Old Town Crawl Highlights City's Restaurants, Businesses

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Business leaders have long promoted Old Town Fairfax's "walkability" as one of its strengths. On Saturday, the city's Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association (OTFBA) will be promoting its "crawlability" as well.

As part of the Old Town Fairfax City Connected Crawl, residents and visitors are invited to sample foods and goods on sale at local restaurants and businesses as they take self-guided tours through Old Town.

The first Old Town Crawl took place in the summer of 2019 and was so successful that the business community brought it back in the fall. To tie the event in with Halloween, participants were encouraged to dress in costume. The plan was to do another Crawl last summer, but it had to be canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Now that those restrictions have been lifted and people are looking for an excuse to get outside and socialize, OED and OTFBA decided to bring the Crawl back.

Old Town Crawl patrons can check-in from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., on Saturday, at 10420 North St. They'll be given a passport, which shows them which businesses are taking part in the Crawl and which are offering exclusive deals. The passport also contains a map, contact information, and social media handles.

"For 2021, we not only wanted to support our restaurant community but our retail and service sectors as well," said Danette Nguyen, OED's assistant director of Economic Development and program manager. "So, for 2021, we include those retail and service sectors that are offering specials also. These are exclusive deals that are provided to patrons when they show their passports."

Participating businesses include:

• Coyote Grille & Cantina
• Games & Comics Pair O’Dice
• High Side
• Joy Unlimited
• Mara Hair and Mode Studio
• Ornery Beer Company
• Pacers Running
• Patriots Pub & Grill
• The Auld Shebeen
• The Old Firestation #3
• The Standard Barbershop
• Twins Ace Hardware
• The Wine House
• Capital Ale House
• Lisa Sheldon Photography

Once a participant has made four or more purchases at an Old Town restaurant, they can return to check-in area to receive a free limited edition Old Town Fairfax City Crawl glass. If the participant instead makes four or more purchases at an Old Town business, they'll receive a free limited edition Old Town Fairfax City Crawl canvas tote. Both limited edition items will be available while supplies last.

Even though the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, many Fairfax City businesses are still recovering from the financial impact of the pandemic. Events like the Old Town Fairfax City Crawl can help those business as they continue to recover, according to Nguyen.

"It's a great way to connect our residents and visitors with the businesses in Old Town," she said. "It's a fun way to promote a walkable downtown as well."