Outdoor Dining Program, Stroke Survivor: Top Vienna News Of 2021

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

Business news tends to be one of our popular topics. One of the major closings was Amphora Restaurant after 44 years in business. Vienna also said goodbye to Mo:Mo House, NOVA Central Farm Market, Tom Yum Thai and Red Galanga. New openings included Hawk And Griffin, Lily's Chocolate & Coffee, Royal Nepal Bistro, Trace the Zero Waste Store, Greenhouse Juice Shop and more.

This year also saw people make a difference in their communities. A 2-year-old boy who suffered a stroke at birth and continues to face complex medical battles found support in his family and the community. Vienna officers fundraised for prostate cancer research in honor of one officer's father who died of prostate cancer. Vienna Presbyterian has been holding donation drives to help Afghan refugees. And Madison High School's own graduate James Triantos was selected in the MLB draft.

Other notable news happened in the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County. A plastic bag tax will begin in Fairfax County on Jan. 1, 2022, and senior real estate tax relief eligibility was expanded for the first time since 2006. Vienna's outdoor dining program will continue as Town Council continues to discuss guidelines for the permanent program. And construction is underway on an expanded Vienna Police Station, and the police department moved to a temporary location, the former Faith Baptist Church purchased by the town.

To stay up to date on Vienna 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 Vienna's top stories of 2021:

Business

• Amphora Restaurant To Close In Vienna After 44 Years
• Vienna Outdoor Dining Program Extended To End Of 2021
• British Pub Hawk And Griffin Opens In Vienna
• Vienna Inn Celebrates 61st Year Amid Pandemic Challenges
• Lily's Chocolate & Coffee Brings Iraqi Lokma To Vienna
• Town Forces NOVA Central Farm Market To Leave Vienna
• New Zero Waste Store In Vienna Seeks To Change Shopper Habits
• Nepali Restaurant Mo:Mo House To Close In Vienna
• Greenheart Juice Shop Sets Grand Opening For Vienna Location
• Tom Yum Thai Closes In Vienna After Christmas
• Student-Owned Artwork Business Seeks To Grow In Vienna
• Red Galanga Modern Asian Closes In Vienna, Italian Eatery Planned
• Vienna's Clarity, Chef Win 2021 RAMMY Awards
• 10 New, Future Openings To Check Out At Mosaic District
• First Bloomie's Opens With Colada Shop At Mosaic District
• Elevation Burger Closes Over Weekend In Vienna
• Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. To Open Oakton's First Brewery
• New Emergency Room In Tysons Targeted To Open In 2022
• Bonchon To Bring Its Double-Fried Chicken To Tysons In 2022
• Economic Development Strategy Drafted For Town Of Vienna
• Holiday Shopping Pass Kicks Off To Support Vienna Businesses
• Roaming Rooster's Fried Chicken Arrives In Tysons

Difference makers

• Vienna Officers' Zero Cancer Grow-And-Give Goal Surpassed
• Pediatric Stroke Survivor Fights For Life With Support Of Family
• Madison Grad James Triantos Selected In 2021 MLB Draft
• Vienna Little League Park Gets Facelift Ahead Of State Tournament
• Nonprofit For Adults With Disabilities Gets Office In Vienna
• Fallen Marine's Motorcade Passes Through Fairfax, Arlington
• Fairfax Churches Help Homeless As Hypothermia Shelters In Winter
• Afghan Refugees Get Helping Hand From Vienna Presbyterian
• Afghan Refugee Welcome Backpacks Planned By Vienna Presbyterian
• Vienna Teen Wins Division At International Bass Competition
• Vienna Presbyterian Bells Toll To Honor Coronavirus Victims
• 'This Is A Hometown': Vienna Chiropractor Retires After 34 Years
• Young Men’s Service League Vienna-Oakton Cleans Lorton Site
• Organ Donation Awareness Personal For 2 Vienna Church Members
• Langley Residential Support Services Names New Executive Director
• Little Music Box Project Proves Therapeutic For Vienna Girl

Police and fire

• Fatality Reported In Vienna House Fire
• Vienna Shooting Victim Dies, Police Investigation Continues
• Business Fire Extinguished On Church Street In Vienna
• Scheme Tied To Hizballah Leads To Guilty Plea By Vienna Resident
• Heavy Fire Displaces 7 Residents, Kills Cat At Wolf Trap Home
• Deck Fire Causes Damage To Dunn Loring Home, Displaces 2
• Driver Dies After Two-Vehicle Crash On Route 7 In Fairfax County
• Fairfax Prosecutor Adds New Teams Dedicated To 2 Case Types

Other community news

• Plastic Bag Tax Starts Jan. 1 In 3 Northern Virginia Localities
• Little League Tournament Starts With Parade, Ceremony In Vienna
• Updated Zoning Ordinance Takes Effect July 1 In Fairfax County
• Bird E-Scooters Zoom Into Vienna Through Pilot Program
• Vienna Police Station Groundbreaking Planned In Late January
• Vienna Police Department Moves Into Temporary Location
• New Latter-Day Saints Church Opens In Wolf Trap, Tours Offered
• Senior Tax Relief Expansion OK'd By Fairfax County Supervisors
• Canine Cottage Court Visualizes Potential Vienna Zoning Update
• Median Rent Around Vienna Metro Falls From 2020
• Madison High School Graduation: Celebrating The Class Of 2021
• New Magisterial District Map Approved By Fairfax Supervisors
• Virginia Governor Election 2021: How Vienna Precincts Voted
• Vienna Election Results 2021: 3 Incumbents Reelected
• Here's What Getting A COVID Vaccine From A Fairfax Clinic Is Like
• Car Tax Bill To Rise For Portion Of Fairfax County Vehicle Owners
• Nutley Street Shared-Use Path, Stream Restoration In Design
• Vienna Named Among Top Places To Retire In Virginia