Old Town | ALXnow

‘The Company of Books’ Used Book Store Opens in Del Ray

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.

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Police Investigating Multiple Gunshots Fired in Parker Gray/Braddock

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 10:43AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots fired in the 700 block of N. Fayette Street in the Parker Gray/Braddock neighborhood early on Wednesday evening.

There were no reported injuries, no one was arrested and a number of shell casings were found at the scene. It is unclear if anything was hit, police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow.

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Police: Three Alexandria ABC Stores Broken Into, High-End Liquor Stolen

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2020 at 10:30AM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating smash-and-grab incidents at three ABC stores that occurred at night on August 25 and 26.

“We have had three instances of ABC stores burglarized,” APD spokesman Lt Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow. “All high end liquor. Fairfax (County) has had similar incidents.”

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Zero Waste Old Town Grocery Store Plans to Add Beer Growler Refills

By Vernon Miles

Published September 1, 2020 at 11:30AM

After a tumultuous start right as the pandemic hit, business at Old Town zero waste grocery store Mason and Greens (913 King Street) is doing better as quarantine has forced locals to reassess trash output.

“When we started off, we were just doing online orders,” said Justin Marino, who opened Mason and Greens with his wife Anna Marino in March. “We pushed up the deployment of our website a little further so we could do online orders and pickups.”

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Pedego Electric Bikes Sees Business Boosted During Pandemic

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2020 at 10:45AM

Todd Ketch has had a busy summer at his Pedego Electric Bikes shop in Old Town. Six months ago, he was worried that the pandemic was driving away too many locals and tourists, but that business has steadily gained speed as fewer of his customers are commuting to the office and want to get around town fast without parking issues.

Other stores, like Big Wheel Bikes, have seen demand increase so much over the last few months that there’s a waitlist for new bicycles.

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Karaoke is Happening at Rock It Grill, But No Dancing

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated August 26, 2020 at 3:13PM

The pool tables are gone, there’s no dancing and everything is spread out, but singing karaoke at the Rock It Grill is still going strong with some new additional safety features.

“Our regular Rock It customers are beyond wonderful,” said owner Laura Seiss. “As far as employees that are back, everybody who wanted to work is working.”

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New Restaurant Concept Opens Next Month in Old Town Hotel

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2020 at 1:30PM

Old Town hotel The Alexandrian (480 King Street) is planning to kick off a new restaurant concept in the building’s central courtyard.

The new restaurant, King & Rye, features a menu centered around southern cuisine and whiskey.

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Police Investigate Sunday Afternoon Gunfire in Parker Gray/Braddock

By James Cullum

Published August 24, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated August 24, 2020 at 10:43AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating a single gunshot that was heard in the area of Wythe and Fayette Streets in the Parker Gray/Braddock neighborhood on Sunday afternoon.

There were no reported injuries. Police found no suspects and nothing was reportedly hit. The incident was reported on Twitter just before 3 p.m. on Sunday. It occurred just blocks from the Braddock Road Metro station and a number of local businesses, town homes and apartments.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 24, 2020 at 9:00AM

Missing Man Found and Returned Home — “Mr. Walter ‘George’ Winstead has returned home safe and without incident.” [Facebook]

Beyer Says Trump Colluded With Russians — “The Trump campaign was offered Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign sought Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign received Russian government assistance. Trump campaign personnel coordinated efforts with Russian intelligence operatives and Wikileaks.” [Twitter]

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 5:27PM

Alexandria has put another summer work week to rest.

As the City Council enjoys a legislative break, the School Board conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the renaming process for T.C. Williams High School. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., and the board advocate a public engagement process that could result in the board voting to change the name this December, followed by a vote on a specific name next spring. A group of community activists, however, believe that the name should be taken off immediately, since ACPS acknowledged Williams was an avowed racist and segregationist.

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Alexandria Police Increase Presence to Stem Uptick of Violent Crime in Parker Gray/Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 3:48PM

Police car lights (file photo)

Even though it’s just three blocks away, Heather Lesley doesn’t let her teenage daughter walk to the Braddock Road Metro station to meet her when she gets back from work.

“I don’t feel comfortable letting her do that anymore,” Lesley told ALXnow. “My neighbor has bullet holes in the brick wall of their home.”