Shop Made In Virginia Opens Location In Old Town Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Shop Made in Virginia, an initiative selling products from makers in Virginia, opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Thursday at 1121 King Street in Alexandria.

Shop Made in Virginia is a sister initiative of Shop Made in DC, which launched in 2017 and has five locations supporting local makers. Founded by Stacey Price of People Make Place and Michael Babin of Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Shop Made in Virginia spotlights the talents of Virginia makers.

The brand's first brick-and-mortar location provides incubator space to emerging makers on a highly visible stretch of the King Street corridor. Launched as a web platform in the spring offering national shipping, the new physical location provides opportunities for curbside pickup and local delivery.

The space will host offerings from 120 featured artists, many of whom come from Northern Virginia. The variety of products will include paper goods, home goods, packaged food and beverage, apparel, jewelry, furniture and art. In addition, there will be weekly signature programming including Wine & Watercolors, Crafternoons as well as maker-taught classes in hand lettering, painting, candle making, punch needle, wreath making, collage classes, macramé, embroidery and more.

The 1,800-square-foot shop features installations from Virginia artists, including murals by The Paper Darlings of Alexandria, Big Girl Press of Falls Church and textile installations from Tulusa of Alexandria and Annabel Wrigley of Richmond.

Grand opening festivities will be held through the weekend of Nov. 12 to 14. The Friday, Nov. 12 grand opening party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. will feature a signature bag giveaway for the first 50 shoppers, a signature "Virginian" cocktail, and DIY candle bar with Relume.

On Saturday, enjoy local wine for a sip-and-shop promotion. There will also be a signature bag giveaway for the first 50 shoppers. A free Cocktails + Crafts class: Watercolor Your City with Paper Darlings will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Preregistration is required for the class. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., make your own scrubs, lotions and potions at a dry bath bar with Oh So Good Organics.

Festivities wrap up Sunday with a sip-and-shop featuring Virginia drink mixes. From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., make personalized ornaments with Big Girl Press Chandra Osann and join the block print bar with Block Print Bike. A free Cocktails + Crafts class: Mixed Media Collage Prints with Artist Molly will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Preregistration is required for the class.

For more information about Shop Made in Virginia, visit www.shopmadeinva.com.