Old Town | ALXnow

Kitschy pink public art installation scheduled for unveiling later this month

Published March 8, 2022 at 9:45AM

I Love You park design, via City of Alexandria

The new kitschy “I Love You” public art installation at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) is scheduled to be unveiled on March 25.

The new installation by Miami artists Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt features illuminated neon pink lights spelling out “I Love You” mounted on a 15-foot high display and will “bathe visitors in a soft pink hue,” a press release from the city described with an unusual touch of sensuality. The color scheme had earlier been described by Office of the Arts Director Diane Ruggiero as “Pepto-Bismol pink.”

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ALIVE! is hosting six free food distributions this month in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2022 at 10:45AM

Bags of food from ALIVE! were given to Arlandria residents on May 21, 2020 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria nonprofit ALIVE! will conduct six free food distributions throughout the city this month.

No identification is required to pick up the groceries, produce, chicken, eggs and bread.

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Trendy convenience store Foxtrot opens in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2022 at 10:45AM

Foxtrot in Old Town, photo via Foxtrot/Facebook

Corner store and cafe Foxtrot is opening today (Thursday) in Old Town.

The company announced in a release that their first Virginia location opened this morning at 701 King Street. The new Alexandria location is the trendy corner store’s 18th location, with others in D.C. as well as Chicago and Dallas. There are a handful of events and specials planned throughout this weekend to celebrate.

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Stabler-Leadbeater hosting ‘Outlandish Tour’ to accompany season 6 premier of Outlander

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2022 at 3:30PM

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum still has many of the original products that it sold throughout the 19th century (staff photo by James Cullum)

Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series have another treat on Sunday (March 6) in Old Town. In addition to the season 6 premier on Sunday, there will also be an Outlandish Tour of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum.

The Apothecary Museum is known for incorporating popular culture into their work. For years, their Harry Potter tours have been popular for potions-masters-in-the-making.

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Fresh Baguette bakery opening Tuesday in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 28, 2022 at 10:45AM

Bethesda-based Fresh Baguette is opening in Old Town on Tuesday (March 1). The first 20 customers in the door will also get free croissants for a year.

The bakery at 1101 King Street joins the companies locations in Maryland and Georgetown — all part of an expansion plan that will see a number of the bakeries popping up around the region.

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Alexandria landmarks lit in Ukrainian colors as locals express support for embattled country

By ALXnow.com

Published February 28, 2022 at 10:10AM

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial bathed in the colors of the Ukranian Flag, Feb. 27, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has lit City Hall and the George Washington Masonic Memorial in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The effort of solidarity for the beleaguered country has been echoed by shining blue and yellow lights on bridges and buildings throughout the region.

Russia invaded Ukraine last week, and hundreds have been killed so far during the conflict. At time of writing, Ukraine and Russia are currently engaging in ceasefire talks after Ukrainian resistance stalled Russia’s approach into Kyiv and other major cities.

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Police investigating another eyeglass frame heist, this time in Old Town

By Alan Henney

Published February 26, 2022 at 10:00PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria had another heist involving eyeglass frames on Saturday. This time, it was at an optometrist on King Street at S. Saint Asaph Street.

Around 1:10 p.m., a group of three males arrived at the optometrist offices in Old Town Alexandria. At least one of them was armed with pepper spray when they entered the shop to steal the frames.

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New Old Town Bob and Edith’s to open next week

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2022 at 10:50AM

Photo via Bob and Edith's Diner/Facebook

Bob and Edith’s Diner, a hyper-local chain of five diners spread across Arlington and Fairfax, is planning to its sixth location in Old Town Alexandria early next week.

The new location at 1743 King Street — formerly Ernie’s Original Crab House — is planned to open on Monday, February 28 at 7 a.m.

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PHOTOS: The George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 22, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated February 22, 2022 at 10:36AM

George and Martha Washington ride in the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 21, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The George Washington Birthday Parade returned to Alexandria on Monday after a two year hiatus. The streets of Old Town were lined with celebration for Washington’s 290th birthday.

Alexandria’s health care workers and first responders marched as parade grand marshals. The parade, which started at Gibbon and Fairfax Streets and snaked around City Hall, was attended by thousands. The event is the largest of its kind in the world honoring the founding father and first president.

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The George Washington Birthday Parade is back on President’s Day in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2022 at 1:00PM

George and Martha Washington wave at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The George Washington Birthday Parade is happening this Monday, and thousands of visitors are expected to line the mile-long parade route in Old Town.

The parade is the largest in the U.S. honoring George Washington, who turns 290 on Feb. 22. The Alexandria government will be otherwise closed on Monday, which is President’s Day.

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Classical Movements gets approval to expand Old Town music venue

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated February 15, 2022 at 3:02PM

Garden portion of The Rectory set up as music venue during the pandemic in 2020. (via Classical Movements)

Despite complaints from neighbors, Alexandria’s City Council renewed Classical Movements’ permit to continue holding concerts in Old Town and even expand offerings.

Last year, international music tourism company Classical Movements (711 Princess Street) won approval from the city to transform the outdoor space behind their building into a venue for classical music performances. On Saturday, the City Council approved an earlier Planning Commission recommendation with a few amendments.