Alexandria will recognize a group of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile journey to D.C. on Monday as they near the end of their months-long “Walk for Peace.”
The group of monks, who began their pilgrimage on Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, are expected to pass through Old Town on Monday and interact with passersby at Christ Church (118 N. Washington Street) around noon.
Cries of “shame” rang out this afternoon (Friday) outside Citizens Bank near the King Street-Old Town Metro Station, as dozens of protestors rebuked the bank’s ties to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
The group made speeches, sang songs and held signs condemning the bank for extending a $500 million line of credit to The GEO Group, a Florida-based international private prison operator that has more than $700 million in contract obligations with ICE.
King Arthur Baking Company is eyeing Old Town to open a new retail store and baking school.
The Vermont-based company selling flour, bakeware and other baking supplies is planning to open a new store in Old Town “late this summer,” a company spokesperson told ALXnow.
Some Alexandria businesses closed and others encouraged civic involvement last week during nationwide strikes protesting immigration enforcement.
In Old Town, businesses like fibre space, Friends to Lovers Bookstore and Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop made posts encouraging actions such as donating money or supplies and contacting lawmakers to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and detained a 5-year-old child.
The Market Square Garage is closing next Monday, Feb. 9, to allow crews to begin renovations at City Hall and Market Square, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Monday).
Monthly pass holders “should have already been contacted” about new parking options, and a list of alternative locations in Old Town is available on the city’s website. The garage is closing as the project site will be secured with fencing this month, according to the announcement.
A new memorial in Alexandria will honor the lives of the 67 people killed in last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River, which happened one year ago today.
A bench, newly planted trees and plaque bearing the names of the 67 victims will be installed on the Potomac waterfront on the northeastern portion of Rivergate Park, Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced last night (Wednesday) during a ceremony in D.C. honoring the victims, their families and first responders from the tragic night.
Rosie Allen-Herring has been tapped as interim president and CEO of Alexandria-based United Way Worldwide, after several years leading the nonprofit’s National Capital Area branch.
Allen-Herring, who has directed United Way NCA since 2013, will succeed former UWW President and CEO Angela Williams next Monday, Feb. 2. Williams announced her retirement in December after four years leading the nonprofit, which is headquartered in Old Town at 701 N. Fairfax Street.
After their case was dismissed in Circuit Court in November, the plaintiffs in Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All lawsuit are now seeking donations to fund an appeal.
Members of the Coalition for a Livable Alexandria, a group of Old Town residents, are asking supporters to help raise $28,000 for attorneys at Dunn, Craig and Francuzenko, according to an email announcement last night (Monday).
Volunteers in Alexandria filled 2,300 backpacks with school supplies for distribution across the region today (Wednesday), in memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The backpacks will be sent to seven Title I middle schools in the area, including Francis C. Hammond Middle School. It’s all part of United Way National Capital Area’s Stuff the Bus campaign, which distributes the donated supplies in an effort to support local schools.
Following a health inspection at an Old Town juice shop earlier this month, a community petition has launched to allow the business owner’s emotional support animal inside the establishment.
The recent Change.org petition focuses on a recent city investigation into a complaint about dogs inside Zen Press Juice. That includes owner JuAnn Wong’s emotional support dog, Coco, who previously made frequent visits to the shop at 806 King Street.
Just one Alexandria restaurant caught the spotlight in Washingtonian magazine’s new “100 Very Best Restaurants” list for 2026.
For at least the fourth year in a row, Nasime, a popular Japanese restaurant located at 1209 King Street in Old Town, has been featured on the magazine’s list of its favorite eateries across the D.C. area, released today (Tuesday). This year, the spot ranked No. 12 out of 100.
