Carlyle | ALXnow

Published April 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) cafeteria reopens under new management. (courtesy of Jay Premack/USPTO)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s cafeteria has reopened under new management, coinciding with a busy season at the federal campus that recently welcomed the National Science Foundation.

USPTO’s Roundhouse Café officially reopened to the public March 30 at 600 Dulany Street in Carlyle, offering sushi, a made-to-order deli, salad bar, self-serve hot entrées and a hot bar, the agency announced. The venue plans to serve a rotating variety of “chef-curated” menus, seasonal promotions and guest restaurants.

News

Alexandria city manager pushes for paid parking on Sundays, parking fee increase

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 10:14PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to approve paid parking on Sundays and an increase in parking meter rates.

The initiatives are included in Parajon’s proposed $977.3 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget and have gotten mixed reviews. If approved by City Council, the measure would make Alexandria the only locality in the region with parking meter enforcement on Sundays. Additionally, Parajon is proposing to increase parking violation fines from $40 to $50.

Around Town

Duke St. Ice House pub closing next week at Whole Foods in Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published April 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

Sign for the Duke St. Ice House at Whole Foods in Alexandria (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An in-store pub and café at Alexandria’s Whole Foods Market is closing permanently this month.

The Duke St. Ice House’s last day of operations at 1700 Duke Street is this Monday, April 6, according to signs posted outside the café. The forthcoming closure has prompted some disappointment from local customers, some of whom have created an online forum and plan to write a letter to the supermarket’s management.

News

Silver Spring teen arrested for alleged gun brandishing in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2026 at 4:05PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An 18-year-old from Silver Spring, Md., was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) for allegedly brandishing a handgun in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

No one was seriously injured during the incident, which occurred in the 800 block of John Carlyle Street around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday. The victim told police that he did not know the suspect, who had pulled out a handgun and cocked it, according to an APD radio dispatch.

Around Town

Carlyle restaurant ‘Whiskey & Oyster’ plans to close permanently at the end of the month

By James Cullum

Published February 19, 2026 at 10:45AM

Whiskey and Oyster is closing at the end of February at 301 John Carlyle Street (via Whiskey and Oyster/Facebook)

After nearly seven years in business, Whiskey & Oyster is set to close at the end of the month.

“Mango” Mike Anderson of the Homegrown Restaurant Group told ALXnow he did not renew his lease at 301 John Carlyle Street. The restaurant’s last day is Saturday, Feb. 28.

Around Town

New fitness boutique opens next month in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published February 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

MuVe Studios in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via MuVe Studios/Instagram)

A new high-end fitness boutique plans to open early next month in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood.

Owner Kenyatta Kavo is opening MuVe Studios on March 1 at 2050-B Ballenger Avenue, according to the fitness boutique’s Instagram page.

Around Town

Upcoming restaurant weeks will feature deals from more than 85 Alexandria eateries

By Emily Leayman

Published January 13, 2026 at 2:45PM

Pupatella Neopolitan PIzza at 700 Slaters Lane in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

Foodies will have two opportunities to score dining deals from restaurants across Alexandria in the coming weeks.

In Alexandria, 11 eateries plan to offer prix-fixe menu deals through the Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week, which returns Monday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 25. Hosted biannually in the winter and summer by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the week features multi-course meal deals at participating D.C.-area restaurants.

Around Town

UpCycle Creative Reuse Center reopens in new location after six-month closure

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2025 at 1:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Alisa Brooks of Continues Arcade attend an October 2025 event hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center (via UpCycle Creative Reuse Center/Facebook)

After being closed for nearly six months, UpCycle Creative Reuse Center has reopened in an industrial area just south of the Carlyle neighborhood.

The shop has sold all manner of “upcycled” materials, including paper goods, fabrics, craft and party supplies, office goods, containers, jewelry and more since its founding in 2013 by Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek.

News

National Science Foundation will stay in Carlyle, retaining hundreds of jobs

By James Cullum

Published November 17, 2025 at 10:30AM | Updated November 17, 2025 at 1:10PM

401 Dulany Street in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via Google Maps)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will remain in Carlyle, after it announced an official search for office space last summer.

Through NSF’s decision, Alexandria will retain 1,600 NSF federal employees and scientist jobs, the city announced in a release Friday evening. Local officials intend to work with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and property owner LCOR Inc. “over the coming months” to ensure a smooth transition.

News

Old Town property dispute, Alexandria firm wins DHS contract lead ALXnow’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published October 24, 2025 at 3:30PM

510 Wolfe Street in Old Town (courtesy photo)

It’s the end of the week, Alexandria. Here’s a look at ALXnow’s top stories.

The most-read story this week is about the potential sale of two large Alexandria properties that could settle millions owed to the government by real estate developer and former Connection Newspapers CEO Peter Labovitz.

News

Alexandria businesses offer discounts for federal workers during government shutdown

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 12:54PM

via Made In ALX/Instagram

Several Alexandria businesses are offering discounts and freebies to federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Made in ALX (415 King Street) is offering discounts on workshops, has items on sale, and is putting out one of their artists’ 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles for anyone to work on during regular business hours. “I’m in a federal family, and have gone through several shutdowns in the past,” Beth Lawton, a cofounder of Made In ALX, told us. “I know firsthand how stressful it is, and if we can make things easier on people affected this year, we’re happy to do that.”