Why We’re Sticking to By Appointment Only Hours
Considering that Virginia is now officially in Phase 3 of Re-Opening, our clients may be wondering if we will consider returning to walk-in hours anytime soon. While many other retailers have decided to do this, we have opted against it for a few reasons…
1) Appointments just make sense for our work
Honestly, we have wanted to transition to being By Appointment Only for a few years but, until the pandemic, didn’t have the opportunity to make the switch in an easy way. The last few months have given us a chance to test the model, and we’re finding it’s working great. For the work we do, we need to have time and bandwidth to sit down with our clients and discuss options. No one likes to feel rushed and working on an appointment basis ensures you can meet with us, uninterrupted, for whatever time you need and that we can answer all your questions thoroughly.
2) It allows us to keep things sanitized and healthy for everyone
Our business is “high touch-point” by nature and we need to ensure that after each client, our pieces and meeting spaces are fully cleaned in preparation for the next. This takes time and a diligent eye, so we need to know exactly who is where (and doing what) at all times. We use both UV sanitation wands and traditional cleaning solutions to sanitize surfaces, jewelry, and other touch-points throughout the day and after each and every meeting. Appointments also allow us to check that every single person who walks in our door is wearing a mask – a requirement by law and by our own policies.
3) We’re facing the same childcare conundrum you are!
As many of you know, Tim and I have a small son and, like other parents out there, we’re in the difficult boat of always needing one parent at home due to lack of camps and school. This is an enormous problem facing parents and businesses all over and I’m still not exactly sure how it will be sorted out over the months to come. With the prospect of unreliable childcare and school schedules looming ahead, we have to make everything else in our lives as predictable as possible. Appointments allow us to do that.
The good news is, it’s extremely easy to make an appointment with us: simply shoot us an email at inquiries@alxandcompany.com and we can get you set up. We’re happy to set up private browsing appointments as well, if you’re curious to see our showroom. We’ll see you at our shop soon!
- About the company
Alexandria & Company is an Old Town-based workshop and design studio specializing in creating and restoring fine jewelry and silver hollowware. They are the in-the-know jewelers of Alexandria and have been serving clients out of their small workshop for decades. Tucked in their historic building on South Royal Street, the team at Alx&Co. brings a personalized, modern approach to their craft – this is not your average stodgy jeweler or antique shop. Visit them during their walk-in hours or online to view their collection of handmade fine jewelry or to drop off a repair project; or, if you’re feeling creative, make an appointment to talk about that custom design project you’ve been imagining.
inquiries@alxandcompany.com | alxandcompany.com
121-B South Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.548.0659
Design Studio Walk-In Hours (all jewelry services): Wednesday – Saturday 12-6pm
Silver Workshop Walk-In Hours (all silver repair and restoration services): Wednesday or Friday 12-6pm, or by appointment
Appointments encouraged for custom design.
