The Artisans To Close After Over 30 Years In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — The Artisans, a gift shop dating back to 1990, will close in McLean as the owners retire.

The shop, which sells handmade gifts, clothing, home decor and more, was started in 1990 by owners Judith Harkins, Nancy Jemio and Shannon Denny. Jemio left the business in 1998 to focus on a custom knitwear business. That same year, The Artisans moved from Marketplace of McLean to its current location at the Langley Shopping Center, 1368 Chain Bridge Road.

The business announced the upcoming closure in a newsletter to customers. There is no firm closure date yet, but it will be sometime in February. The closure was attributed to Harkins and Denny retiring.

"As we look back over more than thirty years our hearts are full," the owners wrote. "We forged so many connections with customers, employees, artists, vendors & community members. We remember the hard, physical work of renovating & running three stores - often with small kids in tow. We survived several recessions, the dominance of online shopping, Covid lockdown."

The Artisans is holding a retirement sale with 20 percent off everything. Hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, visit www.theartisans.biz.