McLean Estates Comm.

We like to support local businesses when we can, and we hate to see a small locally-owned shop close down, especially if they offer a good product or service. But sometimes we forget that they're there, or we prefer the convenience of ordering online, and we don't give them our business. Several shops come to mind: Appalachian Outfitters, Oakton Family Restaurant, Fuller & D'Albert Photo near Fairfax Circle.

So let's make a list of our favorite businesses in the area. We prefer to give our business to independent, locally-owned shops (kinda like rooting for the home team) but go ahead and list big small chains as well, cuz that's usefull information too.

Cinema Arts Theater

In the Age of Multiplex, it's nice to have an indepently owned and operated movie theater so near by. Cinema Arts is located in Fair City Mall at Pickett Road and Main Street. cinemaartstheatre.com.

Cinema Arts has six screens (I believe) and shows a nice mix of big studio movies, small indepenedent films, and foreign films.

The owner of the theater often walks around refilling popcorn right before the previews begin, then polls the audience in between previews in order to get a sense of whether they would come see the previewed movie. He also does some quick demographic polling.

They have better concessions that most theaters (hummus & pita, babaganoush, sandwiches), and the crowd tends to be better behaved than most, but there are probably other explanations for that.

So when you want to go out to the movies, check Cinema Arts.

Hudson Trail Outfitters

This store is located near Fairfax Circle, next to Staples.

I haven't bought any serious outdoor gear here, but when I have sought the sales people's advice on a couple purchases recently, it's been very good. Ask for Laura.

Hudson Trail Outfitters is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and has six locations around the DC area. HTO sells outdoor gear for hiking, camping, etc.