With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, dancing is returning to Rock It Grill in Old Town, but the pool tables likely won’t be coming back anytime soon.
Remnants of the pandemic are still visible at the hangout at 1319 King Street. Staff continue to wear face masks and a plexiglass screen separates the deejay from the audience for karaoke, which was brought back late last summer and is now held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Bob and Edith’s Diner officially announced plans to open this fall inside the shell of what had been Ernie’s Original Crab House at 1743 King Street, the company said in a press release.
The new location is the sixth Bob & Edith’s Diner — a tiny franchise that started in Arlington in 1969 –and the second in Alexandria, with another one at 5918 North King’s Highway. According to the press release, the diner will be open 24/7.
For the second year in a row, the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival packed the Carlyle neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday.
Dozens of artists and exhibitors from all over the country displayed their work throughout the weekend to large numbers of gatherers and art admirers.
(Update at 10:30 a.m. Blue and White Carryout is still open. The tweet from a local news outlet was incorrect.)
City Council Rescinds Vote on Braddock West Development — “The matter will be taken up again for public hearing and vote on May 15, but a pending lawsuit by an Alexandria resident may delay a final decision.” [Alexandria Living]
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was in Alexandria Wednesday, and with Mayor Justin Wilson welcomed U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School.
Northam stopped by Pacers Running at 1301 King Street before the event with Cardona, where he met Wilson and spoke with employees about raising the minimum wage. Pacers has been paying its employees $15 an hour since last year.
Early voting begins for June 8 Democratic primary — “Early voting will begin on April 23 for the June 8 Democratic primary election in the City of Alexandria. The ballot includes contests for Virginia Governor;Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; House of Delegates (45th District); Mayor and City Council.” [Zebra]
Alexandria to renovate baseball field near Mount Vernon Community School — “The project is scheduled to begin Monday, April 26 and work will occur Monday through Friday from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work is planned for the restoration of approximately 39,600 square feet turf. This includes the installation of irrigation. The work area will be closed to the public during the installation period.” [Zebra]
Alexandria Police are investigating a report that an object that was thrown at a vehicle just outside the city Courthouse.
The victim, who knows the suspect, called 911 and mistakenly reported that a gun was fired at their vehicle, according to police.
One of the most visible congestion points in the city is about to get revamped.
On Tuesday, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved roadway improvements the the intersection of King Street, Russell Road and Callahan Drive, as well as a conversion to one-way for the service road leading up to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.
City Applies for Grant to Reimagine King Street — “The project runs from the six-way King Street-Braddock-Road-Quaker Lane intersection west past the Bradlee Shopping Center to Menonkin Drive, which is just before the I-395 interchange on King Street — about a 0.5 mile stretch of heavily-used roadway. The City Council granted permission for city staff to apply for the grant in March 2020, along with approval to apply for grants for the Duke Street Transitway and Landmark Transit Center. The King Street project would be funded in the 2026-27 fiscal year.” [Alexandria Living]
Pandemic Forces ‘Mom Made Foods’ to Close — “Mom Made Foods, an Alexandria-based company providing children’s frozen meals and snacks in stores and online, announced its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Patch]
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Alexandria Police have reopened the area of King Street between Callahan Drive and Daingerfield Road after investigating a report of a suspicious package.
Police closed the area near the King St-Old Town Metro Station and the city’s Union Station after a report earlier of a suspicious package around 11:35 a.m.
Feeling stressed? Momma’s Hemp at 1314 King Street carries $2 lollipops infused with CBD that are supposed to calm you down, give you energy, make you creative and focused.
Jennifer Bright and her eldest son, Devin Pullen, opened the shop on Tuesday. The pair also opened a location in their hometown of Culpeper, Virginia, in 2019.
