Out with the old, and in with the new! It’s apropos that January is seeing a slew of store openings in Alexandria. It may be the middle of winter, but now is the time for new businesses to bloom. Will you stop and check out a new eatery, or maybe pick up a music lesson at Guitar Center? Read more to find out! 

Barbeque fans will love to hear that Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque opened recently in Old Town at 220 N. Lee Street. Pitmaster Myron Mixon is known as the “winningest man in barbecue,” having worked as a barbecue judge on TV and author on the subject. The restaurant’s website boasts of Mixon’s credentials: “We're bringing coveted Competition-Level Barbecue to you, from 4-time grand champion pitmaster Myron Mixon and 19-year Certified Barbecue Judge Joe Corey.” Pitmaster Barbeque will serve lunch and dinner, and takeout will also be available. The restaurant will be open from 11:30 in the morning until 10 at night on weekdays, until 11 p.m. on Fridays, and will open at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays, closing at 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays. Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque will take the place of the shuttered restaurant Overwood. 

Also opening in Old Town Alexandria: A much-anticipated salad restaurant named Sweetgreen. Sweetgreen falls under the fast-casual banner, and serves seasonally-inspired salads made from local and organic ingredients. It is described as serving “fun, delicious food that’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values.” The restaurant was the brainchild of three friends, who opened the first Sweetgreen nine years ago. There are now forty Sweetgreen locations nationwide, including NoVA locations in Reston, McLean, Ballston, Clarendon, Merrifield in the Mosaic District and at Tysons Galleria. Sweetgreen is taking the place of Bittersweet Cafe at 823 King Street and will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bittersweet Catering and Bakery has moved to the space behind its former location at 103 1/2 N. Alfred Street. 

It’s not just restaurants that are opening in Alexandria. The city just got a new music store with Guitar Center, the world’s largest instrument retailer. Guitar Center, which boasts a 15,425 square foot, state of the art retail center, just celebrated its grand opening. According to the Old Town Alexandria Patch, Guitar Center “will offer music lessons at the in-house music academy, on-site repairs, gear rentals, free workshops and musical gear for every skill level -- from blossoming beginners to bonafide rock stars.” The store can be found at 3155 Duke Street in the Alexandria Commons Shopping Center along with Starbucks, the UPS Store, and Panera Bread.