Street Style: Meet Allen Brooks
Allen Brooks is a true Alexandrian. “I’m a Titan—born and raised here.” Although he now lives in Springfield, Allen’s roots are deep in the area. After attending Christopher Newport University, he returned to the D.C. region, drawn by its rich culture, vibrant music scene, and endless things to do. His early career path blended the arts and education, first as an actor, then as a theatre program director at Lewis High School in Springfield.
Later, he earned a certificate in 3D animation and joined the Kennedy Center, where he helped lead digital education initiatives in the former Arts Ed program. “I worked with teachers nationwide to help integrate the arts into traditional classrooms,” Allen explains. “Like using ballet to explain planetary rotation in science.”
He was also ahead of his time in recognizing that games could be powerful educational tools. “At the time, I was the only one at the Center beating the drum that games are an art form. We brought game-based programming into the pipeline. By the time I left, we had published two educational games—one based on Romeo & Juliet and the other, a Dungeons & Dragons-style tabletop game to teach literature. Games, like literature, bring people together. They teach us.”
Allen’s love for games began early. “We didn’t have a lot of money growing up. Renting a Nintendo from Blockbuster for the weekend was magical.” One day, his mother came home from work with a box full of random game parts. “She said someone gave it to her. It was a Commodore 64. I had to teach myself how to make it work. I was seven.”
Allen Brooks
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Styled by: Sarah Slaper
Shoot location: Continues Arcade
That box of parts led to a lifelong love of games, and a belief in their power to connect. “We were the nerds, the others, and games were our thing. Now they’re part of the cultural DNA. Humans have always come together to play.”
But Allen noticed that many arcades today had lost that sense of community. “Most are designed to exploit kids—flashy machines pushing them to swipe cards for cheap prizes.”
So when a friend, Jeff Yates Jr., asked him what he should do with an empty warehouse, Allen had an idea. The result: Continues Arcade.
Continues Arcade is a space to gather, to connect, to play, with no gimmicks. “Our games don’t spit out tickets or prizes—except for the high score in skeeball. That earns you an ice cream sandwich.” He laughs. “We’re planning skeeball tournaments and even a league.”
But it’s more than games. “We wanted a place that feels good for everyone—families, couples, friends, even if not everyone’s a gamer.” Allen founded the arcade with Doug Bauer.
The food, Allen says, is just as important as the games. “We partnered with Spike Mendelsohn and Brian Lacayo. The food will be fun, filling, and fresh. Sure, you can get nachos and burgers—but think adobo cauliflower nachos with a deeply flavorful cheese sauce or short rib grilled cheese. We’re talking green curry mussels, espresso drinks in the morning, and a rotating brunch menu on weekends.”
And yes, coffee starts at 7am. “We’ll have a breakfast window for folks headed to the Metro. We’re going to do a beta launch, test hours, menus, and take feedback. We want to grow with the community.”
Allen’s entire family is involved. His wife Alisa, a public health nurse who created and runs the county-wide food access program in Fairfax County, is helping behind the bar and on the floor. His kids, 12 and 15, will be in the kitchen and front of house. “They’re the awesomest people I know. They’ve been all-in.”
He’s also honoring his late mother, who passed away 18 months ago. “She knew we were building this, and would just be mad she didn’t get to see it.” In her memory, Allen supports nonprofits including The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.
Despite his packed schedule, Allen gives back to Alexandria in countless ways—serving on the boards of The Chamber ALX, West End Business Association, Eisenhower Partnership, and Christopher Newport University’s Education Foundation. “My mom didn’t have much money, but she gave her time. I learned that we all have a responsibility to our neighbors.”
When he finds some spare moments, you’ll catch him playing games with his family (yes, even Fortnite), reading, running, and hanging at the community pool.
Continues Arcade will host trivia nights, adult book clubs, speed dating events, and more—all centered around intergenerational play. “There’s no age limit on play. We just want people to feel welcome.”
Stay tuned for the soft opening, and until then, check out Allen’s Street Style:
ABOUT ALLEN
Neighborhood: Springfield, VA
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
What would surprise people about you? I ran a high school theater program for 3 years.
Favorite book: Book – Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, it’s a beautiful slice of life story set in a world I grew up in. Plus it’s a love letter to games and my generation of game players. Movie – That Thing You Do, just a perfect movie. “Did I ever tell you boys you look great in the red??” And how Faye was ever with Jimmy, I’ll never understand.
Guilty Pleasure: I may have orchestrated a 7-month long re-watch of the Mission Impossible series culminating with a viewing of the last one in theaters with my kids and a friend’s family. We may or may not be planning a similar process for the next Fast and Furious movie.
Latest binge-watch: White Lotus Season 3, Dying for Sex, Righteous Gemstones and/or anything else Walton Goggins is doing.
Bucket list travel destination: Oh, everywhere. My wife and I want to see as much as we possibly can.
STYLE
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Chucks, skinny jeans, rolled-up sleeves on a button down flannel.
Favorite trend: NOT having JNCO’s come back.
Beauty product you can’t live without: SPF – every day.
Boots, heels or sneakers? Sneakers during the day, boots at night.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Running, and playing games—either video games or board games with friends and family.
Most fun way to stay active: I try to work out in some capacity every day, whether a run, weightlifting, or even a walk. Though, no one tells you when you open an arcade you need to be REALLY good at deadlifts.
Wellness goal: I ran my first marathon last fall, and I would love to do an ultra relay, like Hood to Coast with a van full of friends and little sleep.
Want to try: I’ve only gone surfing once, fell off the board constantly (though my 12-year-old is a natural). I’d love to try it again.
Proudest wellness achievement: Losing over 70 pounds, getting fit in my late 20s put me on a path I didn’t know was available to me and led me to running that marathon, something I would have NEVER considered even possible as a teenager.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: I love them all so much in different ways. But probably our media room downstairs – I adore movies, so having a place where we can watch a classic on a large screen with incredible sound is a delight. Also our kitchen. It’s where we all end up together cooking, laughing, passionately arguing and playing.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix, we have some beautiful pieces from my mom and a dope as heck Joybird couch. Love them both.
Last item bought for your home: The aforementioned couch. It’s gorgeous, comfortable and fits our space perfectly.
Favorite way to entertain: Cast iron pizzas, batched cocktails, and board games.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter free – my wife and I are both in a constant state of picking something up on our walk to the next room, and putting things where they go on those trips.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love finding out about the other folks in town I don’t get to deep dive with – it’s wonderful reading about people’s backgrounds and stories. Also always appreciate when you interview anyone tall and they can recommend clothes that actually fit us.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Is it selfish to say Continues Arcade? I know we’re just barely open, but it’s really incredible to have built a space I wish I could have gone to when I was a kid.
Your go-to shop: I love browsing around Old Town Books, Wine Gallery 108 or grabbing lunch at Holy Cow.
Best food spots: I mean, again, our menu is dope as heck. Chef Spike Mendlesohn and Chef Brian Lacayo have put together an INCREDIBLE menu for our guests. I can’t wait for people to try our food – green curry mussels, adobo cauliflower nachos, bordelaise braised short rib grilled cheese?!
Alexandria event you most look forward to: We were able to establish a scholarship for my mom after she passed with The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, and send a Titan who is a first-generation college student to school this year! And their annual Gala is an absolute blast!!
