Old Town | ALXnow

King Street Buildings from Early 1800s to Get Modern Touchup with Redevelopment

Published July 14, 2020 at 10:30AM

The former Pines of Florence and Aftertime Comics buildings at 1300 and 1304 King Street may not stand out much to the casual Old Town visitor, but faded brick buildings have a historic legacy that a new development hopes to bring out again.

The property at 1300 King Street is being redeveloped with an L-shaped building that will have 33 multifamily units over ground-floor retail, Washington Business Journal reported. Though it’s just one building, the project’s design is aimed to appear like two: with a red brick building facing King Street and a grey brick one facing S. Payne Street.

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Coronavirus Claims Longtime Irish Gift Shop in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published July 13, 2020 at 2:00PM

After 50 years in business, The Irish Walk at 415 King Street will close by the end of July.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that after 50 years in business; The Irish Walk will be closing its doors on July 31, 2020,” owner Patty Theobald said in an email. “From the original owners, the Butler Family, to the Troy Family, to me and my staff, we have all enjoyed getting to know our customers and community over the last five decades.

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Suspect Arrested After More Shots Fired in Braddock Neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published July 13, 2020 at 11:35AM

Police car lights (file photo)

An adult male is in custody after gunshots were fired in the Braddock early on Saturday morning.

This was the second incident of gunfire in the city since July 9, and police are investigating whether the cases are connected. No victims were located, according to the city.

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Alexandria Police Investigate Shots Fired in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2020 at 11:35AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating a number of gunshots fired in Old Town early Thursday evening.

Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow that the incident occurred at 6:50 p.m., and that multiple shell casings were found in the 700 block of N. Columbus Street.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

GoFundMe for Abysinnia Raises Money After Face Mask Incident— “From the two waves of giving, the campaign has raised more than $15,500 of a $20,000 goal.” [Alexandria Living]

Fitness Centers Reopen Cautiously — “Now that the state is in phase three of reopening, fitness studios are allowed to open at 75% capacity, although there must still be 10 feet of distance between each client, which limits smaller studios.” [Alex Times]

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Pandemic Sends Demand Skyrocketing at Old Town Bike Store

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2020 at 4:30PM

If it has air in the tires, Charles Bennett Moore — owner of the Alexandria location for Big Wheel Bikes — has been selling it.

While businesses across Alexandria have been struggling to pull out of the pandemic, the last few months have been an unusual windfall for Old Town waterfront business Big Wheel Bikes (2 Prince Street).

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Torpedo Factory Soon Opening Jury Process for New Artists

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated July 9, 2020 at 2:28PM

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

In years past, the Torpedo Factory Art Center teemed with upward of a half-million visitors every year, but all that changed with the coronavirus. It’s one of Alexandria’s top tourist destinations, and despite the cancellation of all in-person scheduled programs and private facility rentals, the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association will soon be looking for new artists to participate in its jury process.

The Torpedo Factory, which is owned by the city, is currently open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday. Visitors are required to wear face masks and observe social distancing. The Target Gallery, for instance, now only allows 10 people at a time.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated July 8, 2020 at 9:51AM

Walking along the Potomac River at Founders Park in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Decries Hate Incidents in Alexandria — “‪Two sad examples of hate in our community this week. ‬This is not who we are as a City. We reject those that would spew hate and target members of our community.‬ ‪I hope that any violation of the law will be addressed aggressively by City, State and Federal officials, as applicable.‬” [Facebook]

Beyer Says Trump Doesn’t Care About Children — “Trump’s approach all along has been to pretend a miraculous end to the pandemic is just around the corner. He doesn’t have a plan. He isn’t going to lead. He doesn’t care about making schools safe for children and educators. It’s so important to get this right.” [Twitter]

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Warns of Looming Economic Catastrophe — “For months we’ve propped up the economy with strong government stimulus, especially unemployment benefits. Those benefits will expire in 25 days amid dire state and local government shortfalls. McConnell and Trump remain opposed to extending them. Economic catastrophe looms.” [Twitter]

ACPS Asks for Community Input With Reopening Survey — “We are aware that the situation we are facing is unprecedented, constantly changing, and requires a degree of flexibility from all of us. You will be asked to make a decision about your commitment to return to school in late July. By that time you will have a clear idea of our anticipated reopening plans for the fall to assist you in your decision.” [ACPS]

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Customer Spits on Old Town Coffee Shop Owner and Vandalizes Store After Being Asked to Wear a Mask

By Vernon Miles

Published July 6, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated July 6, 2020 at 10:13PM

Abyssinia Market and Coffee House (photo via Abyssinia Market and Coffee House/Facebook)

Abyssinia Market & Coffee House in Old Town had a promising reopening on Saturday, but the cafe has closed again after the owner said a white man came in on Sunday, spat on her and vandalized the store when he was told he had to wear a face mask.

Abyssinia Market owner Lily Damtew said Sunday was off to a good start after the first customer came in wearing a mask.

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Alexandria Weekend Discussion

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2020 at 5:15PM

The July 4 holiday weekend is here, and it’s hard to believe that 2020 is more than halfway over. Not only has the year flown by, but so has the last week.

Alexandria joined the rest of Virginia in entering into the third phase of its reopening, the oldest resident in the city turned 109, a police officer was charged with assault and battery for a January arrest