News

A proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is facing pushback from neighbors.

In June, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita announced it would be opening this summer at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social until last November. The restaurant also announced 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. operating hours on its website. However, in its special use permit application filed in July, the restaurant said it will be open 24 hours a day.


News

Olivia Troye has lost friends and made powerful enemies since moving to Alexandria.

The former career intelligence officer made national headlines after resigning from a top post at the White House under President Donald Trump in 2020, and then speaking out against the administration. The lifelong conservative Republican went so far as to endorse former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president, even spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and is a frequent anti-Trump commentator on national TV. Now living in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, she makes public appearances at protests, publishes multiple weekly posts to more than 300,000 subscribers on her Substack, and says she’s dedicated to spending the rest of her life fighting President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.


News

A new Vietnamese-Japanese fusion restaurant soft-opened today in Arlandria.

2D Noodles (3823 Mount Vernon Avenue) is testing out its kitchen and menu today (Tuesday, Aug. 5) and plans to fully open once several more staffers are hired, the restaurant’s general manager told ALXnow. The restaurant is located in the Del Ray North shopping center, just two stores down from their sister restaurant, Sake Express Japanese Hibachi.


News

Atlas Brew Works, which opened a taproom in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood last year, was awarded this year’s RAMMYS Award for Beer Program of the Year on Sunday, August 3.

Atlas Brew Works (2425 Mandeville Lane) was one of three businesses in Alexandria up for regional awards from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), along with Andy’s Pizza (107 N. Fayette Street) and Josephine (109 S. St. Asaph Street).


News

Local businesses are being praised for their efforts in supporting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

AWLA recently thanked several contributors to its Adopt-the-Shelter program, where the names of donors and the amounts donated are displayed at the shelter’s dog yard, community room, visiting rooms, and other areas. The program has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in donations, including $2,500 from Old Town Books, which funded the addition of “Book Buddies shelves” in the Cat Adoption Room, allowing children to read to rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, and other small animals.


News

DASH has submitted plans to the city to build a new electric bus charging station at a city impound lot next to the transit company’s headquarters at 3000 Business Center Drive.

The open canopy structure is part of DASH’s goal to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2035. The garage would allow for parking, maintenance, and storage for 24 electric buses, according to the special use permit filed with the city. The Planning Commission will review the submission at its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.


News

Fans of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream won’t have to travel to Arlington anymore to get their fix. The company recently filed an administrative special use permit (DSUP) application with the city to open a location in Old Town.

The New York City ice cream shop wants to open at 400 King Street, next door to the Alexandrian Old Town Hotel and Southern restaurant King & Rye. Proposed hours would be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, and the business expects between 150 and 250 daily customers, according to the SUP. The last day for public comments on the proposal is Aug. 21.


News

There’s good news for Old Town coffee enthusiasts, as a new coffee shop and wine bar is asking the city for expanded hours and extra outdoor seating.

LaPluma Coffee & Wine Bar opened in May at 1000 Cameron Street in Old Town, and now its owners are asking the city to expand their operating hours only on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and add 12 more seats and two tables to the outdoor patio, for a total of 40 seats.


News

The Alexandria Police Department has temporarily shut down the northbound right lane of Richmond Highway at the Monroe Avenue Bridge after a crash between a vehicle and a tractor-trailer.

No emergency crews were on-scene and the vehicles are pulled over on the side of the road. The crash was reported at around 12:30 p.m., and the roadway was still partially shut down as of 1 p.m.


News

An Alexandria man charged with felony animal abuse was granted bail on July 24 (Thursday), despite objections from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Kevin Malik Sanders was granted a $10,000 bail on personal recognizance and goes to court for a three-day jury trial starting Feb. 2, 2026, according to the Alexandria Clerk of Court. The 29-year-old was arrested on July 21, 2025, after the death of a three-year-old Golden Retriever named Abigail at Your Dog’s Best Friends (2000 Richmond Highway) on July 12, 2024. He was charged with four Class 1 misdemeanors and one count of felony animal abuse. The Commonwealth’s Attorney released allegations of abuse in an effort to keep him behind bars (see below).


News

Sometimes getting all wet can be exactly what you need.

On Friday (Aug. 29), Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility. The family friendly event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes free activities, live music and giveaways.


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