. And food still has to be put on the table and bills still have to be paid.
That’s where the Wholehearted Foundation steps in, providing spiritual, financial and peer support to meet the needs of “heart families” at Children’s National Hospital in Washington. The nonprofit is based in Hamilton near Purcellville and was created in 2015 by local families who know only too well the challenges of having an ill child.
Founder Ryan Koppel, who grew up in Ashburn, has four sons with his wife, Kristen. One of them, Caleb, now 12, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare form of congenital heart disease that left him with essentially half a heart, requiring three open heart surgeries and countless other procedures.
“We got to experience what all of these congenital heart disease families go through, which is you’re never fully prepared for this, even if you knew it was coming,” he said. “And about half of the people, it’s a surprise to them – and they’re usually not short hospital stays.”
Koppel said his family’s faith in Christ was their anchor to weather the storm. And as the couple discussed how to help parents without the support of a good church or family or friends, they met Jacques and Emily Rancourt, whose two adopted children also had life-threatening heart conditions. Their common vision led to the Wholehearted Foundation.
The Koppels had chosen the name Caleb, which means “wholehearted” in Hebrew, before learning of his heart defect. And so the foundation was created and has raised – on average – over $100,000 a year to meet its mission.
Because the Foundation verifies recipients, 95% of the applications – between
Caleb Koppel spent a lot of time in hospitals when he was a little boy. Today, he is a healthy and active 12-year-old.
50 to 75 per year – come directly from a Children’s National social worker. Families can apply for assistance through the foundation’s website, but hospital verification is still required.
“We don’t have a lot of expenses to our organization, so the vast majority of what is given to the Wholehearted Foundation gets poured into the work that we do,” Koppel said, noting help can range from
Uber and grocery gift cards to mortgage and utility payments, funeral expenses, pastoral support or prayer.
“Or sometimes they just want to talk with a family that has a child with congenital heart disease,” he adds.
The foundation also provides catered meals and care bags for parents who are often caught off guard by the extended hospital stay and need things such as toi-
"All pets deserve Concierge Care. We have been the other family doctor for many local families spanning 20 years! We strive to ensure that your best friend enjoys a long and comfortable life with your family "
Preventive & Diagnostic Medicine
Pet emergency? Let us triage and treat or stabilize!
Listening troubles? We'll "Better the Bond" by helping solve any behavior issues. B
Furry, feathered or scaled pet not feeling well? We will be their doctor too
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 7 AM - 7 PM Saturday: 8 AM - 3 PM Sunday (boarder pick up only): 5 PM - 7 PM
• Surgery & Dentistry • Obedience Classes • Boarding • Doggie Daycare • Professional Grooming 703.723.1017 42902 Waxpool Road
Parting
Highlighting a great photo taken in or around Ashburn or taken by an Ashburn-area photographer. Enjoy!
Photographer:
MIKE ZORGER
FORMER ASHBURN FARM RESIDENT, CURRENTLY LIVING IN ALDIE
Equipment:
CANON 5D MARK III WITH A TAMRON 15 MM 2.8 LENS
“My goal was to capture the Milky Way rising over the Atlantic Ocean with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the foreground. This is only possible in early May before the vacationers start coming down and all the house lights start washing out the dark skies. Anything after July wouldn't be great looking since the Milky Way will be in the Southern Sky. This image is a single image from 300 images I used to create a timelapse video. It took about two hours to capture all 300 images.”
