The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) just debuted a new rewards program that encourages shoppers to buy at Alexandria brick-and-mortar restaurants and shops.
The new program, called ALX Open Rewards, is a downloadable app that lets customers get $5 rewards for every $100 they spend at local restaurants and businesses. The app is sponsored by AEDP and hosted on the Bludot Open Rewards app, downloadable on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
A new GoFundMe is hoping to help keep the band playing on at Del Ray School of Music as owner Steve Attix battles cancer.
The GoFundMe, launched by his wife Mary Ellen Attix, aims to keep the school going as Steve goes through chemotherapy to battle T3 muscle-invasive bladder cancer. After chemotherapy, Steve will need surgery to remove his bladder, and Mary said the treatment will be difficult.
Tired of working at home? ALX Community is opening their fourth co-working location in Old Town in August.
The new two-story 17,000 square-foot office has waterfront views and will open at 101 N. Union Street on August 1, just a block away from their location at 201 N. Union Street.
Old Town gift and apparel shop The Happy Place is getting a little bigger.
Stella Koukides, one of the owners of The Happy Place, said the store at 105 S. Union Street has opened up into neighboring 107 S. Union Street, formerly The Gentlemen’s Quarters, which closed in March.
Koukides said the new expanded area of the shop is currently open and features a new curated collection with a focus on vacation-wear.
“Our expanded haven curates a collection that captures the carefree essence of vacation ready,” Koukides wrote. “From beach cover ups to leisure wear you will be in vacation mode. Get ready to brighten up your day with our curated selection of fun and vibrant jewelry, apparel, gifts, and self-care products!”
The shop offers a wide variety of goods, from sweet treats and self-care items to clothing and party goods.
Just in time for Pride Month, a new LGBTQ+ bar opened in Del Ray on Tuesday night.
The Pride on the Avenue pop-up is the only bar catering to Alexandria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning community.
It’s been a busier month than usual for Smoking Kow BBQ.
After being listed as #79 in Yelp’s Top 100 barbecue joints in the country, the restaurant and its catering operation have seen a giant boost in sales, owner Diane Lee told ALXnow.
The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved new outreach guidelines for the potential creation of a Business Improvement District (BIDs) in Old Town on Tuesday night.
Without buy-in from 60% of impacted property owners, previous efforts to get BIDs started in Old Town failed. Consequently, City Council on Tuesday night approved the amended rules stipulating that property owners will now be sent petitions via certified mail, and that their non-response within 30 days will be counted just as if they vote in opposition.
Feeling hungry? The Taste of Del Ray is returning June 2, with 17 of the neighborhood’s restaurants participating in the 15th annual event.
The Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) event will be will held on Sunday, June 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields (2701 Commonwealth Avenue).
An amendment to the Business Improvement District (BID) guidelines that could make it easier to pass is headed to City Council for review next week.
The idea behind a BID is that it would be an organization that could advocate and host programs and events that would draw people to the relevant area as well as providing other services.
Del Ray restaurant Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie could be getting a significant expansion.
The restaurant sits at 2213 Mount Vernon Avenue right at the corner with East Del Ray Avenue, but the new application seeks permission to add 86 outdoor dining seats to the empty lot at 2207 Mount Vernon Avenue.
Can Del Ray businesses defend their title against Old Town in the annual softball battle on Thursday?
Mayor Justin Wilson will throw the first pitch at Eugene Simpson Park (426 E. Monroe Avenue) at 6 p.m. The five-inning game will include food trucks and ice cream. The businesses even got permission from the city to serve draft beer from Port City Brewing Company.
