The owners of shops and restaurants at Belle View Shopping Center are making lemonade out of lemons. Even though they sustained a record amount of damage to their storage units and merchandise during Hurricane Isabel, they banded together last week and held a hurricane sale.
Kevin Green, owner of The Virginia Florist participated. Even though sales weren't spectacular, he said that it was a pretty good weekend. It also helped that it was Homecoming Weekend for both West Potomac and St. Stephen's & St. Agnes.
Sandy Lecren, assistant manager at Spokes Etc. Inc., said that they sold 60 percent of the bicycles that were damaged in the storm. Customers received at least $100 off new bikes that were fully cleaned and refurbished.
"We did really good on Saturday," said Lecren. "We're hoping that our Christmas business will be good."
Alexandria Music Company had some books for sale; most of the instruments in the basement had been destroyed or already sold. Art Wolff said that their basement is still unusable, but that the landlord is providing a trailer for storage.
There's even a light at the end of the tunnel for Naresh Bhatt, owner of Dishes of India.
"We hope to open in three to four weeks," said Bhatt, who is planning to re-open in his original space.
Companies Thanked for Contributions
Bucknell Little League, serving the needs of youth baseball in south Alexandria for over 50 years, announced that D&G Associates, Safeway of Engleside Plaza, Acordia Insurance of Old Town Alexandria and Parcel Plus of Belle View became "Most Valuable Players" in Bucknell Little League's Canned Food Drive for Belle View and New Alexandria flood victims of Hurricane Isabel.
President Pat Malone thanked Jim Nicholakos of D&G Associates for his efforts in bringing three truckloads of food and cleaning supplies from Safeway to Bucknell. Special thanks also went to Monica Shannon at Safeway for donating canned goods and cleaning supplies. Carolyn James and the staff of Acordia Insurance were recognized for delivering a collection of canned food.
And another thank-you went to Roger Anderson of Parcel Plus who provided a drop-off and pick-up box in front of his store.
Food and cleaning supply donations were delivered to Belle View Condominiums last week; they will be given first to occupants of J-units, and then will be dispersed accordingly among other occupants.
Donations can still be dropped off at Parcel Plus, 1602 Belle View Boulevard, during store hours, and at Bucknell Elementary School, 6925 University Drive on Saturdays through Nov. 15, from noon to 6 p.m.