Archive for the 'Old Town' Category
Pound or Pedigree, Alexandria is A Dog Friendly Place to Be!
March 21st, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Doggone It, Old Town, Real Estate News
Named as one of the Top 10 Cities (as part of the greater Washington Metropolitan area) in the U.S. for dogs, Alexandria is home to 20 dog parks, 6 specialty pet boutiques, 3 pet bakeries, 2 organic pet food stores, a luxury pet spa, and at least one doggie happy hour.
Dogs are front and center at Halloween parades, December’s Scottish Walk, St. Patrick’s Day Fun, Yappy Hours, numerous adoption days and the Annual Canine Games in Chinquapin Park. In fact, the local animal shelter, run by the Animal Welfare League, is named after former city manager, Vola Lawson.
Charlie
Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market - whether in Del Ray or Old Town - is as much about seeing and being seen with your dog as it is about buying fresh produce. And on the beautiful spring days that Alexandria is known for, well, you might think you were at the Westminster Kennel Club walking the judges ring!
One of the newest additions to the specialty pet market is Nature’s Nibbles, which sells all natural, totally organic pet food, natural treats and raw bones plus supplements, toys, beds, hemp collars and leashes.
The business, owned by Chris Gabriel and his wife Anne, grew out of their experience with their own dog Gypsy who was allergic to certain grains. Chris started Nature’s Nibbles as an online delivery venture first, but opened a store front operation in Del Ray just a little over a year ago.
When the weather is nice, Nature’s Nibbles offers a “do it yourself dog wash”. You supply the dirty dog, they supply temperature controlled water, hypo-allergenic shampoo, towels and the bath. What a deal!
In business since 1995, another all natural, all organic shop is Petsage, Inc. which specializes in offering healthy diet choices both at their retail location off Duke Street and on line.
Barkley Square -named the 2006 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Retail Business of the year - with locations in Old Town and Del Ray (right next to our favorite Evening Star cafe) offers a variety of gift baskets that make gift giving simple for that special dog in your life. Owner Kristina Robertson is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Alexandria City Visitors Association (ACVA) and is a board member of the King Street Metro Enterprise Team (KSMET) which works to enhance the pet friendly atmosphere of the community.
Fetch Dog and Cat Bakery Boutique is located directly across from the Old Town Starbucks which makes it a destination for dog and owner alike. (We all know that kitties do not go for walks, nor do they have owners.) Fetch offers more than 60 kinds of edible treatsand specializes in unusual birthday cakes. There are also doggie cupcakes, tiny pizzas, “Postman cookies” and “Kitty cookies”so, as owner Lisa Erbe joked, “a dog can eat a cat.”*** Fetch has just opened a second location in Lorton, VA - just south of Alexandria on I-95.
Treats from Fetch
The real pioneers in pet care however are Carlos and Sandy Mejias who opened Olde Town School for Dogs in 1975 in a 300 sq. ft. rental in the heart of historic Old Town. Since that time they have expanded, on the same block, to 7,000 sq. ft. devoted solely to training, grooming and retail.
Perhaps best known for their innovative “Puppy Head Start” program, OTSFD offers pick up and delivery service for area residents (dogs only, no humans allowed). Using the streets, shops and parks of Alexandria as a perfect situational training ground, OTSFD ”students” are a common sight in Old Town.
The Mejias most recent enterprise is the Olde Towne Pet Resort in Springfield, VA offering some 200 rooms, or suites, with packages that can include windows, television, and play time in an indoor pool or on an agility course. Similar accommodations are offered for feline friends.
Other specialty stores include For Pet’s Sake in the Fairlington area of Alexandria, and Pro Feed in the Bradlee Shopping Center. The Alexandria Medical Arts Pharmacy in Old Town will specially prepare pet medicines to make them more palatable.
Who ever came up with the phrase “going to the dogs” was obviously not from this area ’cause our dogs have it good . . .as does our spoiled feline
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
***Mac did NOT think much of this cookie idea!
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Alexandria Has 8 New Additions to ZAGAT’s 2008 Dining Guide
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Cameron Station, Dining Favorites, Old Town, Real Estate News, Things to Do
The 2008 Zagat guide for the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas features 8 new listings for Alexandria restaurants for an overall total of 47.
Nina and Tim Zagat, fanatic New York “foodies” started the first guide in 1979 as a hobby involving 200 friends and friends of friends. Today more than 300,000 individuals contribute to the surveys for 15 U.S. cities and 6 cities around the globe. Zagat is considered the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based information on where to eat, drink, stay and play worldwide.
As The New York Times said, the Zagat Survey is “a necessity second only to a valid credit card!”
So, what are Alexandrian’s raving about? In alphabetical order:
BASTILLE
1201 North Royal Street, 703.519.3776
Charming rusticity transports diners to provincial France at this wine bar and bistro. The menu reflects the recent Parisian revolution in Gallic fare as the chef-owners reinvigorate the classics with Mediterranean flavors. Outdoor patio. Conveniently located next to a wonderful store, Abaca Imports, which is located next to Metro Stage. Shop, have dinner, go to the theater and never leave the block.
BUZZ
901 Slaters Lane, 703.600.2899
Industrial-chic, WiFi-equipped coffeehouse, dessert lounge and bakery is an unofficial community center for nearby and newly minted neighborhood, Potomac Greens. A recently added wine bar serves wine and cocktails. I can vouch for the cupcakes!
EAMONN’S, A Dublin Chipper
728 King Street, 703.299.8384
Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong (owners of other local fav’s Restaurant Eve and the Majestic) bring Dublin to town via this small, spare recreation of Irish fast food. Fish ‘n’ chips, battered burgers, Irish beer. Tip - when the blue light outside an unmarked door on Columbus Street is “on”, patrons can buzz for entry to the upstairs PX, a speakeasy-themed lounge. Easily the best fish ‘n’ chips anywhere; very casual.
Farrah Olivia
600 Franklin Street, 703.778.2233
A white tablecloth setting for distinctive New American cuisine featuring influences from France and chef-owner Moruo Quattara’s native Ivory Coast. Quattara was a recent contestant on Iron Chef America.
FOOD MATTERS
4906 Brenman Park Drive, 703.461.3663
Cafe, wine bar and gourmet market in Cameron Station with a 15-seat room serving communal diners with locally sourced ingredients. Co-owners, Christy and Tom Przystawik were formerly with Cafe Atlantico in the District.
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Alexandria Named One of Nation’s “100 Best Communities for Young People”
February 6th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Old Town, Parker-Gray, Potomac Yard
On January 24th 2008, after a year long competition, Alexandria was recognized as a “One Hundred Best Communities for Young People” by the America’s Promise Alliance. The Alliance was founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell and is committed to children and the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
The Alliance is a catalyst for community-based efforts to demonstrate how children receive what are known as the 5 Promises:
CARING ADULTS
SAFE PLACE
A HEALTHY START
EFFECTIVE EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OTHERS
Alexandria’s commitment to creating partnerships and collaborations to address youth issues was sparked by the Early Childhood Commission and Youth Policy which, in turn, established an Early Childhood Development Plan and Asset Development Initiative.
The initiative created two funds to channel money into specific areas. The Children’s Fund has awarded more than $6.3 million to organizations to help provide quality childhood programs and services to at risk youth and the Youth Fund which has awarded nearly $1.6 million to youth programs that help build assets for youth. Among the initiatives are an array of programs and services in teen pregnancy prevention, juvenile delinquency, education, post-secondary education, mentoring and youth development.
More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the honor. The 100 winning communities span 37 states.
In offering his congratulations, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine noted, “The Commonwealth is fortunate to have such an honor bestowed upon one of its most vital cities. I commend the City of Alexandria for encouraging, educating and protecting the lives of youngsters.”
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
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