local business | ALXnow

Billy Joel’s first publicist, Sandy Gibson, to talk in Del Ray next month

Published July 16, 2025 at 2:30PM

Former music publicist and producer Sandy Gibson (on left, talking with Bette Midler) will discuss her life in the industry on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at Stardust Vintage & Gift in Del Ray, 1904 Mount Vernon Avenue (courtesy image)

Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Jim Morrison — name a musical icon from the world of rock, soul, and pop, and chances are, Sandy Gibson interviewed them.

Gibson, a longtime Del Ray resident, was also Billy Joel’s first publicist. She was interviewed multiple times for the HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, which premieres on Friday (July 18). Music lovers can also hear Gibson talk about her career on Thursday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Stardust Vintage & Gift (1904 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray.

News

Wink Lash Art moves to new location on King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2025 at 1:30PM

Wink Lash Art is now open at 201 King Street in Old Town (via Instagram)

There’s a new business in Old Town that’s not only raising eyebrows, but extending lashes.

Wink Lash Art moved to its new location on the second floor of 201 King Street (above Comfort One Shoes) at the end of June. Owner Bianca Claudia Briscan says that the 850-square-foot space more than doubles the area she and her staff worked with the last six years at their previous location at 300 S. Washington Street.

News

End of an Era: Taylor Swift-themed pop-up bar closing in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated July 16, 2025 at 2:02AM

The line for the 'Eras' pop-up bar at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (courtesy photo)

Attention Swifties: There are only a few weeks left before Eras, the Taylor Swift-themed pop-up bar, closes in Del Ray.

That’s right — no more lines around the block, friendship bracelet-making, or Taylor Swift trivia nights at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue. After more than six months in operation, Eras will close the first weekend in August, owner Bill Blackburn tells ALXnow.

News

10 Questions with David Clark, owner of Orkney Springs Distillery in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2025 at 3:15PM

Organic gin from Orkney Springs Distillery in Del Ray (via Instagram)

If you’ve got a hankering for strawberry rhubarb vodka, look no further than Del Ray.

For the last year and a half, Orkney Springs Distillery has bottled and sold small batches of gluten-free, organic gin and vodka at its facility at 3125 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The award-winning recipes are all made on a 140-acre farm in the Shenandoah Valley, and the Del Ray tasting room costs $30 per person and is open by appointment only.

News

GloWell Hair Spa to hold ribbon cutting July 19 in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2025 at 3:00PM

GloWell Hair Spa is open at 712 N. Washington Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A new hair spa will hold its ribbon cutting later this month in Old Town North.

GloWell Hair Spa officially opened in May at 712 N. Washington Street. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, spa owner Alleyah Miner, her staff, and visitors will formally cut the ribbon for the business.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 27, 2025 at 2:30PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

It’s been another fast week in Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories over the last several days.

Our Tuesday (June 24) story on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development taking over the National Science Foundation’s headquarters (2415 Eisenhower Avenue) garnered more than 125,000 views, making it the most-read story of the year. While bringing in more than 2,700 HUD workers, the move will also displace about 1,800 NSF employees over the next two years.

News

Imagine Artwear to close in Old Town after more than three decades, KiSMET mural to be painted over

By James Cullum

Published June 27, 2025 at 2:00PM

Imagine Artwear at 1124 King Street is closing June 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Imagine Artwear is closing at 1124 King Street on Monday (June 30), and soon after, their “KiSMET Mural: Love is All You Need” painting on the outside of the building will be removed.

Owner Carol Supplee says that there are still many good pieces available at bargain prices. She also noted that there are custom-made store fixtures and a lot of “free stuff” for the taking.

News

‘Red, White and Bloom’ street festival coming to Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 24, 2025 at 11:00AM | Updated June 24, 2025 at 12:46PM

Skipping July 4?

Del Ray’s monthly First Thursday street festival is returning with its “Red, White and Bloom” theme on July 3 from 6 p.m. until sunset.

News

Two Men and a Truck Alexandria is collecting prom dresses for free fall giveaway

By James Cullum

Published June 18, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 7:41PM

Prom dresses (via ARLnow)

With the dress, shoes, hair, makeup, and transportation, prom can become quite expensive.

That’s why, all summer long, local movers Two Men and a Truck Alexandria are collecting gently used accessories at drop-off points around the city. On Sept. 14 (Sunday), the company is hosting a free prom dress and accessories giveaway at their warehouse at 5910 Farrington Avenue.

News

Department of Junking, an eco-friendly home clear-out business, opens in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 18, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Department of Junking is now open in Del Ray (via Dept. of Junking)

Want to get rid of extra furniture?

Rick Schneider of Magpie Reclamations (2020 E. Custis Avenue) in Del Ray recently launched a new home clear-out and junk removal service. The Department of Junking offers customers a complimentary consultation on transitioning their old furniture into the secondhand market, thereby diverting it from landfills.

News

The Glass Stache smoke shop closes in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published June 12, 2025 at 1:45PM

The Glass Stache is closed at 222 N. Lee Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After 15 years in business, the Glass Stache smoke shop permanently closed at 222 N. Lee Street in Old Town this week.

On Sunday, June 8, the shop announced on Instagram that its last day was on Monday. Customers wanting glass pipes, tubes, rigs, vaporizers, rolling papers, cigar wraps, incense, and other accessories have since been directed to Glassstache.com.