Nothing says “Annandale” around here as much as Anna N’ Dales, the newsstand at 7025 Columbia Pike. It’s become sort of rundown in recent years and there’s hardly any customers, except for a few regulars, but there are indications that things could be changing for the better.
According to sources close to the property, the new owner of the building is looking for a new tenant, and has had several offers already, including people who want to open a food store, vitamin and supplement shop, and hair salon. The place needs to be cleaned up first—there’s a lot of trash inside—and it hasn’t been determined yet whether the building will be torn down or renovated.
Gabriel lived in the building and ran a business there for at least 15 years, selling magazines, porno videos and magazines, and random items like lighters, beepers, and novelties. He had reportedly been a physics teacher in Hawaii years ago, and two of his former students took care of him after his recent illness; he didn’t appear to have any relatives nearby. Another guy who leased space from Gabriel and ran a wedding invitation business hadn’t been paying rent and had to move out.
The Advance Electronics and Appliances repair shop in the small detached house on the property is on a month-to-month lease and will stay at least for the time being. A former Annandale High School student works there, fixing cell phones, game consoles, and other items.
George Guida, the proprietor of George’s Small Engine Repairbehind the main building, will also stay, at least for a while. At the request of county code inspectors, the area has been somewhat cleaned up, and a fence has been installed between that property and Buenos Grill next door. There are still dozens of nonworking lawnmowers all over the yard, however.
Before it was Anna N’ Dales Newsstand, the building at 7025 Columbia Pike was reportedly the site of Teddy’s Auto Parts and Miller Real Estate. It was built in 1950 as a single-family house.