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For-profit university applies to move into vacant Eisenhower Avenue office

Published October 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

2900 Eisenhower Avenue (image via Google Maps)

For-profit Washington University of Science and Technology could be moving into a vacant office on Eisenhower Avenue that was formerly a Stratford University campus.

Washington University of Science and Technology is a for-profit university based out of Tysons. The school is applying to a new location in a 4-story commercial office building at 2900 Eisenhower Avenue. The building was previously approved for special use as a private academic school in 2013, but the location closed in October 2022 when the Stratford shut down.

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T.J. Maxx reopening in Potomac Yard on Thursday

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2023 at 9:55AM

The new location of T.J. Maxx at 3875 Richmond Highway in the Potomac Yard Shopping Center opens on October 19 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Department store chain T.J. Maxx announced the new Potomac Yard Center location (3875 Richmond Highway) will open tomorrow (Thursday).

The new location is opening in part of the old Shoppers Food Warehouse in Potomac Yard, relocating from the nearby 3451 Richmond Highway.

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Ax-throwing bar on target for grand opening this weekend in the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published October 17, 2023 at 2:00PM

Throwing axe being readied (image via Bad Axe Throwing/Facebook)

Bad Axe Throwing‘s new West End location at 617 S Pickett Street is having a grand opening celebration this weekend, Alexandria Living Magazine first reported.

A representative of the ax-throwing bar said the location is currently open, but is planning a grand opening celebration this Friday and Saturday.

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Muay Thai dojo opens in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2023 at 2:15PM

Atlas Muay Thai Gym at 215 N. Payne Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

There’s a new outlet to get your kicks in Old Town.

Atlas Muay Thai Gym opened two weeks ago in the former CrossFit gym at 215 N. Payne Street. The location is shared by The Link coworking office, and is owned by Muay Thai world champion Amine “The Lion” Ballafrikh.

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New Hawaiian shave ice trailer coming to Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2023 at 10:45AM | Updated October 6, 2023 at 8:27AM

Shaved ice at Fort Belvoir (photo via Le Petit Ananas Shaved Ice/Facebook)

(Updated 10/6) A Hawaiian shave ice trailer at Fort Belvoir is looking to open a new location in Del Ray.

Owner Jaafar Ouardi filed a special use permit to open the new location for Le Petit Ananas Shaved Ice outside Bagel Uprising (2307 Mount Vernon Avenue).

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New Vietnamese coffee and boba tea spot in Old Town headed to city review next month

By Vernon Miles

Published August 29, 2023 at 9:45AM

Bloom Tea is coming to Old Town — provided it can make it through the city’s review process next month.

Owner Thao Uyen Than previously told ALXnow the new shop will focus on boba tea and Vietnamese coffee, but the opening date is dependent on the city review process.

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Dollar Tree coming to former CVS in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published August 22, 2023 at 9:30AM

Dollar Tree is coming to 3811 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray North Shopping Center in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A long vacant Arlandria convenience store just landed Dollar Tree as a new tenant.

The former CVS at 3811 Mount Vernon Avenue did not renew its lease more than a decade ago, and the 11,300-square-foot property has been vacant ever since. Over the last several weeks, contractors have erected the Dollar Tree sign on the building and installed store fixtures.

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Grand opening for ‘White Lily” natural soap shop in Old Town on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 8, 2023 at 3:45PM

Rose Bath Bomb from White Lily Shop, which will hold a grand opening at 101 S. Saint Asaph Street on Saturday, August 12, 2023 (Courtesy photo)

Feeling grimy? A new soap shop is holding its grand opening in Old Town on Saturday.

White Lily Shoppe, now at 101 S. Saint Asaph Street, first launched in 2019 as a “one-woman Etsy shop for brides,” founder Bianca Del Cid wrote on her website. The shop makes and sells small batches of vegan and cruelty free soaps, bath bombs, body scrubs and sea salts,

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Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza opening before end of year in Old Town North, owner says

By James Cullum

Published July 27, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated July 28, 2023 at 9:39AM

The future home of Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza at 700 Slaters Lane in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza will open in Old Town North before the end of the year, a managing partner for the local pizza chain told ALXnow.

Construction has begun on the building at 700 Slaters Lane, the former longtime home to Sam’s Custom Cleaners. The dry cleaner shut down a month after the death of owner Tony Tran in 2022.

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Crooked Beat Records opens underground shop in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2023 at 2:45PM | Updated July 7, 2023 at 4:51PM

Bill and Karen Daly (center) cut the ribbon on Crooked Beat Records at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, July 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Crooked Beat Records officially opened today in the basement of 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood.

Owners Bill and Helen Daly hosted a ribbon cutting at the new record shop on Friday that was attended by dozens of customers. The 1,200-square foot basement is 300 square feet bigger than their old shop that closed at the end of April in Old Town North.

News

Benny Diforza’s Pizza is coming to Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 21, 2023 at 2:30PM

Pizza (via Benny Diforza's Pizza/Facebook)

Get ready to loosen your belts, because Benny Diforza’s Pizza is planning to open this year in Del Ray.

The restaurant will open at 1504-B Mount Vernon Avenue, the former home to Sicilian Pizza. Their claims to fame are 28-inch pies that go for $5 to $6.50 per slice.