New Jewelry Boutique Hosts Grand Opening in Old Town Alexandria
Eliana Curated launch celebration this weekend with gifts, raffles, and champagne
ALEXANDRIA, VA-This morning (May 17) champagne corks popped at 1003 King St. in Old Town as Eliana Curated, a new jewelry boutique, celebrated its grand opening. Owner Angelika O’Reilly stood among the elegant jewelry cases and displays, explaining to customers that her boutique offers a unique blend of jewelry, fashion, art, and curated experiences. The boutique launch will run today, Saturday, from 10 am to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The celebration includes gifts, raffles, and champagne while it lasts.
O’Reilly’s journey as a successful entrepreneur and designer began with her fascination with vintage buttons from the 1970s and 1980s. She curates the buttons at estate sales, antique stores, and vintage clothing resale shops. With 14-karat gold posts and backs, the buttons are redesigned into “wearable art, statement earrings.” She has built a strong reputation and a devoted following from her days of pop-up sales to present-day brick-and-mortar. She opened her flagship store in Arlington last month to much excitement. It is her firm belief that jewelry should not only be wearable but also meaningful to the owner. She encapsulates her vision with the store’s slogan, “Everyday, Elevated Jewelry”.
Although O’Reilly is the face of the business, she quickly emphasizes that her venture is very much a “family affair.” Her parents, Alla and Jefry Weinberg, play a significant role in shaping the store’s vision and contribute to the craftsmanship of many of the jewelry designs. Her husband, Sean, is a huge supporter, and the name “Eliana” combines her two daughters’ names, Julianna and Eloise.
An only child, she immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States with her parents. Growing up in Michigan, she displayed her entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. At just 10 years old, she started a babysitting club; by 14, she opened a driver education school; and at 16, she established a childcare service. A pivotal moment in her youth occurred when she interned at the White House in Washington, DC. During her internship, she developed a passion for the fashion culture and the elegant style of freshwater pearls worn by the professional women she met. However, it would take an additional 18 years of working as a tech executive before she could launch her business, Eliana Curated. She admits to being “obsessed” with Old Town, its historical charm, walkability score, and small businesses.
Research from the American Immigration Council shows that new businesses are an economic engine for the US economy, “as they are the main driver for job growth.” They researched state by state and found that immigrants ” account for 24 percent of entrepreneurs in Virginia.” O’Reilly asserts, “I am living the American Dream and so grateful.”
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