Old Town | ALXnow

With hotel market in freefall, Alexandria considers financing luxury hotel in Old Town

Published January 10, 2022 at 10:55AM

Heron, a proposed hotel development at 699 Prince Street, image via Monarch Urban

This week, the City Council is docketed (items 27 and 28) to review a proposal for the city to, in a round-about way, be involved in the financing of a new luxury hotel in Old Town.

With hotel revenue going into freefall during the pandemic, the prospect of building or renovating hotels in Alexandria hasn’t been a particularly financially appealing option, but a report prepared by Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and city staff said that’s going to be a hit to tourism in the city as people travel again.

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Alexandria’s Permit Center reopens in-person services for local businesses

By James Cullum

Published January 7, 2022 at 11:15AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

After six months of waiting for the city’s Permit Center to approve an expansion of her nail salon, Kathleen Le was ready to throw her hands up in resignation.

“I tell my staff that if they hear me talk about opening another location or expanding to please kill me instead,” Le told ALXnow. “Don’t let me do it.”

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Sneakers and slip-ons: How Comfort One Shoes adapted to the pandemic

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated January 6, 2022 at 4:49PM

Faced with a drastic disruption in foot traffic, Alexandria-based Comfort One Shoes had to pivot. The pandemic forced the company to focus its energy on online sales, bringing in more casual merchandise and closing the Union Station location in D.C.

Company President Garrett Breton says the efforts made 2021 sales higher than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

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PHOTOS: Scenes from today’s snowstorm in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published January 3, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Wafffle Shop at 3864 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Jan. 3, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Walking in snow-covered streets, shoveling out submerged cars and all the other telltale signs of a snowstorm were seen in Alexandria on Monday (Jan. 3).

Nearly one foot of snow fell on Alexandria from the morning throughout the afternoon, prompting the closure of the city government and virtual learning for Alexandria City Public Schools. Many eateries throughout the city are still open, including in Del Ray and Old Town.

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COVID rush prompts New Year’s party cancelations, as some Del Ray eateries scale back operations

By James Cullum

Published December 30, 2021 at 1:00PM

A number of New Year’s Eve parties are being voluntarily canceled in Alexandria, and some businesses scaling back their services. All of this, of course, is in response to a dramatic jump in COVID-19 infections over the last month.

According to the Del Ray Business Association, the following businesses have stopped in-person service:

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JUST IN: Alexandria man arrested after Dec. 13 drive-by shooting in Braddock area

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2021 at 3:40PM | Updated December 30, 2021 at 12:36PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 24-year-old Alexandria man has been arrested for the Dec. 13 drive-by shooting in the Braddock area. No one was injured in the incident, but police say nine handgun rounds were fired at another vehicle.

Antonio Barkley was charged with unlawful discharge of a weapon, felonious assault, and shooting or throwing missiles at vehicle.

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Alexandria Police identify man who allegedly struck officer with getaway car

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2021 at 9:55AM | Updated December 29, 2021 at 3:43PM

Alexandria Police are searching for Nnanyereugo Onuoha, who is suspected of striking a police officer with this Honda Pilot on Dec. 27, 2021. (Via Alexandria Police)

Alexandria Police are searching for a man that has been identified as the suspect behind a hit-and-run that injured an officer in Old Town early on Monday night (Dec. 27).

APD says that Nnanyereugo Onuoha is on the run driving a newer model Black Honda Pilot with Maryland tags 1EV8163.

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With recent purchase, Douglas Development now owns buildings on three of the four corners of King and Washington Streets in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 21, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated January 5, 2022 at 1:46PM

Banana Republic at 628 King Street and Gap Outlet at 622 King Street closed Jan. 24, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 1:45 p.m. on Jan. 5) The new owner of 628 King Street is shopping the property around, and wants it to remain two retail spaces.

Douglas Development now owns three of the four buildings at the intersection of King and Washington Streets. The D.C.-based commercial real estate firm owns the adjacent properties at 700 (Lululemon) and 701 King Street (the now-closed Le Pain Quotidien), as well as 610 King Street (Anthropologie), 614 King Street (H&M) and 615 King Street (the former Walgreens) and 700 King Street.

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Alexandria’s New Year’s Eve celebration is back in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 15, 2021 at 9:45AM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

After an online celebration last year, Alexandria’s First Night celebration is back, fireworks and all on New Year’s Eve.

“I’m thrilled First Night is back,” said Laverne Chapman, chair of the board of First Night. “It took us two years to come back, and we’re ready to come back.”

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Hear ye! Hear ye! Alexandria’s Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker has been making proclamations for 10 years

By James Cullum

Published December 14, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated December 14, 2021 at 4:28PM

Alexandria Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker was largely silent during the pandemic. Now he’s back, bell and call and all.

Earlier this month, Fiore-Walker stood at the reviewing stand in his Colonial uniform and opened the Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town. While he’s spoken at numerous online events and small outdoor concerts over the past year, the Scottish Christmas Walk was his first large public gathering since he previously walked through Old Town ringing his bell and declaring, “Hear ye! Hear ye!” at the George Washington Birthday Parade in February 2020.

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JUST IN: Banana Republic and Gap Outlet closing in Old Town on January 24

By James Cullum

Published December 6, 2021 at 2:15PM

Banana Republic at 628 King Street and Gap Outlet at 622 King Street closed Jan. 24, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After decades at the corner of King and Washington Streets in Old Town, national retailers Banana Republic and Gap Outlet are closing their doors forever on January 24, 2021.

All merchandise is currently marked between 20% and 40% at Banana Republic (628 King Street), and up to 70% off at Gap Outlet (622 King Street).