Independent Retailers Reign on King Street

Despite large firms moving in, data show boutiques and other independent businesses clamor for King Street.

While big name chains like H&M, Anthropologie and White House Black Market are causing community concern that Old Town is losing its small town charm and entrepreneurial spirit, new data shows that 80 percent of King Street is home to independent retailers. That’s an uptick from 77 percent in 2010. The vacancy rate for King Street in Old Town for the fourth quarter of 2012 is 3.4 percent and new boutiques make up approximately 30 percent of all new retail along King Street over the last four years, according to data provided by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. Lower King is seeing the highest vacancy rate with 4.9 percent at the end of last year. Middle King (Washington to West Street) shows about a 2 percent vacancy rate …

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Report: Alexandria May Subsidize NSF Move

Two Alexandria sites have entered proposals for a new headquarters for the National Science Foundation.

In an attempt to lure the National Science Foundation to the city, Alexandria may subsidize the institution’s potential move, according to the Washington Business Journal.  The General Services Administration is currently evaluating proposals for a new headquarters for the NSF. Submissions were due Jan. 9. The NSF is currently headquartered in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington County. The institution is one of the federal government’s primary scientific research organizations and would be a huge economic boon for Alexandria. The NSF has a $7 billion annual budget, 2,400 employees and a contractor tail of another 2,200. Val Hawkins, president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, and Mark Jinks, deputy Alexandria …

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Council Pursuing FBI Headquarters to Relocate to Alexandria

Victory Center on Eisenhower Avenue considered an "emerging possibility."

Could the FBI move its headquarters to Alexandria? On Tuesday during a City Council meeting, Mayor Bill Euille asked city staff what could be done to put Alexandria in contention to land the agency. The General Services Administration announced last week that it is reviewing sites for a new FBI headquarters. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th) and several other local lawmakers then sent a letter to the GSA administrator urging him to consider Northern Virginia. Euille said Tuesday that Moran mentioned the vacant Victory Center on Eisenhower Avenue as a possible location for the FBI at a meeting of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties in Tysons Corner. “Where are we and what can we do to be in line to be considered to be one…

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Hoffman Center, Carlyle in Play for National Science Foundation

Two Alexandria properties will submit bids to bring agency headquarters to the city.

Properties at the Hoffman Center and Carlyle Plaza will submit lease bids to potentially land the National Science Foundation, which sent out its request for proposals for a new headquarters last week. Alexandria Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks and Alexandria Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Val Hawkins made a presentation to Alexandria City Council about the bids on Tuesday night. “[The General Services Administration] has said who can provide the best bottom line… is considered the winner,” Jinks said. “I think you’ll see a lot of sharpened pencils all over the region in the next month.” This month, the GSA pushed back the deadline for the agency to be in its new home by two years, to December 2016, potentially opening …

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Council Approves Potomac Yard Development Containing New Giant

Future of Monroe Avenue Giant remains in question.

Alexandria City Council approved the construction of a six-story, mixed-use development in Potomac Yard on Saturday that will include 253 residential units and a 69,000-square foot Giant grocery store. The development will be built just off Route 1 and north of Alexandria Fire Station 209 on Main Line Boulevard between E. Glebe Road and Seaton Avenue. It will have two and a half levels of underground parking for residents and grocery store customers. Twelve of the residential units will be reserved at an affordable rate. The Giant will consume most of the ground floor of the development and is expected to include a Starbucks, bakery, pharmacy and an outdoor cafe at the corner of E. Glebe Road and Main Line Boulevard. The construction of …

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DD

9:45 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013

I agree. we love how we can walk to the Giant and CVS!   more ›

Workshop Tuesday on Alexandria Marketing Fund

The grant program provides seed money to innovative projects in the city that are expected to help promote Alexandria as a destination for visiting, shopping, dining and doing business.

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership is hosting a workshop late Tuesday afternoon to offer more information on the city’s Marketing Fund. The fund is a grant program providing seed money to innovative projects in the form of matching funds. The fund, according to the city’s website, “is designed to increase revenues within the city by fostering public/private partnerships that promote Alexandria as a destination for visiting, shopping, dining and doing business.” City Council appropriates money for the fund and the Alexandria Marketing Fund Committee allocates it. Tuesday’s workshop offers presentations by advertising, branding, promotion and technology experts and discuss with attendees strategies for applying for fund monies. …

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Waffle Shop to Keep Quirky Awnings

Ownership of the 24-hour restaurant in Arlandria will not replace awnings and instead look into rehabilitating its neon signage.

The Waffle Shop in Arlandria will keep its quirky and iconic misspelled awnings, members of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership told Patch on Monday afternoon. Last week, members of AEDP announced that ownership of the 24-hour restaurant at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Russell Road had decided to use money secured through AEDP’s Facade Improvement Grant Program to install new awnings and correct the spelling of “Wafle Shop.” Ownership had a change of heart after learning of the support and appreciation for the awnings from customers and neighbors. One man even asked to purchase one of the awnings after learning of ownership’s decision to replace them. The grant money could instead be used to rehabilitate the restaurant’s…

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Brian Boyle

2:48 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013

Great. Maybe when the neon signs are repaired we can all meet up for egs over esy and a side of tost.   more ›

Green and Simple

Green and Simple: New Program Recognizes Alexandria's Green Businesses

Would you be more likely to patronize a business that engages in sustainable practices over one that does not?

Would you be more likely to: eat at a restaurant that goes out of its way to  compost its own waste, stay at a hotel because it engages in sustainable practices, or patronize a business because it is green certified?  Alexandria green-certified restaurants and businesses and the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) believe that many of us would and they are making it easier for us to find out about such businesses.  And, if you are a business owner or organization in the city of Alexandria, the ACVA is making it easier for you to get certified and to let prospective customers and clients know that you are. Last Friday, the ACVA hosted “Now It’s Easy Being Green - Tourism Marketing Forum” at the LEED Gold-certified Charles …

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Walker's Gelato Shop Application Receives Final Approval

The Alexandria City Council approves Boyd Walker's plans to transform the historic Commerce Street ice house, but members criticize him for disparaging remarks he made on his blog.

Boyd Walker’s application to turn a historic Commerce Street ice house into a gelato and coffee shop received approval from Alexandria City Council on Saturday, though not without members of council criticizing Walker for comments he made on his blog in regards to members of the city’s Economic Development Partnership.  The business plan, which would transform the old Mutual Ice Company building at 200 Commerce St. into a gelato stand with 30 outdoor seats, has been in the works for some time. An initial plan was approved in 2010, but Walker’s efforts stalled and the application had to make a second run through City Hall. “In terms of the prior 18 months, what’s been the problem?” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley asked Walker. “Is there an issue in…

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Local Leaders Tout Alexandria as Business-Friendly City

Small businesses are key to city growth, speakers say

Alexandria business leaders praised recent business-friendly developments in the city and called on the public and commercial sectors to work together at a Thursday morning marketing forum sponsored by the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association. About 250 people attended the event, the “ABC’s of Business in Alexandria,” held at the Crowne Plaza Alexandria in Old Town. Guest speaker Rashad Young, Alexandria city manager, stressed the importance of the aligning of the public sector with the business community to create a winning team. “I want to win,” Young said. “I want to win this community. I want to make this community continue to be a highly desirable and economically sustainable to live, work and play." Stephanie Landrum, senior …

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