Around Town | ALXnow

Boutiques to hold ‘Shop the Checkers’ to welcome Croatian team to Alexandria

Published June 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Croatian flag (via Niels Bosman/Unsplash)

In honor of the Croatian National Football Team making Alexandria its home base, boutiques in Old Town will be decked out in the Croatian checkered flag and offer specials inspired by the country.

Old Town Boutiques, a coalition of independently-owned boutiques in Old Town, will host Shop the Checkers Boutique Week from Sunday, June 14 through Sunday, June 28. Participating retailers will display special Croatian red-and-white checkerboard crest flags at their storefronts and offer experiences drawn from Croatian culture.

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro dominates with top awards at Taste of Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Spice Kraft won the top awards at the Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro‘s butter chicken pot pie and avocado bhel chaat won both the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray on Sunday (June 7).

Under a hot sun, 17 local restaurants competed at the sold-out event in the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields. This year’s celebrity judge was Todd O’Leary, CEO of Visit Alexandria.

From Croatian festival to Best of the West: Guide to Alexandria’s June 5-7 weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published June 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

Taste of Del Ray in 2023 (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

The first weekend of June brings plenty of summer happenings, from a welcome celebration for the Croatian National Football Team to other food festivals, concerts and tours.

Events like Best of the West, Flavors and Sounds of Croatia in Alexandria and the sold-out Taste of Del Ray will keep foodies satisfied this weekend. History fans will enjoy the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Walking Tour. Musicians will also treat the community to free concerts with Alexandria Citizens Band: A Journey Through American Music and LIVE at the Lyceum: Piano & Friends Concert.

Alexandria author set to release eighth ‘Old Town Mystery’ novel in mid-June

By James Cullum

Published June 5, 2026 at 12:15PM

John Adam Wasowicz, author of the Old Town Mystery series (courtesy of John Adam Wasowicz)

Alexandria writer John Adam Wasowicz’s eighth novel in his Old Town Mystery series is set against a murder on July 4.

In “Patriots Circle,” Wasowicz’s protagonist, attorney Mo Katz, is back investigating another murder. Katz is a modern day Sherlock Holmes, working out of his small office at 221B Wales Alley. The book will be released on June 15.

Adoptable pet of the week: Pint-sized Layla makes a good lap dog

By Emily Leayman

Published June 5, 2026 at 9:15AM

Adoptable Layla (via Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Layla, a pint-sized pup who will be your loyal companion once she warms up to you.

This 4-year-old dog is timid when meeting new people, but an Animal Welfare League of Alexandria volunteer told ALXnow patience goes a long way with her.

‘Now or Never’ art installation at Waterfront Park to align with sun on summer solstice

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 4, 2026 at 11:29PM

A man walks by the “Now or Never” installation by Alicia Eggert, which marks the eighth installment of the Site See public art series at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cameras will be rolling on Sunday, June 21 at Alexandria’s “Now or Never” installation at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

That’s the day of the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — and artist Alicia Eggert designed the installation at 1 Prince Street to align with the sun’s path from sunrise to sunset.

Alexandria to mark Pride Month with fair, markets, prom and bar crawl

By Emily Leayman

Published June 4, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated June 9, 2026 at 4:30PM

Alexandria’s 8th Annual Pride Fair at Market Square on Saturday, June 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An earlier version of this story said Metro would have a shutdown the weekend of June 19-21, but Metro has finished its Crystal City station project and cancelled the upcoming shutdown.

Members of Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ community are celebrating Pride Month with events throughout June.

Ukulele Club strikes a chord at Alexandria’s William Ramsay Elementary

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 9:15AM

The second grade Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kids are clamoring to be part of the Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School.

The nine-week after-school program for second graders only started in the spring. With the end of the school year around the corner, the 15 kids in the club are rehearsing for an upcoming school assembly and a performance in front of their parents.

Owner of Bastille Brasserie and Bar launches new galetterie in Alexandria this week

By Katie Taranto

Published June 3, 2026 at 11:45AM

Galette Complete from Maison Breizh (courtesy of Maison Breizh)

The owner and chef behind a longtime French restaurant in Alexandria is introducing a new galetterie and crêperie in Alexandria this week.

Maison Breizh is a new concept launching behind Bastille Brasserie & Bar, with a “soft opening” starting tomorrow (June 4) at 1205 Pendleton Street. The galetterie’s eponymous menu item, the galette, is a French-style savory crepe made with a buckwheat-based batter.

West End Business Association brings expanded ‘Best of the West’ festival to Ben Brenman Park

By Emily Leayman

Published June 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Beeliner Diner at Best of the West in 2023 (via West End Business Association/Facebook)

The West End Business Association continues to look for ways to raise the visibility of West End businesses with its returning festival in a larger-than-ever format.

Best of the West will return for a third year from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The free event will have restaurants and other business vendors, community organization booths, a Port City Brewing Company beer garden, arts and crafts and a live music stage. Ben Brenman Drive will be closed for booths leading up to the park’s gazebo.

Thai Peppers to close after more than 27 years in Del Ray

By Emily Leayman

Published June 2, 2026 at 11:45AM

Thai Peppers Restaurant (via Google Maps)

Thai Peppers Restaurant will say farewell to Del Ray after more than 27 years.

The restaurant, located at 2018 Mount Vernon Avenue and dating back to 1998, announced it will have its final day of business on Monday, June 15. The owners cited their plans to retire and “hopefully relax on a beach in Phuket sipping Singhas and Mai Tais.”