It’s been quite a week in Alexandria. Here’s a rundown of our most-read stories.
Our top story is on the General Services Administration launching an official search for office space in Alexandria to relocate the National Science Foundation after the agency was displaced from its Eisenhower Avenue headquarters. In a presolicitation notice, GSA announced it needs between 240,000 and 280,000 square feet of Class A office space for a 48-month lease, with occupancy required by the end of November.
More than 70 vendors have signed up to sell their vintage goods at the upcoming Del Ray Vintage and Flea Market on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The outdoor event is held every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.in the parking lots of Del Ray Psych & Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue), the Salvation Army (1804 Mount Vernon Avenue) and at the Corner of Mount Vernon and E. Custis Avenues. If the weather holds up, organizer Amy Eggers says she expects a big turnout. She also says that more than 2,000 people attended the market in August.
Trash, treasure, or art? Recycled materials will be featured at Del Ray Artisans (2704 Mount Vernon Avenue) next month.
The Second Time Around exhibit will open with a complimentary reception on Friday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. and will run until Saturday, Sept. 27.
How much is Grandma’s old brooch worth? You can find out next month, as antique appraisals are coming to Del Ray.
On Thursday, Sept. 4, experts in American furniture, rare books, autographs, and clothing will be on hand from 6 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Del Ray Psych and Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue).
Get ready to dance, because the third annual Wilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival is around the corner.
The free family-friendly event will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, from 12 to 5 p.m., at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue). Local bands the MAYSUNS, the Derds (Del Ray Dads), Beachface, and Czars of Leisure will perform, and the fundraising event includes raffles, craft-making, and lawn games.
Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories.
Our top story this week is on two Alexandria business owners charged with possession of an illegal gambling device for operating skill games. The news marks the first indictments against Alexandria business owners for the devices. Dozens of skill game machines operate at multiple convenience and grocery stores in the West End and Arlandria neighborhoods, despite police hand-delivering warning letters to more than a dozen offending businesses. Skill games were outlawed as illegal gaming by the Virginia legislature in 2020, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter told ALXnow that his office is assessing “all potential investigative leads.”
The Del Ray Business Association will host its fifth annual Bands & Brews summer bar crawl on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 12:30 to 6 p.m., featuring live music at more than 20 restaurants along Mount Vernon Avenue.
The event, sponsored by the Jen Walker Team, will benefit InspireLit, a local nonprofit that works to inspire a love of reading and promote literacy by increasing access to engaging books.
We made it to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at this week’s top stories.
Our most-read post is on a proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The effort is facing some pushback from neighbors wary of potential crime and safety issues. In July, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita officially announced in a special use permit application that it wants to open at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social. It would be the fourth restaurant for the local chain, and while the restaurant won’t serve alcohol, outside patio hours would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the application. The inside area is proposed to be open 24 hours a day.
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Thursday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2025. There are 146 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Increasing clouds, with a high near 83 degrees. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66 degrees. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
A proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is facing pushback from neighbors.
In June, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita announced it would be opening this summer at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social until last November. The restaurant also announced 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. operating hours on its website. However, in its special use permit application filed in July, the restaurant said it will be open 24 hours a day.
Valvoline Instant Oil Change opened its newest location on Tuesday (July 22) at a longstanding Del Ray auto repair shop.
Staff from Valvoline Instant Oil Change and leadership from the Chamber ALX cut the ribbon at the business at 3405 Mount Vernon Avenue. That’s the former longtime home to Lube-It Pennzoil.
