Restaurants Close, Intruder Outside CIA: 2021 Top News In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — While 2021 continued to be overshadowed by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, there was a variety of local news that interested McLean Patch readers.

Business news tends to be one of our popular topics. Two McLean restaurants — The Greek Taverna and Assaggi Osteria — cited failed rent negotiations as the factor in their closings. The McLean Safeway closed on Chain Bridge Road and is set to be replaced by a Lidl next year. In Tysons, development activity is taking shape with the opening of Capital One Hall and the sky garden with Starr Hill Biergarten. On the transportation front, the I-495 NEXT project advances to design and construction.

In police and fire news, the most notable story was an intruder outside CIA headquarters who was killed in a standoff and shooting. In the case of McLean resident Bijan Ghaisar's fatal shooting in 2017, charges were dismissed against the two U.S. Park Police officers involved in the shooting.

On the real estate front, McLean continues to have plenty of eye-catching listings. Two DC sports stars sold their McLean homes in 2021 — former Washington National Max Scherzer and former Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith.

Last but certainly not least, numerous McLean residents made a difference in the community. When COVID-19 vaccines first become available and supply was limited, a neighbor helped seniors find appointments. A group of McLean High School students started a nonprofit to bring the joy of art lessons to hospital patients. Another teen completed on "American Ninja Warrior." An elementary school girl learned to bake during the pandemic and landed a spot on Food Network's Kids Baking Competition. The McLean Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 100 years of providing volunteer fire and rescue support to McLean.

To stay up to date on McLean and Fairfax County news in 2022, subscribe to our free news alerts and morning newsletter. If you would like to share story ideas, send me an email at Emily.Leayman@patch.com.

Here are McLean's top stories of 2021:

Business

• The Greek Taverna To Close After 28 Years In McLean
• Pulcinella Restaurant Reopens In New McLean Location
• Sameday Testing Opens Coronavirus Testing Location In Tysons
• McLean Safeway Store To Close In April, Liquidation Sale Held
• I-495 NEXT Project Clear To Advance To Design, Construction
• Contractor For 495 NEXT Express Lanes Project Chosen
• Capital One Hall Opens With Performances In October
• Last Disney Store In Virginia To Close In September
• Sandlot Tysons To Open At The Boro Development
• Assaggi Osteria To Close In McLean After Christmas Eve
• 'Hell's Kitchen' Finalist To Head New Restaurant In Tysons
• Restaurant To Open At Capital One Center's Watermark Hotel
• New Tysons Restaurant Inspired By Persian Gulf, Northern India
• Bluestone Lane Opens First Virginia Location In Tysons
• New Hijab Collection At Tysons Corner Center Boosts Inclusiveness
• Storage Of Vehicles For Sales Approved At Tysons Corner Center
• Mass Vaccination Center To Reopen At Tysons Corner Center
• Starr Hill Brewery To Open At Skypark Atop Capital One Hall
• Tysons Corner Center Announces New, Upcoming Retailers
• Sky Garden At Capital One Center Open, Festival Planned
• Businesses Win Space At Tysons Corner Center Through Competition
• Monarch Luxury Condo Building Starts Above-Ground Construction
• Locally-Owned Playful Pack Dog Daycare Opening In McLean
• Guidehouse To Create Over 900 Jobs With Tysons Headquarters
• GOLFTEC Tysons Corner, A Golf Training Center, Opens
• Tysons Named Top Booming Virginia Suburb In RENTCafé Study

Police and fire

• Intruder Outside CIA HQ Dies After Shooting Involving FBI Agent
• Bijan Ghaisar Case: Park Police Officers' Charges Dismissed
• McLean Remains Targeted Area For Recent Fairfax Co. Car Thefts
• Man Dies In 2-Vehicle Crash On Georgetown Pike In McLean
• Woman Stabbed At Tysons Hotel, Person Charged: Police
• 3 Injured In 2-Vehicle Crash That Closes Inner Loop For Hours
• Scott's Run Nature Preserve Visitors Reminded Of Rules
• Body Of Man Missing From Great Falls Area Found In Maryland
• Asian Student Faced Racial Slurs Outside Longfellow Middle School
• Security Presence At Scott's Run To Begin Memorial Day

Real estate

• $15 Million McLean Listing Is Max Scherzer's Home
• Former National Max Scherzer's Home Sold In McLean
• Retired Quarterback Alex Smith's McLean Home Sells
• McLean Home Situated Above River Features European Architecture

Difference makers

• McLean Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 100 Years Of Service
• Neighborhood 'Angel' In McLean Helps Seniors Get Vaccinated
• McLean Students Bring Joy Of Art To Hospital Patients
• McLean Girl Turns Baking Into Business, Competes On Food Network
• McLean Teen, Organization Win Governor's Volunteerism Awards
• McLean Boy Highlights Meal Distributions As Time Kid Reporter
• McLean Teen Competes On 'American Ninja Warrior'
• Firefighter Reads Bedtime Story To Benefit Nonprofit Preschool
• Swimmer From McLean Headed To 2021 Olympics
• Cooper Middle Student Wins Division Of National Science Bee
• Country Day School's Head Of School To Retire After School Year

Other community news

• Recall Petition Against Dranesville School Board Member Dismissed
• Remembering 9/11 Victims From McLean, Great Falls 20 Years Later
• Virginia Governor Election 2021: How McLean Precincts Voted
• McLean Groups At Odds Over Amphitheater In McLean Central Park
• Powerball Winner In McLean Scores $2 Million
• Display Featuring 2 LGBTQ+ Books, Bible Removed At McLean Library
• McLean Schools Among Top In Virginia On 2022 Niche List
• McLean-Based Tutoring Club Named Top In Franchise