Owner Tricia Barba announced on Sept. 21 that Preservation Biscuit Company would close, with staff spending their final days preparing for the transition. The shop at 102 E. Fairfax St. served its last biscuits on Sunday, Sept. 27, ending a successful five-and-a-half-year run.
Just four days later, on Thursday, Oct. 1, Best Buns Bakery & Burgers opened at 265 West Falls Station Blvd. at 7 a.m.
This move shifts the city’s favorite morning spot from East Fairfax Street to the new Commons Park at the West Falls development, bringing updated hours and expanded offerings.
Two Addresses, Two Ends of the City
Preservation Biscuit Company | Best Buns Bakery & Burgers | |
|---|---|---|
Address | 102 E. Fairfax St. | 265 West Falls Station Blvd. |
Opened | March 16, 2021 | Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 |
Hours as listed | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Opens at 7 a.m., with breakfast, lunch and dinner |
Format | Biscuits and biscuit sandwiches | Bakery, coffee shop and burger restaurant |
Setting | Southgate Village Shoppes strip | Stand-alone building in Commons Park |
While Preservation Biscuit specialized in morning and afternoon hours, closing at 3 p.m., Best Buns provides all-day service – extending into the evening with salads, specialty sandwiches, and customizable burgers.
What the East Fairfax Street Strip Had
Preservation Biscuit began during a challenging time. Barba, formerly brand marketing director at Matchbox, teamed up with executive chef Jonathan Coombs in August 2020 to launch the concept in a former life-coaching space on East Fairfax Street.
Coombs, a U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, spent three months perfecting a sturdy, cakey biscuit designed to hold up to hearty sandwich fillings. The signature "The Prime Time" sandwich was later recognized by The Washington Post on its 2021 list of the 25 best sandwiches in the D.C. area.
Community support was central to the business. From the start, the shop donated proceeds from featured items to local causes, including Homestretch, the Falls Church Education Foundation, and the Columbia Baptist Food Pantry.
Beyond her own storefront, Barba helped spearhead marketing efforts for local events like the Falls Church Foodie Treks and the Falls Church Summer Restaurant Week.
Nearby strip tenants include Bakeshop and Audacious Aleworks; visitors are advised to verify current hours when planning a visit.
What Commons Park Adds
Best Buns is operated by Great American Restaurants, the group behind Sweetwater Tavern and Coastal Flats. This marks their fourth Best Buns location, alongside Shirlington, Springfield, and Vienna, with a Gainesville spot coming soon.
Located in Commons Park at the heart of West Falls, the stand-alone location features generous outdoor seating on the green. The menu spans fresh-baked goods, full breakfast options, Starbucks coffee beverages, and a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu.
The Corner That Was Reissued First
This transition reflects a broader trend across Falls Church. Nearby at 100 West Broad Street, Brown's Hardware closed in March 2025 after 142 years, following the closure of Dominion Camera after 53 years in late 2024.
The former hardware space is becoming Wonder, a 44-seat food hall delivering meals from over 15 chef-driven concepts, including Bobby Flay Steak, José Andrés, and Marcus Samuelsson's Streetbird.
These ongoing developments highlight how historic storefronts and new developments are reshaping dining options throughout the city.
What's on the Calendar
- Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Step into Falls Church’s farming past at Farm Day, a free fall outing filled with animals, music, hands-on activities, and history.
- Friday, Oct. 16, 6:45 to 9 p.m. Jumanji. Bring family and friends, spread out a blanket or set up a low-profile chair, and relax at the City’s Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park. Free admission.
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 to 5 p.m. Falls Church Forward hosts a Halloween Bike Parade. The group says everyone is welcome, and it will post the meeting place at fallschurchforward.org.
- Monthly. Falls Church Forward holds a member happy hour. The most recent one was at Solace Outpost, according to the Falls Church News-Press.
Corcoran McEnearney tracks real estate and local business trends across Falls Church. Contact our team for local market insights or commercial consultations.
