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Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe has made its first splash in the D.C. region, opening a kiosk at Tysons Corner Center as the Kuwait-based chain prepares to expand across Northern Virginia.
The cafe held a soft opening Saturday, Jan. 3, more than a year after “opening soon” signs first appeared. Its first Virginia location occupies a first-floor kiosk near Macy’s.
Bora Bora specializes in fruit smoothies and juices, with milkshakes, soft drinks, and hot and cold coffee also available. Its food menu includes fruit bowls, crepes, waffles, sandwiches and ice cream.
Franchise manager Naser Kassim said the mall’s visibility and heavy foot traffic made it an important starting point for the chain’s regional growth.
“A lot of people come to this mall,” Kassim said. “This way, people will try new things. Once they try new things and they like it, they’re going to look for it around.”
Additional locations are already being developed in Stafford and the Falls Church area.
A Fairfax County food establishment permit approved in November shows Bora Bora taking over a long-vacant building at 5870 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. Plans call for seating for 45 customers and daily hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kassim said that location could open within two or three months and will carry the same menu as the Tysons kiosk.
More retailers arrive at the mall
Tysons Corner Center has also recently welcomed British mattress manufacturer Vispring, clothing retailer Johnnie-O and a relocated Oakley store.
Vispring began operating in mid-December on the mall’s first floor beside the downsized Gap. The showroom features nine mattresses for customers to try. The company has also opened showrooms in Dallas, New York City, San Diego and Denver during the past seven months.
Los Angeles-based Johnnie-O opened around Dec. 21 on the second floor near the Apple store. Founded in 2005 with an emphasis on polo and golf shirts, the retailer now offers clothing for men, women and children.
American Girl temporarily closes
American Girl closed its longstanding two-story store on the mall’s western end Sunday, Jan. 4, while preparing to reopen in a smaller space.
Signs outside its future first-floor storefront next to Seasons 52 say the doll retailer will return in early 2026, though an exact date has not been announced.
It also remains unclear what will replace American Girl in its former 23,000-square-foot location. Italian food and retail chain Eataly has reportedly considered the space as part of a broader renovation of the mall’s west end, but neither Eataly nor mall owner Macerich has confirmed those plans.