King Street | ALXnow

Beeliner Diner opens in Bradlee Shopping Center

Published February 25, 2022 at 11:15AM

Beeliner Diner at 3648 King Street. (Courtesy photo)

Noelie Rickey and Markos Panas have been busier than bees lately, and on Thursday (Feb. 24) their Beeliner Diner officially opened in the Bradlee Shopping Center.

The new family restaurant at 3648 King Street is the former longtime home to Atlantis Pizzeria & Restaurant, which closed early last year. Rickey, Panas and partner Dagmawi Abedje also own the Bread & Water Company bakery in the Belle View Shopping Center. They opened a Bun Papa pop-up at the King Street location in November, and the space has been expanded to include the BeeStreet Virtual Food Hall, which is a collection of pop-up concepts ALX Pizza, Boom Chicky (fried chicken) and Bun Papa.

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New Old Town Bob and Edith’s to open next week

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2022 at 10:50AM

Photo via Bob and Edith's Diner/Facebook

Bob and Edith’s Diner, a hyper-local chain of five diners spread across Arlington and Fairfax, is planning to its sixth location in Old Town Alexandria early next week.

The new location at 1743 King Street — formerly Ernie’s Original Crab House — is planned to open on Monday, February 28 at 7 a.m.

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City looking at creating more King Street pedestrian-only blocks

By Vernon Miles

Published February 16, 2022 at 3:55PM

Rendering of the unit block of King Street with street closure (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria could be converting another block of King Street to a pedestrian-only zone this spring.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission earlier this week, city staff presented both plans for a pilot to close the waterfront end of King Street and examined the future of the 100 block of King Street, which has been permanently closed and converted into a pedestrian zone.

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Man arrested after allegedly pushing girlfriend in Alexandria apartment

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 43-year Loudoun County man was arrested last month for allegedly pushing his girlfriend and causing her fracture her elbow.

After being wanted for outstanding warrants for more than a month, Thomas Abernathy was arrested on Jan. 20 and charged with malicious wounding and domestic assault and battery. He was released that same day on $1,500 and $500 bonds.

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ESP Tea and Coffee celebrates one year since reopening and rebranding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

ESP Tea and Coffee, photo via ESP/Facebook

It’s been a year since Old Town coffee shop ESP Tea and Coffee (1012 King Street) reopened under new ownership following a spectacularly bad collapse.

Killer E.S.P closed in 2020 after its entire staff quit — twice — after alleged misconduct from former owner Rob Shelton. New owner Erik Muendel said the last year has seen extensive menu changes and an effort at revitalization.

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Wine shop ‘Le Vintage’ opening Tuesday on King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated January 31, 2022 at 4:08PM

Le Vintage Wine Shop at 1218 King Street in Old Town. (Courtesy photo)a

You won’t find Zoom wine tastings at Le Vintage Wine Shop.

The new shop is opening at 1218 King Street on Tuesday, and owner Benjamin Kuna says there’s something about an in-person tasting that gives the experience an extra kick.

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Nando’s Peri-Peri is closing in Old Town and moving to Hoffman Town Center

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2022 at 9:30AM

Nando's in Old Town, photo via Google Maps

After 10 years in Old Town, Nando’s Peri-Peri is letting its lease expire and will close in mid-March.

Nando’s Peri-Peri opened at 702 King Street in 2010. With its leaser expiring, staff told ALXnow that it’s challenging to do business in the old building that is 186 years old.

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Turkish Coffee Lady opens in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2022 at 1:00PM

Mayor Justin Wilson (center) at the opening of Turkish Coffee Lady at 1001 King Street, Jan. 22, 2022. (Courtesy photo)

There’s a new coffee shop on King Street. Turkish Coffee Lady officially opened its doors at 1001 King Street in Old Town, joining a handful of neighboring coffee-inspired hangouts.

The space at the corner of Patrick Street (also Route 1) and King Streets is the former location of Blüprint Chocolatiers, and the second floor was notoriously once home to white nationalist Richard Spencer.

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Police investigating a smash-and-grab at West End eyewear store

By ALXnow.com

Published January 20, 2022 at 5:35PM | Updated January 20, 2022 at 6:44PM

Police are investigating a grand larceny from a local glasses business in the city’s West End.

The incident took place at the Bauer’s Optical (4680 King Street) in Shoppes at Summit Centre, a shopping center in the northwest corner of Alexandria.

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After filing bankruptcy, Sur La Table planning to reopen in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 19, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated January 19, 2022 at 12:16PM

Sur La Table is reopening at 326 King Street. (Via Facebook)

Sixteen months after being forced to closed due to bankruptcy reorganization, Seattle-based kitchenware retailer Sur La Table is planning to reopen at 326 King Street.

The company won’t say exactly when the reopening will happen, but ALXnow was tipped off after Sur La Table posted a $70,000 a year job for a full-time manager for the store.

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Sneakers and slip-ons: How Comfort One Shoes adapted to the pandemic

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated January 6, 2022 at 4:49PM

Faced with a drastic disruption in foot traffic, Alexandria-based Comfort One Shoes had to pivot. The pandemic forced the company to focus its energy on online sales, bringing in more casual merchandise and closing the Union Station location in D.C.

Company President Garrett Breton says the efforts made 2021 sales higher than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.