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Former GM sentenced 30 months for embezzling $680K from Hanks Oyster Bar in Old Town

By James Cullum
Hank's Oyster Bar (image via Hank's Oyster Bar/Facebook)

The former general manager of Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling $680,000 from the restaurant.

Claude Ibrahim, 53, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment after pleading guilty last fall to nine counts of felony embezzlement and eight counts of misdemeanor embezzlement. She admitted to creating “biographical and deposit information for five fictitious employees at Hank’s Oyster Bar and submitted biweekly timesheets for them while receiving their pay,” according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

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News

Honduran restaurant opens on Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria

By James Cullum
Como En Casa opened March 8 at 4112 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (Courtesy photo)

There’s a new Honduran restaurant in town.

Como En Casa (Just Like Home) opened last month at 4112 Mount Vernon Avenue in the former home of Ferman’s Bar & Grill. It’s the first restaurant for owner Jury Vaquedano, who brightened the interior by painting the walls, and adding large televisions, as well as a fresh menu and staff.

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News

More than $50K in luxury handbags and other items stolen from two consignments shops in Old Town

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the theft of more than $50,000 worth of luxury handbags and other merchandise from two consignment shops in the city.

On Jan. 26, the owner of Encore Consignment Boutique (119 S. Fairfax Street) reported just after midnight that the front glass door was smashed and that approximately $8,600 worth of luxury handbags and other merchandise was stolen, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The business was broken into again on Feb. 28 at around 5 a.m., and approximately $6,300 worth of luxury handbags were stolen.

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News

Old Town cafe and corner store Foxtrot closed as national chain implodes

By Vernon Miles
Foxtrot in Old Town, photo via Foxtrot/Facebook

A little over two years after it opened, Foxtrot in Old Town is closed — swept up in a series of closures affecting all locations in the Washington D.C. area.

The shop was a more upscale version of the typical corner store and cafe. The first D.C. location opened in 2021 and it quickly spread around the region before imploding today.

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News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com
The proposed apartment building at 901 N. Pitt Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

It was another busy week in Alexandria.

This week’s top stories focused on development projects all over the city, from Old Town North to Carlyle and in the West End. News of the mixed-use projects comes as affordable housing advocates are protesting against being priced out and are asking for greater assistance from the city.

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News

LGBTQ+ pop-up bar ‘Pride on the Avenue’ to open next month in Del Ray

By James Cullum
Pride On The Avenue is opening at the pop-up space at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in May 2024 (courtesy image)

In recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month in June, Del Ray’s seasonal pop-up bar will open in early May as Pride on the Avenue, it’s owners tell ALXnow.

Bill Blackburn and his business partner “Mango” Mike Anderson of the Homegrown Restaurant Group and their staff gutted the space that was home the last few months to their ski lodge concept, Aspen on the Avenue. Just what they’re planning for the interior is still under wraps, as is the menu, but Blackburn said that renovations will be extensive.

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News

Mystic BBQ & Grill opens on Lee Street in Old Town

By James Cullum
Mystic BBQ and Grill opened at 220 N. Lee Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

There’s a new barbecue restaurant in an Old Town space that was previously home to… You guessed it — a barbecue restaurant.

Mystic BBQ & Grill formally opened this month at 220 N. Lee Street in the space previously occupied by Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque, the Zebra first reported. Myron Mixon’s closed last Christmas Eve.

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News

Royal Restaurant gets refurbished and reopens in Old Town North

By James Cullum
Royal Restaurant reopened after an extensive renovation on April 11, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a three-month renovation, Royal Restauraunt reopened to the public on Wednesday with an expanded menu and hours.

The favorite brunch spot was bought by Alexandria Restaurant Partners and Sloan Hospitality last fall, and after being up and running for three months closed in January. ARP refurbished the 123-year-old restaurant, added a 56-seat patio with a retractable awning, reupholstered the booths, built an inside bar and expanded its menu to include dinner.

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What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Del Ray Dog Fest, Spring Garden Market, Spring Oysterfest, and more!

By Ryan Belmore
The Dogs Of Del Ray mural outside stomping ground is expected to be finished by mid-May. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy! 

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

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