Businesses Win Space At Tysons Corner Center Through Competition

TYSONS, VA — Three emerging business concepts are getting help to jumpstart their success through Tysons Corner Center's first-ever DreamStart competition.

The competition allows the winning brand, product, service, food vendor, maker or idea to get reduced rent for space inside Tysons Corner Center and other support to build their business. The grand prize winner is Bisnonna Bakeshop, a local traditional Italian bakery based in Annandale. The runner-up is Garcon Melanine, a Black-owned children’s fashion brand based near Quantico, and the second place runner-up is The PopCorn Bag DC, a gourmet dessert bar specializing in unique gourmet popcorn flavors. The three winners receive a prize package valued at over $100,000 with reduced rent offerings, promotional resources, visual merchandising, marketing support and a grand opening event.

"Tysons Corner Center has a long history of first to concept and first to market stores, that flourish in our shopping center and continue to thrive in the retail industry," said Matt Barry assistant vice president of property management for Tysons Corner Center, a mall operated by Macerich. "Hosting DreamStart was an inspiring contest for our team here at Tysons Corner Center; as we were able to see small business owners share their dream with us and let us help illuminate the path to their success"

The first-ever DreamStart competition was launched in May, attracting over 20 qualified applicants. Nine were invited to give a "Shark Tank style" presentation of their products to a panel of judges. The mall ended up choosing three local brands as the winners.

Bisnonna Bakeshop will be located in the former Gordon Biersch Kitchen patio. Bisnonna, named for the word great-grandmother in Italian, is a nod to owners Nicole and Dom Liberatore’s family matriarchs for their love of baking and handmade recipes passed down in the family.

Bisnonna Bakeshop is a traditional Italian artisan home-bakery, specializing in classic Italian pastries, including the hand-rolled, shaped and filled cannoli. They also have special flavors inspired by various experiences: the Dubrovnik cannoli inspired by their trip to Croatia, a Thai Coffee cannoli inspired by their honeymoon to Thailand, Black Sesame based on an ice cream flavor at The Block's SnoCream in Annandale and upcoming zaatar biscotti inspired by travel to Palestine. The business is scheduled to open in early or mid-September.

"We want to be that neighborhood, old-school Italian bakeshop that the DMV is missing, and with Tysons’ support, we know we’re one step closer," said owner Nicole Liberatore. "We had so much fun telling our grandmothers that we won this competition — they’re over the moon that the biscotti, pizzelle, and kolache they’ve been making for decades will be in our store."

Garcon Melanine will open in the former Candy Heaven spot on the first level of the mall near Wasabi Sushi. Founded in November 2020 by Alicia Abbington, the clothing brand is inspired by her son JJ's style. Abbington sought to fill a void in boy's fashion providing clothing with more individuality and personality at reasonable prices. The business name translates to Melanin Boy.

Abbington said she has been seeking a brick-and-mortar space for her business. The grand opening will be Aug. 28.

"I actually went to school for Fashion & Business Retail management at the Art Institute to own my own retail business. When I became a mother, it pushed my dreams to the side and her son JJ became the center of my world," said Abbington. "I realigned my dreams by starting my business last year and since starting the brand, Garçon Melanine has had a significant following from clients in the DMV. I wanted to take the Garçon Mélaniné experience to the next level by opening up a physical location and exposing the brand to one of the top traffic-driving malls in the world."

Barry expressed excitement that the two emerging concepts can build up success at the mall.

"Being the home of the first brick and mortar for Bisnonna Bake Shop and Garcon Melanine is an honor for us and we are eager to help them thrive and incubate their already fantastic concepts, here at Tysons Corner Center," said Barry.

The PopCorn Bag DC will open at a cart in early to mid-September. It will offer flavors of hand-popped gourmet popcorn like chicken and waffles, Key Lime pie and pecan praline.