Updated Thursday, Jan. 24 2019
Alexandria is home to thousands of government employees and federal contractors, many of whom are working without pay or are on unpaid "vacation" due to the federal government partial shutdown.
A number of restaurants and other businesses are offering "shutdown specials" for furloughed employees, and Visit Alexandria is offering special deals, as well.
Bring your Federal government employee ID with you for proof for all of these deals!
Ascend Cycle in Del Ray is offering a free ride for all furloughed government employees on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at noon taught by instructor Gillian Coffman. To further assist furloughed workers, owner owner Kathryn (Kat) Zajac has been posting at-home or home gym workouts on her Instagram feed and stories @kat_zajac_ac. More discounts and information are available at ascendcycle.com.
The Art League is offering a free painting class every Tuesday afternoon until the shutdown ends. Classes are at The Art League’s Madison Annex (808 North Fairfax St.) on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. RSVP here.
Tuesday through Friday, furloughed federal employees can take free classes at Local Motion Studio — pilates, yoga, ballet and barre. Bring your federal ID. The class schedule is available at localmotionstudio.com.
Fibre Space is bringing back its free classes for furloughed federal employees this winter. There will be open knit time each day, as well. Fibre Space is offering starter kits available for a discounted price of $15, and donated kits may be available. Go to their website for details at fibrespace.com.
Federal workers can pick up a free Key to the City museum pass (a $44 value), which will give them to free entry to Alexandria historic sites. Key to the City passes are available at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. A federal employee ID is required.
Visitors staying overnight in Alexandria can also show their hotel room key for one free pass. The Alexandria Visitor Center is located at 221 King Street and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the Visitor Center, call 703-838-5005. Visitors should check individual museum hours before visiting, as hours of operation vary depending on the season and the site with several closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
SPECIAL ALONG THE RICHMOND HIGHWAY CORRIDOR IN SE FAIRFAX
Our editorial partners at Covering the Corridor have done a round-up of Richmond Highway area specials from businesses in Southeastern Fairfax County. See the list here.
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANTS and FOOD SERVICES
&pizza is offering any government employee a free pie during the shutdown; hours vary each week. For updates, follow &pizza on Twitter. (The closest &pizza is at Potomac Yard.)
ALX Community has partnered with Mia's Italian and Compass real estate to give furloughed feds free lunch every Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. until the shutdown is over. Lunches are at ALX Community, 106 N. Lee Street, Second Floor.
Fiona's Irish Pub at 5810 Kingstowne Center, is offering free dinner to families of furloughed workers and contractors every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m.
Healthy Fresh Meals founders Shana Greenbaum and Luba Hansen are both former USDA contractors, who know how hard shutdowns can be. Healthy Fresh Meals is offering 5 FREE meals (each) to the first 150 employees, and a discount of 25% off for everyone that can provide a government ID and proof of not working during the shutdown. Workers can contact Healthy Fresh Meals via a special email set up for this: HFMShutdown@gmail.com
Jose Andres — The chef’s restaurants will be offering a free sandwich (mostly between 2 – 5 p.m.) to federal employees who have been furloughed. Follow @chefjoseandres on Twitter for details.
Lavender Moon Cupcakery is offering a free cupcake for federal employees every Tuesday until the government shutdown ends. Lavender Moon is located at 116 S. Royal St.
Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap is offering 10" pizzas for just $10 at the bar (only) Monday thru Friday for furloughed workers during the government shutdown.
Paisano's is offering government employees can get a free 10-inch, one topping pizza.
Pork Barrel BBQ is offering all out of work, furloughed federal government employees (and out of work federal contractors) a free pulled pork sandwich.
Sweet Fire Donna's is offering a free pulled pork sandwich to furloughed workers.
South Block Juice Co. is offering a free regular smoothie every Friday to furloughed federal workers.
Tanger Kabob House Cafe is offering 50 percent off the menu for furloughed feds. The Moroccan restaurant is located at 5735 Telegraph Road.
Ten Thousand Villages is offering a free small, fair trade chocolate bar. The store is at 915 King St.
Tequila & Taco is giving away two free tacos to all furloughed government employees.
Visit Alexandria's website has a variety of discounted meals, as well -- 20 percent off at many restaurants for furloughed federal employees. Go to VisitAlexandriaVA.com for more information.
If you hear of more shutdown specials in Alexandria, send an email to info@alexandrialivingmagazine.com.
