Lorton Patch visited the Shoppes at Lorton Valley on Wednesday to interview residents about their opinions: What they love about Lorton, and on the flip side, what they would change about Lorton if they had the power.
Josh Clardy: "I like the variety of restaurants and it's a pretty friendly neighborhood... and for what I would change? Nothing really, it's an all around good suburban community."
Ted Zweig: "I just like the area... the friendliness of the people and the crime rate... it's a very, very nice place to live. Then I'd get rid of the old prison. Tear it down. It's not historic just because Marion Barry went to jail there."
Mike Smith: "I would restrict the traffic for non-residents, and what I like about Lorton is the woods, trees and park areas."
Katie Zweig: "I'd like more restaurants in the area. I feel like there are not enough of them."
Starbucks Barista Jeff: "I love the Lorton Starbucks, of course. It's the best in the area... and I think we should have more restaurants and less traffic."
Jonathan Dancy: "I like that it's not too far from everything and you don't feel like you are cramped... it's really spacious. I wouldn't mind a few more restaurants."
Cannon Deale: "I like generally the people. Everyone is pretty friendly and courteous. I would like more restaurants. There are no bagel places here."
Cindy Dewitt: "I like the location in relation to different areas of Northern Virginia. It's a nice small community... things are easy to get to. But I would like some nicer restaurants so I don't have to go all the way to Fairfax."
I like how easy it is to get around, that if one way seems backed up, there are other easy options. I also like the Shoppers shopping center. I wish for two things. I wish Lorton students all went to school in Lorton. We only live one mile from SCSS and almost seven miles from Hayfield. While my son likes Hayfield, there is still something wrong with this picture. Any new MS corrections will be too late for him and he'll have already spent too many extra hours on the bus. Second, I wish for a Lowe's or the like. Although it wasn't very glamorous, the old KMart on Rt 1 was very handy as it was the closest shopping; we need more than restaurants and grocery stores around here.