local business | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published January 10, 2020 at 8:00AM

Bar Owner to Lead St. Pat’s Parade — “The Ballyshaners have selected John Brennan, owner of Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar as Grand Marshal of the 2020 Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Brennan, of Kilkenny, Ireland and an Old Town homeowner has been an active member of Alexandria’s business community since opening Daniel O’Connell’s in 2006.” [Zebra]

Recycling Collection Still Delayed — “City recycling collection remains delayed due to winter weather earlier this week. Residents that did not receive collection service on their normal day will receive service on the following day.” [Twitter]

News

New Laser Tag Bar in West End to Host Grand Opening on Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published January 8, 2020 at 3:40PM

Laser tag arena at Doyle's Outpost (photo via Doyle's Outpost/Facebook)

West End bar/arcade/laser tag arena Doyle’s Outpost is planning to host a grand opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 10.

The new “entertainment venue” in the Seminary Plaza shopping center (4620 Kenmore Avenue) features a restaurant and bar along with a two-level laser tag arena, with some arcade games and VR attractions thrown into the mix.

News

Bonaventure Waiting on City’s Del Ray Plans Before Making Moves on Mount Vernon Ave. Properties

By James Cullum

Published January 8, 2020 at 2:45PM

Cheesetique Del Ray (courtesy of Cheesetique)

It will be more than a year until Bonaventure Realty makes a move on plans for a swath of properties it recently purchased along Mount Vernon Ave. in Del Ray, according its Vice President Jeremy Moss.

The company, which last summer bought the properties at 2401, 2403 and 2411-2419 on Mount Vernon Ave., has no immediate plans for changes and jumped at the chance to purchase the properties.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 8, 2020 at 9:25AM

Reminder: School and Trash Collection Delays — Alexandria public school students are preparing to go to school after a two hour weather delay this morning. Curbside trash and recycling collection, meanwhile, may be delayed today and Thursday after being suspended Tuesday afternoon. [Twitter, Twitter]

Wind Advisory Issued for Alexandria — Alexandria and surrounding areas are under a Wind Advisory from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Gusts of up to 50 mph are possible, which could cause trees and power lines to topple, forecasters say. [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 6, 2020 at 8:00AM | Updated January 6, 2020 at 11:21PM

The plaza at City Hall in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Local Donut Shop Donating to Charity — “Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee of Alexandria, 804 N. Henry Street, is celebrating five years of yummy donuts, smiles and positive community engagement in January by donating five cents for every donut sold to ACT for Alexandria, the community foundation.” [Zebra]

History Museum Hosting Documentary Screening — “On Sunday, January 12, 2020, the Alexandria Black History Museum will premiere a free screening at 3 p.m. of the new documentary exploring Alexandria segregation. A very special collection of dollhouses depict Alexandria segregation in ‘Our Alexandria’ the new documentary by Emmy award-winning local filmmaker, Robin Hamilton.” [Zebra]

News

‘Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe’ in Old Town Goes to Planning Commission Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 12:00PM

The new cat cafe that has the town talking is going up to the Planning Commission for approval early next month.

The Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe is slated to open at 109 S. Alfred Street and offer both a place to drink and play with adoptable cats.

News

West End Business Association Celebrates 15th Birthday

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 11:45AM

The West End Business Association (WEBA) just celebrated 15 years of promoting businesses across Alexandria’s increasingly developed West End.

The organization was founded in 2005. Wendy Albert, owner of Tempo Restaurant (4231 Duke Street) and former president of WEBA, hosted the birthday celebration at her restaurant.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 20, 2019 at 7:30AM

Freedom House to Expand — “An expansion of the Freedom House Museum and renovations to the historic building it is in are in the works. Earlier this year, the Northern Virginia Urban League put the historic townhouse at 1315 Duke St. it owns up for sale for $2.1 million, after going through a difficult period keeping up payments on the property.” [Alexandria Living]

Former NFL Cheerleader Opens Salon — “From a loft-like space off a busy street in Alexandria, Stephanie Prinzbach runs the one-woman-show that is District Chic Hair Co., providing hair styling to over 115 customers spanning from Washington, DC to Richmond.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

News

Hot Cocoa Bar and More at Ugly Sweater Party Tonight in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published December 17, 2019 at 11:30AM

fibre space at 1319 Prince Street

Where better to celebrate the ugly sweaters so associated with Christmas than Alexandria’s yarn store Fibre Space?

At a free event tonight (Tuesday) from 608 p.m. at Fibre Space (1319 Prince Street), guests can either wear their ugly sweaters or finish working on their sweaters with friends.

News

Sex Shop Pulls Out of Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published December 17, 2019 at 9:30AM

Le Tache on King Street closed (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Le Tache’s 210 King Street location opened ten years ago as something of a controversial prank — a prank chronicled by the New York Times, no less. But after a long stay in Old Town the “couples boutique” has finally closed.

The store offered a variety of explicit accessories, from lingerie to… well, we’ll tell you when you’re older. It was a large store that occupied multiple floors of a historic, brick building near the waterfront. The interior has been emptied, however, and a sign has been posted in the window saying the building is available for rent.

News

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Embraces ‘ALX’

By Vernon Miles

Published December 16, 2019 at 2:00PM

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Last week the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new look for the brand that includes a shift towards “ALX” as a moniker for Alexandria, like all the cool kids are doing.

At a meeting on Dec. 10, the group unveiled a new logo that shortens the organization’s monicker to The Chamber ALX.