Local entrepreneurs and small businesses highlight Fairfax City as a base for food, fitness and tech

A series of small-business presentations highlighted food, fitness, tech and arts businesses that said they have deep community ties in Fairfax City.

Nicole Liberator identified herself and her bakery: "My name is Nicole Liberator. I am the owner of Pistona Bakeshop. Pistona Bakeshop is a small artisan Italian bakery. We specialize in Italian pastries... We are most well known for our cannoli," she said, describing family recipes and a small-batch approach.

Representatives or owners from other small businesses described their offerings and reasons for locating in the city. A representative for Vectari, a research and rapid-prototyping business in the utility industry formed by four brothers, said a close relationship with George Mason University helps bring academic research into product development and that they focus on AI applications. DPI Adaptive Fitness described itself as an accessible gym that supports people transitioning from physical therapy and said the city’s ground-level spaces and curb accommodations were important to the operation. Sun and Moon Yoga representatives noted therapeutic workshops and community connections, and a Tate Bakery speaker described being part of a walkable neighborhood commerce cluster in the Camp Washington area.

Speakers emphasized the community atmosphere, walkability, proximity to highways and to Washington-area markets as factors that drew businesses to Fairfax City. The presentations were promotional and informational; no land-use permits or council approvals were requested in the recorded segment.