I’d like to introduce you to the latest addition to Old Town North: Made in ALX. This new store is extra personal to me as one of my good friends, Beth Lawton, is spearheading this new venture. 

Beth is the very definition of an Alexandria entrepreneur. I first met her when she was at the beginning stages of launching Alexandria Living Magazine. Since then, I’ve watched her expand the magazine, grow the Alexandria Wedding Showcase, and buy and operate an income-generating vacation house in Maryland. Every new venture is a huge success, and Made in ALX is no different.

Made in ALX isn’t just your run-of-the-mill retail store. Instead, it is a collective of more than 40 Alexandria-based makers, creators, and artists. As a maker, when you join Made in ALX, you have the opportunity to sell your goods alongside other local artisans both in-store and online. You also join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are eager to learn from each other how to best grow their business. In addition, members benefit from training and access to professional resources, including support in branding, marketing, finances, inventory, and more. 

In addition to what Made in ALX is doing for the makers, it offers a great place for locals and tourists alike to find unique items. The new retail space and local art gallery will offer a workshop area where makers can host classes (there are already several classes on the calendar).

After telling Beth about this article, she suggested I swing by for a sneak peek of the new space. While everything in the store is unique and eye-catching, I wanted to share a few items that really stood out to me as great gifts for this summer season:

For Father’s Day

Our team is loving all the unique leather gifts from Sophisticate Supply Co. We were immediately drawn to the Leather 6-Pack Carrier ($60), which can be customized with a date, phrase, or name on the handle up to 12 characters, and the also-customizable Leather Pint Glass sleeve ($15).

For your graduate

Is your child heading off to college next year or maybe just graduated from a state school? Then check out the Matchbooks: The College Edition art prints ($18) featuring matchbooks from local bars and restaurants. I put my advanced order in for the Virginia Tech one and gave myself an extremely belated graduation gift. The Matchbook prints also come in editions focused on the areas around James Madison University, the University of Virginia, and William & Mary. 

For your furry friend

Nothing brings me more joy than buying my dogs (Mr. T and Dillon) gifts. The colorful, durable dog beds from PawsGo have an interesting story behind them - and the prints are unique enough to be a conversation starter themselves. Maker Karen Johnson fell in love with African wax fabric while traveling to Kenya and returned with a suitcase-full. She partnered with Threads by Nomad, an Alexandria-based organization that employs former refugees, to come up with the design and have the items created. A limited number of beds are available until Karen returns to Africa! ($89.95) Grab some locally-made pet treats from Pawfectly Delicious, too ($12).

For the person who has everything

There is always that one person in your life that is impossible to shop for. When I spotted these Railroad Spike Bottle Openers ($17 - $20), I knew I had found the perfect gift for “that person’s” (aka my husband’s) birthday. Local metalsmith Warren Wylupski of Del Ray Metalworks crafts a variety of fun metal items, including these bottle openers, horseshoe door knockers, and more. Make it a gift set by pairing a railroad spike bottle opener with a “bottoms up” pint glass from Passionately Pets ($18)!

Made in ALX will open at 533 Montgomery Street, with a grand opening tomorrow - Saturday, June 11. Shoppers will be entered to win a $150 gift card. Can’t make it on Saturday or simply can’t wait for the doors to open? You can purchase their full inventory online at madeinalx.com. Made in ALX also ships nationwide and delivers locally.