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This story has been updated. Originally published June 23, 2026.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Dog Store may not be leaving Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue just yet.
In a letter to customers posted to social media late Wednesday, owner Paul Haire said community leaders from the Del Ray neighborhood have been negotiating with both the prospective buyer and the current owner of 2301 Mount Vernon Ave. to allow the business to remain at the location beyond its previously announced June 27 closing date.
Haire said talks with the prospective owner could allow The Dog Store to stay on the Avenue for a short time after the sale goes to settlement. Separately, negotiations with the current owner may allow the business to remain until the sale is completed.
"We are delighted that it appears that we may be on the Avenue for a little bit longer," Haire wrote, signed alongside Annabell and the staff of The Dog Store and Your Dog's Best Friends. "We are very grateful to all the parties involved for their dedication and support."
The update follows The Alexandria Brief's report earlier this week that the 2024 Heart of Del Ray Award winner was closing its storefront at the end of June, citing circumstances beyond its control.
Original Story
Published at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Dog Store is closing its storefront at 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray at the end of June, the business announced, citing circumstances beyond its control. The last day of in-store sales at the Mount Vernon Avenue location will be Saturday, June 27.
In a letter to customers signed by owner Paul Haire, the business said it is temporarily moving off the Avenue but intends to return. "Rest assured that as soon as we can find a suitable location, we will fully reopen on the Avenue," the letter reads.
In the meantime, customers can continue to shop and place special orders by phone at 703-685-9166 or online at thedogstore.com. The business also has a Belle View location at 1612A Belle View Boulevard and a daycare facility at 2000 Richmond Highway. Free delivery will be available.
The Dog Store, which also operates Your Dog's Best Friends boarding and daycare, won the 2024 Heart of Del Ray Award from the Del Ray Business Association — a recognition determined by public vote for the business that best represents the heart and soul of the neighborhood. The business was among past winners that included Del Ray Farmers' Market, Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, and Taqueria Poblano.
The closure comes after a difficult stretch for the business. In July 2025, a then-employee, Kevin Malik Sanders, was arrested and charged with felony animal abuse following the death of a dog named Abigail at the Your Dog's Best Friends facility on Richmond Highway.
City property records show the 2301 Mt. Vernon Ave. building was previously owned by Haire, who transferred it to Matt Kasap in May 2022 for $0. The building is now held by K & B Management LLC, a Maryland-based entity. The roughly 4,600-square-foot mixed retail building, built in 1940, is assessed at $1.16 million.
