Renovated Birch & Broad Shopping Center Reaches Full Occupancy

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Birch & Broad, the newly renovated shopping center on W. Broad Street anchored by Giant Food, is fully leased and on track to reach full occupancy when The Little Gym opens this summer.

Renovations on the shopping center, owned by Federal Realty and formerly known as Falls Plaza, began almost a year ago.

The Little Gym, a physical development center for children, will fill a 5,637 square-foot space next to taekwondo school Jhoon Rhee Institute. The gym offers many activities, including parent and child fitness classes, kids dance, gymnastics, sports skills and karate.

“The renovation and rebranding of Birch & Broad reinvented the center by providing appealing outdoor amenities that are attractive to both customers and retailers,” Deirdre Johnson, senior vice president of asset management for Federal Realty, said in a statement Thursday.

Federal Realty is the longtime owner of the shopping center. It acquired the Giant Food side of Falls Plaza in 1967 and the east side of Birch Street, anchored by Staples and Road Runner Sports in 1972.

The name change refers to Broad Street and Birch Street, the latter of which divides the eastern and western parts of the shopping center.

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The Little Gym and Jhoon Rhee Institute aren’t the only fitness-oriented businesses in Birch & Broad. The shopping center will also home to Aqua-Tots, Conte’s Bike Shop and Road Runner Sports.

Chef Mike Cordero’s Taco Rock recently opened in Birch & Broad and is serving tacos and signature drinks at its restaurant, which features a large patio area.

Federal Realty said the renovations sparked interest from new businesses that wanted to set up shop in Birch & Broad. Crumbl Cookies, Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen and Aqua-Tots also are set to open later this year. Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen is a restaurant founded by Chris Gannon, son of Outback Steakhouse founder Tim Gannon.

The shopping center’s anchor, Giant Food, also underwent a major remodeling. Other retailers in Birch & Broad include Staples, CVS Pharmacy, Plaka Grill, Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s.

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