new business | ALXnow

Former Navy Seals Start Online Mental Toughness Program in Alexandria

Published September 15, 2020 at 5:00PM

The pandemic has sure been stressful, and there’s a new online program in Alexandria that was founded by former U.S. navy SEALs to help folks become mentally tough.

Chriss Smith, Jr., who also owns Trident Crossfit (410 Calvert Avenue), was a member of the SEALs for a dozen years, and has gone from toning bodies to toning minds. Smith has 12 strategies to help customers not only cope with stress, but to thrive under pressure. In June, he and a number of former SEALs, intelligence officers and neuroscientists launched Trident Mindset, a step-by-step year-long mental toughness program.

News

Numerous Restaurants and Other Businesses for Sale in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published September 15, 2020 at 1:15PM | Updated September 22, 2020 at 3:19PM

It’s a tough time for many businesses around the city, but there are also opportunities.

We took a look through Alexandria listings of the website BizBuySell and found a number of businesses for sale. Many of the businesses are restaurants, which have taken a significant hit in the last several months due to the pandemic.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 14, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Negates Trump’s Coronavirus Claims — “Nearly 194,000 Americans have died in a pandemic Trump lied to the country about. As Dr. Gottlieb points out, the coming cold weather months bring danger of new spread of the virus. Even after seven months of this Trump still has no strategy to keep Americans safe.” [Twitter]

Former Mayor Silberberg Says Taylor Run Restoration Will Hurt Environment — “Recent soil testing from Taylor Run, analyzed by Brookside Laboratories, showed a negligible amount of phosphorous in the soil of the stream bank. Restoration of Taylor Run will therefore have a questionable impact at best on the watershed – but the restoration work will have a devastating impact on the habitat and tree canopy surrounding the stream.” [Alex Times]

News

ThePoopBrothers: ‘Fearless’ Del Ray Kids Created New Business Over Summer Break

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2020 at 11:30AM

What did you do on your summer vacation? Three Alexandria kids started a new business, ThePoopBrothers, and their mission is to make easy money by picking up dog poop.

“I was walking around with my dad, and we were talking about what kind of ways to make money over the summer,” Beckett Sawyer said. “I was talking about mowing lawns and stuff, and then he suggested picking up poop, and I started laughing because I thought it was a joke.”

News

Monte Durham’s New Hair Salon is Opening Saturday in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated September 10, 2020 at 5:05PM

Monte Durham outside his new salon in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

When Monte Durham’s contract with TLC expired in March, he realized he needed to do something else. The star of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta was told that the network would be going dark because of the pandemic, and Durham quickly decided to go back to his roots as a hairstylist and open a boutique in Old Town.

“My goal is to inspire, educate, and hopefully motivate people to go to the next level with their look,” Durham told ALXnow.

News

‘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

Halal Slaughterhouse Construction Begins, Opening Reset to Mid-November

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated September 2, 2020 at 11:10PM

Construction has begun at a controversial halal slaughterhouse, and the owner says that the business at 3225 Colvin Street will open in mid-November.

“As a company we are doing great,” Abdul Mused, the owner of Saba Live Poultry to ALXnow. “We are extremely busy. With restaurants closed, we have had a 500% increase in our business. Everybody comes to us now.”

News

New Convenience Store ‘Old Town Mini Mart’ Coming to King Street

By Vernon Miles

Published August 18, 2020 at 11:30AM

822 King Street, future location of Old Town Mini Mart (photo via Google Maps)

A new convenience shop called Old Town Mini Mart is working through the city’s approval process to open in the heart of Old Town.

According to documents filed with the city, Old Town Mini Mart is planned to open at 822 King Street, once home to Old Town Pack & Ship. That store is still open, staff there said, it just moved around the corner. One of the co-owners of the new Old Town Mini Mart is Rodrigo Restrepo, who is listed as the owner of Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair next door to the proposed market.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Lower King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, in June 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Tech Firm Raises $1.1 Million in Seed Funding — “Clowder has quickly become the leader in modern member communication. Our apps are able to take organizations who’ve long relied on web and email-based engagement strategies and place them in the 21st century with an on-hand tool that provides instant access.”[Clowder.com]

Metro Expands Train Service Hours — “The pandemic has posed challenges never before faced by Metro, and I want to extend my thanks to our customers – especially essential workers – for their understanding as we took unprecedented action to protect our essential frontline workforce and the public health.” [Zebra]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Introduces Pandemic Response Accountability Legislation — “Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the Supply Chain Accountability Act, legislation that would require the Administration to explain its strategy for fixing key breakdowns in the pandemic response. Beyer serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has partial jurisdiction over healthcare matters.” [Beyer.house.gov]

Coronavirus Cases at 2,995 in Alexandria — “Positive tests up 19 to 2,995 in the City 7-day Positivity Rate up to 5.7% 3 new hospitalizations Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

News

Oh La La! There’s a New Soufflé Maker in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2020 at 11:55AM | Updated August 11, 2020 at 2:54PM

How do you like your soufflé? There’s a new option for folks in Alexandria searching for those savory or sweet egg-based delicacies.

Alena Ignatysh and Cameron Hatam launched Oh La La Soufflé last month, and can be found selling their creations at the Carlyle Farmers Market on Fridays and at the Four Mile Run Farmers and Aristans Market on Sundays. They sell three varieties for $6 apiece — chocolate, orange liqueur, and cheese and spinach.