Vernon Miles | ALXnow

ESP Tea and Coffee celebrates one year since reopening and rebranding

Published February 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

ESP Tea and Coffee, photo via ESP/Facebook

It’s been a year since Old Town coffee shop ESP Tea and Coffee (1012 King Street) reopened under new ownership following a spectacularly bad collapse.

Killer E.S.P closed in 2020 after its entire staff quit — twice — after alleged misconduct from former owner Rob Shelton. New owner Erik Muendel said the last year has seen extensive menu changes and an effort at revitalization.

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Cafe 44 in North Old Town planning an extensive indoor expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 9:45AM

Photo via Cafe 44/Facebook

Rooftop bar and restaurant Cafe 44 (44 Canal Center Plaza) is getting could be getting a new bar, indoor dining room and more.

According to a special use permit (SUP) filed with the city, the outdoor restaurant could be expanding further into the Canal Center Plaza office building with new dining and cooking space.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 5:00AM

(staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Belle View’s Pampered Pet Boutique and Barkery is more than just a pet store — “If you have been to Belle View Shopping Center lately you may have noticed a new tenant at 1612 Belle View Blvd. Karencita Echeverri quietly opened Pampered Pet Boutique and Barkery in October 2021 and held a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting in December.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Landmark Mall developer Foulger-Pratt gives site a new name — “The real estate and development firm Foulger-Pratt announced today that they have renamed the Landmark Mall site. It is now called West End Alexandria.” [Zebra]

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ACPS on a recruitment drive in the face of staffing shortage

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is going through what it’s calling a “challenging recruitment year”.

In a memo to the School Board for their meeting on Thursday (Feb. 3), Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., said ACPS is stepping up the number of career fairs to try and drive up recruitment.

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Fort Ward park overhaul gets a fresh timeline

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 3:00PM

A man walks a dog at Fort Ward Park (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A local working group has been making its way through plans to update and improve Fort Ward Park, and last week the project got a timeline for when the public could see some of those changes.

Following the Civil War, the fort was home to a sizable Black community that was later pushed out by the City of Alexandria in the name of obtaining park space and historical preservation of the Civil War-era fort.

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Lane closures on Duke Street tomorrow as VDOT starts bridge rehab project

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 10:45AM

Duke Street bridge of I-395, photo via VDOT

Drivers along Duke Street could encounter some lane closures tomorrow (Wednesday) in the West End as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) works on repairs to the bridge over Interstate 395.

In a press release, VDOT said that starting at 9:30 a.m. the right lane westbound on Duke Street will be closed, followed by the left lane for temporary striping. At 3 p.m., westbound traffic along the bridge will be shifted to the right — which will stay in place until this fall.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 5:00AM

“Rock, Paper, Scissors” Torpedo Factory artist and photographer Greg Knott dies at 49 — “Greg Knott will be remembered for his passion, his artistry, his sense of humor, and how much he loved his family and his children. He was usually the ‘only dad’ at too-many-to-count girl scout camping trips.” [Zebra]

Girl Scouts bring back in-person cookie sales — “In Association 60, which encompasses Arlington and Alexandria, there are about 305 troops and 3,085 kids. The sales are a huge fundraiser for the Girl Scouts, with 85 cents from each box going to the troops.” [ARLnow]

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Campagna Center in Old Town could be getting a facelift

By Vernon Miles

Published January 31, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Campagna Center (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new permit filed with the City of Alexandria indicates that some changes could be underway for the Campagna Center at 418 South Washington Street.

The building, constructed in 1888, was once part of the Alexandria City Public Schools system as a school and later as administrative offices. It was converted into office space in 1981 and was purchased by local child education nonprofit Campagna Center in 1993.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 31, 2022 at 5:00AM

Alexandria Fire Department discusses new fire station overhaul — “Join us on Feb. 1 for a discussion about the upcoming bay floor replacement project at Station 201.” [Twitter]

Old Town Shop relocates to 104 S. Union — “The Old Town Shop, a locally owned gift shop celebrating the historic heritage of Alexandria, is relocating across the street from its present location on S. Union Street.” [Alexandria Gazette]

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2022 at 3:30PM

Busy week with big things afoot in Alexandria.

Plans for the GenOn power plant and the redevelopment of Minnie Howard are moving forward through the city review process, with both projects working out the details on how to make them more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

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George Washington University opens new medical practice in West End

By Vernon Miles

Published January 28, 2022 at 2:30PM

GW Primary Care facility in Alexandria, photo courtesy GW Medical Faculty Associates

George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates (GW MFA) has opened up a new primary care office at 1500 N. Beauregard Street, suite 100, near the Mark Center.

“GW Primary Care is excited to provide care to the entire Alexandria, Virginia community,” GW MFA said on its website. “From the Old Town Waterfront to Alexandria’s West End, we are committed to improving the lives of our patients through quality and equitable health care.”