News | ALXnow - Part 511

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

Published August 4, 2023 at 3:30PM

The storm on Saturday, July 29, snapped this tree in the 300 block of Queen Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

This week started with a bang: around 17,000 without after storms this weekend, but by early on Monday that power was mostly restored and the week got off to a better start.

There was exciting new business news around Alexandria this week, with a new craft brewery opening and a new vegan cookie shop coming to town. They couldn’t all be winners though: most of the sentiment on social media was disappointment that the Banana Republic on prime real estate in Old Town would be replaced with a Chase Bank.

This week marks the anniversary of the great Del Ray mule stampede

By Vernon Miles

Published August 4, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated August 4, 2023 at 2:47PM

The newsletter This Week in Alexandria’s History frequently includes interesting tidbits of Alexandria lore, and this week, the Office of Historic Alexandria’s newsletter highlighted a strange 19th-century incident in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood.

The neighborhood was once home to the St. Asaph Racetrack, a horse racing facility in an area known as the Town of Potomac. The track started operations in 1894 and, in 1898, was the scene of a stampede of U.S. Army mules housed at the site during the Spanish-American War.

Police: Four teens robbed by masked gang at Duke Street bus stop

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2023 at 10:45AM

Four teens were robbed by six masked suspects at a bus stop near the intersection of Duke and N Donelson Streets on Monday, July 31, 2023 (via Google Maps)

Four Alexandria teenagers were robbed by six masked suspects on Monday (July 31) at a bus stop in the West End, according to police.

The juvenile victims, all 16 years of age, were not injured in the incident. At around 9:15 p.m., the victims were waiting at a bus stop near the intersection of Duke Street and N. Donelson Street when the suspects pulled up in a black Toyota Corolla.

Notes: Courthouse Square in Old Town sold — again

By ALXnow.com

Published August 4, 2023 at 8:35AM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse at 520 King Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: There is a 20% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms today, mostly in the afternoon, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 77°F. South winds will be around 8 mph. Tonight, expect a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 pm, followed by a slight chance of showers until 2 am. The temperature will drop to around 69°F, and south winds will range between 3-8 mph.

Chase Bank coming to the former Banana Republic in the middle of Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 3, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated August 3, 2023 at 4:19PM

Chase Bank moving to 628 King Street, the former longtime home of Banana Republic (staff photo by James Cullum)

Chase Bank is renovating the former Banana Republic location at 628 King Street, and hopes to have construction completed by November, contractors and bank representatives told ALXnow.

The Chase Bank at 106 N. Washington Street will be moving to the new location, according to Caroline Evert, Chase Bank’s executive director of external communications.

Warwick Village neighborhood could get Alexandria’s first mini-roundabout

By Vernon Miles

Published August 3, 2023 at 1:45PM

Mini-roundabout proposed in Warwick Village (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Warwick Village neighborhood could be getting the city’s first mini-roundabout.

At the same meeting where they supported a proposal to make changes to the Mount Vernon Trail in Old Town North, the Traffic and Parking Board also backed the implementation of a “mini-roundabout” to be installed at the intersection of Kennedy and Hickory streets in Warwick Village.

A Ruth Bader Ginsburg collar up for auction in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published August 3, 2023 at 11:00AM

Auction website showing Ruth Bader Ginsburg's metallic collar (image via Potomack Company)

One of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s iconic collars is up for auction at Alexandria’s Potomack Company auction house, Alexandria Living Magazine first reported.

Ginsburg’s collars were an iconic symbol of the justice that became particularly notable in tributes to the Supreme Court Justice after her death in 2020.

Alexandria’s first-ever ‘Best of the West’ business showcase is Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 3, 2023 at 9:30AM

The first-ever Best Of The West is on Saturday, August 5, at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (via WEBA/Facebook)

West End businesses and restaurants will be showcased this Saturday at the first-ever Best Of The West business showcase.

The free event by the West End Business Association (WEBA) will be held at Patrick Henry Recreational Center (4653 Taney Avenue) from noon to 5 p.m., and the event will showcase restaurants, florists, grocers, nonprofits and Realtors who make their home in Alexandria’s West End.

Notes: Alexandra Sidewalk Sale returns next weekend

By ALXnow.com

Published August 3, 2023 at 8:45AM

Sidewalk Sale flyer (image via Visit Alexandria)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌤️ Today’s weather: There is a slight chance of showers after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 87°F. South winds will range from 9 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. On Thursday night, expect a chance of showers and thunderstorms primarily after 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 70°F. South winds will be around 10 mph, and the chance of precipitation will be 30%.

Torpedo Factory Art Center plans draw concern from resident artists

By James Cullum

Published August 2, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated August 4, 2023 at 9:36AM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

City-approved plans for the future of the Torpedo Factory Art Center are drawing serious concern from resident artists.

The Torpedo Factory Artists Association (TFAA) says it’s hopeful the plan will work, but that the city’s vibrancy initiative threatens to reduce rental space available to artists.

Trail Does Not Stop: Proposed changes could prioritize Mount Vernon Trail users in Old Town North

By Vernon Miles

Published August 2, 2023 at 2:45PM

Changes planned for the Mount Vernon Trail in Old Town North (image via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria could be prioritizing the Mount Vernon Trail at crossings where, currently, trail users are expected to stop for car traffic.

At a Traffic and Parking Board meeting last week, civil engineer Dan Scolese presented plans to change the stop signs from making pedestrians and cyclists stop for street traffic to having cars stop for trail users.