Last week the Alamo Drafthouse issued a press release revealing that their box office sales actually went up in a year when the national box office was in decline. In said release they also mentioned that the Washington D.C. area would be the next location to get one of their highly coveted theaters, and that they'd be announcing in the near future where exactly it would be. Well, the near future is today and the next Alamo Drafthouse will be in... Loudon, VA.

"But, Virginia isn't D.C.," you say. Well, technically no, it isn't. But these days Northern Virginia is basically one giant, sprawling suburb of Washington D.C. and it just so happens that Loudoun is the largest growing area in that sprawl. So, no, it's not in downtown D.C. proper, but if you know the area, you know it makes perfect business sense. Plus, Phase 2 of a recently approved expansion of the D.C. Metro will see an extension of the metro line all the way out to Loudoun County, making it all the easier for people all over the D.C. area to head to the Alamo for some fine film programming and booze.

That phase of the Metro expansion doesn't actually have a date yet, but considering this new Alamo Ashburn, as it's being christened, won't open until spring of 2013, hopefully it won't be too far behind.

For more details, check out the full press release below:

January 13, 2012, McLean, Virginia - One Loudoun Holdings, LLC, a joint venture of Miller and Smith and NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH) and its retail development partner, Potomac Development Group, LLC, announce today that Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will open a new location at One Loudoun in Loudoun County, Virginia. The 34,000 square foot Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be the first in the Washington, DC market area. Construction will commence in spring 2012 with a projected opening in spring 2013.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema combines in-theater dining, drinks, films and events, all under one roof. The theaters are world renowned for their unique programming events and high exhibition standards, earning accolades like "Best Theater Ever" by Time magazine and "the coolest theater in the world" by Wired. The theater is the brainchild of Tim and Karrie League who dreamed of opening a neighborhood theater that would provide the community with a great place to come together for entertainment as well as a second home to all movie fans.

"This type of mixed-entertainment venue is rare in Loudoun County and we're thrilled to bring such a unique experience to the One Loudoun community," said Bill May, vice president of Miller and Smith. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema announcement comes on the heels of the One Loudoun Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and successful opening event for the Welcome Center. More than 1,000 people interested in living at or opening a business in One Loudoun attended the event.

"This is the first of many retail and restaurant deals we are putting together to create a new downtown at One Loudoun, a place where people can enjoy a variety of quality shopping, dining and entertainment options," said Tom Maskey, principal of Potomac Development Group and development manager for the downtown portion of One Loudoun.