When one endeavor is going strong, you double down. And that is exactly what Elizabeth Todd, owner of The Shoe Hive, which she says just came off its best year in its 13 years of operation, is doing with her new shop, The Hive.
The store, which held its grand opening in early October, is a place Todd describes as “welcoming and elegant without even a hint of pretension.” Sitting on the corner of Cameron and North Fairfax streets, it is a sunlit space with white oak floors and white walls and is bedecked with on-trend designer product. Here you’ll find attire from contemporary brands such as Rebecca Taylor, Rag & Bone, Veronica Beard, Jenni Kayne, Tibi, Ulla Johnson and more; accessories from Jerome Dreyfuss, Standard Form and Commando; and jewelry from Lizzie Fortunato.
Todd describes the client she had in mind for The Hive as a woman who is “juggling a family and a job” who also has “a sense of style but doesn’t have enough time.”
“We curate a collection of pieces that can be used every day and provide the personal service she wants to get her shopping right the first try,” Todd says.
So why break out into a new space when a client base was already established at The Shoe Hive a couple of blocks away? Todd says the boutique district atmosphere in Old Town Alexandria, one she describes as “a cobblestone district that’s made for shopping and strolling,” brings authenticity to the overall shopping experience, and she wanted to keep the spotlight on each store individually. Shoppers can outfit themselves with the latest trends with staying power at The Hive and then stroll down the block to accessorize their new finds at the complementary Shoe Hive. // 301 Cameron St., Alexandria
