King Street | ALXnow

Published August 19, 2026 at 11:45AM

Lumos Collective at 1511 King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

A metaphysical shop and “spiritual apothecary” is reopening in an expanded location early next month in Old Town.

Lumos Collective is moving from its pop-up location at 106 N. St. Asaph Street and will hold grand opening festivities at the new location at 1511 King Street on Sept. 4 and 5. The shop sells candles, ritual oils, tarot and oracle cards, as well as supplies to cast spells and rituals. The business hosts Reiki training events, book swaps and artist markets, and a monthly virtual membership program for “Modern Witches, Mystics & Magic-Makers,” the company says on its website.

Around Town

Horror and sci-fi bookstore Long Dark House to hold grand opening in early September

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum

Published August 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated August 21, 2026 at 1:24PM

The upcoming location of Long Dark House at 1510 King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Long Dark House, a bookstore dedicated to horror, science fiction and other dark titles, will open its doors at the start of September.

The independent bookstore will open at 1510 King Street at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. A grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 will include special activities all day. Author Lisa Jones Gentry will be at the opening to sign copies of “A Dead Man Speaks,” which can be preordered through Long Dark House. The grand opening will also have specially themed matcha drinks from Whisked Away Cafe, chocolates and gifts from Madame Coco’s Emporium, raffle prizes, music and more.

Around Town

South Korean coffee shop chain Twosome Place to open in Old Town

By Beth Lawton

Published August 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

The future Twosome Place at 404 King Street (staff photo by Beth Lawton)

The expansion of coffee shops continues as an international brand plans a location in Old Town.

Construction has started on Twosome Place, a new coffee shop and dessert cafe at 404 King Street.

Around Town

Bookstore Long Dark House, Madame Coco’s Emporium aim for September opening in Old Town

By Beth Lawton

Published August 5, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 11:50AM

Long Dark House’s Chanthal Harris and Madame Coco’s Meshelle Armstrong (courtesy of Meshelle Armstrong)

Madame Coco’s Emporium will return to Old Town in mid-September alongside Long Dark House, a new bookstore focused on science fiction, horror and dark titles.

The new businesses will share space at 1510 King Street. Madame Coco’s Emporium is the brainchild of Meshelle Armstrong, while Long Dark House is the realization of a lifelong dream by Chanthal Harris.

News

Upgrades underway for permanent 200 block of King Street pedestrian zone

By Emily Leayman

Published July 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

After the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic was approved last year, Alexandria is making upgrades to the block.

The Alexandria Department of Transportation & Environmental Services announced plans to add permanent improvements to the pedestrian block. The last city budget allocated $350,000 to make improvements to the 200 block pedestrian zone.

Around Town

Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters opens doors on King Street this week

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum

Published July 28, 2026 at 9:15AM

Mudhouse Cafe at 1119 King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

The King Street corridor in Old Town is gaining another coffee shop as Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters opens its doors this week.

Mudhouse will open on Wednesday (July 29) at 1119 King Street, staff confirmed to ALXnow. This will be the Charlottesville-founded coffee roaster’s sixth location, joining two in Charlottesville, and ones in Richmond, Crozet and Charleston, S.C.

Around Town

Penny Post expects line for popular Stationery Store Day in August

By Emily Leayman

Published July 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

Penny Post at 1201 King Street (courtesy of Penny Post)

Old Town stationery store Penny Post is getting ready for its biggest day of the year.

Penny Post (1201 King Street) will hold its fifth annual Stationery Store Day, an in-store-only event to celebrate all things pen, paper and analog. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.

Around Town

Fish Market celebrating 50th anniversary in Old Town this Thursday

By James Cullum

Published July 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

Customers waiting for food orders outside of The Fish Market on King Street, April 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fish Market, a fixture on lower King Street in Old Town, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Thursday (July 23).

The one-night-only party starts at 5 p.m. with live music, a throwback menu and 32-ounce beer schooners.

News

Alexandria man accused of stabbing at King Street Metro station faces malicious wounding charge

By James Cullum

Published July 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

Police at the King Street Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 21-year-old Alexandria man goes to court next month after allegedly stabbing a man twice in the bus loop area of the King Street-Old Town Metro station.

On May 5, the victim called 911 to report he’d been assaulted at the King Street Metro station. At the scene, the man told an Alexandria Police Department officer that he was punched in the head, “but upon further examination by medical staff it was determined that he had been stabbed twice,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

News

New sandwich and wine shop opening this weekend at the Bradlee Shopping Center

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chord Bread and Bottle at 3690 J King Street in the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new sandwich and wine shop is opening Sunday (July 19) at the Bradlee Shopping Center.

Chord Bread & Bottle will soft launch with complimentary appetizers and wine tastings from 6-8 p.m., right after the end of the World Cup final. The space at 3690 J King Street was previously home to the Unwined wine shop, which closed at the end of 2024. The soft opening was announced on Instagram.

News

After BID failures, City Council looks for other options to support Old Town business corridor

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

Shops in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After multiple failed attempts over the past decade to bring a Business Improvement District to Old Town, Alexandria City Council is asking for other strategies to give the corridor an economic boost.

On Tuesday (June 23), City Council endorsed a memo from Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman directing the city manager to assess “how we can address the needs of the Old Town business corridor a little more intentionally.” City staff will review existing research on services and financial investments the city is making in Old Town and alternative options to boost tax revenue.