February 4th, 2010:

February is one of the coldest months of the year in Virginia and often, in the face of threatening weather and freezing cold temperatures, many of us spend our weekends cooped-up inside the house during the wintertime. In addition, the bleak and stormy weather can affect our moods and overall dispositions, creating what is commonly thought of as the wintertime blues. Luckily, for those of us who subscribe to the notion of retail therapy, living in Arlington provides locals with a whole host of high-end retail remedies. With a wide array of exclusive indoor shopping malls and hundreds of specialty stores located throughout Arlington’s many distinct neighborhoods, even the worst case of the winter doldrums can be cured by a little retail therapy. So the next time you have a dollar to spend and an afternoon to spare: stop, drop, and shop at one of Arlington’s acclaimed retail shopping areas, the most popular of which are highlighted below.

• Ballston Commons Mall: Located at North Glebe and Wilson Blvd., Ballston Commons stretches out over a 1.3 million square foot parcel of land and features major retailers such as Macy’s, Macy’s Furniture Gallery, and over 100 other specialty stores. Ballston Commons also features a Regal Cinema movie theater, a Washington Sport & Health Club, and two full-sized ice skating rinks. The mall is located on Metro’s Orange Line; one block from the Ballston Station.
• The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City: Located at 1100 South Hayes Street, Pentagon City Mall is considered a world-class fashion experience and offers a four-level, glass enclosed, atrium-style shopping center featuring more than 170 retail stores. Pentagon City also houses 7 full-service restaurants, a food court and a movie theater. The Pentagon City Mall is located on Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines; connected to the Pentagon City Station.
• The Market Common at Clarendon: Located at 2800 Clarendon Blvd., the Market Common at Clarendon features an exceptional selection of stores including Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble, and a variety of restaurants, all of which are located in an attractive and architecturally stimulating street-front setting intended for both walking and window shopping. The Market Common is located near Metro’s Orange Line; three blocks from the Clarendon Station.
• Crystal City Shops: Located at 1608 Crystal Square Arcade, the Crystal City Shops provide visitors with more than 200 retail stores, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafes along Crystal Drive. The Crystal City Shops feature a promenade with direct access to hotels and the Metro. Restaurant options include Bebo Trattoria, Charlie Chaing’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Jaleo, King Street Blues, Legal Sea Foods, and McCormick & Schmick’s. The Crystal City Shops are located on Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines; connected to the Crystal City Station.
• Pentagon Row: Located at Joyce Street and Army-Navy Drive, the Shops at Pentagon Row feature main stream fashion retailers and commercial restaurants as well as the Arlington Visitors Center. Shoppers can enjoy the charm of Main Street while shopping in an urban village setting. The Shops at Pentagon Row are located near Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines; near the Pentagon City Station.
• The Village at Shirlington: Located at 2700 South Quincy Street, Shirlington is one of Arlington’s favorite local neighborhoods for dining and theatrical productions. Shirlington is home to the Signature Theatre and features a European-style promenade with shops, restaurants, nightlife and an art-house cinema. The Village at Shirlington is not located within walking distance of a Metro station.