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Crooked Beat Records will officially close its Del Ray location Sunday, May 3, following the adverse effects of flooding earlier this year.

Owner Bill Daly said in a social media post he has tried to stay in Alexandria and has placed bids on several rental properties in and around the city, though there is a chance the business could move outside Alexandria.


News

The Twig organization has committed to giving $2 million toward the new medical campus at Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark.

Inova representatives say the hospital is on track to open by the end of 2028 and will name its conference center in honor of The Twig for the contribution. Since 1933, the nonprofit has served as the Junior Auxiliary of Alexandria Hospital and has provided more than $7 million to the hospital through its thrift shop at 106 N. Columbus Street and other fundraising efforts.


Around Town

Crooked Beat Records is reopening at its location on Mount Vernon Avenue with limited hours through the end of April, the store announced yesterday (Monday) on social media.

The store at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue closed after flooding on Jan. 11, and has since been selling merchandise at pop-ups. The store plans to reopen Thursday, Feb. 26, and will remain open on Thursdays from 3-6:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 1:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5:30 p.m.


Around Town

Del Ray Hardware was declared the winner of the annual Heart of Del Ray Award on Friday morning.

Hundreds of people voted in the Del Ray Business Association’s annual popularity contest for businesses. Store owner Jay Portlance received an oversized heart to display for a year, symbolizing the store’s place in the community.


Around Town

Frigid temperatures over the past few days have prompted the Alexandria Warehouse Sale to extend through Presidents Day weekend.

The annual sale featuring dozens of independent Old Town shops and boutiques has extended until Monday, Feb. 16, after the sale’s initial weekend was hit with extreme cold and a High Wind Warning. Discounts at participating retailers range from 60-80% off on goods like clothing and shoes, home decor, toys, books and more.


News

Amazon Fresh announced today (Tuesday) that it will close all its stores nationwide, including the location at Potomac Yard that opened just a year and a half ago.

The last day for most Amazon Fresh stores across the country is Feb. 1, according to the Associated Press. Amazon plans to shutter all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores, converting some locations into Whole Foods Markets, according to a press release.


Around Town

After experiencing catastrophic flooding earlier this month, Crooked Beat Records will close its doors for good this Saturday.

The local vinyl haven plans to open for its last days at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Owner Bill Daly said the building’s management wants to do additional repair work, which would require him and his staff to remove all of Crooked Beat’s inventory and then move it back in.


Around Town

Dozens of boutiques in Old Town will offer serious markdowns next month as part of the 22nd annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale.

Some 45 participating shops will offer discounts ranging from 60% to 80% off from Saturday, Feb. 7  to Sunday, Feb. 8. Unlike previous years, the sale won’t be held in the Westin Alexandria, but in storefronts, pop-up tents and open retail spaces along King Street and select side streets, according to an event listing by the Old Town Boutique Community.


Around Town

Following significant flooding after a water leak this past weekend, a vinyl record store in Del Ray has closed for the foreseeable future and is considering a move.

Crooked Beat Records owner Bill Daly told ALXnow today (Monday) that a pipe on the roof of the building burst, flooding the basement record shop at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue with several inches of water and ruining merchandise.


Around Town

After being closed for nearly six months, UpCycle Creative Reuse Center has reopened in an industrial area just south of the Carlyle neighborhood.

The shop has sold all manner of “upcycled” materials, including paper goods, fabrics, craft and party supplies, office goods, containers, jewelry and more since its founding in 2013 by Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek.


Around Town

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Rocket Fizz, the soda pop and candy store in Fairlington Plaza.

Owner Tanya Kemp’s store at 1721 Centre Plaza is full of stocking stuffers, from vintage soda and candy, to tchotchkes and gag gifts like wind-up chattering teeth, Pez dispensers and bobbleheads. She told ALXnow that her shop does more business during the Christmas season than any other time of the year.


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