Alexandria historian Jay Roberts, who writes a blog called Jaybird’s Jottings, gave us a heads up that Nina’s Dandy might have closed for good. Borrowing a few facts with his permission, The Dandy does appear closed.
Thirty-eight years of sailing the Potomac and offering beautiful dinner cruises came to a screeching halt when Alexandria’s waterfront development left them without a home on the water. The new Old Dominion Boat Club land swap’s deal and subsequent building left no berth at which The Dandy could dock. They vehemently claim the City abandoned them and has left promised unfulfilled.
There is a farewell message on their answering machine, as well as this message on their website:
After much contemplation and prayer the family of Nina Wilson went into 2017’s New Year’s Eve cruise having decided we will not go silently. As a family of Greek immigrants we are calling January 1, 2018 our “Oxi Day” to the City of Alexandria. We call upon the City of Alexandria to honor the promises made to us, and the public, when they passed Ordinance 4749 specifically naming Nina’s Dandy as having a place on Alexandria’s waterfront.
Cordially,
Maria Cohilas Ross, President
We were unable to reach anyone for additional comment.
