Once upon a time, the Montgomery Center Globe appeared on a semi-consistent schedule. With so much going on within the Montgomery Center and also in the surrounding Old Town North area, it seems an appropriate time to bring The Globe back to life!
There are some exciting new tenants around the block.
Yunnan By Potomac is only the second restaurant on the east coast specializing in Yunnan cuisine! If you haven’t tried it already, your MRE Holiday Bag had a gift certificate to try their unique rice noodle dishes.
Goldfinch at 802 North Fairfax is a delightful gift shop offering everything from candles and coffee table books to cocktail party necessities. The owner, world-renowned designer, Jeff Akseizer, has brightened the front of the shop with lush green plants and yellow marigolds.
Taking over the old Language Stars space, CARD (Center for Autism & Related Diseases) provides curricula tailored to specific needs of the individuals it serves.
In addition to new tenants, we have also had a wave of new owners taking over longstanding spaces. Almost a year ago Harun Boluk took over the upstairs salon at 320 Montgomery and opened Suissa Salon Harun. Then in the summer, Julie Kim bought Kim’s Cleaners, although no relation to the previous Mrs. Kim, there was no reason to change the name! The New York Salon is now Salon Kate & Spa with new owner Kate Walters.
The Neighborhood . . .
Thursday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm brings the Farmers Market to the parking lot of the tennis courts in Montgomery Park. Often braving the heat, cold or wet weather, vendors are selling farm fresh fruits, vegetables and eggs, microgreens, gluten-free goodies, coffee, handmade clothing and more.
Come check it out and support Old Town North’s only outdoor market https://oldtownnorth.org/farmers-market/.
Down the street in the 600 block of Montgomery, Edens/Gables is putting the finishing touches on their mixed use project and the anchor retail space, West Elm, has already opened. We have heard the apartments are leasing quickly!
Carr will begin construction on the conversion of the Crowne Plaza at 901 North Fairfax into condominiums with a special permanent home for MetroStage. Surrounding the high-rise, in what is now the surface parking lot, will be townhouses. Check out the design at https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/January%202018%20901%20N%20Fairfax%20Submission.compressed.pdf
Further up North Royal on Third Street, Carr will be starting a residential project that will also house a small expansion of the Art League School (see www.Alexandriava.gov/uploadedfiles/1201NorthRoyal/UDACAugustReduced.pdf for more details). The City, as part of the recently completed Old Town North Small Area Plan, is working to encourage even more of the arts in the newly-established Old Town North Arts District.
Finally, the old Bus Barn site at 600 North Royal was approved in December for 288 apartments.
Check it out at www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedfiles/600NRoyal/factsheet.
Due to all the construction in the area, parking may be at a premium over the coming months. The lot behind 801 North Fairfax (entrance on Montgomery Street) has available off-street parking for anyone interested.
Other News . . .
Sections of the Montgomery Center roof are scheduled to be replaced this spring. You may hear some noise as old portions are removed and new sections are installed, but the process does not use any smelly oil or chemicals and hopefully disruptions will be very minor. We will also be painting some of the exterior of the building as well.
You may have noticed the absence of our very cheerful maintenance man, Wesley, who damaged his shoulder last spring and has had two surgeries since the fall. He is still not back at work, but you will have seen his son, Jonteau, pitching in in Wesley’s absence. As testament to both, you probably didn’t notice any change in how the property has been cared for.
Let us know if you have any concerns or questions. We’re here Monday thru Friday and happy to help in any way!
