If your community is anything like mine, there have been lots of mom-n-pop shops closing up lately. In every block there is at least one empty storefront. And we are fairly protected here on the outskirts of the nation's capital. Other parts of the country have been hit far worse by the continuing recession.
Old Town Alexandria, VA, where I live and own my shop, Mindful Hands, is lucky to be home to a large number of distinctive independent shops, catering to a wide clientele - from upscale chic boutiques to fine art and home decor galleries to multi-cultural fair trade and eco-minded handicrafts to family-centered children's stores. Many of Old Town's shops will promoting our community by sponsoring family-centered activities, on the weekend of September 12/13. Here are a few:
- Mindful Hands will be partnering with our friends, the King Street Cats, for "Kitty-purr-looza," a kitten adopt-a-thon, on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4pm. The kittens will be in their new "kitty corral" and, if past kitty-purr-loozas are any indication, it will be a kitty 3-ring circus! Stop by to pet and play with these frisky felines and maybe even take home a new friend (or two).
- Enjoy free lemonade and cookies, before or after playing with the kittens, jointly sponsored by Mindful Hands and our neighbors SoBe Unique Shoes - all at 211 King Street.
- Hooray for Books!, an independent children's book store, at 1555 King Street, will be offering hand-cut silhouettes - shadow portraits that capture the unique personality of your child - by Anne Leslie. She's one of only 75 silhouette artists in the United States, and she'll be at Hooray for Books! on September 12 from 1:00 - 5:00pm.
- The largest display of collectible kaleidoscopes will be at Arts Afire Glass Gallery, 1117 King St, all weekend long and through Sept. 30th. Artist reception, Fri-Sat, Sept. 11-12, from 5-8pm and 1-4pm on Sun 9/13.
- and don't miss "Children in the Churchyard at Christ Church," 118 N. Washington St., for family-friendly activities including a moon bounce, Sat and Sun, 1-4pm, FREE.
Support your local artists, businesses, and community institutions. In these tough economic times, your dollars do indeed count!
Old Town Alexandria, VA, where I live and own my shop, Mindful Hands, is lucky to be home to a large number of distinctive independent shops, catering to a wide clientele - from upscale chic boutiques to fine art and home decor galleries to multi-cultural fair trade and eco-minded handicrafts to family-centered children's stores. Many of Old Town's shops will promoting our community by sponsoring family-centered activities, on the weekend of September 12/13. Here are a few:
- Mindful Hands will be partnering with our friends, the King Street Cats, for "Kitty-purr-looza," a kitten adopt-a-thon, on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4pm. The kittens will be in their new "kitty corral" and, if past kitty-purr-loozas are any indication, it will be a kitty 3-ring circus! Stop by to pet and play with these frisky felines and maybe even take home a new friend (or two).
- Enjoy free lemonade and cookies, before or after playing with the kittens, jointly sponsored by Mindful Hands and our neighbors SoBe Unique Shoes - all at 211 King Street.
- Hooray for Books!, an independent children's book store, at 1555 King Street, will be offering hand-cut silhouettes - shadow portraits that capture the unique personality of your child - by Anne Leslie. She's one of only 75 silhouette artists in the United States, and she'll be at Hooray for Books! on September 12 from 1:00 - 5:00pm.
- The largest display of collectible kaleidoscopes will be at Arts Afire Glass Gallery, 1117 King St, all weekend long and through Sept. 30th. Artist reception, Fri-Sat, Sept. 11-12, from 5-8pm and 1-4pm on Sun 9/13.
- and don't miss "Children in the Churchyard at Christ Church," 118 N. Washington St., for family-friendly activities including a moon bounce, Sat and Sun, 1-4pm, FREE.
Support your local artists, businesses, and community institutions. In these tough economic times, your dollars do indeed count!
