Top 2018 Business Stories In Alexandria: Cat Café, Cidery Plans

ALEXANDRIA, VA—It's been a big year for business in Alexandria from exciting new openings to announcements of future developments and goodbyes to beloved businesses.

From emerging plans of a cat café to the first regional Taco Bell with alcoholic drinks, there was plenty of business news to talk about in 2018.

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Here are the top business stories around Old Town Alexandria over the last calendar year:

Taco Bell Opens By End Of 2018 In Alexandria

Taco Bell Cantina has opened at Tavern Square in Old Town Alexandria, becoming the first Taco Bell serving alcoholic beverages in Virginia and the DC region. The menu includes shareable appetizers, along with food items found at regular Taco Bell locations. beer, wine, sangria and twisted Freezes.

Bakery Opens In Alexandria's Pendleton Carryout Co.

Pendleton Carryout Company, an incubator for emerging food concepts in Alexandria, added Killa Cakes to its offerings in late November. Bria Taylor's Killa Cakes sells cakes emphasizing graphically designed art and eccentric flavors.

• Dumplings And Pizza Carryout Place Opens In Alexandria
• Pendleton Carryout: Coming in Hot

Landmark Mall Re-Planning Process Begins

The city began replanning for the Landmark Mall redevelopment with updates to the existing plan with community input. Redevelopment had been delayed for years, but the Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns part of the mall site, said it's ready to move redevelopment forward.

Alexandria Cat Café Seeks To Become First In NoVA

Northern Virginia's first cat café is seeking locations to open in Old Town Alexandria. Mount Purrnon Cat Café and Wine Bar is envisioned as a part cat lounge and part wine bar and café. One room would feature adoptable cats from a local shelter where visitors can play with them. The café and wine bar would offer coffee, tea, pastries, varieties of wine and beer and snacks.

Cider Company Seeks To Open In Alexandria

Virginia Cider Company has proposed a cider production facility and tasting room in Alexandria called Lost Boy Cider. The company submitted a special use permit application for 317 Hooffs Run Drive and aims to launch in the spring.

Alexandria's Light Horse Reopens Downstairs As Dining Bar

Light Horse opened a new downstairs dining bar on Oct. 15. While the upstairs stays true to a college bar-type atmosphere with games, live music and dancing, the downstairs area offers a more upscale dining scene.

Alexandria Eatery Named A 2018 Best Southern Restaurant

Alexandria's own RT's Restaurant is the only Virginia restaurant claiming a spot on Open Table's list of 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America 2018. The Mount Vernon Avenue restaurant has been offering authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine for over 30 years.

Restaurant Eve Closes Doors In Alexandria

Chef Cathal Armstrong and his wife Meshelle announced Restaurant Eve closed in Alexandria after 14 years in business. The restaurant's last day was June 2.

BGR The Burger Joint Closes In Alexandria

BGR The Burger Joint suddenly closed at 106 N. Washington Street early in the year. The casual chain services up made-to-order burgers and sides like fries, shakes, beer and wine.

Metro To Shut Down 6 Stations Along Blue, Yellow Lines In 2019

Metro announced plans to temporarily close all Blue and Yellow line stations south of Reagan National Airport during the summer of 2019, as part of a three-year project to rebuild outdoor station platforms.

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