Best of Arlington 2020

Boutique Hot Spot

Photo by Joseph Tran

We’re calling it: Falls Church City is having a retail renaissance. The Little City seems to be on fire, with independent boutiques popping up in unlikely corners and thriving, some in spite of their odd hours or hidden addresses. Turn your home into a sanctuary for houseplants with advice from tastemakers Julie Liu and Holly Manon at Botanologica. Score vintage finds at the Falls Church Antique Annex or Quinn’s Auction Galleries. Women’s consignment boutique New to You has been a reliable source for designer clothes and accessories for nearly three decades, while at Lemon Lane Consignment you can outfit your kiddos for less dinero. Meanwhile, the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law-owned Zoya’s Atelier has become a destination for bespoke and memorable formal wear. Falls Church City is also home to gems like TINT makerspace, Stylish Patina and Action Music. And if you need to fuel your shopping vibe, a vanilla cardamom latte from Rare Bird Coffee and a Nutella strudel from The Happy Tart—or a vegan “Oreo in a blanket” cookie from Bakeshop—are just the ticket. –Adrienne Wichard-Edds