Virginia Square Shopping Center

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The Virginia Square Shopping Center in Arlington County, Virginia, United States opened in early 1952, to complement the adjoining Kann's-Virginia store. [1] At opening, the 15-store center included a Giant supermarket, People's Drug, Fanny Farmer candy, L. Frank Co. women's apparel, Jonas men's apparel, the Bo Peep Shop, and Mary Baynes Gift Shop. [2] An F.W. Woolworth variety store also operated at the center. Following the 1975 closure of the Kann's-Virginia and Kimel's Furniture Store, the center entered into a period of decline. [3] In March 1986, the Virginia Square retail landmark Mary Baynes Gift Shop closed its doors. [4] Redevelopment of the Center, talked about for almost a decade, finally commenced in Summer 1988, when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation demolished the old center and erected a new satellite office and other buildings on the site. [5] [6] [7]

Arlington County, Virginia County in the United States

Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, often referred to simply as Arlington or Arlington, Virginia. In 2016, the county's population was estimated at 230,050, making it the sixth-largest county in Virginia, or the fourth-largest city if it were incorporated as such. It is the 5th highest-income county in the U.S. by median family income and has the highest concentration of singles in the region.

Virginia State of the United States of America

Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States located between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" due to its status as the first English colonial possession established in mainland North America and "Mother of Presidents" because eight U.S. presidents were born there, more than any other state. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which provide habitat for much of its flora and fauna. The capital of the Commonwealth is Richmond; Virginia Beach is the most populous city, and Fairfax County is the most populous political subdivision. The Commonwealth's estimated population as of 2018 is over 8.5 million.

Kanns

S. Kann Sons Co., or more commonly Kann's was a department store based in Washington, D.C.. It was the District's second department store and pioneered the one-price policy and "the customer is always right" concept in retailing on the Washington, D.C. retail scene. The stores allowed consumers to return goods for cash.

The Virginia Square–GMU station on the Washington Metro is named after the shopping center.

Virginia Square–GMU station Washington Metro station in Arlington County, VA on the Orange and Silver lines

Virginia Square–GMU is a side platformed Washington Metro station in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, United States. The station opened on December 1, 1979, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The station serves the Orange and Silver Lines. The station serves the Virginia Square neighborhood as well as the Arlington campus of George Mason University (GMU). The station entrance is located at the intersection of Fairfax Drive and North Monroe Street.

Washington Metro rapid transit system of the Washington, DC Metropolitian Area

The Washington Metro, or locally simply Metro, is the common name of Metrorail, the rapid transit system serving the Washington metropolitan area of the United States. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which also operates the Metrobus service under the Metro name. Opened in 1976, the network now includes six lines, 91 stations, and 117 miles (188 km) of route.

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Ballston–MU station Washington Metro station in Arlington County, VA on the Orange and Silver lines

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Hecht's, also known as Hecht Brothers, Hecht Bros. and the Hecht Company, was a large chain of department stores that operated mainly in the mid-Atlantic and southern region of the United States. The firm originated in Baltimore, Maryland.

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References

  1. "Kann's Virginia Set for Friday Opening," The Washington Post, Nov 14, 1951, p. 15.
  2. Display Ad, The Washington Post, Oct 24, 1952, p. 23.
  3. "Kann's Customers Try to Get in Locked Doors," The Washington Post, May 24, 1975, p. C1.
  4. "Wrapping it Up After 34 Years," The Washington Post, Mar 6, 1986, p. VAE1.
  5. "Residential Plan Favored for Virginia Square," The Washington Post, Jul 28, 1982, p. VA9.
  6. "Future Grim for Stores in Arlington," The Washington Post, Apr 19, 1984, p. VAA1.
  7. "Change at Virginia Square," The Washington Post, Feb 22, 1988, p. D3.