McLean native and the Founder & CEO of South Block, is opening a location in McLean, bringing South Block back to the roots of where his parents opened and grew their family businesses almost 35 years ago.

 

South Block, voted the “Best Health Food Spot” in 2022, specializes in freshly made acai bowls, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices as well as offering healthy snacks, community, and fist bumps at all locations! Currently slated for a Spring 2023 opening, South Block is under construction in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center, located in McLean, VA; a spot near and dear to the CEO’s heart as it was where he grew up and was the seedbed for his understanding and passion for business & community. Following in his father’s footsteps, Amir Mostafavi is running a business that is an integral part of the community and will be bringing his Instagram-worthy acai bowls to McLean next year. 

 

“We’re so excited about this location because McLean is where I grew up. Mclean is where I got my inspiration to be an entrepreneur… this is a homecoming for us” says Amir Mostafavi. Hassan Mostafavi, Amir’s father, owned a popular local video store business, Box Office Video, in McLean for almost 20 years. It was a gathering ground in the community and each member of the family worked towards the success of the business. “My mom worked the daytime shift and she knew everyone in the community. They would come in and say hi to her so that is where I grew to appreciate the connection to community” Amir shares. “After my mom's passing in 2019, we started a nonprofit in her memory called Fruitful Planet to help get fresh fruits and veggies to those in need throughout our communities. A portion of each South Block juice sold goes towards our #juiceitforward initiative through Fruitful Planet where 100% of proceeds provide fresh produce to underserved communities,” says Mostafavi. 

 

Since its 2011 debut in Clarendon, VA, South Block has expanded to 12 locations across the DMV. It is slated to open three in the next year including an expansion to Loudoun County and a highly coveted spot at Amazon’s HQ2. This Chesterbrook Shopping Center opening in McLean is truly a coming home story for the Mostafavi family. “Opening this store is something I have been dreaming of doing since I started South Block. South Block is a locally owned and operated family business, my brother works here too, just like my parents' old video store was, we are rooted in community, and our family is thrilled to be back in McLean!” The South Block team is excited to meet the demand for fresh, healthy, and delicious foods in McLean next year in the newly renovated Chesterbrook Shopping Center!

 

About South Block

 

South Block opened its first location in Clarendon, VA in 2011 with a mission to build healthier communities one block at a time and specializes in fresh, made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, toasts & cold-pressed juices. The name was inspired by its first location on the south side of a block in the Clarendon neighborhood. Founder, Amir Mostafavi's mission was to add value & build a healthier community on that block! Since opening in 2011, South Block now has 12 locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Mostafavi also started a nonprofit called Fruitful Planet, South Block’s nonprofit that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. Fruitful Planet partners with AFAC, Manna Food Center, Ketcham Elementary School, and a number of other initiatives to support the goal of getting fresh produce to those in need. 

“We believe small acts have big impacts and when we work together as a community we can make a big difference,” says Mostafavi.