Business & Tech
Here Are The Top Businesses In Vienna Nominated By Patch Readers
Patch asked readers to nominate their favorite businesses to recognize their work during the pandemic.
VIENNA, VA — Patch asked and readers answered: what businesses in Vienna have provided quality services despite the challenges of the pandemic? We put out a call for nominations for local businesses of the year. So far, independently-owned restaurants and an independent have risen to the top of your list.
Do you have a favorite business that you want to be recognized? We're still taking submissions for our business of the year feature and know there are plenty of deserving Vienna businesses. Click here to fill out our form, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Here are the businesses of the year so far, according to Patch readers:
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Skorpio's Maggio's Greek Family Restaurant
About: A Family owned and operated restaurant since 1990, Skorpio's Maggio's Greek Family Restaurant serves Greek specialties like rotisserie chicken, gyros and souvlaki as well as a selection of Italian food. According to the restaurant's website the owners Chris and Sherry Maggio "are strong believers in giving back and work hard at serving the needs of the community." Online and phone ordering are available.
Find out what's happening in Viennafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: 421 Maple Ave East, Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: 703-938-7777
From the nominator: "Always serving and giving to the community." -Jenny Combs
About: This woman-owned independent bookstore and wine bar engages with the community through book clubs, local author events and more. The bookstore is currently allowing limited customers to browse, taking phone and online orders and holding virtual events. According to the bookstore's website, "Bards Alley also donates to schools and nonprofits and partners with businesses for locally sourced light fare, strengthening the local economy."
Location: 110 Church Street NW, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 571-459-2653
From the nominator: "Before the pandemic, Bards Alley Bookstore was a center of the community. Once the pandemic hit, they quickly found ways to continue to bring much needed books to their customers by offering delivery or porch pick-ups of phone or online orders. They also switched their events such as book clubs or author presentations to online platforms. The warm spirit of its owner and employees permeates all that they do." -Mary Franceschini
About: If you're walking around Church Street on a nice day, chances are you'll see customers filling the tables at The Sandwich Shop. The shop offers a variety of sandwiches as well as a market with grocery items. Online ordering and DoorDash delivery are available.
Location: 132 Church Street NW, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, closed Mondays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday
Phone: 703-865-5545
From the nominator: "The Sandwich Shop has stayed open during the pandemic, altering hours as needed. They do carry-out orders and outside seating, will accommodate any changes to the sandwiches that you want, the staff is friendly and helpful, and we have gotten lunch from them nearly every day during the pandemic since we will not enter a dining-in restaurant. The owner is the friendliest man on the planet and his staff follows this demeanor with all their customers. They have made the pandemic a lot easier to bear and from the looks of the outside socially distanced tables, the feeling is mutual, with the tables full most of the day." -Toni Elliott
About: Burgers and fries draw locals to this restaurant. During the pandemic, Social Burger has offered takeout while providing meals to front-line workers and the Lamb Center, a daytime drop-in shelter.
Location: 350 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: 703-364-5420
From the nominator:
The local family-owned business is providing consistently great food, employing local staff, and delivering donated meals to multiple groups including first responders, The Lamb Center and care providers. The Lee's rock. -Bill Dorn
About: Pennywise Thrift Shop is a ministry of Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna. Established as a fundraising component of the church in 1963, it has sold donated and consigned affordable, lightly used clothing and household items for over a half century. Proceeds fund a ministries and activities within the church and numerous community charitable programs and services.
Location: 214 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 703-938-7062
From the nominators: "Pennywise Thrift Shop has done business in Vienna for 60 years, operated by volunteers from the Church of the Holy Comforter. "Bargains to Blessings" is the motto of the shop and truly describes the very low cost clothes, kitchen and housewares, books, and decorative items. The "blessings" relate to the purpose to serve the Vienna community and that income from sales is distributed to a variety of other charities. The volunteer staff are very friendly making shopping fun. Pennywise does not look or feel like a lot of other thrift shops with attractive layout and displays. Many customers have shopped there for many years, but new customers are coming in everyday. You never know what you will find in the shop!" -Mary Coulombe
"Pennywise Thrift Shop has strived to stay open through a fire and the Pandemic to help the community during this difficult period. It is very clean and follows all Covid-19 protocols. You are always greeted by a warm and friendly volunteer, and will find unexpected treasures and that perfect outfit or gift." -Helen Mertz
"Lovely shop with lovely things. The shop is part of Church of the Holy Comforter and has an all volunteer staff. The proceeds go to nonprofits." -Theresa Sutton
About: This family-owned preschool dates back to 1968. According to its website, "Our preschool program follows a Fairfax County sponsored curriculum called the Creative Curriculum. When we expose children to different environments and various learning experiences, we allow them to explore their self-awareness and gain a sense of the world around them."
Location: 204 Courthouse Road SW, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 703-281-4546
"Awesome place for your children to grow up and learn. They have 4th Generation kids going there. The children love learning and being with their friends there. They get the highest marks for their Teachers. I was going down Courthouse Road one day and saw a boy crying and pulling his Mother by the hand and screaming, 'I want to go in there'!" -Martha Pyle
About: This Church Street shop founded in 2011 offers upscale women's consignment. It offers unsold items that aren't claimed at the end of the consignment period to places like Women Giving Back, a nonprofit supporting women and children in crisis with no-cost quality clothing.
Location: 134 Church Street NW, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 703-242-6265
From the nominator: "There is a wonderful variety. They offer a pristine environment. The owner Nicky Chambers is very friendly. This is a wonderful way to purchase items for your wardrobe while recycling new or gently used items from your closet to others." -anonymous
Chef Jon Krinn's restaurant with rotating menus is a local favorite. During the pandemic, Clarity has adjusted with takeout and outdoor dining under tents in the parking lot.
Location: 442 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday to Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Friday
Phone: 703-539-8400
"They paved the way for the area restaurants to be able to provide services to residents in a safe way (outside seating, social distancing)." -Diane LaHaie
About: Music lessons for different age groups are offered at School of Rock, as well as camps and workshops. It is currently open for in-person or online lessons.
Location: 111 Center Street South, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
Phone: 703-242-2184
From nominator: "Best in every way"
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