Gainesville is growing like crazy. New schools, shopping, golf, and family-friendly neighborhoods. I’ll keep you up to date on what’s driving people out this way.

If you live in Northern Virginia, you know the drill. Friday rolls around, you've got the whole weekend ahead of you, and you're scrolling through the same restaurant options wondering what actually sounds good. Let me save you some time.

This weekend – January 30th through February 1st – we've got four events happening in our area that perfectly capture what makes living here so damn great. From ghost tours to family theater, historic exhibits to brewery nights, there's something for everyone.

Here's what you need to know.

Ghost Tours in Old Town Fairfax – Friday Night at 7:00 PM

Let's start with something most people drive right past without realizing it exists.

Old Town Fairfax has ghost tours. And before you write this off as some…

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Gainesville, VA — January 28, 2026 — One of Northern Virginia’s most beloved restaurant groups is officially expanding into Prince William County.

Great American Restaurants (GAR) has announced that Tommy’s American and Best Buns Bakery & Burgers are coming to Gainesville, marking a major milestone for both the company and the local dining scene.

This expansion continues GAR’s long-standing reputation for exceptional hospitality, scratch-made food, and neighborhood-focused dining experiences — concepts that have made restaurants like Patsy’s American and Mike’s American staples across Northern Virginia.

Tommy’s American: A First for Prince William County

Tommy’s American will be Great American Restaurants’ first-ever location in Prince William…

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The wait is finally over for Haymarket and Gainesville residents!

After months of watching the construction crews at the new Heathcote Marketplace (right at the intersection of Route 15 and Heathcote Blvd), we finally have an official opening date. Sprouts Farmers Market will open its doors on Friday, January 23, 2026.

This is huge news for our area. For years, locals have been asking for more grocery options closer to home without having to drive all the way into the heart of Gainesville or Manassas. Sprouts is known for its open-concept layout, fresh organic produce, and health-focused bulk bins, making it a unique addition to our local retail lineup.

What about the Chipotle? I know everyone is asking about the Chipotle (and the Panera Bread!)…

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I have lived in Northern Virginia my entire life. I grew up in Gainesville when it was mostly cornfields, I’ve watched Ashburn transform into "Data Center Alley," and I’ve sold real estate in every corner of this region, from the quietest cul-de-sacs in Haymarket to the busiest high-rises in Arlington.

But recently, I realized something: I have never driven from the furthest suburb all the way to the city line in a single day to compare them side-by-side.

 

So, I decided to do something different. I grabbed my team—Mal, Vince, and Peter—and we hopped in the car for an epic driving tour. Our mission? To rank every major town in Northern Virginia based on lifestyle, traffic, amenities, and that hard-to-define "vibe."

We drove from the…

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By Chris Colgan | The Digital Mayor of Northern Virginia

Stop looking at the whole map. You are overwhelming yourself. If you are moving to Northern Virginia ("NOVA") for the schools, the jobs, or the safety, you really only have three choices: Fairfax County, Loudoun County, or Prince William County.

Each one has a completely different "Personality," price point, and commute reality.

  • Fairfax is the "Established Powerhouse."

  • Loudoun is "Tax Benefits & Silver Line Upside."

  • Prince William is the "Growth Engine."

I have sold over $1 Billion in real estate across all three. Here is the honest, no-fluff breakdown of where you should actually put your money in 2026.

Moving to Northern Virginia? Get my personal…

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Speaker: Chris Colgan • Date: September 3, 2025

"I grew up here, my parents built one of the first houses in the 1970s in a neighborhood called Lawnvale Estates, and I've lived in Northern Virginia my whole life."

Overview

"Today I'm in Gainesville, Virginia, one of the places you comment about all the time and want to know more about."

"We're in western Prince William County."

"Haymarket, Gainesville, and Bristow all pretty much touch."

Key Takeaways 

  • "This community was built roughly 20 years ago, in the early 2000s, by multiple builders, with about 300 homes." (0:12)
  • "Most lots are just under an acre, around three-quarters of an acre … the HOA is only about $80 per month." (0:12)
  • "Homes start around $900,000…

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By Chris Colgan | Real Nova Network
Credit: PrinceWilliamTimes.com

A Gainesville Icon Faces Its Final Christmas

For decades, Merrifield Garden Center in Gainesville has been a go-to destination for holiday shoppers, plant lovers, and families looking for that perfect Christmas tree. Its greenhouse, gift shop, and festive events made it one of the most beloved businesses in western Prince William County.

But this year marks the end of an era. The 38-acre property has been sold to a data center developer for an astonishing $160 million, a price that works out to more than $4.2 million per acre — one of the highest land sales ever recorded in the county.

$160 Million Sale Shocks the Market

According to property records, Merrifield’s…

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A premier active-adult golf community offering luxury homes, resort amenities, and a welcoming lifestyle in the heart of Prince William County.

 

Community Background and Development History

Construction of Heritage Hunt began in the late 1990s, led by U.S. Homes (later acquired by Lennar). The community was designed for active adults aged 55 and older who wanted more than just a home — they wanted a complete lifestyle.

Today, Heritage Hunt is fully built out, with a strong homeowner’s association (HOA) and a resident-driven board that ensures the community continues to thrive. Over the years, it has won multiple regional awards for Best-Planned Adult Community and Golf Course Design.

Planning and Ownership

…

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Realtor Chris Colgan takes a selfie with comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer at the LIV Golf tournament at Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Virginia.

The Ultimate Guide to Living in Gainesville, Virginia (2025 Edition)

Thinking about moving to Gainesville, Virginia? You’ve come to the right place. Nestled in Prince William County, about 35 miles west of Washington D.C., Gainesville offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern convenience. Once a quiet crossroads, it has blossomed into one of Northern Virginia’s most desirable communities.

Whether you're relocating from across the country, seeking a family-friendly suburb, or looking for the perfect place to settle into your professional life, this guide has you covered. As a local real estate expert with deep roots in the community, I’m excited to give you the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live, work, and play in…

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