local business | ALXnow

Alexandria Restaurant Partners Launches Membership Program

Published September 10, 2020 at 10:30AM

Enjoying the weather and outside seating on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Feeling hungry? This week, Alexandria Restaurant Partners launched its Unlock ARP membership program, and for $30 participants will receive a key fob that will unlock discounts and off-menu dishes at a number of their restaurants in the city.

The program is intended to boost business for ARP’s numerous restaurants in and around the city, including Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Riverside Taco Company, Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, Palette 22 and The Majestic (which is scheduled to soon reopen).

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

A Quarter of Alexandria Voters Have Requested Mail-In Ballots — “Over a quarter of Alexandria’s registered voters have applied for a ballot by mail for this November’s election (!!!). Ballots will be mailed out beginning next week when in-person early voting also begins. You can apply online today for a mail ballot!” [Twitter]

Seven Alexandria Students Make National Merit Scholarship List — “Students from Alexandria area high schools have been named 2021 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, taking the first step in securing a scholarship in the competitive program.” [Patch]

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‘The Company of Books’ Used Book Store Opens in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 2:55PM

When one door closes another opens, and that’s definitely the case with The Company of Books, Del Ray’s new used book store is turning the page and replacing the Book Bank in Old Town. The new store opened at 1712 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray a little less than two weeks ago.

The Del Ray location is still a little empty, and books and shelves are being brought in daily. Readers might find a few noticeable differences between the new and the old book stores. For one thing, the Company of Books is a nonprofit and its founder and Executive Director Rachel Baker wants to use future profits toward community events.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 9:00AM

Twenty New Coronavirus Cases in Alexandria — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: Positive tests up 20 to 3,415 in the City; 7-day Positivity Rate down to 4.4%; 2 new hospitalizations. Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Beyer Says White House Blocking Stimulus Negotiations — “Across the country, millions of workers are facing paycheck uncertainty inflicted on them by the Trump Administration to trick people into thinking the White House is providing help so that they can continue blocking stimulus negotiations. We need answers on this ASAP.” [Twitter]

News

Braddock ‘Elizabeth’s Counter’ Last of Regional Chain After Bankruptcy Filing

By Vernon Miles

Published September 1, 2020 at 4:45PM

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing has left Elizabeth’s Counter in Alexandria as the last vestige of the once powerful ring of regional Sugar Shack locations, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Months after Sugar Shack owner Rob Krupicka unveiled ambitious plans to convert the Northern Virginia and D.C. locations from donut shop Sugar Shack into a new restaurant called Elizabeth’s Counter, Krupicka told WBJ that the pandemic drove down sales and forced him to close locations in Arlington and Washington D.C.

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Karaoke is Happening at Rock It Grill, But No Dancing

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated August 26, 2020 at 3:13PM

The pool tables are gone, there’s no dancing and everything is spread out, but singing karaoke at the Rock It Grill is still going strong with some new additional safety features.

“Our regular Rock It customers are beyond wonderful,” said owner Laura Seiss. “As far as employees that are back, everybody who wanted to work is working.”

News

School of Rock Alexandria Making Beautiful Music During Pandemic

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated August 26, 2020 at 12:54PM

The “Modern Rock Camp” at School of Rock Alexandria (3260 Duke Street) has plexiglass screens, and on a recent August afternoon the band “Horses Ate My Dad” broke their long silence and played a virtual gig.

The kids were safe distances apart and played with face masks.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated August 26, 2020 at 9:59AM

Alexandria Woman Finds Missing $100K Lottery Ticket — “Four months ago she purchased a ticket using some of her favorite numbers, 2-14-15-17-21, and matched all five winning numbers on March 1, but she only just discovered that fact when she cleaned out her purse recently.” [Zebra]

Beyer Says Economic Warning Signs Troublesome — “It’s been a month since Senate Republicans cruelly allowed Americans’ enhanced unemployment benefits to expire amid a pandemic and economic crisis. Don’t be fooled by the stock market: millions of families are experiencing deep hardship. Warning signs for the economy abound.” [Twitter]

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Proposed Regulatory Changes Cut Back Red Tape for Alexandria Businesses

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2020 at 12:00PM

The city is proposing a series of changes that could cut through the red tape for some local businesses needing to adapt quickly to survive the slow recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

At the upcoming Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 1, the Department of Planning & Zoning will propose changes to reduce the number of Special Use Permit (SUP) approvals that require public hearings or administrative reviews. The goal is to increase the the number of commercial uses that could in a shorter time frame.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 24, 2020 at 9:00AM

Missing Man Found and Returned Home — “Mr. Walter ‘George’ Winstead has returned home safe and without incident.” [Facebook]

Beyer Says Trump Colluded With Russians — “The Trump campaign was offered Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign sought Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign received Russian government assistance. Trump campaign personnel coordinated efforts with Russian intelligence operatives and Wikileaks.” [Twitter]

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 5:27PM

Alexandria has put another summer work week to rest.

As the City Council enjoys a legislative break, the School Board conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the renaming process for T.C. Williams High School. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., and the board advocate a public engagement process that could result in the board voting to change the name this December, followed by a vote on a specific name next spring. A group of community activists, however, believe that the name should be taken off immediately, since ACPS acknowledged Williams was an avowed racist and segregationist.