Archive for the 'shopping' Category

Reston, Virginia is for lovers, (Four Square and our tourist bureau says so.) Tomorrow is Valentines Day and we think that Lake Anne is the perfect place to take your sweetheart for a little wooing and we hope swooning.

Our little burg by the lake has so many charms. Dinners by candle light, soft music, great food. What could be better for setting the mood? Jasmine Cafe for intimate murmurs, Singh Thai for the Spice, Cafe Montmartre for Jazz, and Kalypsos for dancing; so many choices, so much to adore.

Need a gift for your sweetheart? The Reston Museum has something to ward off the chill. There’s ware-able art, beautiful shawls and capes to snuggle and thrill. Maybe poetry from the Book Shop, sonnets and verse to convince and to lure. We have hand crafted chocolates  and flowers galore, and cupcakes and cookies and oh so much more!  Craft beer for him, a fine Viognier for her?

Should your evening end with a tender embrace, we have Small Change and Baby Blossoms to attend to your tiny addition; inspired and assisted by this great gathering place.

This week marks the 34^th anniversary of the grand opening of Reston’s Used Book Shop. The shop was originally opened by best friends Sue Schram and Sue Wensell. The Sue’s as they are affectionately known, long time book lovers and readers collected books found at yard sales; over time they decided that Reston should have a bookshop of its own.

Sue Wensell, a former resident of Denver,CO had been a patron of ‘The Tattered Cover’ and knew that its warm inviting style would do well in Reston. The Sue’s opened Reston’s Used Book shop on January 7, 1978 with inventory from their yard sale collection. That first weekend’s sales far exceeded their expectations, that was the good news, the bad news, they were desperately in need of new inventory!

In the ’80s Fairfax County teacher and Reston resident, Bud Burwell prowled the Book Shop for reading materials for his HS English class. Over time his affection for the Shop lead to his joining the part-time staff as a Summer employee along with Victoria Reid.

In the late 1990’s, the Sue’s ready to shed the responsibility of the Shop approached Bud, his wife Susie and Victoria about purchasing

Bud & Susie Burwell

the shop. The deal was struck and ownership of the space, the business and an inventory of 28,000 books transferred to Bud & Susie Burwell and Victoria Reid* on April 1, 1999.

The Burwell – Reid team expanded the Shop into the space next door, adding room for expanded inventory, a kid’s area and a great reading section for hosting a new book-club, musical events and local author readings.

The Shop hosts a ‘5^th Sunday Bluegrass Jam’ where if you’re lucky you’ll hear owner Bud Burwell play the Hammered Dulcimer. Through his musical connections Bud also helps find musicians for the Saturday morning Market Music.

On any day and especially Saturdays’ you will find Bud and Susie at the shop with a myriad collection of customers and friends discussing books, politics and local happenings.

Happy Birthday to Reston’s Used Book Shop, a wonderful, charming, unique, and much loved treasure of Reston.

*In the mid-2000’s Ms. Reid sold her interest in the Book Shop when she found she was seriously ill, she passed away not long after that time.

The Holiday’s are upon us! The Christmas Trees are up and brightly lit, the Plaza Shops are offering everything from kid’s toys to Gift Certificates for dinners. The toffee candy from Chesapeake Chocolates is divine, especially when paired with a lovely Virginia wine! Fun toys by Melissa & Dave at Small Change and for your hip toddler the latest fashions from Baby Blossom. Tired from all the shopping, need a break? Drop in for a meal at any of the great Lake Anne eateries, or perhaps a sweet treat from The CupCake Ladi.

If you’re planning a holiday party, speak to any of our restaurants. Each offer catering services ranging from delivery of food to full turn-key service where they provide everything and take away the trash! It is a great way to entertain.

Join us on December 22 at 6:00 PM  for an outdoor Chanuka Festival. We’ll gather on the waterfront and our very own Bob Simon will assist Rabbi Fajnland of Chabad of Reston-Herndon in the lighting of a giant ice Menorah. We’ll then move inside at the RCC for food and games. The Chanuka Festival is an activity of the Chabad of Reston & Herndon a home for Jewish living and learning in Fairfax County.

This holiday season shop local!