Old Town Books Reopens As Owner Experiences Vision Loss

UPDATE: Old Town Books was set to reopen as of Tuesday. Staff are reopening the store while the owner is focusing on her health.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Old Town Books, an independent bookstore serving Old Town Alexandria, is pausing operations as the owner grapples with a health concern.

Owner Ally Kirkpatrick announced Saturday on social media that Old Town Books at 130 S Royal St. would be closed "indefinitely." Kirkpatrick cited her "sudden vision loss," which resulted in limited vision.

Kirkpatrick said she's experienced vision loss over several weeks and that it may be tied to a traumatic brain injury. During her last pregnancy, Kirkpatrick said she experienced a complication called preeclampsia and a "near death experience" giving birth.

As Old Town books temporarily closes, Kirkpatrick will be focusing on her health and three children aged between 6-months-old and 6-years-old. Kirkpatrick said staff will remain employed and paid during the temporary closure.

"I’m working with a new store manager and two consultants who are helping me figure out how to adapt to being a blind small business owner," Kirkpatrick wrote on Facebook. "The transition is super hard!"

Old Town Books dates back to November 2018 when it opened as a pop-up at 104 S. Union Street. It later settled into a permanent home on S. Royal Street, according to Alexandria Living Magazine.