Our top 10 blog stories in 2014

Here are the 10 most popular stories published in 2014 in the Annandale Blog, starting with the story that drew the most readers:  

Woodson HS community copes with suicides, March 1 (This story got over 11,600 hits.)

Stuart HS community unhappy with school’s leadership, June 6 (This piece got 92 comments, the most for  any story in 2014.)

FBI searching for evidence in local park, May 19

Morale, discipline at Poe Middle School plummet since principal’s arrest, April 28

Pro Maxx Fitness is being evicted, Sept. 1

Housing development proposed for Sears site in Seven Corners, May 14

Code compliance officials address multiple-occupancy complaints, March 25

Bailey’s principal sued for discrimination and harassment, Oct. 17

Dice Burger opens on Columbia Pike, Annandale, Feb. 5

Loehmann’s is closing; big sales on designer fashions, Jan. 9

Some of the other major issues we covered in 2014 dealt with the Seven Corners Task Force’s  redevelopment proposals, the Seven Corners Working Group, the approval of the Markham Place project on the site of the bowling alley in Annandale, the new Bailey’s Upper Elementary School, the proposed shopping center on Leesburg Pike and Washington Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads, and the sewage spill in Lake Barcroft.

The highpoint of the year for the Annandale Blog was our fifth-year anniversary celebration, Blogapalooza, featuring live music, food from local restaurants, and the presentation of the Annie Awards to readers’ favorite places.

Several new businesses opened in 2014 (Walgreens, the Tous Les Jours bakery, and Bon Chon Chicken in central Annandale; the Ulta cosmetic store in Bailey’s Crossroads; the Tony Moly cosmetics store on Hummer Road; Anthony’s Restaurant on Annandale Road; and Chico’s Pet Depot in Barcroft Plaza). In an unfortunate development, Jerry’s Subs closed, and TitleMax relocated to its former building on Little River Turnpike.

One of the big issues in 2015 will be the board of supervisors elections and whether any candidate will be able to beat longtime Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. 

Other major stories we’re expecting to follow in 2015: the continued tug-of-war between the county and school board over the Willston Center, the proposed redevelopment at Columbia Pike and Moncure Avenue in Bailey’s Crossroads, the presentation of a proposed Seven Corners comprehensive plan amendment to the Planning Commission, and the World Police and Fire Games next summer.

New projects expected to get underway or open in 2015 include the renovated Wilson Library, new restaurant on Columbia Pike in Annandale, Brightview assisted living facility on Gallows Road, the hotel and mixed-use apartment/retail building on Route 50 in Seven Corners, renovations of the Ravensworth Shopping Center, the new townhouse development on Columbia Pike, the Triple A center in Seven Corners, and a new TD Bank at Pinecrest Plaza. Hopefully, we’ll see some new activity at the old Bloom Building in the Annandale Shopping Center.