Mount Vernon Avenue

Del Ray’s Bagel Uprising to compete with world’s best at the New York BagelFest

Published August 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Bagel Uprising at 2307A Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

This Nov. 15, the Del Ray-based bagel shop will be participating with more than 25 of the top bagel shops around the country in the coveted New York BagelFest, the world’s premier bagel-making competition. After Bagel Uprising’s application last year to participate in the international festival and competition was denied, co-owner Chad Breckinridge says it’s an honor to be featured in the competition alongside Dallas-based Starship Bagel, New York City’s Utopia Bagels and Spain’s Si Si Bagels.

News

Long-awaited splash pad to open in Del Ray in early September, city says

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Colasanto Interactive Fountain at 2700 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria intends to open a long-awaited spray park in Del Ray early next month.

The Del Ray Gateway/Colasanto Interactive Fountain will open the week of Sept. 7, with operations continuing through October, the city told ALXnow in an email. The park is located at the triangle-shaped park at the corners of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues.

Around Town

Crooked Run Fermentation opening taproom in Del Ray Aug. 28

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

Crooked Run Brewery and Taproom is opening Aug. 28, 2026, at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new brewery taproom is opening at the end of the month on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open its taproom at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue on Aug. 28 after a three-month interior renovation. Co-owner Lee Rogan tells ALXnow that a grand opening and ribbon cutting will happen sometime next month.

Around Town

Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden seeks city permit for small live music stage

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

A new stage at the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) is asking the city for permission to use a small entertainment stage for live music or a DJ.

Jay Portlance is asking the city for permission to use the small stage at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue for groups of musicians no larger than two pieces.

News

The Dog Store extends lease in Del Ray until January 2027 as search for new home continues

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 31, 2026 at 4:12PM

The Dog Store at 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue was originally set to close on June 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After announcing its impending closure last month, The Dog Store on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray has had its lease extended to January.

Owner Paul Haire confirmed to ALXnow that Ray Mahmood, the new owner of 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue, extended the pet shop’s lease to Jan. 6, 2027. Even though his rent is going up significantly, Haire credited former Mayor Bill Euille and locals Gayle Reuter and Bill Blackburn with convincing Mahmood to extend the lease.

Around Town

Chicago-style hot dog spot to hold grand opening above Del Ray Public House on July 18

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2026 at 2:45PM

Del Ray Public House, 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

For those who relish Del Ray, a new Chicago-style Italian sausage and hot dog concept having a grand opening in the neighborhood on Saturday, July 18.

Cubbies will be located in the upstairs bar space of the Del Ray Public House (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue). Restaurant owner Laurel Fisher previously told ALXnow that she was bringing in a partner to operate the business.

Around Town

Del Ray getting second record store, replacing play café this August

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated July 2, 2026 at 2:53PM

Crooked Beat Records at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray is seeing a vinyl boom as another record store is coming to Del Ray this August, one block from the new location of Crooked Beat Records on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Michael Babin, principal at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, confirmed to ALXnow that the company is closing Mulberry Lane Play Café at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue and replacing it with a record store. The news comes as Crooked Beat Records recently announced that it is also aiming for an August opening at 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue.

Around Town

Crooked Beat Records aims for August reopening at new home in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Crooked Beat Records is moving to 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Crooked Beat Records is staying in Del Ray.

Store owner Bill Daly announced on Tuesday (June 30) that the record store is expected to open at its new 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue location in August. Daly and his staff were forced to close their previous basement location up the street at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue after significant flooding in January.

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Pak Soii Izakaya marks Del Ray opening with ribbon cutting today

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2026 at 2:45PM

Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar soft-opened at 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2025 (via Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar)

Eight months after opening on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar will hold a ribbon cutting today (Thursday).

The Asian fusion restaurant serving Japanese sushi and Thai street food, the restaurant at 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue had a soft opening last October. The ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m. and will be attended by business leaders from the Del Ray Business Association.

Around Town

Del Ray eatery gives free milkshakes to customers catching water balloons thrown from roof

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2026 at 11:45AM

Water balloons were recently thrown off the roof of Holy Cow at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Holy Cow/Facebook)

Just in time for summer, Del Ray burger joint Holy Cow gave away a milkshake concoction earlier this month to customers who could catch a water balloon thrown from the roof of the business.

Restaurant staff recently channeled their inner David Letterman as a way to promote their monthly cereal-based milkshake series. This month’s milkshake is the Golden Graham, made of Golden Grahams cereal with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

Around Town

The Dog Store to close June 27 in Del Ray, vows to find new location

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Dog Store at 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue will close on June 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Dog Store on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray will shut down on Saturday, June 27, its owner said on social media.

Shop owner Paul Haire said that the shop is closing due to “circumstances beyond our control.” The 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue location remains open for in-store sales through June 27. After that, it will temporarily move from 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue to Haire’s dog boarding facility Your Dog’s Best Friends at 2000 Richmond Highway. The business will continue to offer online ordering with free delivery.