local business | ALXnow

Published January 14, 2026 at 9:15AM

Flooding at Crooked Beat Records (via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

Over $5,000 has been fundraised for Crooked Beat Records less than a day after the flooded Del Ray business published fundraisers on social media to support its restoration.

A GoFundMe and merchandise fundraiser have quickly garnered more than $5,300 for the vinyl shop, after a burst pipe incident flooded it with several inches of water over the weekend. As of yesterday (Tuesday), water had continued to enter the shop but crews were working to address damage, according to a Facebook video by owner Bill Daly.

Around Town

Dozens of Old Town shops plan discounts during Alexandria Warehouse Sale next month

By James Cullum

Published January 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Shoe Hive at 127 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of boutiques in Old Town will offer serious markdowns next month as part of the 22nd annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale.

Some 45 participating shops will offer discounts ranging from 60% to 80% off from Saturday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 8. Unlike previous years, the sale won’t be held in the Westin Alexandria, but in storefronts, pop-up tents and open retail spaces along King Street and select side streets, according to an event listing by the Old Town Boutique Community.

Around Town

Del Ray resident’s hand-painted designs will be featured at Spanberger inauguration market

By Emily Leayman

Published January 12, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria-based business Ella Bella (courtesy of Ella Bella)

The hand-painted designs of Del Ray-based Ella Bella will soon be in the hands of people from around Virginia attending Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration market.

Ella Bella Flourish Fearlessly is one of two businesses from the D.C. area invited to participate in the Made in Virginia Market in Richmond on Friday, along with Occoquan’s Hello Jackson Home Fragrance Co. Spanberger will make remarks at the market to kick off a weekend of inauguration festivities.

Around Town

Del Ray record store considers relocation after shutting down amid ‘catastrophic flooding’

By James Cullum

Published January 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

Flooding at Crooked Beat Records at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Crooked Beats/Facebook)

Following significant flooding after a water leak this past weekend, a vinyl record store in Del Ray has closed for the foreseeable future and is considering a move.

Crooked Beat Records owner Bill Daly told ALXnow today (Monday) that a pipe on the roof of the building burst, flooding the basement record shop at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue with several inches of water and ruining merchandise.

News

Tysons-based financial planning firm relocating headquarters to Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town (image via WC. and A.N. Miller Development Company)

A financial planning firm headquartered in Tysons Corner will soon be relocating to Old Town.

Pillar Wealth Partners will embark on its next chapter when it opens in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street on Feb. 1. An office warming and ribbon cutting will be held Feb. 10 to celebrate.

Around Town

New ‘niche’ fragrance boutique plans Old Town debut, ribbon cutting next week

By James Cullum

Published January 8, 2026 at 12:30PM | Updated January 8, 2026 at 1:54PM

Arielle Shoshana shop exterior on Cameron Street (courtesy of Arielle Shoshana)

A new perfume boutique with an emphasis on niche fragrances is opening on Cameron Street in Old Town next week.

Arielle Shoshana will officially open its doors at 313 Cameron Street next Wednesday, Jan. 14, with a ribbon cutting scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Alyia Gaskins will be in attendance, the business announced this morning (Thursday).

Around Town

DCanter wine boutique aims to open in Old Town in coming months

By Katie Taranto

Published January 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

Vacant retail bay at 1101 King Street where DCanter plans to open (staff photo by James Cullum)

A D.C.-based wine boutique with a focus on sustainably sourced libations is expanding into Old Town this year.

DCanter Alexandria is preparing to open in suite 112 at 1101 King Street, on the ground floor of CityHouse Old Town apartments. The shop, which first opened on Capitol Hill in 2013, hopes to join Old Town “in the first quarter of 2026,” co-founder Michelle Lim Warner told ALXnow.

News

Old Town-based bank expanding into Pennsylvania through $354M deal

By Katie Taranto

Published January 5, 2026 at 10:30AM

Burke and Herbert Bank at the corner of Fairfax and King Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Old Town-based Burke & Herbert Bank is expanding its reach after acquiring a Pennsylvania bank in a multimillion-dollar deal.

Burke & Herbert is acquiring Camp Hill, Pa.-based LinkBank for $354.2 million, a deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. The merger will expand the bank into Pennsylvania and increase its footprint to 100 locations across six states, according to a press release.

News

After 50 years, Chris Collins wants dance studio to stay in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2025 at 1:30PM

Chris Collins and his daughter, Tiffany Hopper, at his dance studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Chris Collins never wants to retire.

For 50 years, the Alexandria native has taught tap, ballet, jazz and pointe to thousands of aspiring movers and shakers at his private company, the Chris Collins Dance Studio. The studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue is a second home for Collins, who works there with his wife, Vickie, and daughter, Tiffany Hopper.

Around Town

UpCycle Creative Reuse Center reopens in new location after six-month closure

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2025 at 1:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Alisa Brooks of Continues Arcade attend an October 2025 event hosted by UpCycle Creative Reuse Center (via UpCycle Creative Reuse Center/Facebook)

After being closed for nearly six months, UpCycle Creative Reuse Center has reopened in an industrial area just south of the Carlyle neighborhood.

The shop has sold all manner of “upcycled” materials, including paper goods, fabrics, craft and party supplies, office goods, containers, jewelry and more since its founding in 2013 by Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek.

Around Town

With stocking stuffers aplenty, Fairlington Plaza candy shop sees ‘big week’ of business

By James Cullum

Published December 22, 2025 at 2:45PM

Rocket Fizz at 1721 Centre Plaza (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Rocket Fizz, the soda pop and candy store in Fairlington Plaza.

Owner Tanya Kemp’s store at 1721 Centre Plaza is full of stocking stuffers, from vintage soda and candy, to tchotchkes and gag gifts like wind-up chattering teeth, Pez dispensers and bobbleheads. She told ALXnow that her shop does more business during the Christmas season than any other time of the year.