Shirlington resident Megan Kelly was the first in line Saturday, at 5 a.m., for the Old Town Boutique District's annual Warehouse Sale held at the Westin Alexandria.
"They have fantastic deals," she said. "I have size 11 feet and last year I got some great shoes for 50 percent off." This year she was hoping to score some deals from Lululemon, the yoga clothing retailer that has a location on King Street.
About an hour before the sale officially opened, at 9 a.m., dozens of women stood (or sat) in line chatting, drinking coffee or staring into their iPhones inside the Westin.
Alexandria Living Magazine and other media outlets got a chance to take a peek inside before the sale opened to the public.
Alexandria boutique owners were busy setting up shop inside the hotel preparing tables and racks filled with jewelry, shoes, dresses, sportswear and children's clothing.
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Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Old Town Boutique District annual Warehouse Sale
Maurisa Potts pauses for a photo as crowds begin to gather Saturday morning for the Old Town Boutique District annual Warehouse Sale at the Westin Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Kiskadee owner Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh
Kiskadee owner Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh look over merchandise before the start of Saturday's Old Town Boutique District's annual Warehouse Sale in Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Kiskadee owner Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh
Kiskadee owner Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh look over merchandise before the start of Saturday's Old Town Boutique District's annual Warehouse Sale in Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Gossypia's Maryam Ahmad, Katie Bradshaw, Maria Bekyarova and Eduardo Blandon
Gossypia's Maryam Ahmad, Katie Bradshaw, Maria Bekyarova and Eduardo Blandon pause for a photo Saturday at the Old Town Boutique District's annual Warehouse Sale.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Dawn Wojciechowski and Elizabeth Mason
Dawn Wojciechowski and Elizabeth Mason, owner of Periwinkle, pause for a photo Saturday at the annual Old Town Boutique District's Warehouse Sale, at the Westin Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Joe Schultz and Allison Donaghy
Pacers Regional Manager Joe Schultz and Alexandria store Manager Allison Donaghy pause for a photo Saturday morning before the start of the Warehouse Sale at the Westin Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh
Kiskadee owner Celeste Crutchfield and Brook McHugh look over the boutique's apparel Saturday before the start of the annual Warehouse Sale at the Westin Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Beth Jones, general manager, Top It Off
Top It Off General Manager Beth Jones pauses for a photo Saturday at the Old Town Boutique District annual Warehouse Sale.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Ann Franken and She's Unique owner Katya Ananieva
Ann Franken and She's Unique owner Katya Ananieva pause for a photo Saturday at the Old Town Boutique District annual Warehouse Sale at the Westin Alexandria.
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Alexandria Living Magazine
Allison Priebe, Nicole Duncan and McClain Brooks
Queen Bee Allison Priebe got some help from daughter McClain and friend Nicole Duncan of Simply Sage Events Saturday at the Old Town Boutique District's annual Warehouse Sale in Alexandria.
Shoppers lined up early to find amazing bargains — a wool shawl was waiting at half off for its new owner at the Gossypia booth, where owner Amanda Lasker and her helpers (including Maryam Ahmad, Katie Bradshaw, Maria Bekyarova and Eduardo Blandon) were preparing for the big day.
Lasker, a native of Louisiana, has been in business in Old Town since 1968. Her life in Mexico and other locations south of the border before moving to Alexandria inspire her offerings.
At Top It Off, general manager Beth Jones was busy preparing racks of plush vests to sporty jackets for sale — everything on sale for just $15 each.
Top It Off has two Alexandria area stores. The store is scouting Old Town locations for a third location, Jones said. The Top It Off Brand is located in 2,000 boutiques nationwide.
Ali Myers, an account executive for D.C. designer Britt Ryan, was also prepping her booth, in a primo corner spot, with the designer's signature colorful and feminine apparel.
Queen Bee Design's Allison Priebe, owner and jewelry designer, was up bright and early making last-minute adjustments to her colorful jewelry and clothing on display, with help from daughter McClain Brooks and friend Nicole Duncan of Simply Sage Events. If you didn't make it to the sale, you can visit Priebe's store at Bradlee shopping center in Alexandria.
Periwinkle boutique owner Elizabeth Mason and Dawn Wojciechowski, dressed in pink and purple Periwinkle T-shirts, stopped to chat while making last-minute preparations. Mason's boutique has been open in Old Town now going on two years.
She's Unique owner Katya Ananieva and Ann Franken were organizing the delicate jewelry the boutique is known for, as well as its signature candles.
Pacer's Regional Manager Joe Schultz and Alexandria store Manager Allison Donaghy were preparing for running enthusiasts just minutes before the sale began.
If you didn't make it by the sale, there's always next year!
Here's a list of all the participants this year:
- Bishop Boutique
- Britt Ryan
- CCH Collection
- Coco Blanca
- Duchess M
- Eye to Eye
- Fornash
- Gossypia
- J.McLaughlin
- Kiskadee
- Lettie Gooch
- Little Birdies
- Lululemon
- Lynn Louisa
- Mission Edit
- Mystique Jewelers
- Pacers
- Queen Bee Designs
- Salon deZEN
- Sara Campbell
- She’s Unique
- The Hive
- The Shoe Hive
- Top it Off
- TSALT
- WRABYN Boutique
