Around Town

As another Fresh Market store in the Northern Virginia region prepares to close, the Alexandria location isn’t going anywhere.

A Fresh Market spokesperson told ALXnow no changes are planned for the Alexandria store at Bradlee Shopping Center (3680 King Street). The store is one of the anchor businesses at the shopping center, adjacent to a Safeway grocery store to the east.


Around Town

A new “passport”-inspired promotion to generate support for Duke Street businesses has launched, the city announced Friday (May 22).

The program encouraging residents to shop local is a lighter side of the Duke Street Land Use Plan, a process updating the land use vision for the Duke Street corridor. Christian Brandt, an urban planner for the city, told ALXnow 19 businesses have signed up to participate in the Duke Street Business Passport Program, with more to be added. Businesses within a half-mile of Duke Street are eligible to join.


Around Town

Two local businesses in Del Ray held ribbon cuttings at their new storefronts Saturday (May 16).

The Del Ray Business Association hosted the ribbon cuttings for Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue). The events were attended by City Council Members John Taylor Chapman and Sandy Marks, along with DRBA president Lauren Fisher and board member Gayle Reuter.


Around Town

In 2023, Jess Moak left behind a career as a program manager for large nonprofits to start her own interior design shop in Old Town.

The New York native opened her store Eries Interiors opened Eries Interiors at a 300-square-foot space at 101 S. St. Asaph Street in October 2024. The following month, a fire next door at 103 S. St. Asaph Street temporarily shuttered three women-owned businesses. The landlord spent nearly a year renovating the 1,800-square-foot space and approached Moak with a proposal to help design the interior and move in. Last October, Moak signed a lease and opened in time for Black Friday at 103 S. St. Asaph Street.


News

Despite multiple failed attempts over the past decade, two Alexandria City Council members advocated Thursday (May 14) for bringing a Business Improvement District to Old Town.

Under a challenging economic outlook, City Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman said that Old Town’s business community needs an organized push to attract visitors. The council members made the remarks during the Chamber ALX’s annual City Council Breakfast, which was held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town (1767 King Street).


News

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced today that Arlington-based FedTech will help launch and manage the city’s new business accelerator this summer.

AEDP received more than 20 proposals from companies to help manage a “high-touch cohort program for up to 15 Alexandria start-ups in high-growth sectors, including robotics, aerospace, quantum, AI, energy tech, computer services, cybersecurity, and defense,” AEDP said in a release. The accelerator is the first strategy outlined in the ALX Forward framework, a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future approved by City Council in January.


Around Town

Two local businesses in Del Ray plan to cut the ribbon on their spaces later this month, celebrating new spots that have opened over the past few months.

The Del Ray Business Association will host ribbon cuttings at Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue) on Saturday, May 16.


Around Town

There are a variety of activities and events to take part in with loved ones this Mother’s Day weekend.

From themed bouquet making and painting to historical tours and live music, there’s something in store for all kinds of interests. Here’s the latest going on in the Port City from Friday, May 8, through Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 10.


Around Town

Taco Tuesday this week promises to be something special in Alexandria as it coincides with Cinco de Mayo.

At Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street), the celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 begins with 5-cent frozen margaritas from 9-10 a.m. The restaurant will also give out hundreds of straw sombreros and allow outdoor patio drinking until 10 p.m.


Around Town

An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.

Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.


Around Town

After spending months recovering from flooding, Crooked Beat Records is closing its Del Ray basement location for the last time this Sunday (May 3).

Store owner Bill Daly and his staff were forced to close the store after catastrophic flooding in the building at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on Jan. 11. The business closed briefly after losing an estimated $60,000 of merchandise, of which $23,500 was recovered through a GoFundMe campaign. The store reopened at the end of February.


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