The Block’s DMV Night Market brings positive energy to Annandale
Is Annandale poised for a renaissance sparked by young food entrepreneurs? The DMV Night Market this weekend organized by Arturo Mei, the founder of The Block, is a step in the right direction. The Block itself, as well as the new Markham Street Café, are also encouraging signs.
The Night Market, featuring food trucks, a DJ, live entertainment, clothing vendors, and games, is open today, noon-8 p.m. It’s in the parking lot in front of The Block, at 4221 John Marr Drive.
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| The Choy Wun Dance Troupe |
“DMV Night Market serves as a platform to unite the community and support local upcoming artists and businesses,” The Block states. “We’re fusing an iconic Asian cultural staple, the night market, with the cultural diversity that is the DMV.”
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| The Urban Bumpkin BBQ food truck. |
That goal of bringing the community together is also what the Taste of Annnandale, the community festival in October, was aiming at. Mei is planning more Night Markets over the next few months. We hope they will be successful. The more community celebrations there are, the more of a spotlight will shine on the positive things happening in Annandale.
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| Karina Dar Juan of KDJ Design. |
Now this this is very hip, upbeat and just plane cool. This is a DMV worth having in the hood not like that other DMV that thankfully remained in Arlington. Maybe there is hope for us to say proudly, I live in Annandale, you know where the DMV is, instead of trying to cover it up and latching on to a Falls Church zip. Although I dare say Culmore is in Falls Church.
Going to take a heck of a lot more than food trucks to incite a Renaissance. Preserving neighborhoods by stringent enforcement of zoning and building codes would be a start. Leadership committed to serving the taxpayer as well as the undocumented would be another
At least this is a good start, and a unique one. This in conjunction with smart leadership someday (still hoping) may eventually get Annandale out of the armpit of NOVA and into the barbecue pit.