local business | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published July 31, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated July 31, 2020 at 11:42AM

ACPS Releasing Decision on School Year Today — “n many ways, Friday’s announcement will be just the beginning. Once the Virginia Department of Education approves our proposal that we are required to submit by Aug. 14, our hard work continues as we begin to prepare for implementation of our reopening plan. The week of Aug. 14, we will be sharing schedules, curriculum and expectations for both staff and students. I understand that you need information to plan for your lives and I understand that school is central to that process. ” [ACPS]

COVID-19 Cases Increase by 20 — “Positive tests up 20 to 2,779 in the City; 7-day Positivity Rate down to 5.3%; 0 new hospitalizations; New testing event held; Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

News

AEDP Announces Recipients for Business Grant Program with More Funds on the Horizon

By Vernon Miles

Published July 30, 2020 at 4:45PM

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) announced a full list of recipients for the program’s ALX B2B program — grant funding aimed at helping local businesses hold out through a sluggish recovery — and is moving forward on another phase of the program.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated July 29, 2020 at 10:37AM

Mayor Reports COVID-19 Cases Increase by 14 — “Positive tests up 14 to 2,749 in the City 7-day Positivity Rate up to 5.9% 0 new hospitalizations Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Beyer Asks U.S. Park Police Chief to Implement Body Cameras After Lafayette Square Incident — “Beyer seeks commitment to body cam program funded/authorized by Congress from acting Chief Monahan given USPP’s transparency failures in the killing of Bijan Ghaisar. Monahan: USPP not ‘in a position to successfully implement, manage, and sustain a body-worn camera program.'” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 28, 2020 at 9:00AM

Exercising near the closed GenOn power plant in Alexandria near the Potomac River. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Says Heroes Act Ignores Local Government — “The Heroes Act, adopted by the House of Representatives included $89.6M in funding for Alexandria, which nearly replaced the revenue we are projected to lose this year. The bill released in the Senate tonight doesn’t even mention local government. They cannot be serious.” [Twitter]

ACPS Hosting Reopening Chats Today — “School Board Representatives, Lorraine Johnson and Ashley Sanchez-Viafara (both seniors), to lead Student-focused Reopening Community Chats.” [ACPS]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

Alexandria Businesses Get Millions in Federal Loans — “The vast majority of the loans in Alexandria were less than $150,000, helping small businesses keep their employees instead of laying them off. About 600 of the loans in Alexandria were worth more than $150,000, and about 100 of those were for more than $1 million. Top-dollar loans went to patent lawyers, information-technology professionals and commercial contractors. Only three of loans in Alexandria were in the coveted top bracket, which range from $5 million to $10 million.” [Gazette]

Beyer Tweets Potential Unemployment Losses of Every State — “At least 200,000 workers in Virginia will lose nearly two thirds of their weekly income at the beginning of August unless Mitch McConnell allows the Senate to pass an unemployment extension in the next few days.” [Twitter]

News

City Grants Extension to Earlier Waivers for Local Businesses

By Vernon Miles

Published July 16, 2020 at 4:30PM

Temporary waivers granted to local businesses back in April will be extended — easing at least once concern while countless restaurants and retail locations struggle with low sales.

The extended waivers will allow local restaurants to operate delivery services, sidewalk vending, and more. These permits will now be valid until Nov. 22.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated July 15, 2020 at 9:33AM

Beyer Blasts McConnell for Holding Up Unemployment Extension — “The House passed a bill to extend unemployment benefits months ago, but Mitch McConnell blocked it. He just said the Senate will do nothing until next week — which would cause a lapse. Millions of American families are set to begin August with a huge loss of income as a result.” [Twitter]

Alexandria Firefighter on ‘Tough As Nails’ TV Show — “The whole experience was awesome. Easily one of the craziest things I’ve ever done. In a good way!” [Zebra]

News

Coronavirus Claims Longtime Irish Gift Shop in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published July 13, 2020 at 2:00PM

After 50 years in business, The Irish Walk at 415 King Street will close by the end of July.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that after 50 years in business; The Irish Walk will be closing its doors on July 31, 2020,” owner Patty Theobald said in an email. “From the original owners, the Butler Family, to the Troy Family, to me and my staff, we have all enjoyed getting to know our customers and community over the last five decades.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

GoFundMe for Abysinnia Raises Money After Face Mask Incident— “From the two waves of giving, the campaign has raised more than $15,500 of a $20,000 goal.” [Alexandria Living]

Fitness Centers Reopen Cautiously — “Now that the state is in phase three of reopening, fitness studios are allowed to open at 75% capacity, although there must still be 10 feet of distance between each client, which limits smaller studios.” [Alex Times]

News

Pandemic Sends Demand Skyrocketing at Old Town Bike Store

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2020 at 4:30PM

If it has air in the tires, Charles Bennett Moore — owner of the Alexandria location for Big Wheel Bikes — has been selling it.

While businesses across Alexandria have been struggling to pull out of the pandemic, the last few months have been an unusual windfall for Old Town waterfront business Big Wheel Bikes (2 Prince Street).

News

Del Ray Media Company Adapts to Socially Distanced Projects

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2020 at 3:35PM | Updated July 8, 2020 at 4:33PM

The pandemic forced Anthony Istrico to think fast. Almost at the onset of the virus, his media production company, Istrico Productions, lost more than $200,000 in work, and Istrico had to act quickly or the business he’d grown from the ground up would be in serious trouble.

“We had almost $200,000 in signed contracts back out,” Istrico told ALXnow. “It was a significant drop in our income for the first two quarters.”