By Caitlyn Meisner | cmeisner@alextimes.com
Do you have just one person to give to this year, or have the cash to splurge on a special someone in your life? Luckily, Alexandria’s many local small businesses and franchises have plenty to offer, no matter who you’re shopping for.
Whether it’s your partner who’s looking to invest in a new leather work bag, your parent(s) who need some new yard tools, the woman in your life who needs a closet upgrade or your child who’s looking for a new bike, these stores have what you’re looking for and more.
Serafino Leather
Conveniently located at 1127 King St., Serafino Leather is a small Italian leather goods store with a variety of sourced products from family owned artisans all across Italy. The owners themselves, Liz and Hassan Tehrani, lived in Florence for many years with their children before returning to Liz’s native Alexandria.
Prices at Serafino’s vary depending on the product, but most of their stock is priced above $300. One of the most expensive products found online is the large Chiarugi backpack, priced at $669. It’s made with calfskin, a printed grain cowhide with a very firm temper and medium scratch resistance.
Another Chiarugi option is a refined briefcase, which is made with polished calfskin and comes in either red, black or brown. The purse-like bag has a detachable crossbody strap – perfect for those days where your hands are full – and multiple compartments and interior pockets. According to Serafino’s website, the briefcase comfortably holds a laptop or other like devices.
Serafino also has several products from Boldrini, a Tuscany bag brand that’s been around since 1955. A particularly eye-catching item is Boldrini’s saddle single strap purse, priced at $575. And yes, it looks like a horse’s saddle. It’s made with cowhide and suede in buff tan. With a detachable crossbody strap and shorter shoulder strap, this bag is perfect as a fashion accessory.
Another standout Boldrini piece was the opera mini cerchio, a buff tan small purse that looks like a seashell. At $620, this bag is definitely a statement with its pull-andrelease clasp for opening and distinct pattern.
You can either shop online or visit their King Street storefront.
Imagine Artwear
Imagine Artwear is another King Street staple, located at 1124, the same block as Serafino. The store offers American-made clothing, jewelry and accessories to showcase the talents of various weavers, painters, jewelers and furniture makers.
Imagine Artwear has many fashionable choices clothing-wise from a multitude of designers, most of which are print-heavy and very bold. Many of their tops would go well with a basic pant unless you’re adventurous and want to pair two prints.
A top that stands out is the Christopher Calvin cozy coat, priced at $159. The coat, which seems to hit about mid-thigh on a woman of average height, is available in two styles, either black and black or plum and black, and is made of polyester, rayon and spandex.
Another great option is the Kay Chapman double collar shirt, which comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Priced at $499, these hand-painted silk double collared shirts are a breezy, versatile option that fit multiple occasions. Chapman, on her website, states she aims to make clothing that flatters and is timeless, and these tops fit that description.
There’s also an interesting faux fur trimmed cape that comes in gray and costs $199. The one-size cape has a muted but large floral batten on the front and back with faux fur on the sleeves and neck. The three-quarter sleeve also adds an interesting texture to any outfit, best paired with a long sleeve.
Imagine Artwear’s collection is available online and in their storefront.
Conte’s Bike Shop
Conte’s Bike Shop is a Newport News, Virginia-born bike shop that has expanded to 21 locations across Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia since it opened its doors in 1957.
Conte’s is located at 1100 King St. Conte’s offers a variety of products, from electric bikes and bike parts to helmets and riding shoes. No matter who you’re buying for, there are a variety of brands and sizes that make it easy to choose that special someone’s next upgrade.
There’s also a wide variety of cycling shoes available, including Cycling Weekly’s top rated Specialized S-Works Torch shoes that come in black, oak green and white and several sizes, depending on the color. At $450, the cycling shoe is the latest evolution and has several upgrades from previous models.
As for bikes, Conte’s has hundreds to choose from. Whether you need an electric, road, gravel, mountain or hybrid bike, there are dozens available to choose from at different price points. Most of the options start at $200 and can be as pricey as $15,500 for an electric bike.
There are also plenty of options for children’s bikes. Most of these also start above $200 and range up to $1,500. The shop has a few brands of bikes available, including Specialized and Woom.
Conte’s also has a variety of car bike racks for sale at different price points. The New York Times’ Wirecutter recommends the $689 Kuat Sherpa 2.0 as their top rack due to its easy installation and use as well as its light weight. A good budget-friendly pick is the Kuat Beta Hitch Rack, which Wirecutter recommended as well for $298.
Sara Campbell
Sara Campbell is a Massachusetts-based boutique clothing store that has expanded into 24 locations since its conception in 1985. American-designed and made women’s clothing is available both online and at the 320 Prince St. storefront in sizes extra small to extra large.
The boutique has styles to fit women of any age, from 1920s short flapper-style dresses and elegant, longer dresses to structured tops and flashy accessories. A particularly striking dress is the Amalfi, a red, midi-length special occasion dress with three-quarter sleeves. Priced at $368, the dress comes with a removable waist sash, which was styled in a bow on the store’s website.
The Faith shirt is another timeless piece, but can be worn around the holidays due to its white and black checkerboard pattern. The $258 taffeta shirt is a great holiday season look for several occasions.
Have you been looking for a solid clutch for the holidays? The Isabella Bow Clutch is a great option with its oversized bow on the front and ability to turn into a crossbody. At $198, the clutch is a perfect shimmery gold.
