Why the Why Not Shop Is Closing in Old Town Alexandria

PHOTO: Image of iconic logo from the shopping bags at The Why Not Shop in Old Town Alexandria; image courtesy of store.

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ALEXANDRIA, VA — Customers coming into a store with their iPhones, taking pictures of items and then walking out without making a purchase might sound like an all too familiar story to many brick-and-mortar retailers competing with their online brethren.

While it might save consumers a few dollars to make purchases online or from a big box store, the practice is hurting Mom ‘n Pop businesses who are trying to stay in business.

“Competition from online shopping is the main reason why we’re closing,” said Renate Moyer, an employee at the Why Not Shop in Old Town Alexandria, speaking on behalf of owner Kate Schlabach.

The iconic store, a landmark in Old Town for more than 50 years, announced its closing over the weekend in a Facebook post and an email to friends of the store.

The Why Not Shop to Close in Old Town Alexandria

Online competition as well as competition from big box stores, are the main reasons why owner Schlabach has decided it’s time to close the doors after being in business in the heart of Old Town Alexandria for more than half a century, Moyer said.

Currently all items in the store are 30 percent off; all holiday items are 50 percent off. The store will remain open at least through the end of January and no longer than the end of February. Moyer said that at the rate items are flying off the shelves, the store will likely close sooner rather than later.

The store closing is an end of an era for many, as well as the store employees, including one who has worked there for 25 years. “We have a lot of customers who say ‘I used to come here with my kids,’ and now their kids shop here,” Moyer said. “It’s generation after generation. We have seen the same faces every week, after the farmer’s market on Saturdays.”

Schlabach, who says she plans to retire after closing the store, has overseen Why Not? for the last 47-48 years, guiding the shop from women’s clothing to children’s accouterments. She started working there as a high school student when she needed a summer job.

In November 1963, three housewives opened Why Not? across the street from its current location at 200 King St. They offered women’s clothing and different accessories. Within a year, the shop moved to its present-day digs.

The store employs about 10 people when you include holiday help and college kids who work at the shop during their break, said Moyer, who was in charge of creating the holiday windows currently on display. The store hires an outside company to come and hang the Christmas lights each year.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.