News | ALXnow - Part 164

Things to do this weekend in Alexandria: August 7 – 10

Published August 7, 2025 at 11:30AM

Shopping in Old Town Alexandria (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria residents and visitors have a packed weekend ahead with the city’s annual Sidewalk Sale taking center stage Saturday, transforming Old Town into a shopper’s paradise while farmers markets, live music venues, and cultural attractions offer something for every taste.

Thursday kicks off the festivities with National IPA Day at Port City Brewing and the Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square, while Friday brings the return of Derecho Lager and trivia nights at historic sites. Saturday’s highlights include the all-day sidewalk sale, multiple farmers markets from Old Town to Del Ray, and evening entertainment ranging from improv comedy at The Lyceum to tribute bands at The Birchmere.

French bakery and cafe files paperwork to open at 701 King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2025 at 10:30AM

A lease has been signed at 701 King Street, the former home to Le Pan Quotidien. (Courtesy Google Maps)

A new French cafe wants to open in a prominent location in Old Town.

New York City-based Maman Coffee Baking Kitchen has filed a special use permit application to operate a cafe, bakery, restaurant, and accessory event space at 701 King Street. That’s the former home to Foxtrot, which closed in 2024, located at the corner of King and N. Washington Streets.

Captain Gregory’s advances to Virginia Cocktail Games

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 7, 2025 at 9:45AM

Brandon McDermott of Captain Gregory's presents "Rosé All Day". (Photo provided by Captain Gregory's)

Captain Gregory’s has advanced to the 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games, one of five northern Virginia establishments among 22 bartenders selected statewide for the competition.

The Virginia Spirits Board competition celebrates the state’s bartending community and local distilleries. Competing bartenders created original cocktails that pay tribute to a Virginia “hidden gem” location and feature a Virginia spirit produced in their region.

Notes: Del Ray to host surf-themed community event Thursday evening

By ALXnow.com

Published August 7, 2025 at 8:00AM

Surf's Up First Thursday (via DRBA)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Thursday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2025. There are 146 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Increasing clouds, with a high near 83 degrees. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66 degrees. East wind 6 to 8 mph.

Housing Alexandria celebrates 4 years of community garden events

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 6, 2025 at 8:30PM

Housing Alexandria Celebrates Community and Urban Farming at Annual Garden Events (courtesy of Housing Alexandria)

Housing Alexandria recently hosted its annual summer garden celebrations at two Alexandria community garden sites, marking four years of community engagement and nearly a decade of urban food production.

The events took place at The Station at Potomac Yard and The Bloom at Braddock, featuring garden tours, family activities, refreshments, mural painting, and a petting zoo. Residents, volunteers, and staff gathered to celebrate the organization’s commitment to urban agriculture and food equity.

APD Captain Courtney Ballantine retires after 25 years, joins Georgetown University police

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2025 at 5:00PM

Alexandria Police Captain Courtney Ballantine at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A familiar face has left Alexandria. After 25 years with the Alexandria Police Department, Captain Courtney Ballantine retired last month and just started his new job as deputy chief of the Georgetown University Police Department.

“I love Alexandria, but it was time to start my next chapter,” Ballantine told ALXnow. “It was an amazing journey.”

Washington Wizards to ‘tip-off’ 2025-2026 school year with backpack giveaway at William Ramsay Elementary School

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2025 at 3:30PM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt with G-Wiz, the Washington Wizards mascot, at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, Aug. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Washington Wizards will tip off the 2025-2026 school year at William Ramsay Elementary School next Friday (Aug. 15).

Even though school officially starts on Monday, Aug. 18, Washington Wizards rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins are joining mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers in handing out free Wizards backpacks filled with school supplies, water bottles, and more. The event will be held at the school, located at 5700 Sanger Avenue, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m.

ABC store closes to public on Duke Street, converts to licensee operations

By James Cullum and Ryan Belmore

Published August 6, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 7, 2025 at 10:40AM

The Virginia ABC store at 4349 Duke Street has closed (via Google Maps)

An ABC store in Alexandria’s West End closed to retail customers last month and converted its operations to serve alcohol licensees only.

The store at 4349 Duke Street closed July 15 after nine years of operation, according to Virginia ABC. The agency moved the location’s contents to 901-929 S. Pickett Street, about 2 miles away, where it now serves licensees rather than walk-in customers.

Alexandria Chamber to honor first 40 Over 40 award recipients Aug. 21

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2025 at 2:00PM

The Chamber ALX will honor 40 Over 40 honorees. (via The Chamber ALX)

On Aug. 21 (Thursday), The Chamber ALX is hosting its first-ever 40 Over 40 Awards Celebration. The event will highlight the 40 Alexandria movers and shakers announced in May, and tickets cost $120. The event is hosted by United Bank, and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Freeman Headquarters (11 Canal Center Plaza) in Old Town North.

“We’re throwing a party — and it’s all about celebrating people who prove that life doesn’t slow down after 40… it levels up,” the chamber said in the event listing. “(Y)ou won’t want to miss the panoramic waterfront views.”

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA earns National PTA Schools of Excellence recognition

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 6, 2025 at 1:00PM

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy at 530 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town. (via Facebook)

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA in Alexandria was among 330 schools nationwide named a 2024-2026 National PTA School of Excellence for building strong family-school partnerships.

The program recognizes PTAs and schools that enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of students through family engagement efforts.

Proposed 24-Hour Mexican restaurant in Del Ray draws neighbor opposition

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2025 at 12:00PM

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita will open at 529 E Howell Ave in Alexandria (via Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita Mexicana on Facebook)

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.