Celebrating the local businesses of South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria
Stories by Liesel Schmidt
Photography by Jeff Heeney / Local Businesses
'Sometimes you just need to choose a new street and go where it takes you.'
Courtesy of The Alexandrian
The Alexandrian
480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-6060
With its picturesque location in historic Alexandria, the Alexandrian is the perfect setting for a stay amidst the beauty of Old Town. Featuring 241 guest rooms and suites, the hotel’s upscale feel blends contemporary design with historic charm and offers luxurious amenities. Its on-site restaurant, King & Rye, features an elevated take on Southern American cuisine and a spectacular selection of bourbon and whiskey. With 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the hotel is ideal for meetings, conferences, and events. From creating customized menus to coordinating events, the Alexandrian’s team of professional planners is at hand to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and your event is memorable.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
Wayne Fisher’s
American Design
114 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-6043
Since opening his shop on Royal Street, Wayne Fisher has become a recognized name and face to collectors of country, folk, and decorative art, as well as Americana. Over the course of his lifetime, his love for collecting, displaying, and selling antiques, as well as designing with them, has evolved into a style that is distinctively his own. His style is so unique that Fisher’s personal homes have been featured in several national magazines over the past 25 years, illustrating his unique sense of styling a space. Building on his depth of knowledge of the items in his collection, his shop features three centuries of stylish design that boasts a contemporary appeal.
Courtesy of Lavendar Moon Cupcakery
Lavender Moon Cupcakery
116 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-0588
No matter how old you are, there’s something about a cupcake that seems to make the day just a little bit sweeter. Offering a menu of unique and too-pretty-to-eat confections that make choosing just one favorite impossible, Lavender Moon is a must for any trip to South Royal. From Hummingbird and Boston Cream to Key Lime and Flourless Chocolate Sea Salt Almond, the owners of this organic bakery have an incredible talent for flavor, building on their backgrounds as a chef and a sommelier. Check out their daily menu and try something new or stick with an old favorite. There’s never a wrong time for a great cupcake.
Courtesy of Old Town Music School
Old Town Music School
120 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 341-7341
Offering private piano, guitar, violin, ukulele, and voice lessons for students beginning as young as three years old, Old Town Music School is Alexandria’s exclusive preparatory music school. The school is founded and directed by Julie Zupan, a Conservatory-trained teacher who has lived and taught in the Washington area for 25 years. Faculty is comprised of illustrious professional musicians and educators who train promising students from early childhood into young adulthood in the technical, academic, and artistic aspects of music. Old Town Music School also offers instruction for adults seeking greater proficiency in music. At its core, their mission is to “enlighten, excite, and educate all children and adults who have a desire to make music a part of their lives.”
Courtesy of David L. Mortimer
David L. Mortimer, CPA
120 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 743.0272
Providing clients with accounting, tax, and financial management services, David L. Mortimer works with small businesses throughout the DC area, including government contractors, legal professionals, software developers, and real estate and healthcare specialists. These services enable the firm to address industry-specific challenges, compliance requirements, and standard tax practices, which allow business owners to better focus on growth, productivity, and effectiveness. The firm’s concentration on business clientele provides owners with a tool that makes their job easier. Mortimer keeps them well-informed on tax law changes throughout the year, enabling those businesses to take advantage of all tax incentives.
Courtesy of Fontaine
Fontaine Café & Creperie
119 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703)535-8151
Walk in the door of Fontaine Café & Creperie and close your eyes. Take a deep breath and let the smells and sounds envelop you. You just may imagine you’re somewhere in France—and while your brain may know you’re not, your taste buds will beg to differ. Featuring a menu of crepes and galettes that are their claim to fame, Fontaine also serves a wide range of dishes from breakfast to dinner that showcase the talent in their kitchen, along with an extensive wine and beer list. Check out their menu of seasonal Virginia ciders, perfect for pairing with their signature crepes. crepes.
Kate & Lo
121 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Walk through the signature pink door of Kate & Lo on South Royal Street, and you’ll find a boutique filled with stylish clothes, classic jewelry, and accessories to take any outfit to the next level. Owner, Laura, worked together with her creative friend, Kate, to create the perfect source for all things fashionable at a price point that makes them affordable. All pieces are available on their website, from clothing and accessories to bath and body products. Launched during COVID, the store is a reflection of the adventurous spirit of its owners and their desire to give the women of Alexandria something new.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
Alexandria & Co.
121 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 2231
(703) 548.0659
Boasting more than 50 years of experience in the jewelry industry and an expertise for exceptional design, the team at Alexandria & Co. both creates and restores beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry. All specialized pieces are made on-site at their shop on South Royal, where owners Tim Shaheen and Meaghan Foran use their design acumen and knowledge of jewelry to create breathtaking pieces that will be treasured for generations. The independent, family-owned-and-operated company also employs goldsmiths and polishers who bring their skill to the team and help make the ALX & Co. a success.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
The Seedling Collective
121 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Pop-ups have become an extremely effective tool for companies all over the world, and the Seedling Collective offers an upscale take on the concept. Offering pop-up studio space for creatives, entrepreneurs, and aspiring boutique owners, reservations are available for a single month or longer, making pricing affordable. The studio is designed with fully adjustable shelving and furniture that makes changing the space simple, enabling users to customize everything to their vision and their needs. With 500 square feet, the space accommodates multiple set-ups in the event that one client needs multiple types of spaces. Event promotion is also available upon reservation.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
Shannon, Mullins & Wright, LLP
124 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 620-1930
Based in Alexandria, Shannon, Mullins & Wright LLP provides legal services to individuals and businesses throughout Virginia, DC, and Maryland. The firm focuses on integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in providing comprehensive legal advice across a wide range of practice areas, including tax, land use, real estate, design, litigation, estate and trust, construction, and business. Their team is dedicated to offering high value representation and counsel, extending the relationship of attorney and client to a more personal level in order to better serve their clients. They work tirelessly for the best solution and their philosophy of being a team with their clients means that they always seek to understand the needs of the individuals and businesses who come to them.
Courtesy of Kids 529
529 Kids Consign
122 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
www. 529kidsconsign.com
Making a play on the 529 college savings plan, 529 Kids Consign is an upscale children's and maternity consignment boutique specializing in the latest trends. Quality is a hallmark of the company, which is why they accept only the best brands. Offering consignment items as well as the newest and most on-trend essentials for stylish mothers-to-be and cool kids who love to dress, 529 has become the place for eco-conscious shoppers and anyone in search of great clothes at a great price. Their team of experts will even help you with your wish list, curating the perfect pieces for your child’s closet. The shop also specializes in gifts for kids and babies.
Courtesy of Boxwood
Boxwood
128 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 537-8996
Offering a curated selection of unique items in their South Royal boutique, Boxwood is a local source for beautiful home décor and gifts. From new lamps to eco-friendly throw blankets and beautiful vases to delightful candles, Boxwood has become the top place to shop for those hard-to-find gifts. Boxwood is also a local source for Annie Sloan chalk paint. In fact, it’s the only store in Alexandria certified to sell the product. For great home décor with character and color, Boxwood is a must.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
The Color Room Salon
129 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 915-0263
www.thecolorroom.salon
Specializing in balayage, ombres, freehand highlighting, and color correction, the Color Room is the place for all your custom color needs. From the latest color trends to the classic looks, their colorists are experts in achieving perfection. Their team of colorists will finish with an on-trend haircut, giving clients the best treatment for their hair and a look that will turn heads. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, working in an atmosphere that puts their clients at ease in knowing that their hair is in capable hands. One visit to the Color Room, and your hair will forever be changed.
Fidelio Logo
Fidelio Business
Advisors
129 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 627-9056
Fidelio Business Advisors is a leading, independent consulting firm providing innovative and forward-looking advisory services designed to meet the unique opportunities of the Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) space. With a focus on assisting pioneering companies in all phases of their integrated HR, payroll, and benefits business lifecycle, the firm helps maximize potential today with a keen focus on building a sustainable bridge to the future. Founded in 2019 by Todd Cohn, an executive within the HRO space for the past 17 years, Fidelio consults for a cross-section of companies including insurance brokers, professional employer organizations, HR technology platforms, and equity partners in various capacities, helping these companies to provide innovation within the space.
Courtesy of Old Town Books
OLD TOWN BOOKS
130 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 647-9749]
Nestled on the corner of South Royal Street and Prince Street, book lovers will find a truly unique shopping experience. As one of the only independent bookstores in Alexandria, Old Town Books is more than just a bookshop; it is a celebration of storytelling and community impact. Passionately building a bookish community, this local business offers book clubs, author events, and book subscription services. Old Town Books is also spreading the love through their brilliant and inspiring program, Book Love. The charitable giving program promises to match donations by 20%, working with local nonprofit partners to deliver books into the hands of readers in need. In 2020, Old Town Books and Book Love provided books to over 500 children and, with your help, are on a mission to surpass this achievement in 2021.
Courtesy of Cavalier Antiques
Cavalier Antiques
400 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 225-7722
With its old cobblestone streets and historic buildings, Alexandria is steeped in the past. Old Town is nothing if not the perfect place for finding antiques that speak to that storied past. From beautiful paintings and period furniture to collectible items and estate jewelry, Cavalier Antiques has everything one could hope to find in an antique shop. Curated by owner Robert Ray, the collection at the shop is one sure to hold a treasure you didn’t know you were looking for or pieces you thought you’d never find.
Photo by Jeff Heeney
Sara Campbell
320 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 996-9074
While Sara Campbell's yellow Victorian building on the corner of Prince Street and South Royal may be a bit understated, there’s nothing subdued about the chic dresses and playful sportswear sold inside. Created by Boston-based designer, Sara Campbell, the eponymous line is everything a stylish woman could want, all made in the US using materials sourced from domestic mills and factories. With a hallmark of quality, the label is one that speaks to style as well as durability, ease of wear, and function. The company also has philanthropic roots, giving back to local organizations in the communities wherever a store is located.