An Alexandria artist who has invented a puzzle game has started a crowdsourcing campaign to bring it to stores and to customers’ doors.
Maritza Maxwell of Hatch Skills came up with the concept for Trapdoors, a tabletop map in which players take turns sliding tiles to match the challenge image while avoiding trapdoors that take pieces.
As federal reductions have caused uncertainties for federal contractors, one Alexandria-based firm feels confident about its future.
Systems Planning & Analysis, located in the West End near the Mark Center, has been headquartered in the city since its 1972 founding. Its more than 3,000 employees worldwide work with clients from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, federal intelligence and other agencies to deliver mission engineering, advanced analytics, operational insights, and technology solutions.
The Fish Market, a fixture on lower King Street in Old Town, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Thursday (July 23).
The one-night-only party starts at 5 p.m. with live music, a throwback menu and 32-ounce beer schooners.
A new sandwich and wine shop is opening Sunday (July 19) at the Bradlee Shopping Center.
Chord Bread & Bottle will soft launch with complimentary appetizers and wine tastings from 6-8 p.m., right after the end of the World Cup final. The space at 3690 J King Street was previously home to the Unwined wine shop, which closed at the end of 2024. The soft opening was announced on Instagram.
As the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership is working to launch a business accelerator for tech companies, another for food businesses is on the horizon.
AEDP is partnering with the MOVE Chamber for minority business leaders on the new Alexandria Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program for entrepreneurs looking to start a restaurant, food truck, bakery, catering company or packaged food brand. It will run Aug. 5 to Sept. 9 from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
For those who relish Del Ray, a new Chicago-style Italian sausage and hot dog concept having a grand opening in the neighborhood on Saturday, July 18.
Cubbies will be located in the upstairs bar space of the Del Ray Public House (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue). Restaurant owner Laurel Fisher previously told ALXnow that she was bringing in a partner to operate the business.
Italian restaurant Floriana is set to occupy restaurant space in the Atrium Building in Old Town, but permitting has delayed the opening.
Floriana is leasing space in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street, replacing a vacancy left by Virginia’s Darling and Mae’s Market. This will be Floriana’s second D.C.-area location, joining the original D.C. location that opened in 1979 and later moved to 1602 17th Street NW. The new location is being led by owner Jamie Branda and co-owner Dino Tapper, son of restaurant founder Floriana Nestore.
Several Alexandria restaurants will celebrate the spirit of the French Revolution with special Bastille Day events.
Bastille Brasserie & Bar (606 N. Fayette Street) never passes up the chance to have a big celebration for its namesake holiday.
An innovation lab based in Alexandria will be launched through state grants for the new National Innovation Quarter.
The innovation district, launched in February in the area of Arlington and Alexandria called National Landing, received $3.93 million in Go Virginia grants to start up programming. Nearly $2 million in local matching grants will also support the innovation district.
Del Ray is seeing a vinyl boom as another record store is coming to Del Ray this August, one block from the new location of Crooked Beat Records on Mount Vernon Avenue.
Michael Babin, principal at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, confirmed to ALXnow that the company is closing Mulberry Lane Play Café at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue and replacing it with a record store. The news comes as Crooked Beat Records recently announced that it is also aiming for an August opening at 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue.
Crooked Beat Records is staying in Del Ray.
Store owner Bill Daly announced on Tuesday (June 30) that the record store is expected to open at its new 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue location in August. Daly and his staff were forced to close their previous basement location up the street at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue after significant flooding in January.
