Old Town Alexandria is about to get its very own ultra-modern hub for creative types, solo-prenuers and other contributors to the new economy.
This being Old Town, though, the new multifaceted ALX Community at Founders Hall is naturally opening in an old, converted warehouse. Having been built in 1945, however, the building at 106 N. Lee Street might actually be one of the youngest old buildings in the neighborhood.
The new venue in the former Hannelore’s of Olde Town bridal store will have a co-working business on the second floor featuring 11 private offices, communal work stations, and conference rooms, as well as a communal kitchen and event space. On the lower level, South Block juice bar will serve juice, smoothies and coffee from Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee.
Also on the ground floor, Hope Hurlbrink and Laura Rose Schwartz will operate Vikriya Lab yoga studio, and Jennifer Desiderio, who ran the 116 King retail pop-up in Old Town in 2016, will operate a pop-up retail shop. Scott Shaw, the Alexandria entrepreneur and restaurateur behind Founders Hall, was one of the backers of the 116 King pop-up and originally bought the building at 106 N. Lee with the idea of devoting the whole building to retail pop-ups.