Reston Plaza America Unsure of Future of Noodles and Company

Plaza America is in transition in Reston: One retailer has left the store, another is planning to relocate and a third’s future is uncertain.

The question mark is centered on Noodles and Company. This fast-casual noodle restaurant has been located in the shopping center for a number of years.

CBRE, a retail broker, is advertising the 3,516 square foot space at 11648 Plaza America Drive for lease. However, an employee of the restaurant told FFXnow that they were not aware of any closure plans when contacted earlier in the month.

Noodles and Company has announced that in its financial report of the first quarter 2025, it plans to close 21 stores. This includes 13 to 17 of their company-owned outlets and four franchises.

The spokesperson for Noodles says that the closures are part “of an ongoing strategy to optimize our portfolio of restaurants and enhance overall performance”, but specific locations cannot be confirmed at this time.

Danielle Moore, Noodles’ communications director, told FFXnow via email that “These decisions were not taken lightly and we are committed to supporting the team members affected throughout the entire process.” We are not able to reveal a full list of restaurants at this time as some of these decisions have yet to be made. We remain focused on maintaining a healthy, strong restaurant base to provide the best experience for our guests.

Noodles executives said on a May 7 conference call that the impending closures are despite positive trends, including revenue, foot traffic, and sales. This was due in part to a “reimagined menu” launched in March. The company announced that it opened a new restaurant in January, and expects to open another one in June.

Noodles & Company, based in Broomfield in Colorado, has dozens in Virginia including Reston. You can find it in Fairfax City as well as Fair Lakes and Chantilly.

The chain’s Vienna Restaurant — one of the first in D.C. — closed abruptly in Jan 2024.

MidnighTreats to close ahead of relocation

A notice on the front door of 11720 Plaza America Drive Suite 100, informing customers that MidnighTreats has closed its doors at Plaza America, confirmed this news.

The cookie shop, which opened in a small storefront on May 20, 2022 is now working to relocate to a larger space at Reston Town Center 1826 Discovery Street. The owner and founder Johnny Nguyen hoped to have the new location open in May. However, that is no longer possible.

Nguyen stated, “The permit process was not easy for us!” Now we hope to open before the end of June.”

MidnighTreats fans will need to wait for a delivery, or make the trek to Alexandria or College Park, Maryland, to enjoy its giant vegan cookies. Crumbl Cookies is still available at Plaza America for Reston residents with a generalized cookie craving.

Construction of Whole Foods continues

Whole Foods Market will be moving to Reston Town Center in the second half of this year.

The construction continues for the transformation of the vacant Best Buy Building in the Spectrum at Reston Town Center, (1861 Fountain Drive), into the new Whole Foods. This name is now adorning the future storefront adjacent to the Container Store.

A date for the relocation is not yet known, but an employee of Plaza America’s Whole Foods has told FFXnow they expect it to open at the end or beginning of September.

Plaza America is yet to announce a replacement store for Whole Foods. Amazon’s grocer recently moved its Idylwood Store from Falls Church to create a space for Lidl , which was announced by Idylwood Plaza last week.

New Businesses Take Shape

Plaza America will be losing at least one of its most notable tenants, but it is also welcoming a few new ones.

Mathnasium will open in the shopping center on November 20, 2024, after spending more than 10 years at Hunters Woods Village Center. The new store is located at 11650 Plaza America Drive, next to Noodles & Company.

When asked about the move, Billy Rieger said, “I understand that there was just a greater business opportunity at this shopping center. It’s in a slightly better location for the area we are supposed to serve – the Reston Town Center District.”

Rieger says that almost all Mathnasium of Reston students followed it to its new location, where it can accommodate up to 28 students simultaneously. The move has not resulted any major changes but there has been a noticeable increase in foot traffic.

“I am happy that we are in a place where we can serve our community, and help the kids improve their math skills,” Rieger said to FFXnow.

The Wonder food hall from New York will be opening at Plaza America next month. shared its plans for the expansion of Wonder to Reston and Franconia following their regional debut in Washington, D.C. While the announcement did not provide addresses for Fairfax County, permits indicate a build-out at 11690 Plaza America Drive.

Hat tip Adam Rubinstein

Email the Alexandria City Council:
Alyia Gaskins, alyia.gaskins@alexandriava.gov,
Sarah Bagley, sarah.bagley@alexandriava.gov,
Canek Aguirre, canek.aguirre@alexandriava.gov,
John Chapman, john.taylor.chapman@alexandriava.gov,
Abdel Elnoubi, abdel.elnoubi@alexandriava.gov,
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Email the Alexandria City Council:
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Sarah Bagley, sarah.bagley@alexandriava.gov,
Canek Aguirre, canek.aguirre@alexandriava.gov,
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Thomas Peterson, Tom.Peterson@fairfaxva.gov,

Email the Fairfax City School Board:
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Amit Hickman, Amit.Hickman@fairfaxva.gov,
Sarah Kelsey, Sarah.Kelsey@fairfaxva.gov,
Carolyn Pitches, Carolyn.Pitches@fairfaxva.gov,

Email Fairfax County Supervisors At:
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Kathy Smith (Sully District) sully@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rachna Heizer (Braddock District) braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,
James Bierman (Dranesville District) dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill District) huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Andres Jimenez (Mason District) mason@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Daniel Storck (Mount Vernon District)  mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov,
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Pat Herrity (Springfield District) springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov,

 

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