History for a Price

Is your business historic? For the right price, the answer could be yes.

Just ask the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home, the Simpson Development Company or T.J. Fannon and Sons. These are three of the 20 or so businesses that have already purchased their way into a book titled "Historic Alexandria: An Illustrated History." Businesses that are willing to fork over the right amount of money will be featured in a section of the book called "Sharing the Heritage."

"These affordable stories are professionally written to your specifications and are available in one- to four-page formats," wrote Office of Historic Alexandria Director Lance Mallamo in a solicitation letter sent to the Alexandria Gazette Packet.

The coffee-table book is expected to hit bookstores early next month, so businesses wanting to participate must act now if they want to be included. History Publishing Network vice president Barry Black declined to share the amount of money required to be included in the book, but he was clear that the transaction should not be considered advertising.

"This book isn't trying to pitch anything or sell you anything," said Black. "It's closer to a donation than it is advertising."

Oh, What a Feeling

Toyota dealers across the country are feeling the heat from a series of high-profile recalls that have damaged the image of the Japanese automaker. But Alexandria Toyota dealer Jack Taylor says he hasn't seen any damage to his business. At least not yet.

"Are we concerned that this will negatively impact our business?

"Sure," said Taylor. "But I haven't had any of my customers come back with one of these so-called sudden acceleration vehicles yet."

Taylor says Toyota has acted responsibly by dealing with the situation and taking measures to ensure safety. And sales don't seem to have taken a hit, although he said that recent snowfalls have made it hard to gauge for sure. Last weekend, he sold 16 new Toyotas and a handful of used cars as well.

"Toyota has 50-year reputation of quality, and they're not just going to throw that out the window," said Taylor. "If anything, I'm worried about the pendulum swinging too far and Toyota calling for another recall just because someone sneezed."

Coffee and Snow

Some businesses have thrived during the recent snowstorms, such as private snow plowing operations and construction companies that fill potholes. Other businesses have struggled during the historic snowstorms over the last few weeks.

"It's been devastating," said Rhoda Worku, manager of Caboose Café on Mount Vernon Avenue.

For the Caboose Café, as is the case for many Alexandria businesses, Saturday is the most important date of the week. That's why the timing of the recent snowstorms have been particularly harmful, striking at a time that killed weekend revenues.

"We tried to open last Saturday," said Worku. "But we had to close." Worku estimates that her business lost about $10,000 in the most recent snowstorm. The only thing that made the weather bearable was the supportive nature of the Del Ray community. When people who live near the coffeehouse heard it was open, they sent e-mails to each other encouraging Del Ray residents to come to Caboose Café and have a cup of coffee to support their neighborhood business.