News

‘Friends to Lovers Bookstore’ and two others to close after fire in Old Town

By James Cullum and Vernon Miles
1/7

No one was injured, but a fire this weekend has shuttered three Old Town businesses.

The Friends to Lovers Bookstore opened four days ago at 103 S. St Asaph Street, and closed along with Madam Coco — Emporium and Everything Chocolate and the Little Birdies kids boutique.

The Alexandria Fire Department reported no injuries from the blaze on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The fire forced highly anticipated bookstore Friends to Lovers to close just three days after its grand opening.

Northern Virginia Magazine reported that the fire destroyed much of the inventory and the shop will not reopen for the remainder of the year at least.

Friends to Lovers has launched a GoFundMe to rebuild the store, currently having raised $5,000 of its $20,000 goal.

“As many of you may know, we concluded our grand opening festivities earlier that day and have adored seeing all of you come in to make new friends and spend time with old ones,” owner Jamie Fortin wrote in the GoFundMe. “We are so proud of the community we’re building and are determined to continue bringing folks together. Fund will go to rebuilding inventory, and opening/renovating a new space to call our home in Alexandria.”

Madame Coco’s Emporium said on Instagram that they will rebuild.

About the Authors

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.

  • Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.