local business | ALXnow

Facing financial decline, Alexandria releases new draft plan for economic growth

Published November 21, 2025 at 3:45PM

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

Facing a decline in job growth, a struggling commercial real estate market and a climbing population, today (Friday) Alexandria released the draft of its first economic development strategy in nearly two decades.

The 63-page ALX Forward draft plan makes a number of recommends to reverse negative trends, including leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses and attracting high-growth industries like artificial intelligence firms; and strengthening support for the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

News

After spring deferral, King Street cafe proposal will seek architectural approval next month

By James Cullum

Published November 20, 2025 at 2:45PM

A new cafe is proposed for 910 King Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

A proposed cafe on King Street in Old Town will head back to the Board of Architectural Review next month after being deferred in the spring.

Business owner Kahan S. Dhillon, Jr., wants to open Kingsley Cafe at 910 King Street, currently the site of a three-level, 1850s-era townhome. The board deferred the cafe in May, and it is now slated to return for consideration during a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Around Town

Del Ray psychologists launch mental health podcast ‘Shrinks On Tap’

By James Cullum

Published November 20, 2025 at 11:45AM

Eleni Boosalis (on left) and Lauren Fisher, owners of Del Ray Psych and Wellness, have launched a new podcast (via Shrinks on Tap/Facebook)

Why is love so hard? Does ketamine-assisted therapy actually work? How can you tap into your “inner healer”? A new podcast hosted by two Del Ray-based clinical psychologists hopes to answer these questions and more.

Earlier this month, Doctors Eleni Boosalis and Lauren Fisher of Del Ray Psych & Wellness launched the premiere episode of Shrinks On Tap. Aiming to raise mental health awareness and normalize counseling, the pair hosts informal conversations from a podcast studio set-up inside their practice, while sipping on non-alcoholic beverages.

Around Town

Akeno Sushi plans late November opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published November 18, 2025 at 2:45PM

Akeno Sushi offerings (courtesy of Sean Promsiri)

A family-owned sushi restaurant is preparing to open soon in Old Town with a menu full of Thai and East Asian specialties.

Interior renovations for Akeno Sushi are wrapping up at 611 King Street, where co-owner and veteran restaurateur Eakachai “Sean” Promsiri hopes to open for business by the end of the month.

Around Town

Old Town Books celebrates seven years of business with specials tomorrow

By Katie Taranto

Published November 14, 2025 at 2:45PM

Old Town Books owner Ally Kirkpatrick (courtesy of Old Town Books)

Book specials, prizes and a kids’ storytime are coming to Old Town Books tomorrow (Saturday) as the local shop celebrates seven years in business.

The independent bookstore at 130 S. Royal Street first got its start as a pop-up business in 2018. The shop “never un-popped,” owner Ally Kirkpatrick told ALXnow.

Around Town

Husband-wife duo open Bluemont Local, a new indoor playground, in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published November 14, 2025 at 11:15AM

Indoor playground Bluemont Local at 376A Calvert Avenue in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a new indoor playground for infants to eight-year-olds in Del Ray.

Bluemont Local opened Sunday at 376A Calvert Avenue. From 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., parents and kids are asked to take off their shoes and have fun in the “soft play” landscape crafted with Scottish pine from UK-based Tigerplay.

Around Town

New speakeasy ‘Bar 86’ opens in Old Town with tiki bar atmosphere

By James Cullum

Published November 10, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated November 10, 2025 at 12:53PM

Bar 86, a speakeasy at Café du Soleil at 215 S. Union Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a rush of business at Bar 86 in Old Town after midnight, after most of Old Town’s nightlife has died down.

Business is in full-swing at Alexandria’s newest speakeasy. By day, the venue is home to French bistro Café du Soleil, serving coffee, croissants and crepes. But at 5 p.m., a transformation occurs. The business closes, dim green lightbulbs are installed and tables are rearranged and set for 6 p.m. evening service at 215 S. Union Street.

Around Town

Del Ray Pop-Up Bar plans Christmas-themed reopening in two weeks

By James Cullum

Published November 7, 2025 at 2:45PM

Joy on the Avenue in Del Ray in 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Get your Santa hat ready, because the Del Ray Pop-Up Bar plans to reopen with a Christmas-themed “Joy on the Avenue” concept in two weeks.

The bar aims to return during the weekend of Friday, Nov. 21 at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue, replacing its spooky “Nightmare on the Avenue” pop-up that closed after Halloween, owner Bill Blackburn told ALXnow.

Around Town

Five Alexandria spots make NoVA Magazine’s ‘50 Best Restaurants’ list

By Katie Taranto

Published November 4, 2025 at 2:45PM

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

Five Alexandria eateries are highlighted in Northern Virginia Magazine’s new list of the area’s top 50 restaurants.

The magazine’s food critics highlighted Alexandria restaurants offering Italian, modern American and Mesoamerican fusion food in their annual list, released late last month. Here’s a look at the city’s featured spots.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 31, 2025 at 3:45PM

The former Benny DiForza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at ALXnow’s top stories of the week.

The most-read post is about Benny DiForza’s Pizza, which closed in Del Ray after being served with a legal notice barring access to its shop at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue. The notice of no trespass, dated Oct. 26, was filed by a petitioner.

News

Q&A: Old Town tech firm founder wary of labor paradox posed by AI

By James Cullum

Published October 28, 2025 at 4:30PM

Abel Meri, CEO of Notice Enterprises in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Abel Meri wants to make life easier for his business clients, but at what cost?

Meri is CEO of the Old Town-based Notice Enterprises, an automation company he founded in 2019. Notice has seen exponential growth over the last few years by using artificial intelligence to revolutionize how small businesses manage nearly every aspect of their workflows, from AI receptionists to the composition of lengthy legal documents.