32 minute read
Agenda Alexandria
Old Blight, New Progress: Transformational Change in Old Town North
BY PAT MILLER
Agenda Alexandria will hold its monthly online program discussing Old Town North on Monday, March 22, at 6:30 pm.
According to Val Hawkins, Agenda Alexandria chair, “Old Town North has been witnessing metamorphic change, evolving before our eyes over the last two decades. Residential and mixed-use developments including rental apartments, townhouses, condos, and retail uses scattered throughout.” Notable additions are the Harris Teeter at The Kingsley; the Gables Old Town North with apartments, restaurants, and retail built on the old Giant/ ABC Store site; and the abandoned Bus Barn site redevelopment now underway.
Hawkins further stated, “Developers are beginning to utilize the Arts District Designation of the Old Town North Small Area Plan. They are accommodating MetroStage with the Carr Company condo conversion of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and constructing The Muse at 1201 North Royal Street, which will have an Art League component.”
Hilco Redevelopment Partners, the new owners of the shuttered GenOn power plant site, have submitted to the Planning Commission a proposal to subdivide the 25-acre parcel.
According to Hawkins, “all of this will be discussed in-depth on this program. Join Agenda Alexandria’s panel of experts (shown below) in a discussion of this extraordinary transformational change.”
For more information and to register, go to www.eventbrite.com and search for Agenda Alexandria.
Nate Macek, Alexandria Planning Commissioner Agnes Artemel, President, Old Town North Alliance Mary C Harris, President, NOTICe, North Old Town Independent Citizens Association Christina Mindrup, Vice President, Commercial Real Estate - Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. Austin Flaiser, President & CEO - Carr Companies
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Photo courtesy Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library Using Mobile Apps to Give Patrons Catalog and Magazine Access
Library access is now available everywhere you go. Alexandria Library launched its new mobile app, making their whole catalog and more available on your smartphone. They have also moved digital magazine access to the Libby app.
“During the pandemic, access to digital resources are crucial. We want the library to be easily accessible whenever and wherever people need access to our staff and rich resources,” said the library’s executive director, Rose Dawson.
Through the the library’s app, patrons can place holds, renew checkouts, locate a branch, and register for events. The Libby app offers a vast selection of magazines. Browse for offerings or search for your favorites. Best of all, there are no waitlists or holds.
To download the library’s app, go to alexlibraryva.org/ using a smartphone or tablet browser. To download Libby, visit overdrive.com/apps/libby.
Photos: Grace Billups Arnold Many restaurants have taken advantage of the relaxed outdoor dining regulations in Alexandria, setting up tables in streets, parking spots, and on sidewalks
Outdoor Dining and Carry-Out Cocktails!
THEY’RE GETTING A LONGER LEASE ON LIFE IN ALEXANDRIA
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
extending permissions until July 1, 2022. That legislation
On March 30, 2020, Alex- has passed the House of Delandria Mayor Justin Wilson egates and been approved by and Richmond Mayor Levar committee for a Senate vote. Stoney asked Virginia Gov- For many restaurants, cockernor Ralph Northam to ex- tails are a primary source of tend the deadline for alcohol revenue. When dining inlicense renewals and extend permission for carry-out cocktails.
On April 8, 2020, Governor Northam issued Executive Directive 10, which defers alcohol license renewals for 90 days from each license holder’s original date of expiration. It also allows off-premise sale and service of cocktails by restaurants and Photo: Courtesy of Bill Blackburn, Homegrown Restaurant Group Tequila and Taco has much success selling carry-out cocktails like these mason jar margaritas, thanks to relaxed regulations. distilleries. ED10 remains in force until Execu- doors is restricted—or in tive Order 51, the declaration many cases, eliminated—that of a state of emergency due to income stream dries up. BeCOVID-19, expires on June cause restaurants and restau10, 2021. rant sales affect so many lives,
Recognizing that the pan- this legislation has broad supdemic crisis is unlikely to be port across the Commonover by June, the Virginia wealth. General Assembly is, as of this writing, in the final stages of CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 in January.
Upland Park, measuring 0.8 of an acre, will include a variety of amenities. Besides a play area, the design includes a dog run, seating, walking loop, and promenade.
Upland Park Developers is in charge of the design and construction of the area. It will be built in two phases. View the presentation at https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/ recreation/info/UplandParkDesignPRC21Jan2021.pdf.
Residents are welcome to provide feedback to the Planning Commission during its meeting on March 2. City Council will also hold a public hearing on March 13, during which the matter will open for discussion.
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Alexandrians Are De-Stressing During the Pandemic
HOW MIGHT NOT BE YOUR FIRST GUESS.
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
After a year like 2020, everyone needs some serious self-care. One might initially think of the classics: a massage, a facial, a vacation. But one self-care practice that might not be your immediate thought—but absolutely should be—is acupuncture.
One of Alexandrians’ favorite local self-care establishments is Caring Acupuncture, on Eisenhower Avenue, founded in 2017 by Dr. Tetsuhiro Ueno, L. Ac. Caring Acupuncture won Zebra’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Acupuncturist in 2020.
Dr. Ueno worked at an integrative medical clinic for ten years before deciding to open his practice. Originally from Japan, Dr. Ueno explains his professional path, “My first job brought my wife and me from Japan to Washington D.C. in 1999. One day we visited an acupuncture clinic recommended by our friend. It was a small clinic with one acupuncturist accompanied by his wife and dog. My wife and I said to each other, ‘This is nice! We might be able to do this!’ Now I am so happy to have changed professions because I can feel patients’ happiness directly when I help them.”
Today, two acupuncturists, each having finished doctoral programs in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and two friendly receptionists, one of whom is Dr. Ueno’s wife, Sachiko, work alongside Dr. Ueno. Although their dogs can’t come to the clinic, Dr. Ueno and Sachiko have achieved their dream.
Acupuncture helps improve multiple states of being: mental, physical, and emotional. Acupuncture treatment is relaxing, not painful, and helps many conditions such as pain, stress, insomnia, anxiety/depression, infertility, digestive issues, weight management,
Photo: Sachiko Ueno From the right: Dr. Mark Badzislaw, Dr. Tetsuhiro Ueno, and Dr. Taejean Converti are happy to help Alexandrians care for themselves at Caring Acupuncture. CONTINUED ON PAGE 55
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Photo: Sachiko Ueno Cupping therapy is another self-care technique which increases blood flow into muscle tissue to aid recovery. It is used to treat localized pain, as in the neck, back, or face.
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Courtesy of Rebuilding Together In November, Rebuilding Together received a grant from Lowe’s to help veterans in their homes. This project in D.C. included gutter, vent, and carpet repair.
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
Serving five Alexandria zip codes, Rebuilding Together is maintaining Alexandria’s history amidst the pandemic. Rebuilding Together is a D.C.-based 501c3 nonprofit specializing in repairing homes for low-income homeowners, thereby revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives. This year it has had to rebuild its business strategy.
The company offers construction and repairs to the residents in Alexandria and D.C. who need it most and at no cost to the homeowners. Rebuilding Together usually works with large companies for funding and holds a massive annual volunteer event that draws over 1,000 volun-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 50
Photos at right: No job is too big or too small for Rebuilding Together.
Photos courtesy of Rebuilding Together
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Ada Nelson celebrates her 100th birthday at The Hermitage in Alexandria. Ada’s son, Alessandro, sent his mother a bouquet of 99 red roses for her 99th birthday. Alessandro sent his mother a golddipped rose to complete last year’s bouquet of 99. Bob and Ada Nelson on their wedding day.
Photos: Daria Nelson
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BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
Ada Nelson was born in Rome, Italy, in 1920. On Sunday, December 27, 2020, she celebrated her centennial birthday here in Alexandria.
Ada lives at The Hermitage Northern Virginia Retirement Community in Alexandria. When The Zebra heard they were “planning some party outside her window with balloons and friends,” we knew we had to meet the special one-century woman.
Ada’s close friend Betty Peebles spoke recently about their friendship and the details of the upcoming party. “She’s absolutely lovely, dramatically beautiful, sophisticated. She lit up my life,” said Betty. “So whatever we can do to make her happy, we are going to do.”
Upon meeting her, the first thing Ada will say is, “If you’re asking me what I did to get here, I did nothing in particular. But it could be my Mediterranean diet and my love of pasta in any shape or form.” Ada never thought she would make it this far. She claims she “just lived normally,” but by conventional standards, she’s had anything but a normal life.
Born in an old part of the ancient city of Rome, Ada spent most of her childhood with her au pair, Ms. Gannon, from whom she learned English at the age of six. Ada attended boarding school in Florence, Italy, until the age of 17.
Then came World War II, bringing strife and devastation to Italy and the world, but not all was to be for the worst. During the war years, Ada met her husband, Robert Nelson. They met at a party. He was a dapper American Army officer; she was a beautiful young lady. Both were seeking a reprieve from the hardships of the war, and they found it within each other. They married in 1947. “We couldn’t wait,” says Ada.
The Nelsons moved to Wilmington, Delaware, and had a son, Alessandro. They soon took their son back to live in Rome and, in 1958, had a daughter, Daria. The family grew together in Italy until Daria came to the U.S. to attend the University of Virginia. In 1979, after Daria’s graduation, Ada and Bob moved to Lexington, Virginia, to be closer to her. In 1992, they moved to Alexandria.
“Lexington was quaint and pastoral, but Mom is a city gal,” says Daria, “We love Old Town, and up to her 80s, Mom would take the DASH bus to downtown to get the feel of city life.”
Last year, in the city Ada has called home for almost three decades, the family rang in her 99th birthday with a big bash. Ada’s son and other family members came from Italy. Alessandro gave his mother a bouquet of 99 longstem red roses.
This year, for obvious reasons, both the city and the party looked different. For Ada’s centennial, a few close friends and family, including daughter Daria, granddaughter Nathalie, and friend Betty, held a socially distanced celebration at The Hermitage. The party ensued with a sheet cake, flowers, gifts, myriad birthday cards from friends who could not attend, and video-chatting with Alessandro and his family. But Alessandro managed to surprise Ada with one gold-dipped, long-stem rose and matching pin to round out last year’s bouquet of 99 roses.
While this anything-butnormal year of 2020 called for an unconventional celebration, still Ada proclaims, “It was a beautiful party. I am very grateful for my family and friends near and far.”
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Spreading Lasagna Love in Alexandria
Photo: Jane Wladar Above: One chef makes homemade sauce with fresh basil from her own plant. Below: Rhiannon Menn (founder of Lasagna Love) preps lasagna with her daughter, Cimorene.
Photo: Rhiannon Menn Photos: Helyett Alvarez At left: Another chef surprised a client with dessert.
Below: Lasagnas are easy to bake in bulk, so the love can be spread.
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Lasagna Love has been providing pasta, positivity, and, well, love across America. Founded in 2020 in San Diego, California, by mother and chef Rhiannon Menn, Lasagna Love started with the goal of helping moms impacted by the pandemic.
Today, Lasagna Love has spread across 47 states, coast to coast. In the greater Alexandria area, Lasagna Love counts 120 volunteer chefs who are cooking for countless others.
The concept is simple: chefs, home bakers, anyone can volunteer to cook a lasagna. Moms, dads, children, parents, families, anyone can request or nominate someone to receive a lasagna. Chefs are matched with recipients. They coordinate a delivery time and place and, voila, love spreads through lasagna.
Lasagna Love can accommodate some food allergies or restrictions. Some chefs have had to get creative with gluten-free noodles, zucchini noodles, and dairy-free cheese.
I spoke with some of Lasagna Love’s volunteer chefs in Alexandria as they shared their stories, processes, and passions for creating good food for good people.
Eileen Murphy said, “What I enjoy about it is getting the whole family involved. I have an 11-year-old and an 8-yearold, and we make it a team effort. The boys enjoy the opportunity to cook, and to know what they’re doing is important to someone else.”
Full-time teacher and parttime lasagna chef Rebecca Culbreth said, “I was matched with a healthcare worker who had been in an accident and was trying to work as many hours as possible but truly was not well. I resonated with this person because of the timing of everything. When you think about human nature, anytime there’s grief, there’s always food. Food is love.”
“It’s not always about whether you can’t afford it. You might just need a break,” Eileen added.
“I love that the philosophy of this is straight from the heart. No questions asked. If you need a meal, we will be happy to make it for you. You don’t have to earn it,” Maria Wasowski said.
Rhiannon started Lasagna Love from just that—lasagna and love. Thanks to the power of social media, Lasagna Love now counts 15,000 volunteer chefs nationwide. In November 2020, it earned 501c3 nonprofit status.
Social media has the power to unite and empower, or simply to comfort people. The Alexandria chefs rave about the support they receive in the Lasagna Love Facebook group. Eileen said, “Somebody posted about their being a chef and that they owned a sauce company, so they provided people with all sorts of sauces. This group not only spreads goodness but also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.”
Rebecca said, “It’s a ripple effect. Kindness is contagious, after all.” Lasagna Love allows Alexandrians who want to make an impact a new, simple, and direct way to do it. “It doesn’t have to be a Herculean effort. Just making a meal is a contribution to the bigger picture,” said Volunteer Helyett Alvarez.
Food insecurity is a global problem that the pandemic has exacerbated. Maria concludes, “The pandemic was a good catalyst for this, but Lasagna Love is not going away. It is only getting started.”
These chefs, volunteers, teachers, parents, and families are proving that lasagna is the ultimate comfort food and, more important, that a little love goes a long way.
If you are interested in volunteering for, donating to, or requesting from Lasagna Love, visit www.lasagnalove. org.
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Alexandria’s Apothecary Named Newest National Historic Landmark
ONLY 21 NEW SITES RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE
BY MARY WADLAND
Alexandria’s Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary at 105 N. Fairfax Street is big news these days because it’s now recognized as a bonafide real National Historic Landmark.
Revealed on January 13, 2021, the Secretary of the Interior designated 21 new historic sites which illustrate important aspects of American history and represent a diverse array of historic periods, cultural groups, property types, and archeological sites from across the nation.
The museum was nominated for its contributions to fields of business and science, within the theme of developing the American economy. As noted in the nomination, “The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop is nationally significant in the history of pharmacy in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly the evolution of drug stores and the changing role of pharmacists.”
According to Director of Historic Alexandria Gretchen Bulova, “This National Historic Landmark designation reflects the Stabler-Leadbeater’s Apothecary’s place in the history of medicine in the United States. We are honored to receive this special recognition for the Apothecary Museum on behalf of the historic preservation efforts of Alexandria residents since the 1930s to preserve this important site.”
Want to Know a Bit More?
Here’s the backstory. Edward Stabler came to Alexandria after apprenticing in the apothecary business with his brother in Leesburg, Virginia. A devout Quaker and savvy businessman, he rented space in 1792 near the corner of S. Fairfax and Prince Streets to start his business. In 1805, Stabler purchased the land at 107 S. Fairfax Street and built the present-day three-story brick building for his thriving apothecary business. By 1829, he had purchased 105 S. Fairfax and incorporated the building into his operation.
The typical products Stabler sold included medicine, farm and garden equipment, surgical instruments, dental equipment, soap, perfume, Congress mineral water, window glass, paint and varnish, artists’ supplies, combs, and brushes.
By 1806, Stabler began traveling extensively to Quaker church meetings throughout the region, often leaving his apprentices and oldest son William to run the business in his absence. After his father’s death in 1831, the business passed to William. Keeping with the family-run tradition, William brought several of his brothers and also his brother-in-law, John Leadbeater, into the business. After William’s death in 1852, John Leadbeater, a trained apothecary and dentist, purchased the business from William’s widow, as the couple had no children, and changed the name of the business from William Stabler and Brother to John Leadbeater.
In 1865, the business was operated by John’s son Edward and soon supplied to nearly 500 pharmacies throughout the Washington, DC, area. At its peak, the Leadbeaters employed 12 salesmen throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina to promote their wholesale and mail order businesses. The company operated in 7 buildings in Alexandria, including the two main buildings on Fairfax Street, offices on King Street, warehouses on Lee and Prince Streets, and an office in Washington, DC.
The financial strain of new regulations and competition from chain drug stores caused the business to seek bankruptcy protection in 1916. Despite reorganizing, the shop again declared bankruptcy in May 1933. The business closed amid the financial collapse of the Great Depression and the death of its final owner, Edward Stabler Leadbeater, Jr.
Photo: Lillis Werder
When Did It Become a Museum?
Spurred into action to save the historic collection for future generations, a plan was crafted by concerned Alexandria citizens and the American Pharmaceutical Association to purchase the collection and archives with private buyers. The majority of the contents and archives were purchased at auction on July 19, 1933, by L. Manuel Hendler, a Baltimore ice cream merchant with an affinity for the history of pharmacy. The following year, the newly formed Landmarks Society of Alexandria purchased the buildings at auction. Hendler then donated the contents and archives to the Landmarks Society.
With the buildings and collection secured, the structures were returned to their 18th century appearance by noted restoration architect, Thomas Tileston Waterman. The museum was officially reopened in 1939, free of charge thanks to the financial support of the American Pharmaceutical Association. After an extensive renovation adding a fire suppression system, and restabilizing the structure, the Landmarks Society donated the museum and its contents to the City of Alexandria in November of 2006.
Besides the Apothecary, one additional site in Virginia was designated - the Patsy Cline House in Winchester, VA.
Photo: Brandy Reber Photo: Michael and Brandy Reber Above: The inspiration came from this fort built in 1985 by Michael Reber (second from right, red hat, green jacket) and siblings.
At left: From left: Casey Foster, Michael Reber, Cruz Reber, Chaz Reber, Casen Reber, Brian Foster.
Snow Fort on Commonwealth Stirs Community in a Good Way
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
On Monday, February 1, a trio of brothers, Chaz, Cruz, and Casen Reber, along with friend Casey Foster, began rolling snowballs for a neighborhood snowman. As the snowballs began to get bigger and heavier, they recruited the help of their dads, Michael Reber and Brian Foster.
Michael suddenly remembered the time in 1985 when he and his friends built a snow fort. After some reminiscing (and a little convincing), all the boys were on board.
The group started stacking snowballs higher and higher, until what they described as a “teepee” took shape.
The final snowball was placed on top of the “teepee” to seal the fort. An impressive structure, the snow fort stood about six feet high, with a small, kids-only opening in the front.
Brandy Reber, Michael’s wife and mother of the Reber boys, said, “They were out there for about three hours rolling snowballs and constructing [the fort]. They were out there working hard the whole time.”
Brandy’s middle son, Cruz, exclaimed that his arms were sore at the end.
People were driving by to admire, and even play in the snow fort, once word got out in the neighborhood and then photos were shared on social media.
Brandy says, “It’s been so fun and rewarding just watching out the window. Cars stop, people get out and take pictures, lots of kids climb on it, sit on it, get inside it. It really has just been so fun to see the people in the community enjoying it.”
What Was That Snow Duck Sculpture in Oronoco Bay Park All About?
BY GRACE BILLUPS ARNOLD
On daily walks over the last four years, two local Alexandrians, Robert Dougherty and Kirsten Jacobson, have noticed three inseparable ducks, of three separate species, that reside in Oronoco Bay Park. A white duck, a grey duck, and a male Mallard.
“They live next to the water park year-round, including winter. So part of our daily walks also included seeing what the trio were up to,” says Robert.
Growing fond of the waterfowl, Robert and Kirsten felt the trio needed names. They chose Al (Mallard), Lex (white), and Andria (grey), in honor of their beloved city.
In the summer of 2020, after the lingering effects of a hurricane blew through the area, Lex disappeared. “Lately it’s only been Al and Andria,” says Robert. “They still follow one another around.”
So when the first big snow came down in Alexandria Monday, February 1, Robert decided to pay homage to Lex by sculpting the Snow Duck, which he named Lex Jr.
Robert says, “We wanted to enjoy the snow since
Above: Robert Dougherty with Lex Jr.
Photos: Robert Dougherty
At right: The Snow Duck Sculpture, named Lex Jr., honors lost duck, Lex. CONTINUED ON PAGE 55
Old Town North: The Seeds of Yesteryear Transform as Community Blossoms
BY MARGARET TOWNSEND
If you ask any resident or business owner in Old Town North what makes this nook of Alexandria so special, you’ll likely hear a lot about ‘’history” and “community.” Let’s find out why.
Before 1947 and the establishment of the Potomac Riv-
er Power Plant, much of Old Town North was agrarian. In the late 1800s to early 1900s, it was also slightly industrial, providing employment for those who lived in Old Town North. Over the years the neighborhood continued to evolve to meet the needs of residents and small business owners, all while preserving and parading its history.
Courtesy of Bruce Machanic Above: Since the mid-nineties, the Montgomery Center has been a hub for small, local businesses in Old Town North. At left: Today it is home to beloved River’s Edge Yoga, Wheel Nuts Bike Shop, Extra Perks Coffee Shop and Café, and more!
Laura Hatcher Photography
A Mid-Century Mecca
A cornerstone of Old Town North is the Montgomery Center, affectionately known as the “coolest block in town,” by its tenants and patrons. The building encompasses the entire square block between North Fairfax, North Royal, Madison, and Montgomery streets.
Originally developed as warehouse space built in phases starting in the early 1950s, additional secondfloor offices were added in the early 1970s. During the Cold War, The Montgomery Center was home to Teledyne Geotech, a company tasked with monitoring seismic activity of Soviet nuclear testing worldwide. In fact, that data was stored on tapes right here in Old Town North. You might be more familiar with the division of Teledyne Geotech that makes “water-piks,” the popular water-based flossing system.
The Montgomery Center had other unique tenants as well. Have you ever noticed the funky, wide-open, pushed-back entrance to the Art League School Madison Annex on North Fairfax street, the one that is about the size of a car? Fun fact: It used to be a car wash.
Since 1976, the Montgomery Center has been owned by MRE Properties, based in Annapolis, Maryland. MRE President Bruce Machanic explained that the neighborhood used to be primarily commercial office space, but there were a few residential properties including the Port Royale Condominiums, The Alexandria House and Canal Way. There was very little retail or fine dining, but there was one club called Fleetwood’s, owned by none other than Mick Fleetwood of the famous rock band Fleetwood Mac at the foot of Montgomery Street, one block up from the Potomac River. Fleetwood’s closed in 1996, but Old Town North has always found a way to rock on.
A Budding Flower Begins to Bloom
In 1992, the City of Alexandria updated the Old Town North Small Area Plan (OTNSAP), which prioritized economic development and placemaking, and formed the Old Town North Community Partnership (OTNCP) to aid in the implementation of the new plan.
The partnership was instrumental in working with the City of Alexandria on improvements to Old Town North that would celebrate the neighborhood and all those in it. Those improvements included Montgomery Park, the hub of the neighborhood, as well as a year-round Thursday Farmer’s Market, a Summer Concert Series, and the annual Taste of Old Town
Acts like Janis Joplin, Lou Reed and Alice Cooper performed at the old Alexandria Roller Rink which stood at 805 N. St. Asaph from 1948 to 1979.
Laura Hatcher Photography “Buried beneath this stone lies lock #3 of the Alexandria Canal,” reads the Alexandria Canal plaque. The Alexandria Canal connected the Harbor of Alexandria with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown D.C. It used to run right through Old Town North.
OLD TOWN NORTH
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
North.
Old Town North continued to blossom, adding new residential properties, restaurants, arts organizations, and retail, as well as a mixture of small, locally owned businesses including Wheel Nuts Bike Shop, operating here for over 20 years, Seichou Karate, and Metro Stage, Alexandria’s only professional theater company.
In 2017 the OTNSAP was updated again, designating Old Town North as Alexandria’s Arts and Cultural District. Despite the current pandemic, the arts and culture of this newly designated district found a way to persevere. The Taste of Old Town North was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but it has been reimagined for Spring 2021 as a two-month stroll through the neighborhood, with a percentage of the ticket sales benefiting the local nonprofit ALIVE!
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A little fire that warms is better than a big fire that burns. —Irish proverb
OLD TOWN NORTH
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
A Year to Persevere
Café 44 opened at the Canal Center Plaza in 2017. With beautiful views from its dining balcony four floors above the Potomac River, Café 44 quickly became a popular spot for happy hour, and its innovative menu delighted Alexandria’s restaurant-loving residents. For a couple of years, Café 44 enjoyed a burgeoning business, until COVID-19 showed up and upended everything.
Though times have been tough and unpredictable for all, Jula Jane, President and CEO of Café 44, has been humbled by the amazing support she and her staff have received from the local community.
Visit Alexandria’s annual and beloved Restaurant Week looked different this year, of course, due to the pandemic. Even though it had to be transformed into a To-Go promotion, restaurants were still grateful for the opportunity to participate. In fact, Jula said she thought it was Café 44’s best Restaurant Week ever, and that “at the end of the two-week-long event, Executive Chef Nicki Schmelzer basically collapsed from exhaustion, but with a smile on her face.” Jula was so encouraged by the community’s support of her business that she is launching a new concept, Bar 44, on that picturesque rooftop terrace at Café 44.
In addition to neighborhood support, government aid packages like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program and Alexandria Back to Business grants (ALX B2B)—both designed to financially support small business—made it possible for Café 44 and other businesses to keep the majority of their staff employed.
The truth is, because of that vital neighborhood and government support, more new restaurants are opening up in Old Town North.
Laura Hatcher Photography The popular St. Elmo’s of Del Ray has opened a second location in Old Town North, with a chic layout, and delicious menu.
Welcome to the Neighborhood Anew
New to the neighborhood are the owners of St. Elmo’s Old Town North, now open on Montgomery Street. Larry and Christine Ponzi are delighted with the warm welcome they have received from members of the community. “People would stop in to say ‘Hi’ and ‘Thank you for doing this’ while we were preparing to open the new space,” said Larry and Christine.
Similar to the vibe in their Del Ray location, the Ponzis had a vision of creating a space for the community to gather and enjoy a simple meal and conversation with friends. As COVID restrictions ease, Christine and Larry hope to add music and poetry readings at St. Elmo’s Old Town
Laura Hatcher Photography
“The Old Town North Community Partnership is an organization of residents, small, local businesses, and employees working to create a vital, vibrant community in Old Town North,” says oldtownnorth.org.
Courtesy of Kevin Windmiller
OLD TOWN NORTH
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
North to further that vision.
Traveling Through Time
There are three civic organizations working to support this vibrant, walkable community: the previously mentioned OTNCP, The North Old Town Independent Citizens Association (NOTICe), and the Old Town North Alliance (OTN Alliance).
In fact, the folks at NOTICe had a thought. “What were the people who lived, worked, and owned businesses in Old Town North up to in 1920?” Both Mary Harris, president of NOTICe, and Trevor Riley, Event Chair of NOTICe, wanted to find out what life was like here 100 years ago. They did their research and came up with The NOTICe Time Capsule: 100 Years Ago in Old Town North.
Hosted by Mary Harris, The NOTICe Time Capsule event will take place Thursday, March 4, at 7:00 pm, live via Zoom. In addition to being president of NOTICe, Mary is an amateur genealogist, and she will introduce some of Old Town North’s residents from 100 years ago. Archeologist and lecturer Pam Cressey, former city archeologist for the City of Alexandria, will also take part in the event. Pam’s work throughout the years has helped Alexandria document and interpret its history over this century. The NOTICe Time Capsule is a true chance to learn about who worked and lived in Old Town North an entire century ago.
The event is free and open to NOTICe members and neighbors near and far. Register to attend at notice-
alexandria.org.
Looking Forward
The days are beginning to get longer and spring is looming on the horizon. It won’t be long til the crocuses appear, and forsythia and daffodils vie to be the most joyful yellow of the season. For Alexandria and indeed all of the country, hope springs eternal in the form of COVID vaccines this year. And among all the new growth, the flower that is Old Town North will begin to bloom again.
Above top: The Old Town North Farmer’s Market is year-round, every Thursday. Above: The Taste of Old Town North has been modified for 2021.
