New shopping center brings convenience and fun

Priscilla Woo, academics editor

The long-awaited Chantilly Wegmans shopping center opened on June 3 near the intersection of Route 28 and Westfields Boulevard. There are currently five Wegmans in Northern Virginia, with this being the second in Fairfax County.

“It’s really nice because the other Wegmans built before was far away,” freshman Roshi Chandra said. “This one is closer, so lots of kids can get jobs there.”

Wegmans is well-known for its wide assortment of foods that suit many lifestyles.

“Inside Wegmans, I love the bakery because it’s all fresh and tastes really good,” senior and former Chantilly Wegmans employee Leah Tyrrell said. “I also love the Mexican bar because it’s basically a healthy version of Chipotle, so I go there when I need to feed my addiction but also feel good about myself.”

One of the many features that makes this Wegmans stand out is the Burger Bar, which is not included in any other Wegmans in Virginia. This extension is a family-friendly, casual restaurant that serves burgers, salads and more, featuring an outdoor patio for dining on sunny days.

“My favorite restaurant probably has to be the Burger Bar,” senior Benny Blue said. “There is definitely a wide variety of options available; I haven’t tried many of the others, but I’m still amazed at the variety that you can actually get.”

If you’re looking for other dining options, just cross the street where a collection of other restaurants can appeal to whatever your cravings may be.

Some restaurants introduced to the shopping center include Mellow Mushroom, Cava and Chipotle. Mellow Mushroom serves pizza along with other fast casual dishes while displaying a unique array of artworks throughout the location. Since 1974, Mellow Mushroom has encouraged local artists to come together and design its restaurants to reflect the culture of the community around them.

Not only does the shopping center offer several places to eat, but it also features different services such as MyEyeDr. and Bella Nail Spa. The versatility and convenience of this new shopping center attracts many people from the Chantilly and Westfield area.

“The Wegmans Shopping center is definitely targeted to younger audiences, and as it continues to grow, it’ll be as popular as Greenbriar or Fair Lakes,” Tyrrell said. “They’re adding a bunch of new places, and I’m excited to see what they [will be].”