It's not too often when you meet someone and you gain immediate respect. Maybe partly because she is my landlord's daughter, but even that, hands down, Ally's presence is igniting.

Last February, I was having a conversation with some friends over lunch when I was asked, "what businesswoman do you most admire?" I must say, I immediately blurted out, "Ally Kirkpatrick of Old Town Books." She is above and beyond a superwoman business owner.  Amazingly intelligent, over-the-top creative, a perfectionist, a kind soul, and even funny.  Everything she is involved with is all so well thought out, planned, and executed with perfection, and what I admire most, she juggles a million things at once. For example, this time last year and during a pandemic, she was not only planning and preparing her bookstore on Union Street for a move, but she was also completely renovating, floor to ceiling, her new store space on South Royal Street. In addition to the bookstore, she renovated her own home, and that's not all… she had just given birth to a precious baby girl! Just one of those would put me over the edge, but she managed them all with precision and grace.

Ally opened Old Town Books in November of 2018 to combine her loves of reading, writing, and music. The independent bookstore hosts author events, book clubs, workshops, and weekly story time for all readers in our community. In her new space, you walk in and feel the brightness, imagination, and connection that thrives in our neighborhood.

Ally is a powerhouse, my inspiration, and my motivator. I am so grateful to share part of South Royal Street with her, but mostly, admiring her thriving business of Old Town Books.

Photography credit: Renée C. Gage Photography

Ally is styled by The Hive & The Shoe Hive. Looks chosen for this shoot were inspired by Outlander, in celebration of Old Town Books upcoming event with Diana Gabaldon.

Location & books: Old Town Books

ABOUT YOU

Neighborhood: Old town 

How long have you lived in Alexandria: I live just outside of the city, but my store is off of lower king st so I spend a lot of time there. 

What is your hometown? Alexandria - I grew up here. 

What brought you to Alexandria? I came back to be closer to my family and to open my bookstore in 2018. 

You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Seeing the future - I know what book you want to read next! 

Favorite cocktail: I'm a mock tail kind of gal. Or coffee! 

Last book read or movie seen: I'm reading a book called The Gilded Page, about illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages. I'm currently in a mentorship program with the Antiquarian Bookseller Association of America, learning the complexities of the rare book trade. I want to attend rare book school at UVA this year too. So, all the books I'm reading have to do with that!

Guilty Pleasure: TikTok 

Phrase you overuse: “Let's put a pin in it” - I'm also guilty of over using business lingo/buzz words which I blame on having worked in the startup world. 

Facebook or Instagram? TikTok!

Latest binge-watch: I'm dying to watch Ted Lasso and plan to binge watch it as soon as I have the time. 

Bucket list travel destination: London to visit all the rare book galleries and historic literary sites. 

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Coffee! Which is easy because I don't drink wine. 

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Andro-frump, mom style, bookstore owner cosplay 

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Oversized cardigan and boots. 

Favorite trend ever: I'm a product of the 90s grunge era so that's a fave, and I love to see it coming back. 

Favorite current trend: Blundstone boots and other chunky comfy boots - I stand all day so it's nice there's something functional on trend!

Beauty product you can’t live without: Sunscreen! 

Favorite fragrance: LaLabo Bergamonte 

Heels or flats? Flats

HOME

Favorite room in your home: My kitchen where we have a big built-in bookcase and cozy bench. I read there with my daughters, browse my cookbook collection, etc. I love it.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix 

Last item bought for your home: Pillows from Red Barn for that reading bench. 

Next planned purchase: A new couch for our living room - kids and dogs have taken our current one to the brink of being unsanitary, so it's a pickle: do I want to buy a new couch if it's going to get destroyed again in a few months?

Favorite way to entertain: Casual picnic - Outside in the garden with the kids tumbling around in the grass. 

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Well lived in - book collecting makes me a maximalist!

Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Classic! We just put up a bunch of William Morris wallpaper in our mud room and bathrooms. 

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Weight lifting, hiking 

Most fun way to exercise: With my husband hiking or biking 

Group exercise or solo: Both - I workout with Eun at GetFit studio. She helped me recover and get moving and weightlifting again safely after baby. 

Fitness goal: I'm determined to be able to do a pull up by my next birthday. I can do half of one haha. 

Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Running - I know there are so many great mental health benefits and I do spend a lot of time sitting down reading, so running is my next goal...

Proudest fitness achievement: I had really bad diastasis (abdominal separation) after my second baby. I worked out a ton to rebuild that strength this past year, and it's helped my back so much! I'm proud I am still able to move around and lift all the heavy book boxes with my team.

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: I've been hitting up Mae’s after working out and love it!

Last purchase in Alexandria: Some of these items from The Hive. 

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: During the workweek my husband and I always meet for coffee dates at South Block and stroll by the waterfront. 

Favorite charity: Book Love, our charitable giving program at Old Town Books 

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Our Emerging Writers Festival - we bring the best authors and publishing pros into town for a weekend of creativity and business of writing advice.