Frank Kozuch sits behind the counter Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby with the agreeable air of a man who’d rather talk than sell.
But, he tells ALXnow, sales right now are better than ever.
The owner of the hobby shop in Fairlington Centre says that the key to his success has been adapting to the times. Gone are the days he mostly sold model trains: today, Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby caters to more hobbyists with varied interests, including board games, puzzles, kites, rockets, models and figurines.
“Too many people in life want to tell you what you should do,” Kozuch said. “Your hobby should never be that. It should be what you want.”
Kozuch’s lifelong hobby is trains. He got his first train set when he was just a year-and-a-half old, and later built his first large set on a ping pong table in the basement of his parents’ home.
He abandoned the pursuit as he got older and it was not until his mid-30s he became reacquainted with model trains. By that time, he’d earned a degree in computer science from the University of Maryland and was working as a government contractor building computer systems for the Department of Defense and the Census Bureau, among other departments.
He began selling model trains and equipment at train shows in 1993, slowly expanding these operations until he opened a brick-and-mortar shop in 2005. Even with the changes, the shop has nearly everything a model train enthusiast could ask for, from complete train sets to model buildings, trees and grass.
“The store is 85% different than when I first opened in 2005,” Kozuch said. “I wish I could sell 100% trains, but you have to be able to expand and change.”
Prompted by the pandemic, Kozuch added more supplies to cater to to the influx of parents who needed activities to do with their kids while stuck at home together. This surge in demand buoyed Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby, like other hobby shops across the country, when other retail stores were struggling.
“The government told them to stay home and they bought puzzles, models, and LEGOs for the kids,” Kozuch said, “anything with a lot of pieces to keep junior happy for two or three days.”
Families were not the only group coming to Kozuch, however. Many adults came to the store for the first time, nostalgic for and ready to dive back into childhood hobbies.
“When I come in here,” one customer told him, “this puts me back into a real calm place when I was eight years old building models.”
A 52-year-old Alexandria man suffered minor injuries after being sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and then robbed in Fairlington, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
APD reported the incident at around 2 a.m. on Monday via Twitter. Police said that three unknown suspects approached the victim and that one of them sprayed him in the face before he was robbed of personal items.
“The victim was transported to the hospital, for evaluation after being sprayed with an unknown substance,” APD spokesman Marcel Bassett told ALXnow. “This is still an active investigation, but at this time no arrest(s) have been made in connection with this incident.”
Police did not release any information on the suspects.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Notification:: There is a moderate police presence near and around the 3000 block of Park Center Drive this is in response to a robbery from person. The victim sustained minor injuries. APD is on the scene and investigating. pic.twitter.com/n4tuzuLXQu
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) August 7, 2023
Image via Google Maps
A 24-year-old Fairfax County man faces assault and battery charges after allegedly breaking into an apartment near Fort Ward early Monday morning, according to Alexandria Police.
The incident, which police describe as domestic in nature, occurred at around 12:30 a.m. in an apartment in the 2500 block of N. Van Dorn Street. The suspect allegedly breached the apartment and assaulted the victim, who did not go to the hospital. Police did not say what was stolen from the apartment.
The suspect was arrested a few blocks from the scene and later released that same day on a $3,000 unsecured bond. He goes to court on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program 24/7 at 703-746-4911.
Notification:: There is a moderate police presence in the 2500 block of North Van Dorn Street. This is in response to a residential burglary. The suspect is in custody. pic.twitter.com/T5Z59uYpox
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 9, 2023
Map via Google Maps
There were no injuries after a small fire in the vent shaft of an apartment building in the Fairlington neighborhood on Tuesday, September 20.
The Alexandria Fire Department was dispatched to the Waypoint apartment building at 2451 Menokin Drive at around 10 a.m. It took just over an hour for AFD to leave the scene.
“Units responded to the location finding a small fire in the vent shaft and quickly extinguishing the fire,” Alexandria Fire Department Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans said. “At the time units arrived, the building was already being evacuated.”
The apartment building is next door to Fairlington Presbyterian Church and near the intersection of Menokin Drive and King Street.
Two years after it broke ground, The Waypoint at Fairlington (2451 Menokin Drive) is scheduled to have its grand opening later this month.
In an email, affordable housing developer Wesley Housing said the housing complex is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
The development features 81 multi-family units available at 30%, 50%, and 60% of the area median income.
“The Waypoint is Wesley Housing’s newest multi-family community located in the Fairlington neighborhood of Alexandria,” Wesley Housing said in the email. “The community will provide safe, quality, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals in an area with a wealth of resources.”
The development will also feature free Wifi, a community room, a business center, and a playground/park space.
“The property will be managed by Wesley Property Management,” Wesley Housing wrote, “and Wesley Housing’s on-site resident services team will provide year-round programs and services for residents so they may build up their lives.”
Ready to go into business in Alexandria?
The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of companies for sale in the city.
The website aggregates numerous business sale listings, and the names and locations are generally left out.
Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business.
Here are some that are currently listed:
- Dog Boutique Accessories and Food — “Incredible dog boutique store in charming and wealthy Old Town Alexandria. The business has been growing since inception in 2010.The high visibility location draws in hundreds of customers each week. This business does NOT sell or re-home dogs.”
- Nail salon — “Established, nice nail salon/spa with good income available for sale in the Falls Church, Alexandria area. Good rent. Potential for growth if adding more nail techs. Nail services comprise 80% of the business, the rest is hair services. Highly visible from main road. Good reviews. Nice and well decorated. Owner can stay and work on a part time basis. Staff will stay if new owner want. 1,700 square feet. Current lay out has 6 pedicure chairs, 8 manicure tables, 2 hair stations, 2 shampoo stations, 2 rooms for facial/waxing services. Owner prefers cash but can provide short term financing with substantial down payment. Priced to sell. Don’t miss this opportunity.”
- Former hair salon in Fairlington — “Formerly a hair salon by the name of Primary Colors, a hair salon that was in business for twenty years. Now the space is open, and is still built out to be a hair salon, but the space can also be altered to become a different business.”
- Deli with R.E. property — The owner is retiring after 30 years in business. The restaurant is open five days a week for breakfast and lunch.
- Well-established laundromat — “All Washer and Driers in Excellent condition. NO Coin! Card only! Owner stops by the store once a week. 50 washers, 52 Driers.”
- Profitable restaurant for sale — “Great location, great visibility, long lease term, plenty of parking spaces, in a busy shopping center with many other businesses that crowded with customers on the daily basic, this restaurant is built up from the cold cell condition with new kitchen equipment, freezer, cooler, HVAC….., that’s clean and presenting a long useful life for new owner to do business in years to come without any major upgrading. This restaurant can be converting to other cuisine given there is no other restaurant of that cuisine is currently operated within the shopping center.”
- Profitable High Volume Bakery & Cafe MRB VA 1107 — “By purchasing this Bakery, Café, and Catering Company that is for sale in a very busy shopping center in Fairfax County, Virginia and you will be ready for business your first day! This well-known operation produces $1.8 million from its multiple foodservice revenue streams. It is Fully Equipped and gives you the opportunity to serve up a full restaurant menu, special occasion cakes, sweet treat pastries, and baked goods, including gluten-free items, sugar-free treats, and food for allergy-sensitive patrons.”
Updated 8/5 — The Feathers Bilingual Academy is opening at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church at the same site, not at The Waypoint at Fairlington
A new daycare center called Feathers Bilingual Academy has submitted an application to open at Fairlington Presbyterian Church (3846 King Street) near The Waypoint at Fairlington, a new 81-unit affordable housing development set to open this fall.
The application said the center focuses on early education for children ages 16 months to 5 years old.
Feathers Bilingual Academy will have a capacity for 52 children with approximately eight teachers. There have already been some job postings for positions like pre-school teacher and bilingual toddler lead teacher.
Nearly two years after the project broke ground, The Waypoint housing development (2451 Menokin Drive) in the Fairlington neighborhood is scheduled to open in September.
The project, led by affordable housing developer Wesley Housing, is scheduled to have a grand opening celebration on Sept. 28.
“The Waypoint is Wesley Housing’s newest multi-family community located in the Fairlington neighborhood of Alexandria,” the developer said in a release. “The community will provide safe, quality, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals in an area with a wealth of resources.”
The project will have housing available at 30%, 50%, and 60% of the area median income.
Amenities at the site include free wifi, a community room, a business center, and a playground/park space.
Prior to development, the project generated some concerns from the surrounding community that said it would bring more traffic to the already congested community.
Another Wesley Housing development, The Arden, is expected to open in Huntington this fall.
Want to go into business in Alexandria?
The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of companies for sale in the city.
The website aggregates numerous business sale listings, and the names and locations are generally left out.
Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business.
Here are some that are currently listed:
- Prime Location Full Service Restaurant & Bar MRB VA 1141Â — “Full service restaurant & bar located in the heart of Alexandria. This restaurant is in a prime location on a main road surrounded by residential, retail and office buildings with high walking traffic. Highly sought after area in Alexandria. This large restaurant seats 250 people inside with outdoor seating as well. High end furniture & fixtures along with a full service bar surrounded by TVs. Large kitchen with top of the line equipment ready for any menu. This restaurant can be converted to fit most menus & concepts. Great opportunity for anyone looking to expand a current restaurant to the next level.”
- Dog Boutique Accessories and Food — “Incredible dog boutique store in charming and wealthy Old Town Alexandria. The business has been growing since inception in 2010.The high visibility location draws in hundreds of customers each week. This business does NOT sell or re-home dogs.”
- Former hair salon in Fairlington — “Formerly a hair salon by the name of Primary Colors, a hair salon that was in business for twenty years. Now the space is open, and is still built out to be a hair salon, but the space can also be altered to become a different business.”
- Deli with R.E. property — The owner is retiring after 30 years in business. The restaurant is open five days a week for breakfast and lunch.
- Well-established laundromat — “All Washer and Driers in Excellent condition. NO Coin! Card only! Owner stops by the store once a week. 50 washers, 52 Driers.”
- Profitable restaurant for sale — “Great location, great visibility, long lease term, plenty of parking spaces, in a busy shopping center with many other businesses that crowded with customers on the daily basic, this restaurant is built up from the cold cell condition with new kitchen equipment, freezer, cooler, HVAC….., that’s clean and presenting a long useful life for new owner to do business in years to come without any major upgrading. This restaurant can be converting to other cuisine given there is no other restaurant of that cuisine is currently operated within the shopping center.”
- Profitable High Volume Bakery & Cafe MRB VA 1107 — “By purchasing this Bakery, Café, and Catering Company that is for sale in a very busy shopping center in Fairfax County, Virginia and you will be ready for business your first day! This well-known operation produces $1.8 million from its multiple foodservice revenue streams. It is Fully Equipped and gives you the opportunity to serve up a full restaurant menu, special occasion cakes, sweet treat pastries, and baked goods, including gluten-free items, sugar-free treats, and food for allergy-sensitive patrons.”
No one was injured after a car smashed through a front window of Great Harvest Bread (1711 Centre Plaza) in Fairlington Centre on Tuesday night (May 10).
The incident occurred at around 7 p.m., which is after the bakery is closed. An employee was working in a back room when a driver parked in front of the business put the car in drive instead of reverse and crashed into the building. No one was injured and the driver stayed at the scene.
“It was a new driver with their parent and they stayed at the scene,” shop owner Brad Hurst told ALXnow. “The repairs are going to take quite a while. I’ve gotten estimates from anywhere between a month to six months.”
It won’t be until next Tuesday (May 17) that the shop will have its bakery back up and running. In the meantime, Hurst and his family have been selling bread and cookies outside the shop, which they have owned for the last seven years.
“The community has been great,” Hurst said. “We’ve had a lot of customers come by express their support and to say they’re sorry. We’re just super thankful for the community and customers we have.”
