Around Town

A longstanding nonprofit retailer dedicated to fair trade practices with artisans around the world is set to undergo a rebranding.

After closing multiple locations around the country and shifting to online sales, Ten Thousand Villages at 915 King Street continue as-is, but with a new identity. In February, the Old Town shop will hold its grand reopening as “The World Crafted on King.”


Around Town

Alexandria’s 25th annual Holiday Boat Parade brought gleaming, spirited displays of holiday cheer to Old Town’s waterfront on Saturday night.

Visit Alexandria has announced the winners of the parade today (Monday), with exhibits ranging from a hot pink Chappell Roan theme that captured “Most Spirited Crew” to a playful “Hanukkah Octopus” named Happy that won “Hardiest Soul.” Here’s a look at this year’s winners and categories.


Around Town

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.


Around Town

A new dessert shop that serves churros has filed paperwork to open in a vacant storefront on King Street in Old Town.

Churrok’s is asking the city to make small modifications to 1022 King Street, the former home of the now-closed Alexandria Cupcake storefront. The application goes before the Board of Architectural Review on Dec. 17.


Around Town

A longtime Italian restaurant from across the Potomac has its sights set on Old Town, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Floriana has reportedly leased a ground-floor space in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street. It’s aiming to replace a 5,800-square-foot vacancy left by Virginia’s Darling and Mae’s Market as early as June.


Around Town

Two of Alexandria’s iconic holiday season parades will lead to some road closures throughout Old Town this weekend.

The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights both take place this Saturday, prompting the closures as well as reserved parking and no-parking zone enforcement.


News

The Planning Commission has given its approval to plans to redevelop an Old Town apartment building with more affordable housing.

The commission gave its blessing last night (Tuesday) to Alfred Street Baptist Church’s proposal to construct a four-story, 145-unit affordable housing complex on the grounds of the 1970s-era Old Towne West building. The current parcels at 901 Wolfe Street and 598 and 601 S. Alfred Street have 77 units, including 34 affordable units and two offices.


Around Town

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.


News

An Alexandria developer has proposed replacing a small outdoor parking lot in Old Town with a new mixed-use apartment building.

Windmill Hill is seeking approval to build a three-story, eight-unit apartment building with ground floor retail at 220 and 224 S. Peyton Street. The 4,400-square-foot property is currently home to a 16-space outdoor parking lot located about a quarter-mile from the King St.-Old Town Metro station.


Around Town

A French-inspired cafe with a growing presence in the D.C. area is hoping to open a location in Old Town as soon as next month.

Maman, which started construction at 701 King Street in September, is currently preparing to open in a 3,900-square-foot vacancy left by Foxtrot in spring 2024.


Around Town

Hundreds of Alexandria residents gathered on Saturday to celebrate Alexandria’s annual Christmas tree lighting in Market Square.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced the magical arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who got into town on a Christmas-themed King Street Trolley. They helped city leaders count down the lighting of the 40-foot-tall plastic tree, which is adorned with some 38,000 lights.


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