2 New Retailers Coming to West Falls Neighborhood

Hoffman and Associates has announced two new retailers coming to the newly-developing 10-acre West Falls neighborhood in Falls Church: Dok Khao Thai Eatery and a Chase Bank branch.

Dok Khao Thai Eatery serves an array of authentic, made-to-order dishes inspired by the quintessential night markets in Bangkok. Using locally sourced ingredients, the menu features a variety of offerings, including small plates, salads, curries, noodles, and other signature meals. In addition to a diverse and dynamic menu, the restaurant also features gourmet coffee, tea, craft cocktails and a dessert bar. It is slated to open in August 2025.

West Falls also welcomes Chase Bank as it further expands its footprint into the Greater Washington area. Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., serving more than 82 million consumers and 6.4 million small businesses. They provide a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank with more than 4,800 branches, more than 15,000 ATMs, plus mobile, online and phone banking options. The branch is slated to open next April.

Hoffman President Maria Thompson said, “We’re excited to welcome Dok Khao and Chase Bank to West Falls as we near the completion of this vibrant neighborhood. These new additions highlight our commitment to cultivating a community where people can gather, enjoy a variety of dining options and access to neighborhood essentials. We look forward to continuing to expand West Falls into a dynamic destination for visitors and residents to enjoy.”

F.C. Episcopal Receives Grant From Sacred Places Fund

The historic Falls Church Episcopal in downtown Falls Church has qualified for a $175,000 grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Falls Church congregation is one of 24 historic faith communities to receive a total of over $4 million in funding from the group this year.

Background provided by the church noted that it was originally erected in 1769, designed in a Georgian brick style by vestryman James Wren. “The building was constructed with the labor of enslaved persons, as most vestrymen and parishioners were enslavers, including Wren himself, as well as active parishioners George Washington and George Mason. During the Revolutionary War, the church served as a recruiting site for the Fairfax Militia, and the Declaration of Independence was read to local citizens from the church’s steps.

“During the Civil War, the town of Falls Church was occupied by Union forces and the church building was used as a hospital and stable. In 2006, congregational leaders voted to leave the Episcopal Church after the ordination of the denomination’s first openly gay bishop. The ensuing landmark legal battle over ownership of the building ended with a judicial decision that The Diocese of Virginia – not the disaffiliated congregation – was the rightful owner of the church and grounds. This ruling returned the building to the open and affirming congregation that continues to worship there.

“Today, The Falls Church is a community-serving congregation that partners with many local organizations, including a homeless shelter, a refugee support nonprofit, and a food distribution program. The church shares space with the Rock Christian Center, a progressive, African American Baptist congregation that is similarly dedicated to outreach. Several groups meet in the church’s building throughout the week, including dance and choral groups, a community orchestra, and a Farsi language school for children.”

A National Fund grant of $175,000 matched with $175,000 raised by the congregation will support repairs to the church’s roof structure, which has experienced rainwater intrusion, sagging, bat and squirrel damage, and condensation issues. The structural repairs will ensure the church is able to continue serving as a historical and community touchstone.

F.C. Actress Danielle Hoetmer To Star in New Lionsgate Film

Falls Church native actress Danielle Hoetmer, who grew up in Falls Church and went through the local school system, K-12, is set to star as Mrs. Wendelken in the upcoming Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company movie “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” opposite Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham.

The film is directed by Dallas Jenkins, the visionary behind the hit series “The Chosen.” Danielle’s real-life daughter Lorelei Olivia Mote also stars in the film, playing Danielle’s character’s daughter Alice Wendelken.

The family holiday classic is set for a nationwide theatrical release on November 8.