Frozen custard truck Goodies could be opening as a bricks-and-mortar frozen custard stand at the iconic ice house at the corner of Payne Street and Commerce Street in Old Town.
First, however, the D.C.-based custard business needs to clear the hurdle of obtaining a Special Use Permit.
New Hotel Opening in Old Town — “The New Hyatt Centric in Alexandria is accepting reservations for March 1, 2020. The hotel, at 1611 King St., will have a restaurant on site. It will have 124 rooms. The hotel will be pet-friendly and include a fitness center.” [Alexandria Living]
Local Zip Code Among State’s Priciest for Renters — “Alexandria, one of the most competitive real estate markets, is also one of the state’s priciest for renting an apartment… Alexandria’s zip code 22314 is the eighth most expensive in Virginia. The average $2,145 rent has a 3.8 percent year-over-year change.” [Patch]
(Updated 10/17) New details are coming in about one of Alexandria’s long-buried ships.
Two hundred years after the ship was scuttled to be built into the artificial waterfront, teams in Texas and here in Alexandria are putting the ship back into a stable condition and learn more about them.
New Senior Care Center Set to Open in 2021 — “Construction is progressing quickly on a new senior care community in Old Town. Sunrise Senior Living broke ground on its new facility at the intersection of North Washington and Princess streets early this year. The McLean-based company is building a 93-room assisted living community.” [Alexandria Living]
Waterfront Construction Projects Well Underway — “Anyone living on Union Street in Old Town 10 years ago might not recognize it now… During the week, the street is crowded with construction vehicles, and there are several places where the sidewalk is temporarily blocked or under a protective awning because of the construction. Hardly the setting for tourists taking selfies.” [Gazette-Packet]
Pacers Running is looking to downsize its flagship store at 1301 King Street within the next year.
The store was the regional specialty running retailer’s first and in 2010 the business actually expanded into building next door. With advances in technology, however, Pacers CEO Kathy Dalby says the store has more space than it needs.
The City of Alexandria is among the country’s best small cities, according to new rankings.
Condé Nast Traveler magazine ranked Alexandria the No. 3 small city in the U.S. Charleston, South Carolina ranked first on the list, which was based on votes from 600,000 readers about cities with a population under 350,000 people. Santa Fe, New Mexico ranked No. 2.
An Old Town mural has helped raise some $10,000 for a mix of local and national charities.
The mural of two butterfly wings on the side of lingerie shop Bloomers (924 King Street) was the center of a local social media fundraising campaign in August and September. Last week, organizers announced it helped to raise $10,200 for 111 nonprofits.
A proposal to install a bar carved from shipping containers on the waterfront will approach its first hurdle to approval next week.
After a deferral at what may have been the shortest Board of Architectural Review meeting on record — at one minute, 26 seconds — the bar at Robinson Landing (314 Strand Street) is docketed for the review at the group’s Wednesday, Oct. 16 meeting.
A set of surface parking lots in the heart of Old Town could become a new set of retail and residential buildings — with no public parking lost.
The Planning Commission voted last night to recommend approval of the sale of 912, 916 and 920 King Street, along with 116 S. Henry Street just around the corner, to local investment firm Galena Capital Partners, LLC for $5.3 million.
A new Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Nam, could be opening at 606 King Street next month.
The restaurant owners are planning to open the doors at some point in November, according to staff at the restaurant’s Maryland location.
A year after Augie’s Mussel House opened for a few months as a pop-up at 1106 King Street, the restaurant is back with a permanent opening planned for Monday, Oct. 7.
“We’re ready,” said Rocky Martin, general manager for the restaurant. “When you come in, try the mussels with all of the different sauces.”
