“This is a time to lift each other up and work together…”

My husband has been mulling ideas for his second book and I, of course, have been eagerly offering a suggestion. I think someone should write about the shifts of the COVID-19 economy – particularly the winners. Who would have known that if you sold air purifiers, bikes, home workout equipment, shrubbery, canning supplies, or a variety of other things, you would be in the chips?

But for most of us in small business, it is a constant hustle and a constant pivot. It has also taught us all that we need to work together and figure this out so we are all here in 2021. This isn’t a time for competition; this is a time to lift each other up and work together.

One way many stores are helping others out is by featuring local vendors and suppliers. We started Courtyard of Creators to do just that. It was a way for designers to set up a shop within a shop at my store in a safe shopping environment, in our courtyard outside.

We started the series with six women of color and it has been a huge hit – such a success that they are coming back, together. That is right – on Small Business Saturday there will be a Courtyard of Creators featuring five makers in front of our store. Well, also on our sidewalk and we have a park-let now, so we will be able to spread out.

If everyone could lobby mother nature to help out and give us nice weather, that would be great.

Saturday you can come and shop with 3Shades Chic, Cheryl’s Bracelet Bar, Best Life Organics, Skin Scholars, and CARRA Hosiery. Help support these amazing women who have made our fall so much more fun. We want to make sure we can do this again on Small Business Saturday 2021.

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Elizabeth Todd

owner | The Hive | The Shoe Hive

https://theshoehive.com

info@theshoehive.com

703.548.7105

I spent the first part of my career as a copy-writer who helped elected officials brag about their support for entrepreneurs. Then I decided to get off the printed page and do it myself. The Shoe Hive made a splash on the fashion scene in Washington, and was named the region’s best shoe store in its first year. Fourteen years later, I have tripled the store’s size and also opened a sister store, The Hive. At The Hive, we offer clothing lines that are sophisticated and approachable like Rag & Bone, Tibi, Raquel Allegra, Ulla Johnson and Veronica Beard. We have tried to fill our racks with clothing you will want to wear all the time, elevated basics that are worth the investment.

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  Elizabeth’s Favorite Pre-Fall Pieces Plus Lookbook

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  06.23.21
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  Alexandre Birman Hits The Shoe Hive

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  06.22.21
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  Street Style: Patience Tamarra

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Heard the buzz? The Shoe Hive & The Hive are a pair of luxury boutiques in Old Town Alexandria. Featuring both big name designers like Rag & Bone and Stuart Weitzman and smaller brands like AGL and L'Agence, our unique selection and impeccable service are what set us apart.

www.theshoehive.com

The Shoe Hive                         The Hive
127 S. Fairfax Street               301 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314              Alexandria, VA 22314

703.548.7105                          703.548.7110