Why, Potomac Local, why?
Have you ever been walking, driving, or riding along and asked: âwhy?â
Why does this road only have two lanes when it could be better with four? Why does this school have so many trailers classrooms while others donât?
We always like to hear your questions to our local community, and if you send us a question to [email protected], we promise to do our best to find an answer.
For years, residents referred to the walkable area of Manassas — with all the little restaurants, mom and pop shops, and the city’s iconic train station, as “Old Town” Manassas. This week, we wanted to know why people are now calling it “Historic Downtown” Manassas.
We asked a representative from the city’s economic development office, and we were told:
“The City conducted a comprehensive consumer awareness and perception study sampling residents in Prince William and the Washington DC MSA: VA Region. Consumers were asked âWhen you hear the phrase âOld Townâ what community in the DC area comes to mind?â 82.5% of respondents cited Alexandria, 14.2% cited Manassas and the rest cited Fredericksburg and Warrenton. To effectively build brand awareness the City of Manassas chose to begin referring to its downtown as
To effectively build brand awareness the City of Manassas chose to begin referring to its downtown as Historic Downtown Manassas.
According to Patrick Small, Director of Economic Development for the City, âmany residents continue to refer to the Cityâs downtown as Old Town, but over time we expect that the new moniker will gain traction. In conjunction with the Cityâs overall brand as a community with a âHistoric Heart and Modern Beatâ, and the Cityâs resurgence as an authentic Main Street community that people choose to visit for special events, shopping and dining, Manassas has steadily gained market share within the region.â
Recent Stories

Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville

McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.
This yearâs milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
Environmental Film Festival: Turtle Walker
DC Premiere.
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India’s coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries