Old Town | ALXnow

New Convenience Store ‘Old Town Mini Mart’ Coming to King Street

Published August 18, 2020 at 11:30AM

822 King Street, future location of Old Town Mini Mart (photo via Google Maps)

A new convenience shop called Old Town Mini Mart is working through the city’s approval process to open in the heart of Old Town.

According to documents filed with the city, Old Town Mini Mart is planned to open at 822 King Street, once home to Old Town Pack & Ship. That store is still open, staff there said, it just moved around the corner. One of the co-owners of the new Old Town Mini Mart is Rodrigo Restrepo, who is listed as the owner of Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair next door to the proposed market.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

Exercising near the closed Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria near the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Says House Democrats Working to Protect Postal Service — “So many of you are writing, calling, and urging us to act to protect the US Postal Service. We share your anger and frustration about what Trump is doing and your alarm about what it could mean for the election. And we ARE working to stop him.” [Twitter]

Noah and Josephus Lyles Win First and Second in 200 Meter Race in Monaco — “Lyles raised a black, fingerless-gloved right fist before getting into the blocks to win a 200m in his first international race of the season, conjuring memories of the famous 1968 Olympic podium gesture. He clocked 19.76 seconds, leading a one-two with younger brother Josephus.” [NBC Sports]

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2020 at 5:15PM

These summer weeks are flying by, and another one is in the books in Alexandria.

This week, readers responded to a number of issues in the city, including the tragic story behind the city’s first murder, crime in Arlandria and another protest outside of the acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s home.

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‘BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL’ Beer Launching August 28 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated August 19, 2020 at 1:39PM

There will soon be a new beer in town.

On August 28, to commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech on the National Mall in 1963, a group of local entrepreneurs will unveil Rocket Frog’s newest socially conscious creation — “BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL” beer.

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Pandemic Resurrects Canopy Proposal Outside Balducci’s in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published August 13, 2020 at 2:00PM

Longtime Alexandrians may remember when Farrah Olivia at 700 S. Washington Street featured outdoor dining under a canopy. Well Farrah Olivia is gone for good, but the outdoor canopy that was once a feature of the Old Town restaurant could be making a comeback.

In 2013, after Farrah Olivia closed, the building’s owner got a permit to destroy the canopy. Seven years later, they’re back and hoping to put it up again to provide a covered seating for customers at the Balducci’s grocery store.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

Levine Says Murder Suspect Should Have Stayed Behind Bars — “Simply put, I think the judge made a tragically wrong decision here.” [Blue Virginia]

Lynching Victim Honored in Old Town — “121 years to the day after a mob lynched young Benjamin Thomas, the successor of the Mayor who made a half-hearted plea for due process and the successor of the “City Sergeant” (@AlexVASheriff) who failed to project Benjamin, stood at the corner and laid wreaths in his memory.” [Twitter]

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2020 at 5:15PM

It was a busy week in Alexandria.

Alexandria Police apprehended the suspect in the city’s only murder this year, and he is currently in the hospital suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Police Investigate Fourth Shots Fired Call in Old Town in Less Than a Month

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2020 at 10:15AM

An Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating another shots fired call for service in Old Town.

Police notified the public of the incident in the 300 block of Tancil Court in a tweet at 9:25 p.m. No one was reportedly injured in the incident, and a number of cars were hit by bullets and shell casings were recovered by police at the scene.

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Gadsby’s Tavern in Old Town Reopening This Weekend With Some Precautions

By Vernon Miles

Published August 4, 2020 at 3:15PM

Old Town historical site Gadsby’s Tavern (134 N. Royal Street) is the latest local institution scheduled to reopen, with tours starting again this Friday.

According to the city website, the museum will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated August 7, 2020 at 12:41PM

(Updated 8/7) Upcoming Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend Canceled — “The coronavirus has canceled one of Alexandria’s most beloved traditions this winter.” [Alexandria Living]

Beyer Blames Trump for Coronavirus Response Failures — “The White House is simultaneously blaming state governments for Trump’s failed pandemic response and blocking federal assistance to support state and local governments.” [Twitter]

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ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 31, 2020 at 4:30PM

It was another busy week in Alexandria.

Our readers overwhelmingly responded to Sunday’s protest at the Alexandria home of acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, and the story has more than 380 comments. This week also saw its first homicide, which occurred in the West End, in addition to a number of crime events in the Braddock area.