Crumbl Cookies, IKEA Opening | Best Taste | Chipotlane: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include an 18 Under 18 Award winner, a county fair's new community endowment fund, and Crumbl Cookies' new store.

Plus, Wonderologie offers play-focused counseling, back-to-school events distribute supplies to students, and Chipotle adding new drive-thru lanes.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

18 Under 18 Award Honors Grad For Armenian Advocacy Efforts

For his contributions to the Armenian community, the National Society of High School Scholars recently presented Hovsep Seferian of Fairfax with its 18 Under 18 Award. The scholarship honors students who spread positivity and show leadership in their communities through their passions. A recent graduate of Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Seferian is about to start his freshman year at the University of Virginia.

Mom Of 5 Gives Back As Children's Counselor

At Del Ray's Wonderologie, counseling for kids doesn't look like the traditional office, where patients will speak to their therapist from a sofa or sit around a circle for group therapy. Instead, children will find an age-appropriate, play-focused environment with toys. Owner Karin Purugganan, an Alexandria native and mom of five, started Wonderologie in May 2021

County Fair Holds Ribbon-Cutting, Launches Endowment Fund

Opening ceremonies were held Wednesday to kick off the 47th year of the Arlington County Fair, a five-day event that's expected to attract more than 100,000 people. At Wednesday’s opening ceremonies, Ilene Slatko, treasurer of the Arlington County Fair Board, announced that the county fair organization officially launched a community endowment fund this year using a portion of the fair’s surplus funds from over the past 47 years.

Ribbon Cut On Haley M. Smith Park Picnic Pavilion By Officials

Local elected officials gathered at Haley M. Smith Park in the Town of Herndon morning to cut the ribbon on a new picnic pavilion. "The Haley M. Smith Park picnic pavilion stands as a testament to the Town of Herndon’s commitment to fostering spaces where community members can come together, share moments, and create lasting memories," Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Department said, in a release.

Crumbl Cookies Hold Grand Opening With Free Samples

Crumbl Cookies, a company founded in 2017, is holding its official grand opening in Kingstowne Town Center. The new store is located in a 1,965 square-foot space between PNC Bank and Club Pilates. To celebrate the grand opening, the shop will hand out free mini samples while supplies last. Since opening its first store in Logan, Utah, six years ago, Crumbl Cookies has gone through an incredible growth spurt, expanding to more than 800 stores in 49 states.

Back To School

• School Supply Distribution Helps Hundreds Of Alexandria Kids
• Amazon Hosts Back-To-School Shop At NoVA Affordable Housing Complex

Arts and Entertainment

• Art Envisioned As Key To Branding For Growing Tysons
• ArtsFairfax Awards Over $590K To 50 Nonprofit Arts And Culture Groups
• Vienna's Chillin On Church Returns In August
• Artists Work To Shine With New 'Luminous' Exhibit At Falls Church Arts

Food and Brew Festivals

• Del Ray Bands And Brews 2023: See Food And Drink Specials, Music
• Around The World Cultural Food Festival Returns To Alexandria In 2023
• Fort Hunt, Belle Haven Restaurants Join Alexandria Restaurant Week
• Beeliner Diner Wins Best Taste At First Best Of The West Event

Business

• IKEA Ready To Open DC Area's 1st Smaller Format Store In Arlington
• New Chipotle With Drive-Thru Lane Comes To Fredericksburg This Month
• Retail Tenants Coming To The Milton Apartment Tower In Pentagon City

Pet Friendly

• 36 Animals Find Homes Thanks To Clear The Shelters Event In Stafford
• Pups On The Patio Adoption Event Coming To Commentary Social House

More Good News Stories

• Cover The Cruiser Event To Help Raise Funds For Special Olympics VA
• Glenda Booth Has Been A Champion For Dyke Marsh: Community Leader
• Shuttered Buy Buy Baby Store In Springfield Could Reopen
• $1M Powerball Ticket Sold At Ashburn 7-Eleven
• 29 Herndon-Reston Employers Honored For Bike To Work Day Challenge