Old Town | ALXnow

Nonprofit seeks city approval to convert Old Town office headquarters into townhomes

Published January 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

415 N. Alfred Street (via Google Maps)

After more than 20 years in Old Town’s Parker-Gray Historic District, a nonprofit wants to demolish its headquarters and replace it with five three-story townhomes.

The Society of Defense Financial Management — formerly the American Society of Military Comptrollers — has owned and used the office building at 415 N. Alfred Street since 2004. Now real estate developer PT Blooms is asking the city for permission to tear down the entire structure and build five new townhomes with roof decks and rear-loaded two-vehicle garages.

Around Town

Ticket sales for ‘School of Rock’ start tomorrow at Little Theatre of Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published January 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (via Little Theatre of Alexandria/Facebook)

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday) for a new production at The Little Theatre of Alexandria next month.

The Old Town theatre is preparing to show “School of Rock,” a musical based on the 2003 movie of the same name starring Jack Black. The production will run from Feb. 7-28, with 8 p.m. showings Thursday through Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at 600 Wolfe Street.

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Old Town-based bank expanding into Pennsylvania through $354M deal

By Katie Taranto

Published January 5, 2026 at 10:30AM

Burke and Herbert Bank at the corner of Fairfax and King Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Old Town-based Burke & Herbert Bank is expanding its reach after acquiring a Pennsylvania bank in a multimillion-dollar deal.

Burke & Herbert is acquiring Camp Hill, Pa.-based LinkBank for $354.2 million, a deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. The merger will expand the bank into Pennsylvania and increase its footprint to 100 locations across six states, according to a press release.

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ARHA bond agreement for Old Town apartment complex project receives approval

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2025 at 1:15PM

Rendering of Block 1 of the Heritage Project, via City of Alexandria

A $20 million bond financing agreement by the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) for the second phase of an Old Town affordable housing project is set to move forward.

City Council unanimously approved the bond agreement on Dec. 13, which will support the conversion of the 4.76-acre, 244-unit mixed-income “Heritage at Old Town” complex into three buildings with approximately 750 apartments across three blocks, according to a Nov. 24 board report from ARHA.

Around Town

Waterskiing Santa returns to Old Town waterfront for 40th annual Christmas Eve show

By James Cullum

Published December 22, 2025 at 3:45PM

Waterskiing Santa is returning to Alexandria on Christmas Eve (via Facebook)

Santa Claus needs to let loose before handing out all those presents.

On Christmas Eve this Wednesday, Jolly Old St. Nick is returning to the Potomac River for the 40th annual Waterskiing Santa show. The show starts at 1 p.m. outside BARCA Pier & Wine Bar at 2 Pioneer Mill Way.

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Baltimore woman arrested as two suspects flee from brazen Old Town yoga store theft

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2025 at 1:15PM

Security footage captured three women stealing merchandise from the Alo Yoga store at 814 King Street in Old Town, Dec. 10, 2025 (via APD/Facebook)

A 33-year-old Baltimore woman was arrested earlier this month after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of apparel from a yoga apparel store in Old Town.

The suspect was captured on security camera footage with two suspects taking approximately $8,000 worth of merchandise out of Alo at 814 King Street on Dec. 10. The woman was arrested attempting to enter a getaway vehicle as two others suspects fled on foot and were not arrested, according to an Alexandria Police Department announcement yesterday (Thursday).

Around Town

New Year’s Eve parties planned at over a dozen Alexandria restaurants and bars

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 3:45PM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

How are you ringing in the new year in Alexandria?

A number of local bars and restaurants are doing it up in style on Dec. 31. From Old Town to Del Ray, Arlandria and the West End, here’s a roundup of shindigs that will send you into the early morning hours of 2026.

News

Plans to replace the Old Town Pool headed to Board of Architectural Review

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 1:45PM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

After 40 years in operation, Alexandria has submitted plans to replace the Old Town Pool, bath house and equipment building.

The 144,000-square-foot Old Town Pool site at 1609 Cameron Street was built in 1975 and is “nearing the end of its usability,” according to a presentation that will go before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

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String of thefts at Old Town yoga apparel stores under police investigation

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 9:15AM

Lululemon on King Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a string of thefts that occurred at two yoga apparel stores in Old Town this past fall.

The suspects of three Old Town thefts reported between Sept. 30 and late last month have stolen thousands of dollars in merchandise from yoga clothing retailers Alo Yoga and Lululemon on King Street. The incidents are being investigated in connection with other recent thefts in the D.C. region.

News

Ross Dress For Less will close in Old Town next month ahead of private school conversion

By James Cullum

Published December 17, 2025 at 2:45PM

Ross Dress For Less at 112 N. Washington Street is closing in January 2026 (courtesy anonymous)

Ross Dress For Less is closing next month in Old Town.

The department store at 112 N. Washington Street will close forever on Friday, Jan. 16, according to a sign posted on the retailer’s door. After closing, the building will be renovated and turned into a new “upper school” for the private Linder Academy, which first opened in Old Town in 2021.

Around Town

New ‘Finn and Fire’ seafood and steak restaurant aims for March opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published December 17, 2025 at 12:30PM

Kismet, formerly at 111 N. Pitt Street (via Google Maps)

Finn & Fire, a new international restaurant specializing in seafood and steaks, hopes to debut in Old Town in late winter.

The new eatery is preparing to replace Indian restaurant Kismet at 111 N. Pitt Street sometime in March, owner Ghazal Amir told ALXnow. The business previously hoped for a January opening but is still securing its permits.