Need Dance Shoes? Tights? Waltz on Over to Alves & Company

Lisa Alves has a boy and a girl. The girl dances, he plays hockey.

And like many Portsmouth parents, until recently, she found that the one-stop-shop to get hockey supplies, skates sharpened, tights and ballet shoes, is next to impossible to find on the island.

So what's a mother to do?

Open her own business.

Today, Alves and Company, located at 14 Potomoc Road, is growing a steady business to equip local dancers and hockey players.

"We get a lot of moms and a lot of grandmothers," said Rachel McDonald, the store manager, who noted that the store also gets plenty of local teenagers who are looking to buy exclusive Portsmouth High School sporting gear that normally can be found only at games and sold by the boosters.

At Alves & Company, you can find tights, ballet shoes, jazz, tap and hip-hop shoes, leotards, tutus, accessories and everything else a dancer might need for both rehearsal and the big show.
 
"We have a lot of moms coming in at the last minute," McDonald said with a grin.

Along with filling a niche need on the island, credit must be given to Alves & Company's owners, who picked the ideal spot for the business. Next door is Stage Door Dance, Inc., which provides a steady stream of customers. 

Though the two businesses are separate, it's a natural pairing for the brand-new shopping plaza.

Along with dance supplies, the store sells jewelry and women's accessories, which don't have the be bought just for a dance costume. 

And if you don't see something on the shelf or hanging from a rack, don't sweat.

"We can order or get anything for our customers," McDonald said. "We have our hours and Lisa's phone number on the door, so if you need a service or product and we're not open, simply call."

"We try to focus here on customer service," McDonald said.

Although dance has been part of human culture since the dawn of time, the art and practice of dance is on an upswing. It might be due in part to the popularity of major TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and Dance Moms, but whatever the reason, McDonald said more and more people are interested and taking part in dance.

And it's not just for girls.

"Just last week a woman came in with her little boy and ordered two pairs of shoes," McDonald said. "He's doing ballet and he's doing taps."

She did have to special order them, since she didn't have any in black, but with more and more boys taking up dance these days, it's likely they'll be in stock soon enough. 

"Boys are really getting into it as well," McDonald said.

The shop also offers skate sharpening, so if your hockey player is a little dull on the ice, look no further.

You can follow Alves & Company on Facebook.

The store is open Mon - Tue, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thu-Fri 12 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, it's open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.