News | ALXnow - Part 215

PLANS: Akeno Sushi wants to open by the end of the year in Old Town

Published April 14, 2025 at 1:15PM

Sushi at Akeno Sushi Bar (photo via Akeno Sushi Bar)

Akeno Sushi Bar wants to open before the end of the year at 611 King Street in Old Town, but it has to get a few paperwork issues squared away with the City of Alexandria to make that possible.

The interior renovation of the former home to Java Grill hasn’t started, as the local business is asking the city for an allowance to install a new HVAC system on the roof without a mechanical screen. The proposal going to the Planning Commission on Wednesday (April 16) would replace two HVAC units, add a third unit, and install an exhaust fan.

Mulberry Lane Play Café gives mom and dad a chance to get work done in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2025 at 12:15PM

Mulberry Lane Play Cafe at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

If Mulberry Lane in Del Ray didn’t close, Molly Szmak says she and her family would never leave.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group opened the supervised “play cafe” for one-to-six-year-old kids last November at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue. The facility can hold up to 24 kids, with a 1:5 staff ratio that lets parents work or dine nearby.

Landmark/Van Dorn residents invited to shape community health via a ‘Walk & Talk’ event

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 14, 2025 at 10:15AM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The City of Alexandria is inviting Landmark/Van Dorn residents to join a “Walk & Talk” event on Saturday, April 26, to share their thoughts on community health. The two-hour gathering starts at 2 p.m. at the ALIVE! Food Hub on S Van Dorn Street, where participants will take a one-mile loop around the neighborhood in small groups.

This event is part of Alexandria’s 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA), which will shape the city’s next five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). City staff will be on hand to listen to residents’ concerns and ideas for change.

Notes: Clean out your cabinets – Alexandria Drug Take Back Day is April 26

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 14, 2025 at 8:00AM

Next Drug Take Back Day: Saturday, April 26 (via City of Alexandria)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms tonight before 2 a.m., then scattered showers. Low around 60 degrees. East wind around seven mph becoming west after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Notes: Architectural gems of Alexandria spotlighted in spring walking tours

By ALXnow.com

Published April 13, 2025 at 8:18AM | Updated April 14, 2025 at 7:22AM

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour (via Visit Alexandria)

Good Sunday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Increasing clouds tonight, with a low around 47 degrees. Calm wind. Monday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 73 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

JUST IN: Police say suspect in Old Town deli robbery has been safely apprehended

By ALXnow.com

Published April 12, 2025 at 1:41PM | Updated April 12, 2025 at 2:25PM

The suspect, Dexter Brown, wanted in connection with the commercial robbery that occurred yesterday in the 1300 block of King Street has been located and is in police custody. (via APD)

The Alexandria Police Department announced on Saturday (April 12) that the suspect wanted for Friday’s armed robbery of the Stage Door Deli (1324 King Street) in Old Town has been safely apprehended.

According to APD:

Vinyl enthusiasts line up overnight at Crooked Beat Records for Record Store Day

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 12, 2025 at 11:16AM | Updated April 12, 2025 at 12:38PM

Carol and her fiance on Record Store Day at Crooked Beat Records. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Music enthusiasts lined up for hours – some overnight – outside Crooked Beat Records (2417 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Del Ray on Saturday for the annual Record Store Day celebration, hoping to score limited-edition vinyl releases.

By 8:39 a.m., approximately 120 people had formed a line outside the independent record store. The first customers had arrived nearly 12 hours before the doors opened at 9 a.m.

Notes: Mayor Alyia Gaskins reflects on first 100 days

By ALXnow.com

Published April 12, 2025 at 7:30AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, mainly after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54 degrees. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Tonight, there will be scattered showers, mainly before 8 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. It will be mostly sunny on Sunday, with a high near 63 degrees—northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 11, 2025 at 4:01PM | Updated April 19, 2025 at 3:09AM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

Welcome to Friday, arguably the best day of the week in Alexandria.

With a weekend of limitless possibilities ahead, here’s a recap of the last few days in the Port City.

JUST IN: Police say suspect in Old Town deli robbery is armed and dangerous

By James Cullum

Published April 11, 2025 at 3:25PM | Updated April 12, 2025 at 1:42PM

The Alexandria Police Department says that Dexter Brown, a suspect in the robbery of an Old Town sandwich shop, is armed and dangerous (via APD)

Update (April 12: 1:42 pm): The Alexandria Police Department announced on Saturday (April 12) that the suspect wanted for Friday’s armed robbery of the Stage Door Deli (1324 King Street) in Old Town has been safely apprehended.

Original Story

Crooked Beat Records is ready for Record Store Day

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 11, 2025 at 2:45PM

Crooked Beat Records prepares for Record Store Day (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Crooked Beat Records in Del Ray (2417 Mt. Vernon Ave.) is preparing to join more than 1,400 independent record stores across the United States for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 12.

The annual celebration of vinyl culture will feature special releases, including exclusive offerings from Crooked Beat’s in-house label.