local business | ALXnow

Aslin Beer Co. to celebrate 10th anniversary with party at its West End tap room

Published August 18, 2025 at 10:30AM

Asline Beer Co. is celebrating its 10th anniversary at its tap room (847 South Pickett Street) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Aslin Beer Company (847 S. Pickett Street) is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 27, with live music, comedians, food, and beer.

“It’s been 10 weird, wild, and unforgettable years, and we’re throwing a proper party to celebrate,” Aslin Beer Co. said in its event listing. “You already know we’re brewing up something special for the occasion. Come thirsty. Come hungry. Bring the fam. Stay for the chaos. Thanks for being part of the ride. Let’s celebrate ten years the only way we know how.”

News

Mayor Gaskins to keynote Diversity in Business Expo Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins will give the keynote address at this Saturday’s Alexandria Diversity in Business Expo.

The free event is designed to foster connections and exchange ideas between local entrepreneurs and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at My Father’s House Christian Church, located at 4746 Eisenhower Avenue. City Council Member John Taylor Chapman, a small business owner, will discuss how local policies can impact the bottom line.

News

Pak Soii Izakaya files paperwork to open on Mount Vernon Avenue

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 11:45AM

Japanese restaurant Pak Soii Izakaya & Bar is coming to 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Four months after signing a lease with the landlord, a new Japanese restaurant has filed paperwork to open on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

The owners of Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar signed a lease at 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue in April, the former home of Zuki Moon. Today (Aug. 14), an application for a change of ownership to the business was submitted to the city. No major interior renovations are planned, and the only additions to the space will be a new water heater, interior painting, and decorations.

News

Alexandria entrepreneur creates SnapSpaces app to collect wedding photos from guests

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2025 at 6:30PM

Photo via SnapSpaces/Instagram

After a wedding, graduation, or significant event, wouldn’t it be nice if folks could upload their phone pictures and videos to a single gallery?

Alexandria-based entrepreneur Elizabeth Kukla did just that. In the spring of 2021, Kukla’s cousin was getting married. As a gift to the happy couple, Kukla designed a card based on the wedding invitations and printed out cards with QR codes to be placed on the guest tables for the reception. Guests who scanned the code uploaded their favorite pictures to one place, and a week later, the bride’s younger sister reached out and asked for the same services at her own nuptials that summer. With that, SnapSpaces was born.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 8, 2025 at 3:30PM

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita will open at 529 E Howell Ave in Alexandria (via Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita Mexicana on Facebook)

We made it to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at this week’s top stories.

Our most-read post is on a proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The effort is facing some pushback from neighbors wary of potential crime and safety issues. In July, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita officially announced in a special use permit application that it wants to open at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social. It would be the fourth restaurant for the local chain, and while the restaurant won’t serve alcohol, outside patio hours would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the application. The inside area is proposed to be open 24 hours a day.

News

French bakery and cafe files paperwork to open at 701 King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2025 at 10:30AM

A lease has been signed at 701 King Street, the former home to Le Pan Quotidien. (Courtesy Google Maps)

A new French cafe wants to open in a prominent location in Old Town.

New York City-based Maman Coffee Baking Kitchen has filed a special use permit application to operate a cafe, bakery, restaurant, and accessory event space at 701 King Street. That’s the former home to Foxtrot, which closed in 2024, located at the corner of King and N. Washington Streets.

News

Alexandria businesses lauded for donating to AWLA’s Adopt-the-Shelter program

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2025 at 12:30PM

Old Town Books owner Ally Kirkpatrick (on left) with an AWLA team member (via AWLA)

Local businesses are being praised for their efforts in supporting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

AWLA recently thanked several contributors to its Adopt-the-Shelter program, where the names of donors and the amounts donated are displayed at the shelter’s dog yard, community room, visiting rooms, and other areas. The program has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in donations, including $2,500 from Old Town Books, which funded the addition of “Book Buddies shelves” in the Cat Adoption Room, allowing children to read to rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, and other small animals.

News

Old Town coffee shop and wine bar wants more outdoor seats and expanded hours

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2025 at 2:30PM

LaPluma Coffee & Wine wants more outdoor seating and expanded hours for its operation at 1000 Cameron Street in Old Town (via Instagram)

There’s good news for Old Town coffee enthusiasts, as a new coffee shop and wine bar is asking the city for expanded hours and extra outdoor seating.

LaPluma Coffee & Wine Bar opened in May at 1000 Cameron Street in Old Town, and now its owners are asking the city to expand their operating hours only on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and add 12 more seats and two tables to the outdoor patio, for a total of 40 seats.

News

Bail granted for groomer accused of abusing dogs in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated August 4, 2025 at 1:28PM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man charged with felony animal abuse was granted bail on July 24 (Thursday), despite objections from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Kevin Malik Sanders was granted a $10,000 bail on personal recognizance and goes to court for a three-day jury trial starting Feb. 2, 2026, according to the Alexandria Clerk of Court. The 29-year-old was arrested on July 21, 2025, after the death of a three-year-old Golden Retriever named Abigail at Your Dog’s Best Friends (2000 Richmond Highway) on July 12, 2024. He was charged with four Class 1 misdemeanors and one count of felony animal abuse. The Commonwealth’s Attorney released allegations of abuse in an effort to keep him behind bars (see below).

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 18, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated July 18, 2025 at 3:57PM

Allen Brooks (on left) and Doug Bauer, co-founders of Continues Arcade at 1050 N. Fayette Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Nearly all of our top stories this week are about local businesses.

Just in time to catch the end of the summer, our top story is on the beta launch of Continues Arcade, a new bar and restaurant featuring more than 60 restored classic arcade games. In anticipation of next week’s soft opening, ALXnow got a sneak peek inside the space at 1050 N. Fayette Street.

News

New coffee shop and wine bar pitched for Queen Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 17, 2025 at 5:00PM | Updated July 18, 2025 at 12:58PM

Ksenia Varakina wants to open Cherry On Top at 1021 Queen Street in Old Town (via Instagram)

A new coffee shop and wine bar has been proposed in Old Town.

Ksenia Varakina recently moved to Alexandria from New York City and wants to open Cherry On Top at 1021 Queen Street before the end of the year. She says that the proposed shop is off the beaten path and wants it to be a refuge for locals to unwind.