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Falls Church Business News & Notes

Founders Row Announces More Restaurants

Last Week Joe Muffler announced three new restaurants coming to Founders Row. They are as follows: an unnamed restaurant under the operator of Akira Ramen, for authentic Japanese ramen and izakaya; Gong Cha, a quick-service bubble tea concept; and Kyoto Matcha, a matcha tea and dessert quick-service concept.

Chefs Fundraise for Ukraine

The Washington hospitality industry has stepped up to aid Ukraine with bars and restaurants fundraising for refugee and relief efforts. Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate (CSAH) has brought together some of the best-known chefs for a #ChefsForUkraine fundraising dinner on March 21 at Moon Rabbit. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen relief efforts on the Ukraine border, where the chef and his nonprofit currently serve on the front lines. One of the Michelin chefs participating is Yuan Tang, Falls Church native and owner of Rooster & Owl, who will open Ellie Bird at Founders Row.

Webinar on Protecting Your Business with the Right Insurance

The Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia is offering a session on the importance of business insurance. Guest speaker, Rebecca Geller, Esq. of the Geller Law Group, will cover the unexpected costs of running a business, accidents, natural disasters and lawsuits and the insurance options. This will be held virtually on March 17, 3:00 – 4:00 pm and the Webinar link will be provided upon registration. To register & for more information visit www.cbponline.org.

Alarm.com Local Expansion

Alarm.com has decided to expand the Tech R&D Division in Northern Virginia, creating 180 new jobs locally. The company cited the strong workforce, concentration of STEM workers, higher education institutions, and desirable quality of life for the selection. Alarm.com has pioneered smarter solutions to protect homes and businesses with one innovative experience to create smart properties. The company’s platform integrates with a growing variety of IoT (Internet of Things) devices through its apps and interfaces. Alarm.com maintains office space and a lab in Tysons, and the Alarm.com Demo House, a fully automated, state-of-the-art smart home in Falls Church.

New Condo Loan Guidelines Could Effect the Market

In response to the Surfside, FL collapse, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have recently changed their lending guidelines for condos. Fannie Mae’s new guidance now says that it won’t purchase loans secured by units in a condominium which have significant deferred maintenance or that have received a directive from a regulatory authority or inspection agency to make repairs due to unsafe conditions. Freddie Mac’s new guidelines went into effect on February 28 and deem condos that need critical repairs to be ineligible for its program. This could make it more difficult for condo owners to sell units under these requirements, and for potential condo buyers to qualify for a loan through Fannie, Freddie and others in the private market. That would then disproportionately impact first-time buyers with modest incomes since condos are generally more affordable for buyers than traditional singlefamily homes.

Webinar on Bicycle Infrastructure

The Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT) is hosting a community webinar on bicycle infrastructure in the City. Building safe bike infrastructure in an already dense urban environment presents multiple challenges and this is an opportunity to learn from others’ successes and explore ways to effectively implement community goals. The online webinar is scheduled for March 17th at 7:30 p.m. and may be accessed on the city calendar at https://www.fallschurchva.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=8971.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org. MARCH 10 - 16, 2022 | PAGE 23

Meridian Releases Boys’ Soccer All-Decade List

Special to the News-Press

Meridian High School boys’ soccer coaches recently compiled an All-Decade soccer team for 2010 through 2019. During that time, the team won five state championships (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018) and finished as the state runner-up twice (2011 and 2019). Selections are listed below along with graduation dates and accomplishments. For more information about these and other distinguished athletes, visit the online Legacy Project (mustangs. touchpros.com).

Coached by 4-time VHSL and 2015 All-Met Coach of the Year Frank Spinello and the 2021 United Soccer Coaches High School Nat’l Asst Coach of the Year Nathan Greiner, you can catch the reigning State Champions at their first home game on March 14th.

Selections are listed below by position along with graduation dates and accomplishments.

Tyler Back (2011) Goalkeeper – Three-time All-State. Played collegiately at Mary Washington and Oregon State. Played professionally in Finland and Sweden.

Daniel Donovan (2015) Goalkeeper – Allowed only 3 goals all season his senior year (also scored 3). Two-time All-State. State records for Shutouts (21) and goals against average (0.11).

Ethan Morse (2018) Goalkeeper – Saved penalty kick in state final. 17 shutouts.

Sebastian Umerez (2013) Goalkeeper – All-State.

Ishan Bhalla (2019) Goalkeeper – All-State.

Ned Quill (2015) Defender – First Mustang to be named a Scholar AllAmerican in 2015. Only three-year captain in VHSL era. All-State (3x), All-District and All-Region POY in 2016. Captain of three state championship teams. First Team All-Met.

Miles Lankford (2019) Defender – 2019 Scholar All-American. District POY. First Team All-Met.

Wesley Quill (2017) Defender – Two-year Captain and All-State.

Thomas Rund (2015) Defender/ Midfield – Two-time All-State. Three years state champion.

Patrick Rollo (2011) Defender – Two-time All-State.

Patrick Pereddo (2015) Defender – All-State. Scored game winning goal in state championship game.

Henry Darmstadter (2013) – Defender – All-State. Standout football player that kicked for Georgetown University and University of Maryland.

Hunter Broxson (2020) – Defender/Midfield – All-State.

Grant Goodwin (2016) – Midfield – 2016 Scholar All-American. AllSouth Region Team. State POY in 2006. Only male soccer player to win four State Championships in VHSL history. Career assists leader with 66. 2nd Team All-Met.

Declan Quill (2021) Midfield – 2021 Scholar All-South Region USA. Gatorade POY Candidate, All State, POY in District and Region (twice). Playing at Virginia Tech.

Elliot Mercado (2016) Midfield/ Forward – All-time leading scorer with 120 goals and 60 assists. State POY in 2015. First Team All-Met. All-South Region USA. All-State basketball player.

Carlos Mercado (2018) Midfield – 2018 Scholar All-American. State POY. First Team All-Met.

Paul Darmstadter (2014) Midfield – State POY in 2014 with 79 career goals. Played at Case Western University.

Nico Ferrara (2017) Midfield/ Defender – Two-year team captain and All-State.

Sinan Kokuuslu (2014) Midfield – Two-time All-State on two championship teams.

Samsudeen Sallah (2016) Midfield – Only one year player but All-State, scored in state championship and semi-final games. Played at Christopher Newport.

Cole Hellert (2020) – Midfield – One of most skilled players with the best work ethic. All-State. Plays at Siena College.

Alex Kryazhev (2020) Midfield – Two-time All-State. HM All-Met his junior year. Plays at Frederick Community College.

Henry Brorsen (2020) Midfield – Two-year team captain.

Olo Sembera (2017) Midfield/ Forward – All-State. Played at Randolph-Macon College.

Eion Oosterbaan (2012) Forward – Two-time All-State. Four-year starter. HM All-Met his senior year.

Donal Reyes de Leon (2016) Forward – Over 75 career goals, two-time All-State.

Zorhan Boston (2020) Forward – Two-time All-State. Plays at Richard Bland Community College.

Raheem Lawal (2016) Forward – Only played two years of high school soccer but scored 36 goals and was All-State as sophomore. Played at George Mason University.

Cole Hinson (2014) Forward – Two-time All-State.