Old Town | ALXnow

Pedego Electric Bikes in Old Town is planning to open a store in Vienna next month

Published February 9, 2022 at 11:00AM

Business has been so good at the Pedego Electric Bikes shop in Old Town that owner Todd Ketch is planning to open another location in Vienna next month. The ink is still drying on the deal, but if all goes as planned then Ketch will be opening in an industrial section of downtown Vienna.

“The pandemic was like dumping gasoline to the fire for the electric bike market,” Ketch said. “It’s not going to stop from here. How are we going to take full advantage? I’m going to open a second store in Vienna, and we’re excited.”

News

ESP Tea and Coffee celebrates one year since reopening and rebranding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

ESP Tea and Coffee, photo via ESP/Facebook

It’s been a year since Old Town coffee shop ESP Tea and Coffee (1012 King Street) reopened under new ownership following a spectacularly bad collapse.

Killer E.S.P closed in 2020 after its entire staff quit — twice — after alleged misconduct from former owner Rob Shelton. New owner Erik Muendel said the last year has seen extensive menu changes and an effort at revitalization.

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Wine shop ‘Le Vintage’ opening Tuesday on King Street in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated January 31, 2022 at 4:08PM

Le Vintage Wine Shop at 1218 King Street in Old Town. (Courtesy photo)a

You won’t find Zoom wine tastings at Le Vintage Wine Shop.

The new shop is opening at 1218 King Street on Tuesday, and owner Benjamin Kuna says there’s something about an in-person tasting that gives the experience an extra kick.

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Local muralist Patrick Kirwin had to lower his prices, then offers started flooding in

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated January 28, 2022 at 2:09PM

Ever since he was five years old, local muralist Patrick Kirwin has been drawing on walls. The artist behind the Dogs Of Del Ray mural has been busy during the pandemic, and his work is mostly positive.

Kirwin says that’s what his clients want these days.

News

A bunch of new restaurants are coming to Alexandria this year

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2022 at 1:00PM

Bonchon Chicken is coming to 3690 King Street in the Bradlee Shopping Center. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Getting hungry? A number of new restaurants are slated to open this year in Alexandria, according to the city’s tourism bureau.

Visit Alexandria highlighted many of these new businesses in their annual “What’s New in Alexandria” update, which was held Thursday morning (Dec. 27).

News

Turkish Coffee Lady opens in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2022 at 1:00PM

Mayor Justin Wilson (center) at the opening of Turkish Coffee Lady at 1001 King Street, Jan. 22, 2022. (Courtesy photo)

There’s a new coffee shop on King Street. Turkish Coffee Lady officially opened its doors at 1001 King Street in Old Town, joining a handful of neighboring coffee-inspired hangouts.

The space at the corner of Patrick Street (also Route 1) and King Streets is the former location of Blüprint Chocolatiers, and the second floor was notoriously once home to white nationalist Richard Spencer.

News

Activists allege developer-city collusion in Torpedo Factory plans, but city says it’s more complicated

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A group of activists pushing back against city plans to overhaul the Torpedo Factory Art Center have accused city leaders of working with developers to astroturf a pro-overhaul faction, but city leaders said the goal wasn’t to mislead.

A Change.org petition with 7,694 signers at time of writing has become an online hub for those opposing the city’s plans to reduce artist studio space in the Torpedo Factory and replace it with alternative arts spaces (like glassblowing) or restaurant space. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made public by the petition organizers highlighted city emails with and about the “Torpedo Factory for All” initiative spearheaded by developer Route 66 Ventures — one of the developers pushing to lead the overhaul.

News

After filing bankruptcy, Sur La Table planning to reopen in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 19, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated January 19, 2022 at 12:16PM

Sur La Table is reopening at 326 King Street. (Via Facebook)

Sixteen months after being forced to closed due to bankruptcy reorganization, Seattle-based kitchenware retailer Sur La Table is planning to reopen at 326 King Street.

The company won’t say exactly when the reopening will happen, but ALXnow was tipped off after Sur La Table posted a $70,000 a year job for a full-time manager for the store.

News

Women’s fitness chain Athleta opens today in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 9:50AM

Athleta winter gear, photo via Athleta/Facebook

Women’s activewear store Athleta is opening today at 607 King Street in Old Town.

The store opens at 10 a.m. (so now-ish) and it open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, Athleta is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

News

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

By Vernon Miles

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.

News

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.”