Street Style: Kelly Ferenc

Sometimes I don’t practice what I preach. I have always said the more stores we have in Old Town, the better. When fellow merchants are frustrated with someone opening who is a potential competitor, I always try to reinforce the civic-booster truism that “water makes all the ships rise.”

But in 2011, when I heard about another shoe store opening in Old Town I freaked out. Then I met the new owner, and I panicked. She was beautiful (with the most perfect hair I had ever seen), young (like way younger than me), and from the moment she opened her doors I knew she knew what she was doing. Bishop Boutique was well curated and beautiful from the start and Kelly always had a distinct vision of what she wanted it to be. I knew she was going to be around for a long time. So I admit, at first I was terrified.

Then something happened, I met Kelly Ferenc, and we actually became friends. Here is the thing: she is very hard not to like. If you follow her on Instagram, you also know she is extremely funny. A mother of four young kids, she pulls it off with style and grace but keeps it real about the constant juggle and struggle of being a small business owner and a mom.

Often times, if you keep up with her on the ‘gram, you will see one of her kids along with her at the store and with a wink and a hey y’all she takes you along for a day in the life of a boutique owner. You also might get a sneak peek at her latest arrivals, deals, and trips to New York.

If you haven’t been to Bishop, make sure you stop in. She carries one of my all-time favorite brands, Loeffler Randall along with many other shoe lines like L.K. Bennett and Sorel and over the past few years has expanded to carry clothing as well.

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? I have four kids…I have no time.

Neighborhood: Old Town…soon to be Belle Haven!

How long have you lived in Alexandria: Almost ten years!

What is your hometown? Atlanta, GA.

What brought you to Alexandria? We wanted to open Bishop Boutique in Old Town. There was no other location that I wanted to do small business in except for here!

Favorite cocktail: Landini Martini. You will not find a better one…trust me, I’ve done my research.

Last book read or movie seen: Parasite. Very good.

Facebook or Instagram? IG

Latest binge-watch: I’m obsessed with all Real Housewives.

Bucket list travel destination: Anywhere below the equator.

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? That’s like picking my favorite child. It’s impossible.

FASHION

Favorite trend ever: Sneakers.

Beauty product you can’t live without: Hot Dog Water from Bellacara.

Heels or flats? Dream life: heels, Real life: sneakers.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: My bedroom.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix.

Last item bought for your home: Art from Nicole Seifert.

Next planned purchase: Pretty much everything since I just bought a new house!

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free…I throw away everything.

Wallpaper — yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Completely obsessed with wallpaper.

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Mind the Mat

Group exercise or solo: Both.

Fitness goal: To not have my jeans leave an indent in my tummy. Hashtag goals.

Proudest fitness achievement: Running a marathon.

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Majestic.

Last purchase in Alexandria: Kids clothes from Monday’s Child.

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Coffee: Mishas, Happy Hour: Majestic, Date Night: Landinis.

Favorite charity: National Breast Center.

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Tree Lighting.

• About the author
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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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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