Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Patchy drizzle before 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 59 degrees. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 42 degrees. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
🚨 You need to know
Friends to Lovers Bookstore is gearing up for a fresh start in Old Town on April 2.
Claire Mouledoux, Visit Alexandria‘s senior vice president of marketing and communications, shared the news on Tuesday while providing an update on retail developments during a “What’s New 2025” event at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard.
“Friends to Lovers, which is the first romance bookstore in the D.C. metro area, opened in November in Old Town. They moved over to the location above Wine Gallery 108, but we just learned that Jamie will reopen Friends to Lovers at 301 Cameron Street with the ribbon cutting on April 2 and grand opening events all week,” said Mouledoux.
Friends to Lovers Bookstore opened at 103 S. St. Asaph Street in November but was forced to close just four days after opening due to a structure fire on November 17. A GoFundMe, Rebuild Friends to Lovers After Fire, has raised more than $46,000.
What else you should know
Join 8,000+ of your neighbors and get the latest on everything Alexandria delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
In the market for a pristine Fender guitar? There are two for sale at rock-bottom prices at the upcoming MV Big Flea, an annual fundraiser and community yard sale for the Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray. Read More
In front of an assembly of third graders yesterday, Polk Elementary 3rd grade teacher Sharon Phox was presented the honor by Lisa Coons, Virginia’s superintendent for public instruction, as well as Alexandria City Public Schools leadership and her family. Read More
Today’s the day: Pizzeria Paradiso returns as an “ongoing pizza pop up” at Hank’s Oyster Bar. Open Thursday through Sunday. Read More
The City of Alexandria will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. this evening at Patrick Henry Recreation Center to discuss gas-powered leaf blowers with residents and business owners.
Thanks to Ruth M. and Susan C. for becoming ALXnow Press Club members on Wednesday. That’s 41 members! Can you help us get to 100 members? Join your neighbors and become a ALXnow Press Club member today!
Reminder: To showcase the value of the Press Club, ALXnow is offering all current subscribers a trial of the Morning Briefing (that’s this newsletter) until March 21st. Starting March 24th, access to every edition of the Morning Briefing will become an exclusive benefit for Press Club members.
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for March 12, 2025.
- ICE arrests El Salvadoran woman convicted of 2020 misdemeanor in Alexandria
- Polk Elementary 3rd grade teacher Sharon Phox named Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year
- Plan to convert Old Towne Motel property into luxury condos heading to Planning Commission
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, from our newsletter and event calendar.
Things To Do
- 10:15 a.m.: Here Nor There Story Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 12 p.m.: Line dancing at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Film – “Lee” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Period Products 101 – Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People at Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop
- 6 p.m.: Massachusetts-based artist/sculptor Michael Alfano at Nepenthe Gallery
- 6 p.m.: Duncan Literary Society – We meet at “The Company of Books”
- 7 p.m.: Girl Scout Cookies & Beer Pairing at Port City Brewing Company
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Garvey at 8:30 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- Rosemont Cellar: Sleeper Car at 6 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Tigran Hamasyan at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 8:45 a.m.: Supplemental Retirement Plan Pension Board
- 8:45 a.m.: Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board Meet
- 3 p.m.: Commission on Aging Health Committee
- 4:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging
- 6 p.m.: ACPS School Board Work Session
- 7 p.m.: Beautification Commission Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Regulation Discussion
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
