Crumbl Cookies is coming to Alexandria’s Bradlee Shopping Center.

There have been reports of the cookie store coming to the Bradlee Shopping Center for years, but construction is finally underway.

Construction started at the end of March at 3618 King Street to convert the 1,900-square foot space into a cookie shop. The shopping center now lists the store as one of its tenants.

Crumbl Cookies founded in 2017 in Utah, and the franchise now has more than 900 locations. In 2022, the company reportedly sold more than $1 billion in cookies. That’s a lot of dough.

Crumbl Cookies is known for their weekly rotating menu of cookies.

The nearest Crumbl Cookies to Alexandria is in the Kingstowne area of Fairfax County (5810 Kingstowne Towne Center).

A new poll ranked Alexandria’s King Street as one of the best ‘main streets’ in America, though it got beat out by Alexandria’s travel destination rival.

The poll of 3,000 travelers by photo book site Mixbook put Alexandria’s King Street at #7 on the list of America’s Most Charming Main Streets.

According to the site, the street is:

A picturesque blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy, serving as the cultural and commercial heart of Old Town. This historic thoroughfare boasts a variety of boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center, all set against the backdrop of the Potomac River and cobblestone streets.

The number one main street was King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston often (and very unfairly) beats Alexandria in various travel destination lists.

As some have noted before: these kinds of rankings aren’t exactly scientific surveys and mostly serve as promotions for various sites, but there’s no denying the enduring appeal of King Street. In recent years, some of the blocks close to the waterfront have closed off into pedestrian zones. Though they’re a bit sparse at the moment, the city recently streamlined its planning process to accelerate improvements to those pedestrian zones.

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend.  Enjoy! 

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Friday, April 19

Things To Do

• 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Character Building Workshop at Military Children’s Six Foundation
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Degas Art Bingo at Nepenthe Gallery
• 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: In My Cookie Era! Cookie Decorating at Lost Boy Cider
• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Guided Meditation With Cats at Mount Purrnon Cate Cafe & Wine Bar

Live Music & Entertainment

• Alexandria Bier Garden: Hall Pass from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Blackwall Hitch: Ryan Forrester from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Johnny Artis Band from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• Fish Market: DJ at 9 p.m. 
• Galactic Panther: The Dead Queens W/ Folking Tunes and Tennessee Frisky from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Trio from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Lost Boy Cider: Game Night from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Poehemia & Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Crushing Diamonds from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Rich Russman Band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Parents Night Out at Mount Vernon Recreation Center

Saturday, April 20

Things To Do

• 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.: ALX Dog Walk at Oronoco Bay Park
• 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Del Ray Farmers Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
• 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Pop Up Spring Marketplace Boutique at the Athenaeum
• 10 a.m.  to 12 p.m.: Del Ray Kitchen Confidential Design Tour at Del Ray Design Tour
• 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Animal Family Day at Mount Vernon
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Old Town Alexandria Historic Home and Garden Tour Kicks Off Spring Tradition in Old Town Alexandria
• 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Saturday Pop Up, Pop In Story Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Exploring Watercolor Takes Courage – A painting class by artists Teresa Brunson and Lynn Martin at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Garden Day Tours at Carlyle House Historic Park
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Embroidered Tapestry Workshop with Beta White at Fibre Space
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: 10th Anniversary Party at Sweet Fire Donna’s
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: ReFashion Show at The Garden ALX
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Brews & Booze Motor Cruise with Tall ship Providence Foundation
• 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society Spring Fling at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
• 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: To The Sea | Pro Coro Alexandria Concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church

Live Music & Entertainment

• Alexandria Bier Garden: Small Town 7 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Blackwall Hitch: Larry Thomas Duo from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Practically Einstein from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• Galactic Panther: RedHorizon, The Backbeat Collective & Zawadi Live Music @ Galactic Panther from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Karaoke from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Poehemia & Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: ASO Presents: On the Town & Shostakovich 5 – Shuffle and Deal at 7:30 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: Steep Canyon Rangers at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Black Cactus Hotels at 9:30 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Charles Houston Health & Fitness Expo at Charles Houston Recreation Center
• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Annual Invitational Cheer Competition at Alexandria City High School Gymnasium

Sunday, April 21

Things To Do

• 8 a.m.: Dyke Marsh Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Art of Manual Coffee Brewing at Galactic Panther
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers Market 
• 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Animal Family Day at Mount Vernon
• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Burpees and Brews at Port City Brewing Company
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Girl Scout Garden Day at Carlyle House
• 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
• 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Oddball Cinema – Barry Landon at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Jazz at Meade featuring the Vaughn Ambrose Quartet at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church

Live Music & Entertainment

• Blackwall Hitch: Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Conor Malone from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Galactic Panther: ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: The Office Trivia Night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Steve Zubrick from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Walt Johnson Trio from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Meade Memorial Episcopal Church: Jazz at Meade featuring the Vaughn Ambrose Quartet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: ASO Presents: On the Town & Shostakovich 5 – Shuffle and Deal at 3 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: SGGL (Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin, & Lille) at 7:30 pm
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award at Del Ray GardenFest

Image via Facebook

Ryan Belmore is an award-winning news publisher, editor, and journalist. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he now resides in Alexandria with his wife and two rescue dogs. He was recently appointed to the City of Alexandria’s Board of Zoning Appeals and previously served on the City’s Commission For The Arts. Email listings and events to Ryan at [email protected]. Follow Ryan on Instagram at whatsupalexandria.

The City of Alexandria announced last week that four existing bike lanes will be getting new protection, including physical barriers, this summer.

Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services announced the change last week — but it turned into a pretty busy news week after that.

The city will add four buffers to bike lanes on:

• King Street (Janneys Lane to Radford Street)
• North Van Dorn Street (Braddock Road to Menokin Drive)
• Pegram Street (Polk Avenue to North Pickett Street)

• Seminary Road (North Howard Street to Quaker Lane)

The City of Alexandria website said each of the streets currently has painted buffer zones but no physical barriers. While many of the physical barriers on bike lanes are obviously not strong enough to stop a car, it still provides a physical demarcation that helps keep drivers out of the bike lane.

While the Seminary Road bike lane conjures to mind heated discussion over traffic impacts, the city said the new barriers will have no impact on traffic.

The bike lanes are expected to be installed sometime this spring or summer.

This spring, the City will upgrade four existing bicycle lanes to protected bike lanes! By creating physical barriers between cyclists and the road, we’re improving safety for riders of all ages and abilities. Learn more about the upcoming projects: https://t.co/6hZJdlnKxh pic.twitter.com/KyjTegEGZh

— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) March 26, 2024

A smoking heating and air system has closed Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 111 King Street for the foreseeable future, the restaurant owner told ALXnow.

Owner Bartolo Paz said that smoke came out of the furnace this afternoon after it was turned on by restaurant staff, that no one was hurt, and that there is minimal damage.

“They had to cut out some drywall and insulation,” Paz told ALXnow. “Nothing major.”

The Alexandria Fire Department responded to the commercial building fire call for service at around noon, according to dispatch reports.

A favorite sports bar in Old Town, Bugsy’s is named after Bryan Watson, the former defenseman with the Washington Capitals pro hockey team. Watson opened the business in 1983 as Armand’s Pizzeria & Grille with the upstairs bar, The Penalty Box. Watson sold the business to Paz in 2013, and died in 2021.

Paz said that he hopes to reopen the restaurant soon.

The restaurant released the following statement on social media:

Good afternoon,

Unfortunately earlier today we experienced a fire inside our building, everyone is okay but this has caused us to close down for the foreseeable future. We apologize for the inconvenience but we will keep everyone updated as soon as we get the updates ourselves and we look forward to opening back up as soon as possible so we can continue to provide all our customers with exceptional service. Thank you so much for understanding and we hope to see everyone soon.

A new conversion from an office to a ‘luxury rental development’ has broken ground in Old Town.

American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is converting the 200,000-square-foot office building at 1101 King Street into a 200-unit apartment development called CityHouse Old Town.

The office building was built in 1983, predating new regulations on density in the area established in 1992. While the project involves significant interior changes, the exterior modifications are relatively modest.

According to a release:

Located in the heart of King Street in historic Old Town Alexandria, AREP is converting a former 200,000 SF office building and transforming it into CityHouse Old Town, a community comprised of approximately 200 homes ranging in size from 525 square-foot studios to deluxe three-bedroom apartments with a den to accommodate hybrid work and private wraparound terraces for the majority of homes.

The seven-story property, with its six-story interior atrium, rises above the surrounding buildings, providing panoramic views of Old Town, the riverfront, and DC monuments. Residents will have access to a concierge, private club suite, and state-of-the-art fitness facility, as well as a wide array of food & beverage destinations just a few steps away from their door.

American Real Estate Partners said in the release that pre-leasing at the building is scheduled to start in the summer of 2025 while construction will be completed later that fall.

Updated 2/27: Justin Marino, owner of Mason and Greens, reached out to ALXnow. Marino said:

We would like to thank the community, the City and all who have supported our small business over the years. We had a good run, and hope we introduced you to new items that are good for you and the planet, and different ways to live a cleaner and better life. We will miss our customers the most, the Mason & Greens family wishes you the best, and much success in your journey to a more sustainable future!

Zero waste boutique Mason and Greens (913 King Street) seemingly closed in Old Town earlier this month.

The store closed earlier this month with no public notice. Calls to the store went unanswered and the doors were locked at the store, with all the interior shelves emptied.

The shop opened in Old Town in 2020 with a focus on sustainable, zero-waste products, offering an eco-friendly alternative to other grocery stores.

The other Mason and Greens location in D.C. closed last October.

A picture of the sign in front of the store just before the closing was sent to ALXnow with notes attached to the board:

We’re abruptly closing and displacing all our employees just like the DC Store! Going out of business. Goodbye. Come and get what’s left! And let the employees know about current job openings! Thanks!

The annual George Washington Birthday Parade is returning to Alexandria on President’s Day (Monday, Feb. 19). Here’s what you need to know.

The theme of the 101st annual parade is “George Washington: Alexandria’s Living Legend,” and this year’s parade marshals are the recipients of the prestigious Living Legends of Alexandria award.

According to parade organizers:

The Grand Marshal will be representatives of the Living Legends of Alexandria, individuals who have contributed to the community in an exemplary and lasting way that has significantly impacted the quality of life in Alexandria and serves as an inspiration to others. 2024 is also the 275th Birthday of the founding of the City of Alexandria.

Thousands of freemasons, city-related groups and nonprofits, and politicians march in the parade, which the city says is the oldest and largest of its kind in the world. The free event was first held in 1923 to commemorate the cornerstone laying of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at King Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the intersection of South Fairfax Street and Gibbon Street. Participants will then march north on South Fairfax Street to City Hall (301 King Street), take a left at Queen Street, and another left at S. Royal Street to the reviewing stand, which will be located at the intersection of N. Royal Street and King Streets. The parade route ends at the intersection of S. Royal Street and Wilkes Street, and the parade is scheduled to end at 3 p.m.

Parade organizers will also select the first, second and third-ranking participants in the following categories:

• Antique vehicles
• Masonic lodge with the best spirit
• Community/fraternal group
• Float
• Historical unit
• Honor and color guards
• Military units and drill team
• Youth groups
• The spirit of George Washington

Additionally, the winning restaurant in this year’s annual Cherry Challenge will be announced.

Alexandria’s next parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town on Saturday, March 2.

Alexandria City Council Member John Taylor Chapman wants to pursue making the 200 block of King Street into a pedestrian zone, and employees managing many of the businesses on that block have mixed feelings.

The move would mean having a pedestrian-only zone next door to City Hall’s Market Square (301 King Street) going all the way down to the waterfront.

Chapman told ALXnow that his plan is in its infancy, but that he will ask city staff about the feasibility of extending the pedestrian area that was permanently approved for the unit and 100 blocks of King Street in late 2022. The City closed the 100 block of King Street to car traffic in 2020 to help small businesses with outdoor seating during the pandemic, and the unit blocks of King Street and Strand Street were later added to the pilot.

Chapman is running for reelection and lists creating more pedestrian-only areas in his campaign platform.

“We’ve done the zero block and the 100 block (of King Street), and the 200 block is the next step,” Chapman told ALXnow. “Now I’m talking to those retailers to see if I can get their buy-in.”

Nearly half of the street parking on the eastern portion of the 200 block is taken up by a parklet rented for outdoor dining by The Warehouse restaurant at 214 King Street.

Ethan Wagner, manager of Old Virginia Tobacco (210 King Street), says a pedestrian zone will be a burden on his customers. He also said that the 200 block was shut down during the recent Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Dec. 2, and that his employees had a hard time finding parking for work.

“There’s at least 15-to-20 parking spots right outside,” Wagner said. “I like the idea in theory, but I’m not a big fan of it because of the parking.”

Jaylen Walker, manager of Kilwins Chocolates and Ice Cream (212 King Street), said that the closure could be an issue for handicapped customers who need to be transported near the front door of the business.

“There’s a lot of parking garages nearby, and realistically, people are already down here to begin with,” he said. “The handicap issue is my only thing.”

A survey of community feedback on the closure of the unit and 100 blocks found that 91% (of 1,853 survey respondents) rated the pedestrian zone as very positive.

The city’s transportation division chief, however, said last year that extending the pedestrian zone to the 200 block could be problematic, as it has fewer restaurants that lend themselves to outdoor seating.

Clint Mansell, manager of the Principle Gallery (208 King Street), said that customers and clients like dropping off their art by parking directly in front of the gallery.

“There’s more retail and fewer restaurants on this block,” Mansell said. “There’s a European feeling to it, the walkability. I have mixed feelings. It would be nice to have some time to think about this.”

Todd Lippert, the longtime assistant manager at Comfort One Shoes (201 King Street), is all in favor of the idea.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Lippert said. It’s about time that people in Old Town forget their cars and begin to walk, enjoy their lives, enjoy their shoes and enjoy their walks.”

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) is hosting an open house next week on safety enhancements planned for King Street.

T&ES is planning a series of changes along King Street near the Bradlee Shopping Center. A community meeting to discuss the changes is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on  Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church (3846 King Street).

Feedback collected by the city said the roadway is currently confusing and not very pedestrian friendly, with crosswalks on only one side of the street and some confusing intersection design, according to a presentation from city staff.

The changes, first announced late last year, could include bike lanes and more sidewalks along the road.

The plans to improve that stretch of King Street are particularly timely, with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leaders expressing concern about pedestrian safety in the area, especially with students walking back and forth between the two Alexandria City High School campuses.

The design process is set to kick off this spring and will run through Spring 2027.

Join us Thursday, February 15 for a Community Open House to learn about proposed safety enhancements to King Street between North Quaker Lane and Menokin Drive. To learn more about this project, visit https://t.co/F2KT97O7xu pic.twitter.com/CK529KEKVI

— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) February 5, 2024