The Pearl Fine Teas pop up shop at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station offers a variety of tea and teaware. Most of the vendors are open from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday until Dec. 24. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
Visitors to Reston Station may have noticed glass jewel housing on the north side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. These pop-up stores are housing emerging and established artisan brands. The Urban Pop Shop opened in November at Reston Station, welcoming the holiday season. “Our Urban Pop lends vitality to the Plaza, and offers our commuters and neighbors an easy shopping experience. The Smart Markets Farmers’ Market experience each Wednesday afternoon has been very popular, and we’re confident that this ‘first taste’ of a different retail experience will generate interest from other entrepreneurs,” said Maggie Parker, director of communications with Comstock Partners LC.
Several vendors are traveling in from Washington, D.C., and like the commuters, can use the Silver Line Metro when they close their shops. “Reston seems really nice,” said Soyini George, owner of Yinibini, LLC. Yinibini Baby is handmade clothing and accessories for little ones. The company was recognized by Washington City Paper's BEST of DC, Best Local Crafter for the year. Most of the vendors are open 3 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday until Dec. 24. Select vendors offer weekend hours.
“I love this, because it is really nice to be able to pick up something,” said Vienna resident and Silver Line commuter Eileen Scherzinger. Scherzinger made a purchase at the station from D.C. based Co Co. Sala, a restaurant and chocolate boutique. Phase Two of the “Urban Pop Active” is scheduled to open Spring 2016, and will include an outdoor piazza entertainment area in an open concept setting, revealing oriented pathways and gathering spots.
Reston resident Rachel Wood, owner of Scrawl Books, recently welcomed New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander to her pop-up station. “This is a great way to start out,” said Wood, who plans to open an independent bookstore. Wood offers a good selection of books at her stand. “Some books for holiday gifts, and some books people can read on the metro,” said Wood. Reston resident, graphic designer and knitter Janice Everett displays handmade scarves, gloves and hats in her space, WitKnits. For many it is a great introduction to retail business at the Wiehle Avenue area neighborhood.
Elise Scott, Chief Leaf and owner of Pearl Fine Teas, has welcomed visitors seeking tea and teaware at her stand on the Reston Station plaza. Pearl Fine Teas offers a broad selection, including Darjeeling organic and Earl Grey de la Crème. “We are happy to be here and to get to know the Reston community,” said Becky Waddell, owner of Be Clean skin care shop. Waddell, a self-described “ingredient label purist,” opened her D.C. studio in May.
Starting next year, Reston Station residents will live at Comstock’s BLVD apartments. Farmers Restaurant Group (FRG), the company for the Founding Farmers and Farmers Fishers Bakers restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia, signed a lease for approximately 10,000 square feet of restaurant space in the heart of Reston Station's urban core. Reston’s Wiehle Avenue is currently the final point of the Silver Line, which is planned to extend to Dulles Airport in Loudoun County. Officials with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority estimate passenger service for Silver Line Phase 2 will begin in 2020.
The pop-up market is Comstock’s initiative for businesses to try a small retail space, about 100 square feet. At the end of December, many of the shops will close. Urban Pop is signing up vendors for next month’s occupancy. For more information and leasing opportunities at Urban Pop, visit www.urbanpopreston.com.