Wander In Retail Incubator Store Opens In Old Town Fairfax

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Wander In, a retail incubator, will be celebrating its grand opening in Old Town Fairfax by inviting customers to visit the store at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Located at 3950 University Drive, Wander In is a collaborative effort by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association and Fairfax City Economic Development in partnership with Kimco Realty and the Mason Small Business Development Center. It seeks provide an incubator space for local makers and entrepreneurs, as well as making Old Town a premier destination for small businesses.

“Wander In offers a retail boutique showcasing over 30 of our area’s many talented artisans,” said Mayor Catherine S. Read. “Located next to a free parking garage, on the plaza next to great Fairfax City restaurants, this will offer residents and visitors a fun browsing experience. This is a great resource for those unique items we all look for at festivals and fairs, only now we can find them all year round.”

According to an FCED press release, Wander offers a diverse variety of small businesses for residents to check out, including:

• Paris Love Jewelry offers a diverse selection of handcrafted and designed jewelry encompassing a blend of eclectic vintage and modern styles.
• White Dove Candle LLC presents a curated selection of premium candles, artistically designed to infuse your space with serenity and sophistication.
• Mary Bockenek Art features thumbnail-sized landscapes, mini abstracts, and three- dimensional heart art, all crafted with joy to add a vibrant pop of color wherever they find a home.
• Toute-Petite translating to 'attention to detail' in French embodies a commitment to meticulously crafted artwork, ensuring each piece is thoughtful. The brand offers a collection of greeting cards and small gifts appropriate for any occasion.

"Not only do we anticipate it evolving into a central hub for unique, locally crafted gifts and keepsakes, but with Wander In, our goal is to enhance the shopping experience through exciting special events and collaborative business initiatives,” said Tess Rollins, executive director of OTFBA. This resonates with both our cherished residents and valued visitors."

Customers who come to check out the store on Saturday will enjoy refreshments and a limited number of giveaways. The store will open for business Tuesdays through Sunday. In addition to being a retail destination, Wander In will also host classes, workshops and events.

"Wander In is more than a retail space; it’s a pioneering collaboration that echoes our vision for Fairfax City,” said FCED Director and CEO Christopher Bruno. “With its innovative offerings, we anticipate not just a hub for unique, locally crafted gifts, but a redefined shopping experience that speaks to our community values. Wander In represents a significant stride in reshaping the entrepreneurial and community engagement landscape of Northern Virginia.”