Whiskey from a new distillery in the West End will soon be sold at ABC stores in the city, the company’s owner tells ALXnow.
Motherwell Distilling Co. launched operations at 877 S. Pickett Street in December, led by business partners Vince and Marcy Crisler and Andrea and Adam Bennett. The new distillery, which is the first of its kind in Alexandria since the Prohibition era, now has its sights set on distribution.
Barnes & Noble is planning a new bookstore in the Shoppes at Foxchase.
The national book retailer hopes to open in Walgreens’ former space at 4515 Duke Street toward “the end of this year,” a spokesperson told ALXnow. The plans come as the company seeks to open at least 60 stores across the country in 2026, including a new multilevel bookstore that opened last month in D.C.
King Arthur Baking Company is eyeing Old Town to open a new retail store and baking school.
The Vermont-based company selling flour, bakeware and other baking supplies is planning to open a new store in Old Town “late this summer,” a company spokesperson told ALXnow.
A new sandwich and wine shop is opening this spring in the Bradlee Shopping Center.
Chord Bread and Bottle is planning to open at 2690 J King Street by the end of April, owner Scott Shirley told ALXnow. The vacant property, formerly Unwined wine shop, will first need to undergo interior renovations, he said.
A popular pub in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is expanding across the river to Old Town, bringing its self-described “five-star dive bar” approach.
The Commodore is planning a second location at 220 N. Lee Street, owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim announced yesterday (Thursday). The pub will replace Mystic BBQ & Grill, which closed in late November, after about a year and a half in business. Before Mystic, the space hosted Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ.
New York City-based food hall Wonder is opening a new location next month at the Potomac Yard Center.
The new food hall opening at 3615 Richmond Hwy plans to offer food from more than two dozen restaurant concepts. It will be the fourth Wonder in Northern Virginia, joining others in Arlington and Fairfax County as the company continues to expand throughout the D.C. region.
The food delivery robots have come to Alexandria, and they’ve got your order.
California-based Serve Robotics Inc., in partnership with Uber Eats, recently launched its autonomous sidewalk delivery company across the city. That means that folks ordering food in Old Town, Del Ray, Potomac West and nearby neighborhoods now have the option to get their orders delivered by a driverless robot.
A new home decor boutique recently opened on King Street in Old Town.
Interior Instincts opened for business last month at 1124 King Street, in the former longtime home of Imagine Artwear. The shop is owned by Alexandria resident Shireen Alhasawi, who spent four months reimagining it into a space selling neutral and contemporary Mediterranean pieces.
There’s a rush of business at Bar 86 in Old Town after midnight, after most of Old Town’s nightlife has died down.
Business is in full-swing at Alexandria’s newest speakeasy. By day, the venue is home to French bistro Café du Soleil, serving coffee, croissants and crepes. But at 5 p.m., a transformation occurs. The business closes, dim green lightbulbs are installed and tables are rearranged and set for 6 p.m. evening service at 215 S. Union Street.
A local entrepreneur is kicking off preparations to launch a new Del Ray event space with a “Wicked”-themed Halloween party and fundraiser this week.
Lee Raynes, the former owner of Bellies & Babies consignment shop, is hosting the party to preview her next business model, an event space called Together Creative Studio. The party starts at 4 p.m. on Friday at 2603 E. Randolph Avenue.
A new spa just had a ribbon-cutting at the Archer Hotel (1600 King Street) in Old Town.
JoyLife Spa held its grand opening and ribbon cutting today (Oct. 16), offering customized facials, therapeutic massages, and nail care. The business was founded by massage therapist and esthetician Roshelle Veney, and its opening marks the only hotel in Alexandria with a full spa, according to the Chamber ALX.
