Top local business stories of 2019

Jeff Clabaugh | @wtopclabaugh

December 26, 2019, 4:53 AM

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As the year comes to a close, here’s a look back at some of the top business highlights from the year.

<p>The gradual arrival of Amazon’s HQ2 pushed housing prices up significantly in Arlington County and Alexandria this year, but many potential buyers are waiting on the sidelines, speculating prices will rise more, leading to a chronic inventory problem, with the number of homes for sale half what it was a year ago.</p>

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Amazon HQ2 fuels soaring home prices, puts speculative sellers on the sidelines (AP)

The gradual arrival of Amazon’s HQ2 pushed housing prices up significantly in Arlington County and Alexandria this year, but many potential buyers are waiting on the sidelines, speculating prices will rise more, leading to a chronic inventory problem, with the number of homes for sale half what it was a year ago.

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Gannett merger makes McLean company the biggest newspaper company (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

GateHouse Media acquired McLean-based Gannett for $1.2 billion in November, creating the largest newspaper publisher in the country, with nearly 600 daily and weekly newspapers and 24,000 employees. The newly-merged company keeps its Gannett name and Tysons headquarters.

<p>Taylor Gourmet, which abruptly closed its 17 D.C.-area stores after a bankruptcy filing in 2018, started making a comeback under new ownership this year. Source Cuisine acquired the Taylor Gourmet name. It has reopened three locations, with more to come.</p>

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Bankrupt Taylor Gourmet makes a comeback with new owners (Courtesy: Taylor Gourmet)

Taylor Gourmet, which abruptly closed its 17 D.C.-area stores after a bankruptcy filing in 2018, started making a comeback under new ownership this year. Source Cuisine acquired the Taylor Gourmet name. It has reopened three locations, with more to come.

<p>The Washington Post ceased publication of its free commuter newspaper Express in September after more than 16 years. It cited the growth of Wi-Fi access on Metrorail for declining readership.</p>

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Washington Post Express folds (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The Washington Post ceased publication of its free commuter newspaper Express in September after more than 16 years. It cited the growth of Wi-Fi access on Metrorail for declining readership.

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Buffalo Billiards, Front Page shutter after a quarter-century in Dupont (Courtesy: Buffalo Billiards)

Two Dupont Circle staples, The Front Page and Buffalo Billiards, closed in August after failing to negotiate new leases. For Buffalo Billiards, the closure ended a 25-year run. The Front Page shuttered after 32 years in business.

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End of an era in Georgetown with closing of Dean & Deluca (Google Streetview)

Dean & Deluca closed its long-standing Georgetown store in August. The store opened in a historic brick building on M Street in 1993 and was Dean & Deluca’s first store outside of its hometown of New York City.

<p>Mike Daryoush, an Iranian immigrant who started Moby Dick House of Kabob 30 years ago, died of heart failure in May. He grew Moby Dick into one of the most successful restaurant chains in the D.C. area.</p>

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Moby Dick founder Mike Daryoush dies (Rey Lopez/Courtesy Moby Dick House of Kabob)

Mike Daryoush, an Iranian immigrant who started Moby Dick House of Kabob 30 years ago, died of heart failure in May. He grew Moby Dick into one of the most successful restaurant chains in the D.C. area.

<p>Bethesda-based Marriott International announced in May that CEO Arne Sorenson had been diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Sorenson, 60, continues to lead the company while undergoing treatment.</p>

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Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (AP/Steve Helber)

Bethesda-based Marriott International announced in May that CEO Arne Sorenson had been diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Sorenson, 60, continues to lead the company while undergoing treatment.

<p>Redevelopment ramped up for the soon-to-be-Wegmans-anchored former Fannie Mae headquarters on Wisconsin Avenue, including a summertime engineering feat that lifted the entire building slightly. Fannie Mae moved to a new, glass-towered headquarters at The Washington Post’s former building.</p>

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Redevelopment of the former Fannie Mae headquarters ramps up (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Redevelopment ramped up for the soon-to-be-Wegmans-anchored former Fannie Mae headquarters on Wisconsin Avenue, including a summertime engineering feat that lifted the entire building slightly. Fannie Mae moved to a new, glass-towered headquarters at The Washington Post’s former building.

<p>Reston-based Science Applications International Corp completed its $2.5 billion acquisition of Chantilly-based Engility Holdings in January. The move created one of the largest government contractors, with 23,000 employees.</p>

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SAIC buys Engility for $2.5 billion, creating one of the biggest IT contractors (Courtesy: SAIC)

Reston-based Science Applications International Corp completed its $2.5 billion acquisition of Chantilly-based Engility Holdings in January. The move created one of the largest government contractors, with 23,000 employees.

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