The centerpiece of the expansion is a professional baking school, only the second company-owned hybrid location of its kind.

by Compass Vermont

The Norwich-based King Arthur Baking Company has announced plans to establish a permanent presence in Alexandria, Virginia, bringing a piece of Vermont’s culinary heritage to one of America’s oldest port cities.

On February 5, 2026, the company confirmed it will open a combined retail storefront and baking school in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, marking a major shift from its recent “pop-up” experimental shops to a long-term regional flagship.

What is Coming to Alexandria

The new facility is modeled after the company’s celebrated Norwich flagship and is designed to be a comprehensive resource for home bakers. While an exact address has not yet been released, the location will feature a full retail shop stocked with premium flours, specialized bakeware, and various baking tools.

The centerpiece of the expansion is a professional baking school, only the second company-owned hybrid location of its kind. The school will offer technical workshops on a variety of grains and techniques, ranging from sourdough and ciabatta to pastry arts. This educational focus reflects the brand’s 2020 evolution from a flour supplier to a holistic baking company, prioritizing community engagement and customer education.

Why Old Town Alexandria Was Chosen

King Arthur’s decision to plant roots in Old Town is a strategic “high-conviction” bet on the region’s economic resilience and cultural alignment. The brand, founded in 1790, maintains a heritage positioning that mirrors the historic identity of Alexandria. Furthermore, the company’s status as a certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp) aligns with the city’s strong tradition of corporate accountability and civic engagement.

The choice follows successful market testing through a temporary “pop-up” shop at Fairfax Corner, which saw multiple extensions due to high local demand. By moving to a permanent, high-capital facility in Alexandria, the company aims to centralize its Northern Virginia operations and tap into the district’s high volume of foot traffic, particularly within its burgeoning pedestrian-friendly corridors.

Timeline for the Opening

A spokesperson for the company, Sam Serafin, has targeted a late summer 2026 opening for the Alexandria site. This timeline is closely synchronized with the decommissioning of the Fairfax Corner pop-up, which is now scheduled to remain open through June 2026. This schedule allows for the transition of experienced personnel and resources from the temporary site to the new permanent home.

While the “late summer” goal is the official target, residents should note that openings in historic districts often depend on municipal approvals and the complexity of retrofitting older buildings with the heavy-duty electrical and HVAC systems required for commercial baking ovens.

What Happens Next

As the project moves forward, the next milestone for residents and stakeholders to watch for is a formal Special Use Permit filing with the City of Alexandria. These public filings will reveal the specific address of the new shop and trigger the necessary zoning and architectural reviews. In the meantime, the Fairfax Corner location will continue to serve as the regional hub for King Arthur products and community events through the spring.