Ballston Quarter — Attraction in Arlington

The Ballston mall used to fulfill all the roles that a mall should fill, and was aesthetically competent, aside from the dated floor tiling. The mall was as open as any other mall, had plenty of stores for people to shop at, plenty of spaces for people to gather and hang out, and a classic mall style food court. The mall had a vast array of design features that made it special, like the brick and glass elevator that brought you down to the food court which had a large fountain in the middle, along with outdoor style tables and umbrellas. The atmosphere was great for a mall. People would throw coins into the fountain and overall the mall felt unique. I really don’t see why they updated the mall. The new one has many narrow halls that lead to nowhere only with the illusion of space due to the knocked down walls and open floor that lets you see through the building. Lots of space feels wasted, and to add to that there aren’t even any stores. I understand that COVID was/is going on but that just can’t be used as an excuse anymore. I find myself very often going to other malls like the Tysons corner center or the pentagon city mall because the new Ballston quarter simply doesn’t have any stores in it. Despite covid malls can still thrive, and they are. As evident by the two I listed. Its clear that the out of touch developers were going for one thing and one thing only. millennial patronage. The entire downstairs is clearly targeted towards young adults with all the bars, expensive and seemingly upscale food options that make up what is “the quarter market”. Or what would be a food court in a normal mall. This downstairs area is dimly lit, features unfinished ceilings, and a concrete floor. The atmosphere does not match what I feel a mall should. While it is a fun area to eat and hang out with friends, it isn’t really a food court. A food court is meant to serve patrons of the mall while they shop. At the Ballston quarter, “the quarter market” really is the only thing going for it. above the food court is a vast array of empty shops. shops are few and far between, you will pass many areas that have been blocked off by what seem to be fake walls. While the shopping areas behind the walls remain hidden the walkways feel ever more pointless. They lead to nothing and there is really no point in walking around the mall. According to the Ballston quarter, “Ballston Quarter is a new, urban destination where the area's best chefs, entertainment options, events, shopping, and more”. doesnt it feel kind of weird that they are still advertising it as new after 3 years. Almost like they didn’t get the response they where looking for. Not one major retailer has moved in to any of the shopping spaces, and the only clothing store in the mall is the unrenovated and clearly understocked Macys, which had been there since before the mall...

Terrible service, I got to the mall maybe around 7:30-7:35 (not exactly sure) I just spend my time looking some staff around 20 mins when I got my car and going to pay for the parking lot. (I always put my ticket in my car). When I going to pay for the parking within third section it said pay for the credit or debit. I put my ticket in the machine it said put your credit card, yeah I put my credit card but I put wrong side and I fixed it but the gate wasn't responsible and it wasn't open it for me. After that, I reverse my car and asked the lady, she works at the second section. I told her I just pay the ticket in the third section but it wasn't open what should I do. She said I have to go back and tried to pay it again. So I went back and tried to pay for the ticket again. Suddenly I called the official for help me and told him the problem that the gate wasn't open and he said tried to put your credit again and follow the picture what it shows you. Yeah, I followed him but the gate it still not open. Sundenly, he came to me for help and he opened the machine to find my ticket. He asked me what time you came here I said probably around 7:30 or 7:35 not sure. He tried to look over the tickets every single each maybe 15 mins. After that he said he couldn't find my ticket. I was surprise how he couldn't find my ticket. I told him again I sware I just put the ticket but doesn't care and not listen to me. I very disappointed one more thing that the way he spoke to me it very really bad manner. He tried to blame at me that I don't have any ticket because I lost it and the way he talked to me likes yelling at me. I told him how many time I just put the ticket in side that machine! But he wasn't listen to me. I don't care how much you want me to pay I can pay that. But the way that guy who work as supervisor talked to me so horrible! I asked him this is my fault? He said yes this is my fault for lose the ticket! The way he spoke to me very badly he never said to me "sorry ma'm I could find your ticket so sorry about that" very very dissapointed this guy how could he survice to the customer and speak to the customer like this. Please be considering that guy and need to be manner and improving his behavior! I very dissatisfied...

The mall has done a complete 180 and total transformation with the new Ballston Market food court on the ground floor and new shops popping up. As fellow Yelper Elite Gretchen noted, the Ballston Market deserves its own listing and the old reviews aren't of the mall make-over!

With 8-10 stalls currently open, the food hall offers diverse culinary cuisines from local DC vendors - Rice Crook's rice bowls, Mi & Yu's noodle bar, sushi, Roll'd dumplings, Sloppy Mama's BBQ, Hot Lola's fried chicken and curly fries, seafood from The Local Oyster, and Turu's New York style-pizza from Timber, and Ice Cream Jubillee. There's also sit-down restaurants - True Foods and Copa Kitchen. Something for everyone! Looking forward to Bar Taco and Maizal's scrumptious arepas opening up soon. Would love to see a stall for Indian food make it to the food hall like Spice 6, Choolah, or DC Dosa. A vegetarian stall like Fruitive or Chaia would be a nice addition as well.

The seasoned curly fries from Hot Lola's which were delish! Definitely coming back to make my rounds to the different vendors in the hall.

I wasn't a fan of the AMC 12 movie theater. It's quite outdated with lax security, no one checked our tickets and the popcorn and snacks tasted terrible. As someone who loves popcorn and made popcorn in movie theater in high school, the popcorn here is by far the WORST. While the theater rooms are small, the seats are quite comfy with a pull-out tray for snacks.

Excited to come back for another culinary experience at the Ballston Market and check out...