Note: The Old Town Sock Co. is taking pre-orders for this special edition sock now.
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Old Town Sock Co.
When Old Town Sock Co. founder Mitchel Edwards opened his business at 1003 King St. in January, he had no idea he would be opening a store in the middle of a global pandemic. Despite this, he said his business has been doing well.
“The local support has been great, I’m pretty happy, the store is doing quite well," he said. "It’s a fun store, and people seem to enjoy it."
Old Town Sock Co.
Edwards is riding a trend: In recent years, the demand for statement or novelty socks has skyrocketed. From socks printed with pizza and beer or socks customized with your dog’s face, you can pretty much find a sock in any color or pattern.
There was one sock that did not exist – until now: An official sock for Alexandria, Virginia.
After discovering this summer that Alexandria doesn't have an official anything — tree, flower, animal or food — Alexandria Living Magazine teamed up with the Old Town Sock Co. to set up “The Official Sock of Alexandria Design Contest.”
The Contest
Anybody was welcome to submit a design for the contest, and the Old Town Sock Co. worked with U.S.-based manufacturers to produce the crew sock. The Old Town Sock Co. provided a template for designers to work from.
Now on sale, a portion of proceeds will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
The design contest winner was Stephanie Chewning — an artist who has lived in Alexandria for 25 years. When she found out about the sock contest, she thought it sounded fun and was delighted that it would support a good cause.
Stephanie Chewning
Chewning works as a freelance graphic designer by trade, but she mostly works on marketing materials. She had never designed a sock before and was excited to work on the project.
“As a small business owner, I also like to support the Chamber and Visit Alexandria. I have been an animal lover and I have had animals in the past through the Welfare League, and of course Old Town Sock, Co. being a new small business here in our city, I like supporting all of those,” Chewning explained.
She was inspired in part by tall ships like the Providence, which is currently anchored at Alexandria’s waterfront. The Potomac River has been such a big part of Alexandria’s history and lifestyle, so she chose a nautical theme, wave pattern and the colors blue and white with a yellow accent. (Each pair of socks incorporates both designs shown here.)
“I really love being in a historic port city and I just kind of thought the contest was fun to have an official sock of Alexandria and something that had a port city kind of theme,” said Chewning.
Chewning was grateful for something fun and light to work on during this not-so-normal year. As a recent newlywed and small business owner, she can attest to the challenges this year has brought to so many Alexandrians. She is proud of how Alexandria has handled the tough times. “We’re a vibrant city, and I really like living in a city that has so much going on even during this weird year.”
Edwards was quick to get on board with the “The Official Sock of Alexandria Design Contest” because he thought it would be great to have an Alexandria sock. He is choosing to donate a portion of proceeds from the official sock sales to the Alexandria Welfare League because he is a huge animal person, has several dogs of his own and has fostered a number of other dogs over the years, he noted.
How to get a pair
Alexandria’s new official sock is being made in the USA by Living Royal and will be a high quality, soft unisex crew sock. A hundred pairs will be made initially, with the potential for more if the initial batch sells out.
While you’re picking up a pair or two of Alexandria socks (available at The Old Town Sock Co. at 1003 King St., through OldTownSockCo.com or through MadeinALX.com), check out the other 1,500-plus designs at Old Town Sock Co. The store is dog-friendly, and there is a sock for everybody — from babies to adults.
“Socks don’t really go out of style and it’s a great store for people looking to do some holiday shopping,” Edwards said.
The stock at Old Town Sock Co. changes often, with an offering of socks based on the season and current trends. From Joe Exotic to officially licensed socks from your favorite movie or sports team, Old Town Sock Co. has you covered.
There are even slipper socks for the colder months and socks you or your kids can color in yourself.
