ALXnow - Alexandria Now

Alexandria restaurants offering ‘furlough freebies’ to impacted federal employees

Published September 30, 2025 at 10:10PM

A pulled pork sandwich at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray (via Facebook)

In the event of a government shutdown Wednesday, two Alexandria restaurants are offering impacted federal employees free food.

Pork Barrel BBQ (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) and Sweet Fire Donna’s (510 John Carlyle Street) are offering a free pulled pork sandwich to federal employees who bring their IDs to the restaurant. The deal is limited to one sandwich per day per federal employee Monday through Friday. Both restaurants are owned by Bill Blackburn and “Mango” Mike Anderson of the Homegrown Restaurant Group.

Around Town

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 30, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Published September 30, 2025 at 8:30PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 5:37AM

Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 30, 2025.

A 5-Star workday in the heart of Old Town Alexandria

By Sponsor

Published April 27, 2026 at 10:45AM

Image from A 5-Star Workday in the Heart of Old Town Alexandria

At Carr Workplaces King Street, experience a 5-star rated workspace on Google—designed to support your entire workday in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.

Start your morning with an easy Metro commute
Power through your day in a private office with on-site support
Recharge with access to a fitness center and showers
When it’s time to connect, host clients at nearby restaurants or step out onto King Street for a change of pace—all just steps from your office.

This is more than a place to work—it’s a seamless, full-day experience built around how you actually live and work.

Work smarter, feel better, and enjoy every part of your day from start to finish.

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News

Alexandria police locate missing 62-year-old man

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 30, 2025 at 5:45PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 6:42PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 62-year-old Alexandria man who had been missing since Tuesday morning has been safely located, police announced Wednesday evening.

Fecre Desta was found safe, according to the Alexandria Police Department, which thanked the community and media for their assistance in the search.

Announcement

Now Enrolling Infants and Toddlers

By Monarch Montessori School (Del Ray)

Published April 28, 2026

Monarch Montessori School, located in Del Ray, is currently accepting applications for our infant and toddler programs. We are pleased to offer the following enrollment incentives:

Annual Tuition Discount: Receive a 12% discount on tuition when you make a 12-month commitment, pay upfront, and register to start before August 15, 2026.

News

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans cuts ribbon at new shop on N. Kings Highway

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2025 at 5:30PM

(Left to right) Sofiya’s mother, Ron’s mother, Sofiya Parker, Ron Parker, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Chamber ALX CEO Joe Haggerty (courtesy photo)

There’s officially a new coffee shop in the Alexandria area.

The ribbon was cut at a new PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans franchise at 6220 N. Kings Highway, Alexandria (Fairfax County) on Saturday, Sept. 27. On hand at the event were owners Ron and Sofiya Parker, the family, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, and Chamber ALX CEO Joe Haggerty. The coffee shop officially opened in July.

Event

Improv Comedy Show

May 16, 2026 8:00 pm -9:30 pm

The Lyceum

201 S. Washington St.

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Social

Join us for an evening of made-up-on-the-spot improv comedy! We’ll be calling on you to give us suggestions for a totally unique show that’ll never be seen again!

Show is 18+ recommended. Tickets are free, with a $10 suggested donation.

News

Alexandria to cut ribbon on RiverRenew Plaza along Potomac River in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2025 at 4:30PM

The ribbon cutting for the RiverRenew Plaza at 501 N. Union Street will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 (via AlexRenew)

AlexRenew will cut the ribbon on the new promenade at RiverRenew Plaza on Oct. 18 at Pendleton and N. Union Streets in Old Town.

The new plaza at 501 N. Union Street sits atop AlexRenew’s RiverRenew project, which will divert millions of gallons of raw sewage from the Potomac River via a 2.2-mile-long underground tunnel that’s been under construction for four years. Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony include Mayor Alyia Gaskins, AlexRenew Board Chair John Hill, AlexRenew CEO Justin Carl, and Waterfront Commission Chair Louise Roseman.

News

Del Ray restaurant employee suspended after customer reports hidden bathroom camera

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated October 2, 2025 at 3:20PM

Gustave Boulangerie and Brasserie at 2213 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a report that an employee at a popular Del Ray bistro recorded customers using the bathroom on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Karim Mashmour, the owner of Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue), states that the employee has been suspended pending the outcome of the APD’s investigation, while police indicate that it is an ongoing investigation and that no charges have been filed.

News

Paws in the Park returns to Oronoco Bay Park on Oct. 12

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 30, 2025 at 2:45PM

Pets at Paws in the Park (photo by Martyn Griffen/Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s beloved fall festival celebrating animals returns to Oronoco Bay Park on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering pet adoptions, live music, shopping, and family entertainment — all free to attend.

Paws in the Park, which benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, will feature local artisans, nonprofits, and animal-focused businesses, along with food and beverage vendors including local cideries, breweries, wineries, bakeries, and food trucks.

News

Alexandria woman loses $7,600 in Wells Fargo impersonation scam

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2025 at 1:45PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An Alexandria woman lost nearly $7,600 in a phone scam last month, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

On August 12, the victim received a phone call from multiple suspects claiming to be representatives of Wells Fargo, stating that the victim’s account information had been leaked. The victim was told she needed to transfer her money to a different account, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

News

Swatting call puts Alexandria City High School’s campuses on ‘secure the building’ and ‘hold’ status

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2025 at 1:16PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City High School’s King Street campus was placed on “secure the building” status and the ACHS Minnie Howard Campus was placed on “hold” status briefly this afternoon after an anonymous report was issued that someone was outside of the school with a gun, according to a letter sent to parents.

“Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Safety and Security staff and the Alexandria Police Department (APD) investigated the anonymous external threat reported to the ACPS Anonymous Reporting System that someone was outside of the school with a gun,” ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell wrote. “It was determined by APD this was an unsubstantiated threat.”