King Street | ALXnow

Outdoor dining permits on King Street could be extended after unusual circumstances in timelines

Published January 30, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated January 31, 2023 at 9:22AM

(Updated 1/31) The City of Alexandria is looking to extend the duration of King Street Outdoor Dining (KSOD) permits after an unusual circumstance in scheduling meant the permits issued by the city would only be valid for a couple of months.

After the Covid emergency status expired in September 2022, the City of Alexandria began issuing permits for businesses along King Street to operate in the sidewalks. The program is a continuation of a more flexible approach to outdoor dining brought on by the pandemic.

News

‘Bloomers’ boutique moving to new King Street location

By James Cullum

Published January 26, 2023 at 3:30PM

Bloomers will open at 706 King Street in March 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After 15 years, Bloomers (924 King Street) is moving to a new location on King Street in the first week of March, it’s owner tells ALXnow.

Bloomers owner Nicole White says knew that the lease her shop at 924 King Street was expiring in 2023 when she bought the business in 2018.

News

Village Brauhaus in Old Town aims to open rooftop expansion before summer

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2023 at 1:45PM

Diagram showing planned rooftop extension at Village Brauhaus (image via Mark R. Yoo Architect PLLC/City of Alexandria)

When it comes to city permitting: it pays to play it safe.

Old Town restaurant Village Brauhaus (710 King Street) is going back through the city review process to double-check that it’s still alright to open a rooftop dining area after the restaurant changed ownership.

News

With Alexandria seeing more residential development conversions, city leaders discuss pushing for greater ‘voluntary’ contributions

By Vernon Miles

Published January 23, 2023 at 1:50PM | Updated January 25, 2023 at 10:04AM

1225 and 1229 King Street (image via Google Maps)

A redevelopment vote (item 6) that was meant to be part of the consent calendar — items generally approved without controversy — ended up taking up a large swath of a City Council meeting this Saturday and became the center of a discussion about how hard the city should push for “voluntary” affordable housing contributions.

The topic at hand was the conversion of the non-residential upper floors of 1225 King Street into 12 residential units. There was little contentious in the presented redevelopment plans, but it sparked a discussion of how the city should be handling affordable housing in the increasingly popular residential conversions.

News

Thicker Cloudz smoke shop opens on King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 19, 2023 at 10:45AM

Thicker Cloudz is open at 1512 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a new smoke shop in Old Town.

Arlington-based vape shop Thicker Cloudz recently opened its third and newest location — just a few blocks from the King St-Old Town Metro station.

News

Tatte Bakery & Cafe files permit for new King Street location

By Vernon Miles

Published January 17, 2023 at 10:30AM

Coffee and pastries at Tatte Bakery (image via Tatte Bakery/Instagram)

It’s official: Tatte Bakery & Cafe is coming to 515 King Street in the heart of Old Town — pending the approval of a special use permit.

The plans to open in Old Town were first reported by the Washington Business Journal back in October, but applicant Tatte Holdings LLC just filed the permit to make it official.

News

Alexandria found success in King Street pedestrian zones, but the 200 block could be trickier

By Vernon Miles

Published January 13, 2023 at 1:40PM

200 block of King Street (image via Google Maps)

While the city has had some success with pedestrian zones on King Street, city staff say less retail and sloping conditions could make it harder to add a similar zone along the 200 block.

Many residents have welcomed the pedestrian zones that the city added to the 100 and unit blocks of King Street, according to a survey. Motivated by this early support, Chris Ziemann, transportation division chief, said the city is focusing on improving the now-permanent pedestrian zones at the 100 block of King Street and the unit block — the block closest to the waterfront.

Around Town

‘Deli News & More’ closes in Old Town, restaurateur signs lease

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated January 5, 2023 at 4:15PM

Deli News & More at 1406 King Street is closed (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated 4:15 p.m. — After nearly 30 years in Old Town, Deli News & More closed last month for the last time.

The 7,800-square-foot space at 1406 King Street has since been leased to Ed McIntosh, one of the founders of Chop Shop Taco (1008 Madison Street). The shop will remain a convenience store, and it will be reopen in March as Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli.

News

State grant could help give King Street a facelift

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2023 at 11:15AM | Updated January 5, 2023 at 12:03PM

King Street in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is hoping to get $400,000 from the state to help with resurfacing — particularly for the city’s iconic King Street.

The City Council is set to review a grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair program.

News

Thompson Italian to open in Old Town next week

By Vernon Miles

Published December 30, 2022 at 11:15AM | Updated December 30, 2022 at 12:08PM

Bucatini Carbonara at Thompson Italian (image via Thompson Italian/Facebook)

Hot on the heels of Trattoria da Franco reopening, another Italian restaurant is coming to Old Town next week.

Falls Church restaurant Thompson Italian announced that the new location at 1024 King Street — formerly Hank’s Oyster Bar — will open on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

News

‘The Dog Park’ in Old Town sold to the Beeliner Diner owners

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2022 at 4:15PM

(On left) Anna Fitzgerald with new owners of The Dog Park (705 King Street) Noelie Rickey and Markos Panas.(via Instagram)

Bread & Water Co. just got into the pet store business.

The restaurant company recently finalized its purchase of The Dog Park at 705 King Street. The dog and cat boutique has been owned and operated the last 12 years by Anna Franklin, who thanked her customers on Instagram