This weekend is the biggest discount shopping event of the season. Really, it’s the bargain hunter’s highlight of the year: the Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale. It has been a winter tradition for 15 years now (which is so hard for me to believe) and each year it just seems to get bigger and bigger!I wrote about it a few weeks ago, encouraging everyone to save the date. Well, now I am here to answer all the most commonly asked questions about this insane shopping event.  

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  1. Where is it located?Located in second floor ballroom in the Westin Hotel in Old Town. Located at 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA - in the Carlyle area south of the train station. 2. What time does it start?Shopping starts and 9am and goes until 4pm and I promise there will still be merchandise left later in the day. So even if you can’t make it first thing, it’s worth coming! 3. Do I have to wait in line?There is usually a line that starts to fill up around 8am. We let in as many folks as the fire code and elbowroom will allow inside the warehouse saleroom. As folks leave, others can enter. I have found that by 10:30am the line is usually gone, but I can’t make any promises. 4. Is there a fee or do I need a ticket to get in?No ticket or fee. It is first come, first in. Even in spite of the high demand, we have resisted an admission charge all these years because we want to keep a “sample sale” ethos. 5. Is there any way to get in early?We do have a contest on Facebook to enter to win a shop early pass that starts at 8am. Click here to enter and then spread the word! 6. Who is participating?We have more than 30 vendors participating see below for a list!    7. How do I know where my favorite vendors are located inside the sale?We have maps of the shopping floor we hand out while folks are waiting in line. You can plan out which vendors you want to hit first!    8. How big are the discounts?Discounts are determined by each vendor, but typically discounts are 60 to 80 percent off - nobody wants to take this stuff back to their store! 9. Are there dressing rooms?There are no real dressing rooms, but different vendors will have portable dressing rooms or screens you can use. Word to the wise: come dressed in leggings and a tank top to try on clothes without a dressing room. 10. Is there anything to do while I wait?We have so many activities planned for you while you wait in line! Pilates by Mind the Mat, crafts by Penny Post and AR Workshop, and so much more!  11. Is there a coat check?Yes we have a free coat check! 12. What type of payment do vendors accept?This will change vendor to vendor, but all take credit cards and cash; most will not take checks. 13. Where can I park?There is street parking that is metered and there are tons of garages that are empty on Saturdays and we have labeled some of the best ones here! It is also a close walk away from the King Street Metro station.