A sweet new release is coming soon to Old Town Books — although it isn’t the latest summer romance or nonfiction read.
The independent bookstore is preparing to enter the confectionery world this summer with Fabled Ice Cream, a new ice cream brand by store founder Ally Kirkpatrick. The brand is planning weekly drops of literary-inspired flavors, available in small-batch pints at Old Town Books (130 S. Royal Street).
Festivals and other events in celebration of Lunar New Year have started in Alexandria, kicking off the Year of the Horse.
Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but some festivities are happening before then. The holiday is celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous other Asian cultures, marking the start of the 15-day Spring Festival.
Book specials, prizes and a kids’ storytime are coming to Old Town Books tomorrow (Saturday) as the local shop celebrates seven years in business.
The independent bookstore at 130 S. Royal Street first got its start as a pop-up business in 2018. The shop “never un-popped,” owner Ally Kirkpatrick told ALXnow.
Settle back with a good book and relax next Saturday, because Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First Street) is hosting a silent reading party with a Halloween twist on Saturday, Oct 18.
Tickets for the event cost $39, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., book lovers can relax to live piano music in the hotel’s a.lounge+bar. The ticket also includes a festive cocktail, mocktail, and light bites, according to the event announcement. Old Town Books will also be on hand to provide a selection of seasonal books. More on the reading party is below.
Award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen will read his latest book to Alexandria kids next week.
Van Dusen will read from his book, “If I Built a Town,” to students at Cora Kelly School for Science, Math, and Technology (3600 Commonwealth Avenue) on October 15. Inspire Lit and Old Town Books sponsor the 9 a.m. event and is part of Van Dusen’s book tour.
Paula Schneider, a breast cancer survivor and leader with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will discuss her new children’s book “Love Stays Strong” during a Sept. 3 event at Old Town Books.
The 7 p.m. presentation will feature Schneider alongside Karin Purugganan, a licensed professional counselor in Alexandria. The event will take place at Old Town Books, 130 S Royal St.
Two award-winning children’s authors will appear together at an Alexandria event next month to celebrate reading and the launch of a new middle-grade mystery.
Old Town Books Junior will host bestselling authors James Ponti and Jason Reynolds on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center on Jefferson Street.
Local businesses are being praised for their efforts in supporting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).
AWLA recently thanked several contributors to its Adopt-the-Shelter program, where the names of donors and the amounts donated are displayed at the shelter’s dog yard, community room, visiting rooms, and other areas. The program has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in donations, including $2,500 from Old Town Books, which funded the addition of “Book Buddies shelves” in the Cat Adoption Room, allowing children to read to rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, and other small animals.
Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 79 degrees. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Scattered showers and thunderstorms tonight before 2 a.m., then isolated showers after 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 3 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees. Light south wind. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Alexandria is preparing to celebrate the annual Independent Bookstore Day, with local literary havens, Old Town Books (130 South Royal Street) and Friends to Lovers Bookstore (301 Cameron Street), planning a range of engaging activities and special offerings as participating stores.
Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. This year, the event is scheduled for Saturday (April 26). This day aims to celebrate the unique and independent nature of each bookstore.
