Councilman Canek Aguirre spoke with WUSA9 about the impact of the federal government shutdown on Alexandria and the region.
Click here to watch the interview or read more below.
'Can't pay rent, can't go shopping!' | Northern Virginia feels the heat of federal cuts and shutdowns
WUSA9
September 30, 2025
With more than 175,000 federal workers living in Northern Virginia, including about 13,000 in Alexandria alone, concern is growing over the potential fallout from the federal cuts and now the shutdown.
Local business owners and city leaders warn that the economic ripple effects could be severe, especially in communities like Old Town, Alexandria, that rely heavily on the federal workforce for a multitude of reasons.
"During the layoffs, we were a little bit concerned. We didn't know how it was gonna affect us because of how close we are to D.C.," said Stavros Papaloizou, manager of Taverna Cretekou, a family-owned Greek restaurant that has served the community since 1973. "People not getting checks and anything, you know, it'll definitely affect our business around here."
Papaloizou said the restaurant has weathered many challenges over the decades, from the COVID-19 pandemic to previous rounds of federal cuts and even shutdowns.
But the threat of reduced income for thousands of nearby residents has once again put local small businesses on edge.
"It definitely has a huge impact, especially around this area for sure," he said.
City officials share that concern.
"It's potentially devastating for not just the nation but especially here in the DMV for our local economies," said Alexandria City Council member Canek Aguirre.
Aguirre emphasized that when federal employees lose income, the effects spread wide and far.
"Those folks can't pay rent, can't pay real estate taxes, can't go shopping. That's hurting the commercial base here across the DMV," he said. "It's just a very, very scary proposal right now."
He also pointed to the broader implications beyond just rent and restaurant bills. "You're talking about child care, you're talking about restaurants, you're talking about just going to shop at Marshall's to buy a shirt, right? Someone's not doing that anymore if they're staying home," Aguirre said.
