Forget Black Friday – Celebrate Plaid Friday by Shopping in Old Town! 

Alexandria, VA – Looking for a discount? Alexandria is your Plaid Friday destination! You might’ve noticed all of the plaid bows on street lights along King Street in Old Town. Plaid Friday, an initiative that started in Oakland, Ca., to support small businesses on the biggest holiday shopping day of the year, has taken over for Black Friday in the Port City.

The day after Thanksgiving is huge for retailers and the effort to spruce up Old Town’s most traveled corridor was considerable. 

Danielle Romanetti, the owner of fibre space and a member of the Old Town Business Association, led the effort. She and a group of local volunteers put the bows together at her shop at 1319 Prince Street. The banners were provided by Visit Alexandria.    

“Plaid Friday is about weaving the threads of small businesses together to create a fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses,” Romanetti said. “Plaid Friday is the relaxing and enjoyable alternative to the big box store Black Friday, and is designed to promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays.” 

Plaid Friday starts at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, and you can find participating stores by looking for plaid posters. Also, you’ll receive a gift card, tote, and gift wrapping at Izalia Spa if you dress in plaid and spend $50-$100 from participating retailers. 

Participating shops include:

• 3 Sisters Boutique
• 529 Kids Consign
• AR Workshop Alexandria
• Bellacara
• Bishop Boutique
• Boxwood
• fibre space 
• Gold Works USA
• Lotus Blooms
• Mint Condition
• Monday’s Child
• Old Town Books
• Patina Polished Living
• Penny Post
• Periwinkle
• Praha Beads and Jewelry
• Red Barn Mercantile
• Sara Campbell
• She’s Unique
• Spice and Tea Exchange
• Stitch Sew Shop
• Ten Thousand Villages
• The Christmas Attic
• The Dog Park
• The Hive
• The Hour
• The Old Town Shop
• The Shoe Hive
• Threadleaf
• TSalt
• Twist Boutique
• Vintage Mirage
• Wear Ever Jewelry 

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne and a work detail of inmates [who receive $10 a week toward their canteen] helped put up the 170 bows and garland. 

“It’s an opportunity for the inmates to go outside, which they enjoy, and they feel like they’re contributing to the community, and especially during the holidays when they can participate in the holiday spirit of things,” Lawhorne said. 

Insurance agent Virginia “Gin” Kinneman, the former board chair of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce,  corralled more than 20 volunteers. 

“I sell insurance and a lot of my clients are up and down King Street, and it was a great way for me to support small businesses,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful collaboration between the city and businesses.” 

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