Man Fatally Struck on Alexandria Sidewalk — “A man died after he was hit by a truck when its driver jumped a sidewalk on Saturday night in Alexandria, Virginia. His family wants to know why the driver is not behind bars and said they think the driver’s actions after the crash may have killed their loved one.” [NBC4]
Alexandria named second-biggest art-buying city in US by Artfinder — “Yesterday the company released a list of the top art-buying cities in the U.S. It appears that Alexandria residents love their art, because our city came in second place, behind Savannah, Georgia.” [Zebra]
Chopt opens its doors in Kingstowne — “Chopt Creative Salad Co. will open its doors Wednesday, Nov. 17 in the Kingstowne Towne Center, the company announced Tuesday.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Alexandria tutoring consortium awarded $16K grant from AT&TÂ — “[Alexandria Tutoring Consortium] (ATC), which helps the youngest students enrolled in Alexandria’s public schools learn to read, is the recipient of a $16,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation.” [Zebra]
Alexandria police union pleads for more pay and resources — “The union has requested a 10% raise while the city council is considering a 1.5% raise.” [WUSA9]
A new boxing/fitness studio franchise run by champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is coming to the Parker-Gray neighborhood, with doors opening scheduled for next week.
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, a group boxing and fitness gym, is scheduled to have a grand opening at 528 N. Henry Street on Saturday, Oct. 16. the gym will be the first Mayweather franchise location in Virginia, according to a press release.
Boxing already has a strong legacy in Alexandria, with the Alexandria Boxing Club just a few blocks away and local boxer Troy Isley competing in the Olympics earlier this year.
The new studio, as the press release calls it, is a 3,500 square feet space with boxing and exercise equipment along with trained instructors.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring Floyd’s methods and this incredible brand to Old Town Alexandria,” said Jeff Pienta, one of the franchisees along with Allison Pienta. “It’s really something you have to see and experience to believe, and it’s for literally everyone regardless of the fitness starting point.”
The grand opening celebration is planned to include a ribbon-cutting, live DJ, and vendor giveaways.
Photo via Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Old Town West/Facebook
(Updated 4:50 p.m.) The American Physical Therapy Association‘s (APTA) move to Potomac Yard is scheduled to be completed next week with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening.
The new headquarters at 3030 Potomac Avenue has been in the works since 2018 and was one of the early moves to relocate closer to the Potomac Yard Metro station. The ribbon cutting is scheduled — virtually — for Friday, Jan. 15 at 9:30-10:30 a.m and can be viewed on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
The APTA represents 100,0000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students, according to their website. The planned APTA opening was one of the bright spots for local business leaders to look forward to amid a difficult year.
The move isn’t too far from their old headquarters in Old Town, at 1111 N. Fairfax Street, which developers are now planning to convert into a mixed-use development.
Photo via APTA/Facebook
Herndon-based Wooboi Hot Chicken is hosting a small “soft opening” today at a new location opening in North Old Town (531 Montgomery Street).
The soft opening is scheduled to run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. though those who want to try the chicken should lean towards the earlier side, as Wooboi Hot Chicken said there is a limited supply today.
“We have 100 chicken breasts and 400 tenders to sell!” the restaurant said.
Today and tomorrow, the location is cash-only. The restaurant said on Facebook that at the grand opening on Monday, they will accept cards, cash, and apple pay.
Sandwiches or a basket of chicken tenders are $8.99 ($10 with tax included, for purposes of planning how much cash to bring) and sides are $3.99 ($4.50 with tax).
Photo via Wooboi Hot Chicken/Facebook
Restaurant chain Silver Diner is planning to open its West End location (4630 King Street) next Wednesday, but it could be a while later before the highly anticipated Harris Teeter in the same building opens.
Staff at Array Apartments in the same building said that an update they received said that the Harris Teeter would not be opening until sometime next year. An earlier press release cited early 2021, but the staff at Array said there’s no specific information yet on when.
Silver Diner will hold a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. After that, the restaurant will be open for full service;Â COVID-19 protocols are in place and guests are asked to come wearing masks. The restaurant will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a takeout option in lieu of dine-in. The restaurant’s capacity is limited so diners are asked to call ahead for a reservation.
The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining. The location will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“In addition to Silver Diner’s famous farm-to-table, flexitarian menu with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low calorie and diner favorites, the West Alex location will also have a full bar and a built patio,” the company said in a press release.
A new fitness studio also recently moved to the building, and those worried about driving there should know the city has been resurfacing the infamously craggy stretch of King Street outside.
Photo via Silver Diner/Facebook
Computer programming tutoring franchise Code Ninjas is celebrating the launch of its new West End location with a grand opening celebration this weekend.
Code Ninjas has a simple but ambitious goal: make coding accessible and fun for kids. The school’s game-based curriculum focuses on teamwork, logic, math and problem solving, according to the company website. The company has locations across the country, including locations in Falls Church and Burke, and has been working to expand internationally.
The Alexandria location opened in November at 4694 King Street, in the northwest corner of the city.
The celebration is scheduled to run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and will include games and prizes, as well as tours and special membership deals, according to the Facebook page for the company. An event description said the grand opening will feature kid-accessible robotics, drones and virtual reality.
Photo via Code Ninjas/Facebook
West End bar/arcade/laser tag arena Doyle’s Outpost is planning to host a grand opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 10.
The new “entertainment venue” in the Seminary Plaza shopping center (4620 Kenmore Avenue) features a restaurant and bar along with a two-level laser tag arena, with some arcade games and VR attractions thrown into the mix.
The grand opening is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. with the ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. City officials are scheduled to attend, according to the Facebook page, but whether they will play laser tag is unclear.
The venue mainly focuses on drawing in groups — like birthday parties or corporate events — but staff said the full-service bar and restaurant, arcade games, and laser tag are all open to individuals as well.
Food at the restaurant are mainly sports bar staples like flatbread pizzas and assorted entrees, like meatball subs or tacos. The alcohol menu ranges from cocktails and beers to “slushie drinks.”
The laser tag arena is the centerpiece of Doyle’s Outpost, with a nearly 6,000-square-foot arena depicting a scene of apocalyptic destruction in D.C.: local icons in flames, helicopters flying overhead, the Lincoln Memorial in shambles — all the classics.
Individual laser tag games are $9 per person, $16 for two games, or $20 for three games. The laser tag arena can also be rented out for private events.
Photo via Doyle’s Outpost/Facebook
Shortly after scooping out a spot in Old Town, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is hosting a grand opening celebration next Thursday (Dec. 19) with a scheduled appearance from the eponymous Jeni Britton Bauer.
The grand opening celebration is scheduled from 7-11 p.m. at Jeni’s (102 S. Patrick Street). Free ice cream and “swag” is promised to the first 50 people in line.
The chain, based out of Ohio, has a cult following and about three dozen stores nationwide. Its new Bethesda store is celebrating its grand opening the same day.
The ice cream lineup is scheduled to include flavors like brambleberry crisp and brown butter almond brittle, as well as dairy-free flavors like Texas sheet cake and roasted peanut butter and strawberry jam.
The ice cream shop opened in mid-November in the former Misha’s Coffee location, which has relocated down the block to 907 King Street.
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
In-Person Absentee Voting Underway — “Beginning Saturday, October 26, Alexandrians who qualify to vote absentee for the November 5 General Election may cast their ballots in person at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.), or the Alexandria Voter Registration Office (132 N. Royal St.).” [City of Alexandria]
Aslin Beer’s ‘Weird Vibe’ in Alexandria — “Aslin Beer Company doesn’t have exposed brick walls, it isn’t decorated with string lights and it doesn’t use wooden barrels as high top tables. Straying from the traditional industrial vibe at a lot of breweries and tasting rooms, Aslin has an eclectic, colorful atmosphere enhanced by patterned walls, neon signs and a giant robot.” [Alexandria Times]
Alexandrians Give to Political Campaigns — “More than $3.5 million in campaign cash has an Alexandria mailing address this election cycle, a spending spree that reflects the stakes this year’s election. Control of the House of Delegates and state Senate is at stake, and partisans on both sides are trying to influence the outcome.” [Gazette Packet]
City Seeks Members for Advisory Group — “The City of Alexandria is seeking nominations for two At-Large Business Representative and two At-Large Resident Representative vacancies on the Ad Hoc Eisenhower West/Landmark Van Dorn Advisory Group.” [City of Alexandria]
Grand Opening for Free Preschool — “A new classroom space launched by Child & Family Network Centers will offer free preschool education to 45 children in Alexandria. The classrooms are in a West End apartment complex at 101 South Whiting Street.” [Patch]
