local business | ALXnow

Published August 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated August 21, 2026 at 1:24PM

The upcoming location of Long Dark House at 1510 King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Long Dark House, a bookstore dedicated to horror, science fiction and other dark titles, will open its doors at the start of September.

The independent bookstore will open at 1510 King Street at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. A grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 will include special activities all day. Author Lisa Jones Gentry will be at the opening to sign copies of “A Dead Man Speaks,” which can be preordered through Long Dark House. The grand opening will also have specially themed matcha drinks from Whisked Away Cafe, chocolates and gifts from Madame Coco’s Emporium, raffle prizes, music and more.

Around Town

Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale set for this weekend at dozens of Old Town boutiques

By Emily Leayman

Published August 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

Eries Interiors at 103 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Shoppers will descend upon Old Town this weekend in search of the best deals of the summer at local boutiques.

The Old Town Boutique Community will host its 17th annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16 at participating boutiques. Dozens of independent boutiques will offer merchandise displays on the sidewalk and their deepest discounts of the season, and some will have extra promotions or activities for shoppers.

News

Tech startups with high-growth potential chosen for Alexandria business accelerator

By Emily Leayman

Published August 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

Railroad view from the Potomac Yard Metro station in January 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Eleven tech startups with high prospects of growth have joined Alexandria’s first-ever tech accelerator program, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced with program manager FedTech and the City of Alexandria Wednesday (Aug. 12).

The 11 participants were chosen among 41 applications for the Accelerate ALX program beginning in August. According to AEDP, the companies “represent high-growth sectors including defense, aerospace, health tech, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and cybersecurity.”

Around Town

Bands & Brews returns to Del Ray with live music and specials at 20+ restaurants

By Emily Leayman

Published August 12, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated August 12, 2026 at 3:23PM

Bands & Brews art at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (via Del Ray Business Association/Facebook)

Thousands will flock to Del Ray this weekend for drinks and live music at the returning Bands & Brews Bar Crawl.

The sixth annual event will take place from 12:30-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. Hosted by the Del Ray Business Association, the event will provide a portion of proceeds to The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, which provides scholarships and personalized college advising to students seeking college, career and technical education.

Around Town

Wellness studio with cold plunges and saunas opening next weekend in Braddock neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Kalm Studio at 800 N. Henry Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A new wellness studio featuring saunas, cold plunges and fitness classes is opening Saturday, Aug. 15 in Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood.

Kalm Studio is currently taking reservations at 800 N. Henry Street. The building has undergone significant renovations over the last several months, and features three private saunas and a communal sauna. For a $300 monthly fee, members can get contrast and movement therapies, like cold plunges and saunas, as well as Pilates and yoga classes.

Around Town

Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden seeks city permit for small live music stage

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

A new stage at the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) is asking the city for permission to use a small entertainment stage for live music or a DJ.

Jay Portlance is asking the city for permission to use the small stage at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue for groups of musicians no larger than two pieces.

Around Town

Bookstore Long Dark House, Madame Coco’s Emporium aim for September opening in Old Town

By Beth Lawton

Published August 5, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 11:50AM

Long Dark House’s Chanthal Harris and Madame Coco’s Meshelle Armstrong (courtesy of Meshelle Armstrong)

Madame Coco’s Emporium will return to Old Town in mid-September alongside Long Dark House, a new bookstore focused on science fiction, horror and dark titles.

The new businesses will share space at 1510 King Street. Madame Coco’s Emporium is the brainchild of Meshelle Armstrong, while Long Dark House is the realization of a lifelong dream by Chanthal Harris.

Around Town

17 Old Town boutiques to cover entire sales tax for shoppers this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published August 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Tax free weekend at participating boutiques in Old Town (via Old Town Boutique District)

As retailers across Virginia will have tax-free promotions on certain items during this weekend’s sales tax holiday, a group of Alexandria’s independent boutiques will cover the sales tax for their entire stores.

More than 15 Old Town Alexandria boutiques are participating in a tax-free shopping weekend Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, covering the sales tax for customers on clothing, gifts, home decor and other items. The Old Town Boutique Community is hosting the event with support from the City of Alexandria to encourage support for local businesses during back-to-school shopping.

Around Town

Old Town resident’s Velvet Wax & Beauty salon pays tribute to late mother

By Emily Leayman

Published July 30, 2026 at 9:15AM

Velvet Wax & Beauty founder Montie Green (via Velvet Wax & Beauty)

As Black Business Month approaches in August, Montie Green is reflecting back on her journey to open her Old Town business Velvet Wax & Beauty.

Green is a licensed cosmetologist and opened her first salon in Hampton ten years ago. The location at Old Town’s Crilley Warehouse (218 N. Lee Street, Suite 100) has been open for four years.

News

The Dog Store extends lease in Del Ray until January 2027 as search for new home continues

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 31, 2026 at 4:12PM

The Dog Store at 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue was originally set to close on June 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After announcing its impending closure last month, The Dog Store on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray has had its lease extended to January.

Owner Paul Haire confirmed to ALXnow that Ray Mahmood, the new owner of 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue, extended the pet shop’s lease to Jan. 6, 2027. Even though his rent is going up significantly, Haire credited former Mayor Bill Euille and locals Gayle Reuter and Bill Blackburn with convincing Mahmood to extend the lease.

Around Town

Dream Chaser’s Coffee reopens in Eisenhower West after abrupt closure

By James Cullum

Published July 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Leo and Brittani Maggio of Dream Chaser’s Coffee at their new location at 5380 Eisenhower Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dream Chaser’s Coffee is back.

Three months after being forced to close their new coffee shop in Old Town North, Leo and Brittani Maggio have found a new home for the business. On Saturday (July 25), the shop reopened in a large commercial flex space at The Garden Alexandria at 5380 Eisenhower Avenue (Suite C), joining Building Momentum, Saltenna and Dominion Electric Supply, and guaranteeing a steady stream of customers who’ve relied for years on brewing single-cup coffee pods.