Visions for Vacancies

Visions for Vacancies: Sacramento Veterinary Center

This former animal clinic space is looking for a new tenant. What do you want to see open here?

This storefront was previously occupied by Sacramento Veterinary Center, an animal hospital. It is located in the Sacramento shopping center in the 8700 block of Richmond Highway just north of the intersection of Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway. The business has been vacant since last year. There is plenty of parking and there are a few restaurants, including Vinito's Pizza, nearby. County officials and local business organizations are not aware of any plans for the site. Calls to the leasing agents were not returned. So, what would you like to see occupy this storefront? Is there a type of business you think our community needs?  Take our poll or tell us in the comments!

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Local Restaurant Inspection Reports

See the latest reports from the Virginia Department of Health.

In the last two weeks, these area restaurants were cited for "critical violations" by the Virginia Department of Health: What's a 'Critical Violation'? A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served."  Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance. "Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to VDH's website. The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, …

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On the Job

Local Jewelry Designer: 'I Feel So Lucky'

Owner of Buckingham Style creates meaningful, beautiful pieces.

This Q&A feature helps readers learn more about people living and working in the Mount Vernon business community. This week’s Q&A profiles Beth Bottcher, Designer/Owner, Buckingham Style.  Bottcher, who is originally from Northern Michigan, has lived in the Mount Vernon area for eight years. Prior to living in Northern Virginia, she and her husband, Bruno, lived in Ventura, CA. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University in MI, as well as a Masters of Arts degree from Fairfield State University in Fairfield, CT. In addition, Beth received her Professional Designation of Apparel Manufacturing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Bottcher has worked in the fashion business for more …

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Patch Readers' Choice

Pema's Wins Best Mother's Day Brunch

Local Italian restaurant will offer a Mother's Day buffet.

Congratulations to Pema's for winning the Readers' Choice poll in the "Best Mother's Day Brunch" category! One thing's for certain: Patch readers love Pema's. Commenter Jim Clark says Pema's has the "best waffles ever," while commenter Beth proclaimed her love of the Mount Vernon restaurant, saying "Pema's is the best Sunday Brunch anywhere. Fantastic Italian favorites, roast beef, shrimp and mussels, salad bar with fresh fruits, potatoes, sausages and bacon, waffles and order omelets! (Hungry yet?) Plus all the champagne and Bloody Marys you can drink!" Pema's will offer a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Items on this Sunday's menu include lasagna, chicken piccata, and meatballs with pink sauce, and of course…

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PHOTOS: Multiplex Demolition Nears Completion

Costco Wholesale will take the place of the old movie theater on Richmond Highway.

The demolition of Mount Vernon Multiplex Cinema is nearly complete, paving the way for a new Costco Wholesale. Preliminary work on the future Richmond Highway home of Costco began in April. The store is slated to open sometime in 2013. It will cover more than 143,000 square feet. Costco closed on the 12-acre site on Jan. 9. In its traffic-impact analysis submitted to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, Costco analysts predicted that 737 new peak-hour trips on Saturday and 4,496 new daily trips on weekdays would occur after completion of the store. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Richmond Highway handles about 60,000 vehicles per day.

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On the Job

Who's Hiring In Mount Vernon?

This week's job listings in the Mount Vernon area.

Each week, Mount Vernon Patch brings you some of the area’s job listings. Here are some of this week's noteworthy finds: An Alexandria salon is looking for a shampoo assistant to help with shampoo, cleaning and front desk help. Some experience required, training opportunities available. $10/hour, plus tips. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/spa/2997354785.html Alexandria in-home pet sitting and dog walking company seeking reliable, responsible midday dog walkers. Candidates must be available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, have reliable transportation, have access to email 3 times per day and a cell phone. Passion for dogs and other animals required, as well as ability to make at least a one-year …

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Weekend Mount Vernon Garage Sales

Check out these local garage sales.

Yard sale season is upon us! Here are some of the yard sales this weekend in the area. If you want to add your yard sale to our list for this weekend, please feel free to do so in the comments section below. To advertise yard sales in the Mount Vernon area happening after this weekend, please email Jessie Biele.

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Jessie Biele

1:31 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012

One more yard sale to add to the list: Engleside Baptist Church is hosting a yard sale tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be hot dogs and drinks for sale and a children's play area.   more ›

Visions for Vacancies

Visions for Vacancies: Storefront on Richmond Highway

What type of business would you like to see locate to this vacant storefront?

This storefront was previously occupied by St. Clair, a former appliance distribution company. The building is next to the Kings Crossing development, which currently includes a Wal-Mart and a Chuck E. Cheese.  The shopping center is on Richmond Highway across the street from the vacant Rite Aid.  County officials and local business organizations are not aware of any plans for the site. Calls to the leasing agents were not returned. So, what would you like to see occupy this storefront? Is there a type of business you think our community needs?  Take our poll or tell us in the comments!

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)

Local Restaurant Inspection Reports

See the latest reports from the Virginia Department of Health.

In the last two weeks, these area restaurants were cited for "critical violations" by the Virginia Department of Health: What's a 'Critical Violation'? A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served."  Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance. "Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to VDH's website. The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, …

• Photos (1)