local business

Published May 15, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated May 15, 2026 at 4:05PM

Jess Moak, owner of Eries Interiors at 103 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

In 2023, Jess Moak left behind a career as a program manager for large nonprofits to start her own interior design shop in Old Town.

The New York native opened her store Eries Interiors opened Eries Interiors at a 300-square-foot space at 101 S. St. Asaph Street in October 2024. The following month, a fire next door at 103 S. St. Asaph Street temporarily shuttered three women-owned businesses. The landlord spent nearly a year renovating the 1,800-square-foot space and approached Moak with a proposal to help design the interior and move in. Last October, Moak signed a lease and opened in time for Black Friday at 103 S. St. Asaph Street.

News

City Council members revive Old Town Business Improvement District discussion after previous failed attempts

By James Cullum

Published May 14, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated May 14, 2026 at 2:26PM

Members of the Alexandria City Council at the Chamber ALX's annual City Council Breakfast at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town on May 14, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Despite multiple failed attempts over the past decade, two Alexandria City Council members advocated Thursday (May 14) for bringing a Business Improvement District to Old Town.

Under a challenging economic outlook, City Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman said that Old Town’s business community needs an organized push to attract visitors. The council members made the remarks during the Chamber ALX’s annual City Council Breakfast, which was held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town (1767 King Street).

News

AEDP taps FedTech to launch Alexandria’s summer business accelerator

By James Cullum

Published May 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced today that Arlington-based FedTech will help launch and manage the city’s new business accelerator this summer.

AEDP received more than 20 proposals from companies to help manage a “high-touch cohort program for up to 15 Alexandria start-ups in high-growth sectors, including robotics, aerospace, quantum, AI, energy tech, computer services, cybersecurity, and defense,” AEDP said in a release. The accelerator is the first strategy outlined in the ALX Forward framework, a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future approved by City Council in January.

Around Town

Ribbon cuttings planned at fitness studio, beer and wine shop in Del Ray this month

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Department of Beer and Wine has moved to 2805 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Instagram)

Two local businesses in Del Ray plan to cut the ribbon on their spaces later this month, celebrating new spots that have opened over the past few months.

The Del Ray Business Association will host ribbon cuttings at Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue) on Saturday, May 16.

Around Town

Activities in Alexandria this Mother’s Day weekend include bouquet making, painting

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

The completed kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are a variety of activities and events to take part in with loved ones this Mother’s Day weekend.

From themed bouquet making and painting to historical tours and live music, there’s something in store for all kinds of interests. Here’s the latest going on in the Port City from Friday, May 8, through Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 10.

Around Town

Live music, 5-cent margaritas featured at Cinco de Mayo events in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2026 at 3:45PM

A margarita at Tequila & Taco at 540 John Carlyle Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Taco Tuesday this week promises to be something special in Alexandria as it coincides with Cinco de Mayo.

At Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street), the celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 begins with 5-cent frozen margaritas from 9-10 a.m. The restaurant will also give out hundreds of straw sombreros and allow outdoor patio drinking until 10 p.m.

Around Town

Hank’s Pasta Bar launching dine-in service in Old Town this week

By Katie Taranto

Published May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM

Hank's Pasta Bar in Old Town (courtesy of Deb Lindsey Photography)

An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.

Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.

Around Town

Crooked Beat Records closing this weekend in Del Ray as store plans new location

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Crooked Beat Records is closing at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on May 3, 2026 (via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

After spending months recovering from flooding, Crooked Beat Records is closing its Del Ray basement location for the last time this Sunday (May 3).

Store owner Bill Daly and his staff were forced to close the store after catastrophic flooding in the building at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on Jan. 11. The business closed briefly after losing an estimated $60,000 of merchandise, of which $23,500 was recovered through a GoFundMe campaign. The store reopened at the end of February.

Around Town

Old Town boutiques to host block party with pop-ups and activities this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published April 30, 2026 at 9:30AM

A 'Shop Local' sign in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A block party involving numerous independent boutiques is coming to Old Town this weekend.

The Old Town Boutique Community, an organization of 30 small businesses in Old Town, will host the Spring Fling: An Old Town Block Party, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (May 2). The family-friendly block party will feature activities for all ages, including tarot card readings, build-your-own flower bouquets and other hands-on crafts, outdoor yoga sessions and snow cones.

Around Town

Old Town’s Il Porto to celebrate rebrand with ‘Renaissance’ dinner tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published April 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

Il Porto Ristorante on King Street (via Google Maps)

A longtime Italian restaurant in Old Town is celebrating its rebranding with a special dinner tomorrow night (Thursday).

Il Porto Ristorante is working on “refreshing the brand” at 121 King Street, with plans for a new logo, revised website and updated menus “to reflect a more modern look while staying true to what Il Porto has always been,” a spokesperson told ALXnow.

Around Town

Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine

By Katie Taranto

Published April 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Soomin Kim leads a Virginialicious tour (courtesy of Virginialicious)

An Alexandria-based food tour company is celebrating two years of teaching people about the local Korean culinary scene.

Alexandria resident Soomin “Mina” Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.