Around Town

‘I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,’ says Old Town shop owner after mid-career change

By James Cullum
Jess Moak, owner of Eries Interiors at 103 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

In 2023, Jess Moak left behind a career as a program manager for large nonprofits to start her own interior design shop in Old Town.

The New York native opened her store Eries Interiors opened Eries Interiors at a 300-square-foot space at 101 S. St. Asaph Street in October 2024. The following month, a fire next door at 103 S. St. Asaph Street temporarily shuttered three women-owned businesses. The landlord spent nearly a year renovating the 1,800-square-foot space and approached Moak with a proposal to help design the interior and move in. Last October, Moak signed a lease and opened in time for Black Friday at 103 S. St. Asaph Street.

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Opinion

Poll: The best car wash or auto detailing service in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

When your car gets dirty, scratched up or in need of an interior cleaning, there are numerous car washes and auto detailing services that have you covered. Services based in Alexandria range from physical locations to services that come to your home.

Here are the nominees for “Best Car Wash/Auto Detailing Service in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to car servicer? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Brunch Spot in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Lawn Care Service in Alexandria. The results are now official:

  1. Rosemont Landscaping and Lawncare
  2. Brandon Rushing Lawn & Garden Care
  3. (tie) Landed and Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape
Sponsored

Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria

By Sponsor
1/10

Luxury living has arrived in Old Town Alexandria.

Welcome to The Aidan, a brand-new condo community designed for those who want to stay connected to everything they love. Enjoy rooftop views, a vibrant courtyard terrace, fitness center, coffee bar, pet spa, stylish resident lounges, and dedicated work-from-home spaces—all just two blocks from Braddock Road Metro.

With more than 200 shops, restaurants, and waterfront destinations just steps away, The Aidan puts the best of Old Town right outside your door.

Elevate your lifestyle at The Aidan.

News

Alexandria sees homelessness increases among youth and Black residents

By Scott McCaffrey
Volunteers and human services personnel spread out across the region on Feb. 4 for 2026 the Point-in-Time Survey of homelessness (via Council of Governments)

Alexandria posted a significant year-over-year increase in the number of residents counted as homeless, with major upticks in the number of Black residents and children experiencing homelessness, according to new data.

A total of 189 people across the city were tabulated as experiencing homelessness in the 2026 Point-in-Time Survey, conducted in early February across the Washington region.

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News

Morning Notes for May 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Exercising along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

State Sen. Bennett-Parker Pushes for More Diaper Changing Tables — “Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development voted Monday to approve Bennett-Parker’s proposal to require diaper changing tables in new buildings that are open to the public. The policy would apply to each floor containing public restrooms in new assembly, business, educational, and mercantile occupancy buildings, Group R-1 hotels and motels, and highway rest stops.” [ARLnow]

9-Year-Old Leukemia Patient Inspires Blood Drive — “It was all smiles as 9-year-old Taylor McLeod arrived at the blood drive she organized through Children’s National Hospital, surrounded by her parents, grandmother, and younger brothers, all wearing matching hot pink lightning-bolt T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase: ‘Tough Like Taylor.'” [The Zebra]

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Event

She Fixes: Let there be light

Link in Old Town

215 N Payne Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact Social

Join us for an empowering, electrical basics workshop designed for women homeowners who are ready to take control of their homes. In this knowledge-based session, participants will learn how to navigate their breaker box, understand GFCI and AFCI outlets, reset tripped breakers, and locate their main shut-off. No experience necessary just a willingness to learn. Walk away with the confidence to handle common electrical situations safely and independently.

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 14, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — May 14, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. No injuries after townhouse fire on Prince Street in Old Town (1348 views)
  2. Braddock Road bike lane and parking removal appeal heads to City Council Saturday (1096 views)
  3. Memorial at Alexandria church pays tribute to people who died in ICE custody (1058 views)
  4. Morning Notes for May 14, 2026 (633 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

The weather will be sunny with a high of around 71°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low near 53°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Confucius

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Backyard beekeeping regulations stall in Alexandria

By James Cullum
A bee at Windmill Hill Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Planning Commission has deferred a plan to implement citywide beekeeping policies, finding that city staff needed to conduct more outreach and research.

On May 5, city staff told the Planning Commission that its community outreach was limited to a consultation with a member of the Northern Virginia Beekeepers Association. There are no existing provisions regulating beekeeping in Alexandria. The city’s plan would have allowed two hives on lots smaller than 5,000 square feet, with an additional hive for every additional 2,500 square feet of property, and 5-to-10-foot setbacks for those hives.

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News

No injuries after townhouse fire on Prince Street in Old Town

By James Cullum
Fire in the 100 block of Prince Street in Old Town on May 14, 2026 (via APD/Facebook)

No injuries were reported after a fire at a townhouse on Prince Street in Old Town this afternoon (Thursday).

Alexandria Fire Department crews responded at around 1 p.m. and found a fire on the second floor of a three-and-a-half-story townhouse in the 100 block of Prince Street, near the intersection with S. Union Street. The fire was extinguished around 1:20 p.m., according to radio dispatches. AFD reported on social media at 1:40 p.m. that the fire was out, that no one was injured and asked the public to avoid the area.

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News

City Council members revive Old Town Business Improvement District discussion after previous failed attempts

By James Cullum
Members of the Alexandria City Council at the Chamber ALX's annual City Council Breakfast at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town on May 14, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Despite multiple failed attempts over the past decade, two Alexandria City Council members advocated Thursday (May 14) for bringing a Business Improvement District to Old Town.

Under a challenging economic outlook, City Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman said that Old Town’s business community needs an organized push to attract visitors. The council members made the remarks during the Chamber ALX’s annual City Council Breakfast, which was held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town (1767 King Street).

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News

Braddock Road bike lane and parking removal appeal heads to City Council Saturday

By Emily Leayman
Segments of Braddock Road where the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board approved changes (via City of Alexandria)

The appeal of the Traffic and Parking Board’s February decision on the Braddock Road redesign in the Rosemont and Del Ray neighborhoods is heading to City Council Saturday (May 16).

Four petitions against the redesign came from residents living along the Braddock Road corridor, as well as Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Community Praise Church on W. Braddock Road. Appellants are hoping City Council will overturn the board’s decision, which would remove parking on Braddock Road between Mount Vernon Avenue and Russell Road to add new bike lanes. According to a city memo, appellants are concerned that the loss of parking will affect access to homes and places of worship.

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