Archive for the 'Old Town' Category
Spice and Tea Exchange Opens in Old Town Alexandria
April 19th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
Imagine over a dozen flavored sugars, 30 kinds of tea, 150+ spices, 20 varieties of sea salts, at least 9 varieties of pepper, special blends and more – and you have just imagined yourself into the newly opened Spice and Tea Exchange in Old Town Alexandria.
Normally we don’t write about franchise operations, preferring to focus on locally owned and operated businesses, but the Alexandria store is just the 13th outlet for this Florida based retailer and we couldn’t resist. Besides, they are located right next to my Coldwell Banker office at 320 King St.
Like many good business stories, it starts with two long time friends who have an ‘entrepreneurial itch’. Enter Joy Quinn and Taruna Reddy.
Joy was in Florida on a business trip and, taking advantage of a few free hours, wandered into the Spice and Tea Exchange in St. Augustine.
Not only did she leave laden with spices and sugars and teas, she had all the information for opening a store.
Soon after, Taruna, minding her own IT career, got THE call. Joy said, “let’s do it.” Taruna said ok and that was it. Lucky us!
Whether you are a novice cook or a devotee of Top Chef, the Spice and Tea Exchange is a place to learn and experiment.
Because all the spices, sugars and teas can be bought in small (1.5 oz) quantities, it’s a great way to try, say, the Thai Coconut rub on chicken or pork. For seafood there is the Teriyaki Ginger rub or the Northwest Salmon rub.
What about Lime Sugar to rim a margarita class or Espresso Sugar to top a creme brule? And then there is the Black Truffle Salt, the Pinot Salt or the Jalapeno Salt. The possibilities and combinations are endless.
Did I mention the spices? If it’s available, Spice and Tea Exchange will have it. Like Annato Seeds, 5 kinds of Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Hibiscus Flower, and the list goes on . . .
Round out your shopping with nutmeg graters, tea infusers, pepper mills and more.
The motto of the Spice and Tea Exchange – freshness and variety – is evident the moment you walk in the door. This is absolutely one of our new favorite places and we think it will be one of yours too.
Michael
Other Old Town Businesses:
The Market Square Shop in Old Town Alexandria
Diva Consignment Boutique in Old Town Alexandria
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March 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town Alexandria in Zip Code 22314
April 12th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Real Estate News
The March 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town Alexandria in zip code 22314, shows an increase of 20 percent in the number of sales from March 2009 to March 2010 and an increase of 15 percent in the average sold price for the same time period.
The number of days on the market (DOM) was virtually the same with both in double digits – a nice change from some of the triple digit DOM of last year.
Overall, the March numbers look strong and, together with a upswing on Wall Street, the next few months should be busy for buyers and sellers.
The numbers below represent sales of single family dwellings, condominiums are not included.
| March – Old Town 22314 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Av. List Price |
$617,472 |
$711,088 |
| Av. Sold Price |
$596,508 |
$696,396 |
| Low List Price |
$299,990 |
430,000 |
| Low Sold Price |
$265,000 |
$430,000 |
| High List Price |
$1,299,000 |
$1,495,000 |
| High Sold Price |
$1,265,000 |
1,387,000 |
| # of Home Sales |
20 |
25 |
| Av. Days on Market |
71 |
67 |
Want to know more about properties in Old Town? Give me a call at 703.927.4554.
Michael
P.S. – Check out the Alexandria House and Garden Tour this weekend – it’s a great way to get a feel for Old Town properties.
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2010 Alexandria House and Garden Tour
April 9th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
The 2010 Alexandria House and Garden Tour will kick off one week from today on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
An annual presentation of The Garden Club of Virginia, The Hunting Creek Garden Club and The Garden Club of Alexandria, the tour benefits historic gardens and landmarks in Virginia.
Five Old Town houses are featured on the tour and the houses may be visited in any order so let’s get started:
The Alexander McConnell House at 201 Duke Street. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Federal clapboard house was built in 1785-95 along with two adjacent houses at 223 and 225 South Lee Street. At that time the houses shared a common kitchen and stable. Today it has a charming side garden with a vine covered pergola and a brick patio. John H. Patterson, owner.
220 South Fairfax Street is home to an Italianate style house built in 1885. This site was the previous location of a Quaker meeting house and graveyard, a Presbyterian church, and the temporary home of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church while the current church was being built.
Ordinarily photographs are not allowed inside but we are lucky enough to know the owners and were able to get a few interior pictures.
Charlie and Susan have traveled widely in Southeast Asia and have used wonderful native art along with family heirlooms to decorate. Clock faces consistent with the age of the house line the front hall stairs. Charlie and Susan Davis, owners.
The Customs House at 501 Duke Street, a classic Federal house, was home to George Washington’s nephew and Martha Washington’s favorite niece. The couple were married at Mt. Vernon in 1785 and purchased the residence shortly thereafter.
By 1799, the building was being used as the Customs House by Charles Simms who later surrendered Alexandria to the British in the War of 1812 (and for which he was censured). The house is surrounded on three sides by a walled garden that includes a kitchen herb garden, vegetables and perennials. Lauren Belvin, owner.
806 Prince Street has a rich history and is known as the Parson Johnston House/Robert E. Lee Camp Hall. Originally built in 1852 by the then rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, this classic Greek Revival house was used as a girl’s school and once housed the Alexandria Library.
Today it is the home of the Mary Custis Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The structure features a central hallway with two rooms on either side. Other original features include wrought-iron work, moldings, millwork, fireplaces and gasoliers. The upstairs houses a Civil War museum.
The Bayne-Fowle House at 811 Prince Street was constructed in 1854 and used as a hospital during the Civil War. The design is significant in that it is an unaltered example of a wealthy merchant’s residence of the mid-19th century.
There are three stories, a raised English basement and a full attic. Inside are pier mirrors, fireplaces, staircases, shutters, floors and doors original to the house.
Listed as a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, the house is owned by Richard Klinger and Jane Slatter. On a personal note, Virginia and I lived next door at 813 Prince Street when we were first married.
Each ticket also provides all day admission to the Lee-Fendall House, Carlyle House Historic Park, Mt. Vernon, Woodlawn and Gunston Hall Plantation.
Advance tickets are $35 and are available at The Alexandria Visitor’s Center; the Athenaeum; Market Square Shop; The Enchanted Florist; Notting Hill Gardens; Red Barn Mercantile; and Reunions.
For Internet tickets, click here.
Enjoy the 2010 Alexandria House and Garden Tour, it’s a wonderful way to take in Alexandria’s rich history. Oh, be sure and take in the annual plant sale at River Farm (included in your ticket). You’ll be glad you did.
Michael
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2010 Easter Sunday at Christ Church Alexandria
April 5th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
A picture perfect day and glorious music and liturgy welcomed the over 1600 people who attended six services on Easter Sunday at Christ Church Alexandria.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
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Alexandria Real Estate Market Report for Old Town – February 2010
March 19th, 2010 Categories: Market Reports, Old Town
The February 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town shows an increase of 20 percent in the number of sales from February 2009 to February 2010 but a decrease of 13.5 percent in the average sold price for the same time period.
This decrease is explained in part by the lack of any million+ listings in February 2010 while there was an almost two million dollar listing in the 2009 numbers.
The number of days on the market (DOM) was the same for both February ‘09 and ‘10 – 66 days. One 2010 listing took 277 days to sell while one listing sold the first day. This is a nice change from the triple digit DOM in January 2010.
Overall, the February numbers look strong and are a welcome sight as we move into the spring selling season.
The numbers below represent sales of single family dwellings, condominiums are not included.
| February (OldTown) |
2009 |
2010 |
| Av. List Price |
$738,217 |
$628,747 |
| Av. Sold Price |
$709,700 |
$614,093 |
| Low List Price |
$329,900 |
$319,900 |
| Low Sold Price |
$332,000 |
$316,000 |
| High List Price |
$1,750,000 |
$949,000 |
| High Sold Price |
$1,660,000 |
$924,500 |
| # of Home Sales |
12 |
15 |
| Av. Days on Market |
66 |
66 |
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria, VA – 2010
March 6th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
Today was all about the wearing of the green at the 29th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria, VA. It didn’t matter your age, nationality, sex or size or if you had two feet or four.
If you wanted to claim a bit of the green it was yours to wear with pride.
Moderate temperatures and bright skies drew record crowds who lined 10 blocks of King Street to see marching bands, beauty queens, Gaelic football teams, the KENA Shriners, Irish dancers, Irish wolfhounds, Alexandria Democrats, Alexandria Republicans, etc. etc.
Sponsored by the “Ballyshaners” (which means Old Towners in Gaelic), today’s parade was dedicated to “those who serve” with General Ann Dunwood, U.S. Army Materiel Command, as Grand Marshall.
Pat Troy, proprietor of Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own and long time resident of Alexandria, is the guiding force behind the parade as well as its Master of Ceremonies. In fact, half the fun is listening to Mr. Troy’s well honed patter, his rich brogue as strong as the day he left County Kilcormac some forty years ago.
There may be bigger celebrations and parades more famous but St. Patrick’s Day in Alexandria, well, it’s ours.
Erin go bragh!
Michael
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Alexandria Real Estate Market Report for Old Town – January 2010
February 21st, 2010 Categories: Market Reports, Old Town
The January 2010 Real Estate Market Report for Old Town shows an increase of 42 percent in the number of listings from January 2009 to January 2010 but a decrease of almost 26 percent in the average sold price for the same time period.
The number of days on the market (DOM) dropped from 184 in 2009 to 106 in 2010. One 2010 listing took almost 600 days to sell while two listings sold in a day.
Interestingly, this is almost the complete opposite of what our December 2009 Real Estate Market Report showed. In that case, the number of listings were down but the prices were up as were the days on the market.
Overall we do not think this is cause for concern. Of the eight properties sold in January 2009, five were over a million dollars and the lowest sold price was $479,000. In January 2010, only five of the nineteen properties sold were over a million and the lowest sold price was $280,000.
The numbers below represent sales of single family dwellings, condominiums are not included.
For details on any of these listings or other properties in Old Town Alexandria, call me at 703.927.455.
Michael
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The Market Square Shop in Old Town Alexandria
January 27th, 2010 Categories: Design, Old Town
The Market Square Shop in Old Town Alexandria is a tiny jewel box of color and imagination. A favorite among Alexandria insiders, the Market Square Shop engages the senses around that most primal of levels – the home.
Located on King Street just two blocks from the water in the historic Chequire House, the Market Square Shop is filled with beautiful fabrics, traditional home accents, wedding present perfect accessories, lamps, mirrors, and cases of Limoges, Halycon and Battersea boxes, all barely contained in a small, intimate space.
Started in 1955 by Majorie Land, and Joan Leidner Miller, the Market Square Shop was one of the businesses that sparked the redevelopment of lower King Street and Old Town some fifty years ago.
The current proprietor, Bruce Schafer, joined Mrs. Land in 1985 and took over the business in 1995 when Mrs. Land retired. Bruce is also one of my favorite reasons for visiting the shop.
Dry, self-deprecating and disarmingly funny, Bruce is a master of understatement as well as a master of design. He has, seamlessly, maintained the civilized, courteous and gracious atmosphere that was a hallmark of the store from its very inception.
Walking into the Market Square Shop is taking a slight step back in time Bolts of fabric and trim are unfurled one at a time and samples are simply loaned on a signature.
This is not a place to browse for endless hours (it’s not big enough) but if you want informed answers, thoughtful suggestions, personal attention and items selected with a careful eye, then this is the place for you. Oh, don’t bother looking for a Web site though, there isn’t one.
Bruce described his job to me as “translating life into three dimension.” Whether suggesting paint colors and fabric or designing the perfect love seat, Bruce and the magic of the Market Square Shop put into reality what you have only imagined.
The Market Square Shop in Old Town Alexandria is a very special place. I love it and I think you will too
Virginia Amos
Special thanks to my spouse for this personal look at an Old Town tradition.
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Alexandria Real Estate Market Report for Old Town – December 2009
January 11th, 2010 Categories: Market Reports, Old Town
The December 2009 Alexandria Real Estate Market Report for Old Town presents an interesting set of numbers. The number of sales is down 57 percent from December 2008 to December 2009 but sales prices are up 20 percent during the same time period.
Another twist is the average number of days on market (DOM). The DOM is up 60 percent from 61 days in December 08 to 103 in December 09. This can be at least partially explained by two houses that were on the market well over a year and one that took six months to move.
Despite the decline in the number of sales for December 2009 we are encouraged by the rise in sales prices and expect to see it continue into 2010. The numbers below represent sales of single family dwellings, condominiums are not included.
For more detail on any of the numbers in this edition of the Alexandria Real Estate Market Report for Old Town, call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s talk houses.
Michael
Related articles: Old Town Alexandria
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Diva Consignment Boutique in Old Town Alexandria
January 6th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Things to Do
Diva Consignment Boutique in Old Town Alexandria is a dream come true for fashionistas on a budget.
Located on South Pitt Street in the heart of Old Town, and just round the corner from the Monaco Hotel, Diva gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘consignment.’
Think Channel, Yves St. Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Prada and Michael Kors.
Owner Cindy McCartney, a striking blonde with impeccable style, was in cosmetic management for years and a self-described ’shopaholic’.
One day she decided enough was enough.
Why not sell and be surrounded by what she truly loved – designer clothes, handbags, shoes, jewelry – and why not recycle the treasures languishing in her closets?
Cindy said she knew from the beginning that she wanted a European feel, she wanted to be in Old Town Alexandria, and her shop would be named for one of her beloved Dachshunds – DIVA!
She got her wish and three years later she is a destination location for many and a happy find for unsuspecting tourists. Not surprisingly Diva was named “Best Boutique” by both Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine in 2009.
The day we were there the shop was a beehive of activity – just think of playing “grown up dress up” with your girl friends – with Cindy as the consummate hostess.
Consignments are taken by appointment only and held to very high standards. As Cindy noted, her collection is very focused and very special.
So what are you waiting for? Go. Now. Diva Consignment Boutique in Old Town Alexandria.
Michael
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