Old Town

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Saunas and Ice Baths: A New Coworking Office Focusing on Wellness Opens in Old Town

By James Cullum
The Loop coworking space at 215 N. Payne Street in Old Town offers the amenities you expect out of such an office, and some you won't expect. (Courtesy photo)

Need a quick sweat in the office sauna before an upcoming meeting? How about an ice bath? For folks tired of working from home, a new coworking office just opened in Old Town with amenities focused on wellness.

Real estate developer Christopher Campagna was ready to open The Loop at 215 N. Payne Street back in March, but then the pandemic struck and it pushed back his plans. He was all set for a virtual opening when George Floyd was killed and the city experienced a period of social unrest, and so he pushed the opening to late summer.

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Affordable Housing Communities to Get Free Wood-Fired Pizza the Next Two Saturdays in Alexandria

By James Cullum

An Arlington nonprofit has partnered with a D.C. food truck to provide free pizza to affordable housing communities in Alexandria this month.

This is the fifth local campaign for Hearts of Empowerment, which has partnered with Timber Pizza Company to provide free wood-fired pizzas from its food truck on August 22 at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) in Old Town at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, and at the same time at the Parkview of Alexandria apartments in Arlandria on Saturday, August 29.

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New Convenience Store ‘Old Town Mini Mart’ Coming to King Street

By Vernon Miles
822 King Street, future location of Old Town Mini Mart (photo via Google Maps)

A new convenience shop called Old Town Mini Mart is working through the city’s approval process to open in the heart of Old Town.

According to documents filed with the city, Old Town Mini Mart is planned to open at 822 King Street, once home to Old Town Pack & Ship. That store is still open, staff there said, it just moved around the corner. One of the co-owners of the new Old Town Mini Mart is Rodrigo Restrepo, who is listed as the owner of Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair next door to the proposed market.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
Exercising near the closed Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria near the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Says House Democrats Working to Protect Postal Service — “So many of you are writing, calling, and urging us to act to protect the US Postal Service. We share your anger and frustration about what Trump is doing and your alarm about what it could mean for the election. And we ARE working to stop him.” [Twitter]

Noah and Josephus Lyles Win First and Second in 200 Meter Race in Monaco — “Lyles raised a black, fingerless-gloved right fist before getting into the blocks to win a 200m in his first international race of the season, conjuring memories of the famous 1968 Olympic podium gesture. He clocked 19.76 seconds, leading a one-two with younger brother Josephus.” [NBC Sports]

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‘BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL’ Beer Launching August 28 in Old Town

By James Cullum

There will soon be a new beer in town.

On August 28, to commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech on the National Mall in 1963, a group of local entrepreneurs will unveil Rocket Frog’s newest socially conscious creation — “BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL” beer.

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Pandemic Resurrects Canopy Proposal Outside Balducci’s in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Longtime Alexandrians may remember when Farrah Olivia at 700 S. Washington Street featured outdoor dining under a canopy. Well Farrah Olivia is gone for good, but the outdoor canopy that was once a feature of the Old Town restaurant could be making a comeback.

In 2013, after Farrah Olivia closed, the building’s owner got a permit to destroy the canopy. Seven years later, they’re back and hoping to put it up again to provide a covered seating for customers at the Balducci’s grocery store.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Levine Says Murder Suspect Should Have Stayed Behind Bars — “Simply put, I think the judge made a tragically wrong decision here.” [Blue Virginia]

Lynching Victim Honored in Old Town — “121 years to the day after a mob lynched young Benjamin Thomas, the successor of the Mayor who made a half-hearted plea for due process and the successor of the “City Sergeant” (@AlexVASheriff) who failed to project Benjamin, stood at the corner and laid wreaths in his memory.” [Twitter]

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Police Investigate Fourth Shots Fired Call in Old Town in Less Than a Month

By James Cullum
An Alexandria police cruiser (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating another shots fired call for service in Old Town.

Police notified the public of the incident in the 300 block of Tancil Court in a tweet at 9:25 p.m. No one was reportedly injured in the incident, and a number of cars were hit by bullets and shell casings were recovered by police at the scene.

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Gadsby’s Tavern in Old Town Reopening This Weekend With Some Precautions

By Vernon Miles

Old Town historical site Gadsby’s Tavern (134 N. Royal Street) is the latest local institution scheduled to reopen, with tours starting again this Friday.

According to the city website, the museum will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

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