It was a relatively quiet week in Alexandria post-parade, with most eyes fixed on the unfolding situation in Ukraine.
Around town, there were a few notable businesses closing, like Kiskadee in Del Ray, and a couple openings, like Bob and Edith’s in Old Town early next week.
The Alexandria School Board has overturned ordinance requiring face masks for students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), yielding to newly passed state requirements.
The vote was, in some ways, an empty gesture. The bill signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin requires that public schools treat masks as optional for students, with no punishment for students who either choose to wear a mask or choose not to.
An Alexandria juvenile was apprehended and transported to the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center after allegedly robbing another juvenile of $8 with a fake handgun.
The incident, which occurred at around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12., was reported to police by the victim’s parent. The parent reported that one juvenile held a gun on the victim while the other took $8 and “attempted to take the victim’s shoes and coat,” police said in a search warrant affidavit.
Noelie Rickey and Markos Panas have been busier than bees lately, and on Thursday (Feb. 24) their Beeliner Diner officially opened in the Bradlee Shopping Center.
The new family restaurant at 3648 King Street is the former longtime home to Atlantis Pizzeria & Restaurant, which closed early last year. Rickey, Panas and partner Dagmawi Abedje also own the Bread & Water Company bakery in the Belle View Shopping Center. They opened a Bun Papa pop-up at the King Street location in November, and the space has been expanded to include the BeeStreet Virtual Food Hall, which is a collection of pop-up concepts ALX Pizza, Boom Chicky (fried chicken) and Bun Papa.
Like parades and being mad about development, a fixation on hyper-local politics is one of the classic, enduring features of Alexandria. It’s an environment that naturally fosters satire, and there’s one account that’s at the head of the pack.
Alexandria Shallot is a Twitter-based spin on The Onion for Alexandria, posting almost daily mock headlines about (mostly) real local issues.
Local leaders weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine — “Lawmakers and other local leaders and organizations are weighing in on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” [ARLnow]
Atrium building renovation finished — “The renovation of the Atrium Building – a five story office building in the heart of Old Town, has been completed” [Zebra]
Alexandria’s City Hall is a local historic landmark, in addition its role as a civic center, but it’s showing its age.
In the City Manager’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, $83.3 million is allocated to renovating City Hall (301 King Street) and $35.3 million is dedicated to leasing or creating swing space for use while the building is overhauled.
Kip‘s serious face is balanced by floppy ears. The six-year-old male brown German shepherd mix is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare league of Alexandria.
“Kip loves a good game of Toss the Toy, and he’s equally happy for you to throw it or he can do it himself,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “Kip is an energetic guy who could see himself meshing with families of all types, especially if they are active and love to keep busy. He would prefer to be the only pup in his new home, though.”
Del Ray boutique Kiskadee will be closing its doors when its lease expires on April 30, shop owner Celeste Crutchfield recently announced.
Crutchfield said she felt zapped on energy and full of dread when facing another two-year renewal on her lease.
With spring and summer on the horizon, tourism-troubled Alexandria has gone full steam ahead with public events.
City Council, on Tuesday, unanimously approved a waiver to the Special Event Policy to allow for programs and events on consecutive weekends in Old Town.
Pandemic sounds death knell for Alexandria dry cleaners — “Gary and Chong Whitesides had for the past three decades run a dry-cleaning business in Alexandria… but the pandemic eventually shut them down, too.” [Washington Post]
Robots take over Hybla Valley Denny’s — “A handful of Denny’s restaurants nationwide, including one in the Alexandria area, has hired robots.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
