There’s a new option in Old Town for coffee and wine.
After years under construction, LaPluma Coffee & Wine opened today at 1000 Cameron Street. The two-story Latin American wine bar and café is owned by Iliana and Dany Lopez, who did a full renovation of the 140-year-old building that was previously home to Energesco Solutions LLC.
Did you know that Forbes named Alexandria the Ice Cream Cone Capital of the United States in 2019?
Whether you prefer it in a cone or a cup, ice cream shops across Alexandria offer a variety of handmade, sugary confections. Here are the nominees for “Best Ice Cream Shop in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards!
Visit Alexandria’s President & CEO Todd O’Leary leads with the belief that travel is a force for good, inspiring visitors to deepen their travel experiences by connecting with Alexandria’s myriad stories. That’s why 2026 National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3-9, 2026) isn’t just any week. It’s a time to reflect and celebrate the important role that tourism plays in bringing people together across cultures and geographies, creating shared understandings and memories that last a lifetime. This year’s theme, “Postmarked: Essential,” takes on special significance as Alexandria prepares to host several major events this summer, bringing the stories of our local community onto the world stage.
“This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations seem particularly fitting, given all the momentum we’re seeing in Alexandria’s hospitality industry,” said Visit Alexandria’s President & CEO Todd O’Leary. “As tourism grows in importance here, the dividends from visitor spending support our small business owners and ultimately our residents. Visit Alexandria is proud of the work done by our local industry to keep this city top of mind for domestic and international travelers.”
Last fall, Visit Alexandria announced that Alexandria’s tourism spending from travelers residing more than 50 miles away grew to $1 billion for the first time in history during calendar year 2024. Additionally, Fiscal Year 2025 city consumption tax revenues reached a record $88 million—supporting core city services, saving the average Alexandria household $832 annually, and sustaining more than 5,700 local jobs.
In conjunction with this year’s America 250th commemorations, Alexandria will host programs, exhibitions, historic tours and signature events, including the three-day Sails on the Potomac festival—all of which showcase Alexandria’s renowned historic character and ever-evolving progressive nature. As Alexandria continues to make waves on the world stage, especially as a destination for sports tourism, the city will serve as the official Team Base Camp for the Croatian National Football Team, a FIFA top ten ranked team, during the World Cup. With state-of-the-art facilities, a wide range of accommodations, a wealth of visitor experiences and incredible transportation access, Alexandria’s prominence in sports tourism is growing. (more…)
After his motorcycle was stolen during a test drive, an Alexandria man tracked it down days later on Facebook Marketplace.
The incident occurred at the victim’s business in the 4900 block of Eisenhower Avenue on Thursday, March 20. The victim listed his blue 2004 Suzuki GSX-R9600 for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and the suspect reached out via Facebook Messenger and asked for a test drive, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The suspect allegedly took the bike for a ride and never returned, and on March 25 the victim found the motorcycle listed in another Facebook Marketplace ad.
Alexandria, VA | Revolutionary Fitness, an Old Town-based coaching studio, has announced the launch of Revolutionary 50+, a 12-week semi-private training program designed specifically for men and women over 50 who want to build strength, energy, and long-term health.
The program addresses what owner Charles Augustine calls “a massive gap” in the fitness industry. “The mainstream either treats people over 50 like they’re 25 and breaks them, or treats them like they’re fragile and does nothing for them,” Augustine said. “There’s almost no middle ground, the smart, age-appropriate strength training that the longevity research actually says works.”
Dr. Eric Coleman, director of school nutrition for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), has been named the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Region Director of the Year by the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
The SNA, a national non-profit, recognized Coleman for his work in managing school meal programs that feed students.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
Tickets are $20.
Finding the right audience in a vibrant city like Alexandria is key to business growth, and ALXnow provides a direct connection to the community’s heart.
Since launching in 2019, ALXnow has become a trusted news source, rapidly growing to reach over 250,000 engaged monthly visitors (as of our 2024 data). This readership isn’t just passing through; they are the people who live, work, and invest in Alexandria and its surrounding areas, actively seeking local information, making ALXnow the premier digital platform to place your message for maximum local impact.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers. High near 69 degrees. East wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch are possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm tonight. Low around 64 degrees. East wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch are possible.
Alexandria City Public Schools held its first public hearing on proposed redistricting changes on Monday (May 12).
The school board is considering three different plans to address capacity issues across the district.
An Alexandria man faces serious charges after allegedly pointing a firearm at his cousin at their home in the city’s Potomac West neighborhood.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 a.m. in a home in the 300 block of Wesmond Drive on Friday, April 18. A woman, who was not at the scene, called 911 to report that her son was pointing a gun at her niece’s head. The victim called her aunt while the incident was happening, and told her that “her son was pointing a gun at her face,” according to dispatch reports.
Need something to smile about? There’s a new dental office in Old Town North.
Dental Inc. officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday (May 10) at 1195 N. Fayette Street. Owners Dr. Kapil Kotadia and Prutha Kotadia were joined at the ribbon cutting by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, City Council Member Canek Aguirre and Chamber ALX CEO Joe Haggerty.
