Restaurants and breweries across our region from Manassas to Fredericksburg have stepped up to the challenge to adapt to serving customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has banned all dining inside restaurants, and gatherings of more than 10 people anywhere in the state, in response to the CDC’s recommendations of social distancing in order to slow the spread of coronavirus, which requires people to stand at least six feet apart.
This has left many restaurants with only a few remaining options to serve the customers, to include drive-throughs and curbside pickup. Others have closed for at least the rest of the month, and others have shuttered until May.
Among those restaurants that have closed their doors for safety is Capital Ale House who has closed their location in Downtown Fredericksburg. Several sushi bars have also closed their doors, as has Woodbridge’s Charbroil Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.
Crossroads Tabletop Tavern in Downtown Manassas remains open to a small number of people but doesn’t allow them to gather to play games as they did before the ban.
Some restaurants like El Jimador Azteca in Stafford County remain open but have severely restricted seating to no more than three people at a time. Sakae Thai and Sushi in Fredericksburg has remained open but isn’t seating anyone in their restaurant.
Like El Jimador, Sakae is relying on takeout and delivery to keep afloat during these trying times.
Several restaurants are using this model to stay open, relying on their own delivery services, on businesses like Doordash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, as well as offering curbside pick up.
But this hasn’t worked out for everyone. Okra’s in Downtown Manassas is one example of how a restaurant tried this model and it didn’t work out because it was financially unsustainable, according to a restaurant employee. That comes as the city instituted new parking restrictions, allowing people to park for only 15 minutes at a time to pick up food.
In the meantime, Okra’s has closed as a result but is trying to figure out a new way to bring service to the area, they told us.
One silver lining in this situation is the loosening of Virginia ABC alcohol regulations to allow curbside pick up of alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.
Breweries such as Water’s End in Lake Ridge, Brew Republic Bierwerks in Woodbridge, Strangeways in Fredericksburg, and many others are offering curbside pick off alcoholic beverages like beer and wine as well as refills of growlers to take home and enjoy.
Water’s End has a video on its Facebook page that shows how this curbside pickup will work.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he wants to get the U.S. back open for business by Easter, on Sunday, April 12. He says the lingering effect on the economy could be worse than the coronavirus disease.
Overnight, leaders on in the U.S. Senate passed the largest bailout bill in U.S. history which includes a spending package of $2 trillion designed to simulate the U.S. economy. In it are bailouts for businesses and residents who have been laid off from work.
Now the bill heads to the House of Representatives for final approval before it heads to the president’s desk.
As of today, there were 44,183 cases of coronavirus reported in the U.S. with 544 deaths.
In Virginia, the state health department says there are 290 confirmed cases with 45 people hospitalized. A total of seven people have died in the state.
Locally, Prince William County has 23 cases reported (this includes the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park), while there are six cases in Stafford County and two in Spotsylvania.
Fairfax County leads the state in the number of coronavirus cases with 46. It is also the most populated jurisdiction in the state.
Recent Stories
The ongoing debate over the construction of data centers in Fredericksburg took center stage during the City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, with residents and council members expressing mounting concerns about the potential environmental consequences and the lack of transparency in the approval process.
At the heart of the controversy is the city’s aggressive timeline for approving zoning changes and facilitating the development of new data centers. Local residents have voiced their concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale projects, particularly in areas close to residential neighborhoods and natural resources like the Rappahannock River. While proponents argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits, critics worry that the city is rushing to approve projects without fully understanding or addressing the long-term consequences.
Hamilton Palmer, a Fredericksburg resident, raised alarms about the transparency of the decision-making process. At the meeting, Palmer expressed frustration over the council’s handling of the issue, particularly regarding releasing information about the proposed data centers. “There has been little effort by the city to engage the public on data centers until this past year,” Palmer said, emphasizing that many residents are still unclear about the full scope of the projects and their potential impact on the community.
Stafford County Public Schools’ new superintendent says the division is facing significant financial challenges as it prepares for continued growth in student enrollment and increasing demand for specialized services. In a presentation at the Stafford County School Board meeting on January 28, Dr. Daniel Smith unveiled the school system’s funding request for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which calls for additional resources to support its expanding student body and its growing need for special education services.
Stafford County, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities, has seen student enrollment grow from about 2,000 students to 32,000 students—19.2% of the county’s total population. With a projected increase of 6,200 students over the next decade, SCPS says it needs to meet the rising demand for educational resources, staff, and facilities. As the county’s largest employer, with over 5,400 employees, the school division is integral to the community’s economic and social fabric, underscoring the need for investment in education.
“The future of Stafford County is being shaped in our classrooms,” Smith told the school board. However, with this growth comes the increasing need for additional support, especially for students with disabilities and English learners.
Stafford County, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities, has seen student enrollment grow from about 2,000 students to 32,000 students—19.2% of the county’s total population. With a projected increase of 6,200 students over the next decade, SCPS says it needs to meet the rising demand for educational resources, staff, and facilities. As the county’s largest employer, with over 5,400 employees, the school division is integral to the community’s economic and social fabric, underscoring the need for investment in education.
“The future of Stafford County is being shaped in our classrooms,” Smith told the school board. However, with this growth comes the increasing need for additional support, especially for students with disabilities and English learners.
Prince William County Schools (PWCS) are embarking on an ambitious $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) aimed at alleviating overcrowding, modernizing aging school facilities, and preparing for future shifts in student enrollment. The plan, presented at the January 15, 2025, school board work session, includes new school constructions, significant renovations, and sustainability-focused upgrades.
To address overcrowding in high-growth areas, PWCS will build multiple new schools, including:
Occoquan Replacement School – Scheduled to open in December 2025, this school will add 226 seats and include specialized programs for students with special education and autism support needs.
Woodbridge Area Elementary School – Opening in the 2026-2027 school year, this school will provide a capacity of approximately 632 students and will serve the Cardinal and Neabsco Mills Districts, areas currently experiencing significant overcrowding.
The Trump administration’s latest move to freeze payments on several federal programs has sparked alarm among Virginia Democrats, who are questioning how the halt might impact critical funding, reports Insidenova.com.
“I am concerned that yesterday we learned that the Trump administration is pausing federal grants,” state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, posted on X. “We have asked the Secretary of Finance in Virginia to inform us how this impacts our current budget and cash flow.” Lucas is chair of the Virginia Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
