The Shoe Hive and The Hive in Alexandria will soon be in one location, rather than two in Old Town. Owner Elizabeth Todd, who is closing the men’s clothing store Yellow Jacket, will combine The Shoe Hive and The Hive at 315 Cameron St. in mid-August.
“In many ways, this is a natural evolution because we began selling clothes about 10 years ago inside The Shoe Hive,” Todd says.
“After The Hive spun off and flourished, it ended up with the most spacious location. Shoe shopping has changed post-pandemic and we find our clients are not only more selective about when they buy shoes, but they prefer to try them on with a full outfit. We have room to bring our best shoe lines into The Hive, and we think it will be more convenient for shoppers.”
The change will mean that the store stocks fewer items like candles that take up shelf space at The Shoe Hive, but Todd says, “We believe this physical combination will be good for our shoe shoppers.”
It gives shoppers the chance to put together a complete look with shoes, clothing, and accessories in one location. “This will make it easier for you to try on a fabulous new pair of heels with that great dress you’re about to buy,” Todd wrote in a post announcing the merger on Alexandria Stylebook. “You won’t have to wonder if you can find something else to go with the boots you just can’t live without. Or maybe you’ll see a skirt on sale and treat yourself to the wedges and earrings that make it sing.”
Todd says the stores won’t close during the merge. The Shoe Hive is on South Fairfax Street and the clothing store The Hive on Cameron Street. “We assume we will be open through the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, which is the weekend of (August) 10th and 11th,” she says.
“Since 2016, when The Hive opened its doors at 301 Cameron Street, I have consistently heard two statements — almost weekly — and they’re related: ‘I wish The Hive and The Shoe Hive were right next to each other’ and ‘I wish the shoes and clothes were combined in one location,’” Todd wrote on Alexandria Stylebook.
Yellow Jacket Closing
As she merges the two stores, Todd is holding a going-out-of business sale at Yellow Jacket at 301 Cameron St., just in time for Father’s Day. Right now, items are 30 percent off. They will go to 50 percent off on Thursday, she says.
“Closing Yellow Jacket is not a decision I’m making lightly, nor one I have made hastily, nor one I am happy about. I thought I could translate my women’s retail knowledge and skills into a men’s store. I have tried for three years, and am sad to say it just hasn’t worked as well as it needed to work,” she wrote on Alexandria Stylebook.
Todd says she expects Yellow Jacket will stay open until early August. “I think early August but we really are moving through stuff so it could be sooner. It just really depends on inventory,” she says.
Todd said the space where the Yellow Jacket store is does have a future. It will be an outlet store for The Hive. Depending on how quickly items sell at Yellow Jacket, Todd says it’s possible the outlet shop could open before the sidewalk sale.
Feature image courtesy The Hive
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