Old Town | ALXnow

City Council backs plan to replace Old Town office with 32 townhomes

Published April 21, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated April 22, 2026 at 10:20AM

Proposed townhomes at 333 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town (courtesy of EYA, LLC and Simpson Development)

On Saturday (April 18), Alexandria City Council approved an office-to-residential conversion that will bring 32 four-story townhomes to Old Town.

Without discussion, City Council unanimously approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation to tear down the Essex Building — an office building at 333 N. Fairfax Street built in the 1970s — and replace it with townhomes. A parking garage and lot will also be demolished. Plans for the 1.4-acre site from EYA and Simpson Development reveal four-story homes with two-car garages and roof decks just a few blocks from King Street and the Potomac River waterfront.

Around Town

Old Town Books owner prepares to launch literary-inspired Fabled Ice Cream brand

By Katie Taranto

Published April 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Fabled Ice Cream (courtesy of Ally Fitzpatrick)

A sweet new release is coming soon to Old Town Books — although it isn’t the latest summer romance or nonfiction read.

The independent bookstore is preparing to enter the confectionery world this summer with Fabled Ice Cream, a new ice cream brand by store founder Ally Kirkpatrick. The brand is planning weekly drops of literary-inspired flavors, available in small-batch pints at Old Town Books (130 S. Royal Street).

Around Town

Family-owned bakery Eclairons flourishes at new location in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published April 16, 2026 at 3:45PM

Eclairons' new location in Old Town (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A family-owned bakery and café from Arlington has officially expanded to Old Town, offering French pastries with Lebanese flavors.

Eclairons held a soft opening in February at 430 S. Washington Street and is now spending its first spring in Alexandria. The business replaced a vacancy left by Firehook Bakery, bringing a fresh look to the space with new outdoor pergolas and flowers.

Around Town

Olde Towne Pet Resort proposes taking over The Board Hound’s former Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2026 at 2:45PM

Onyx, an eight-week-old American bull dog mix, getting water in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new owner wants to take over operations at a pet grooming and boarding facility in Old Town.

Delaware-based Pet Resort Hospitality Group has filed new ownership paperwork with the city to convert the former Board Hound at 133 S. Peyton Street into an Olde Towne Pet Resort. The company, which also owns Olde Towne Pet Resorts in Springfield, Sterling and North Bethesda, Md., is proposing to increase daycare and boarding capacity at the site.

News

UPDATED: Death investigation underway at park in Old Town

By Emily Leayman

Published April 15, 2026 at 5:45PM | Updated April 20, 2026 at 12:21PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Police responded to Windmill Hill Park in Old Town for a death investigation this evening (Wednesday), according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Just before 4:30 p.m., police were called to the area of S. Union and Wilkes Street for a reported suicide with a gun, according to police radio dispatches. Police said there was a heavy police presence at the park, and there is no public safety concern.

Around Town

The Majestic reopens with new owner, New American menu in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2026 at 1:15PM

Chef Santiago Lopez, the new owner at The Majestic in Old Town (via Cultivate Hospitality)

Chef Santiago Lopez has officially taken over The Majestic in Old Town, bringing a flair for French and Mediterranean flavors.

Lopez recently bought the restaurant at 911 King Street from its previous owner, Alexandria Restaurant Partners. After a brief shutdown, the restaurant reopened today (Friday) at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.

News

Alexandria city manager pushes for paid parking on Sundays, parking fee increase

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 10:14PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to approve paid parking on Sundays and an increase in parking meter rates.

The initiatives are included in Parajon’s proposed $977.3 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget and have gotten mixed reviews. If approved by City Council, the measure would make Alexandria the only locality in the region with parking meter enforcement on Sundays. Additionally, Parajon is proposing to increase parking violation fines from $40 to $50.

Around Town

New coffee shop and wine bar aims for spring opening on Queen Street

By Katie Taranto

Published April 8, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cherry on Top is coming soon to Queen Street in Old Town (courtesy of Ksenia Varakina)

An upcoming café and wine bar in Old Town is getting closer to opening its doors.

Ksenia Varakina told ALXnow she is hoping to open her new business, Cherry on Top, around mid- to late May at 1021 Queen Street. There, she hopes to offer a variety of wine, espresso beverages, charcuterie and pastries across the shop and its accompanying 437-square-foot yard.

Around Town

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture to hold grand opening in Old Town North on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture in Old Town North (via 532 Yoga/Facebook)

An early tenant of Old Town North’s emerging arts district is holding its official grand opening this Saturday (April 11).

After closing its longtime location at 532 N. Washington Street and working from a pop-up at Founders Hall, 532 Yoga, Arts & Culture will hold a grand opening at its new permanent home at 500 Montgomery Street. The free event will feature live violin music, a presentation by artists Xenia Gray and Cari Babitzke, and snacks and drinks. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., and coincides with the studio’s 14th anniversary.

Around Town

Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists

By Emily Leayman

Published April 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Matt & Tony's at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Matt & Tony's/Instagram)

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

Around Town

Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tickets are being released for timed tours of four tall ships at Sails on the Potomac, one of Alexandria’s events celebrating America250.

The festival will coincide with the ALX Jazz Fest from June 12-14 at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street). The city is planning numerous events for America250, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.