Visit Alexandria | ALXnow

Visit Alexandria Focusing on Micro Weddings, Online Offerings as Economic Comeback Could Take Years

Published February 2, 2021 at 1:15PM

It might take years for Alexandria’s economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic, but there are plenty of developments down the road.

Micro weddings, new businesses and tourism expectations this year were just a few of the topics covered by Visit Alexandria in its annual membership meeting last week. While offset by positive news of business developments along the waterfront, the meeting was full of sobering statistics on drastically reduced revenues in nearly all sectors of the local economy.

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Winter Restaurant Week Starts This Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2021 at 4:30PM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

For the next two weeks, restaurants across Alexandria will offer takeout specials to celebrate a spotlight on local dining establishments.

Restaurant week, a seasonal event run by Visit Alexandria, features 60 restaurants offering $49 takeout dinners for two or, at half those restaurants, $25 takeout dinners for one.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2020 at 9:00AM

City’s Guidance for Students Returning Home — “Students and staff should minimize their interactions with others as much as possible in the 14 days before leaving the IHE. Students and staff should also minimize the risk of exposure during travel home. Traveling alone in a private vehicle is the safest option. Students and staff who are unable to limit interactions with others at the IHE may consider quarantining themselves for 14 days after they arrive home.” [City of Alexandria]

Killer ESP Owner Denies Allegations by Quitting Staff — “Presented with some of the specific accusations against him regarding sexual harassment and the shop’s cleanliness, Shelton said, ‘This is outrageous. These lies are more absurd than the first go around.’ He said he would follow up with call, but later texted, ‘I’ve been advised by my attorneys to keep quiet.'” [Washingtonian]

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Visit Alexandria to Discuss Holiday Marketing Strategy

By James Cullum

Published October 20, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated October 21, 2020 at 10:32AM

With events canceled throughout the region this year due to the pandemic, Visit Alexandria will conduct a virtual conversation on Wednesday (October 21) on its marketing strategy for this holiday season.

The holidays are traditionally a busy time in Alexandria, but this year’s Scottish Christmas Walk is among the events that has been canceled. In fact, the city’s holiday events page has no listings.

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POLL: Are You Handing Out Candy This Halloween?

By James Cullum

Published October 6, 2020 at 1:15PM

There are few sweeter traditions in Old town than trick-or-treating on Halloween night, but this year’s celebration will undoubtedly be unlike any other.

The pandemic has threatened the health and safety of residents, which has us wondering: Are you going to hand out Halloween candy this year?

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Visit Alexandria Hosting Food Drive Until October 15

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2020 at 5:00PM

Bags of food from ALIVE! were given to Arlandria residents on May 21, 2020 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s tourism bureau is participating in a COVID Relief Food Drive starting today and ending on October 15.

Visit Alexandria says that the food will benefit individuals in the hospitality industry who have been impacted by COVID-19.

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Visit Alexandria Thanks Business Community for Adapting to the Times

By James Cullum

Published September 24, 2020 at 11:45AM

Lower King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, in June 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

It has been a year full of challenges, and on Wednesday night Visit Alexandria’s annual report was different than years past. The event was virtual and this year the city’s tourism bureau and city leaders thanked and congratulated business owners and the community for making it this far through the pandemic.

“I’ve been inspired over the last six months to see the businesses in our community bravely fight through the worst year they have ever seen, mustering their incredible creativity, their flexibility and their partnership.,” said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, adding that the city lost $12 million in consumption-based taxes that have not been collected.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 24, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Calls Breonna Taylor Ruling Unjust — “Breonna Taylor should still be alive. She did not deserve to die. This is not justice.” [Twitter]

Visit Alexandria Thanks Community With Video — “Here’s our tribute to Alexandria’s small businesses, hospitality workers, health department and city government, who are standing together in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. We thank you!” [Twitter]

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Mayor: Alexandria’s Tax Revenue Hard Hit by Coronavirus

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2020 at 1:15PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s consumption-based tax revenue took a 34% hit from February to July, according to a city monthly financial report.

Mayor Justin Wilson revealed the revenue loss on Facebook by posting a report showing the cumulative impact on consumer spending in calendar years 2019 and 2020.

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Visit Alexandria Extends ‘Restaurant Week’ to Restaurant Fortnight

By Vernon Miles

Published August 31, 2020 at 2:45PM

After some initial success, Visit Alexandria has announced the ongoing Restaurant Week deals will be extended for an additional week.

Currently, over 60 restaurants across the city are offering takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup meals-for-two at $49. A full list of participating restaurants is available online.

News

First Lady Northam, Officials Promote Safe Tourism Amid Pandemic in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated July 23, 2020 at 1:02PM

First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam talks about tourism at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town on Thursday

Tourism in Alexandria isn’t what it used to be. With local economies devastated by the pandemic, First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam visited Alexandria on Wednesday (July 22) to promote safe tourism and congratulate the city on winning a $10,000 grant for its Great Walks program.

“In 2018, Virginia tourists spent more than $26 billion here, and this put 235,000 people to work and contributed $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenue,” Northam told a small audience in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. “This year, however, our tourism and hospitality industries have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”