Today’s Cargo: An Old Town Alexandria Jewelry Store Since 1973

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Being the same is boring. That’s why stores like Today’s Cargo still exist.

Old Town Alexandria is known for its history, its vibrant arts and music scene, and, of course, its antique and jewelry stores. But even in a neighborhood filled with beautiful things, there are certain shops that manage to feel entirely their own.

Today I had an amazing experience when I visited Today’s Cargo at 117 N. Fairfax Street, just one block off the famous King Street.

When I walked in, I was greeted by a lovely college student working at the store for the summer. She gave me a quick introduction to the shop and explained the layout, which is divided into sections for vintage jewelry, fine jewelry, costume jewelry and trendier pieces, along with an ear-piercing station and an area where customers can experiment with designing their own custom rings.

It is the kind of unique store that invites you to wander, that doesn’t follow you around, but is always there when you have a question.

A Jewelry Store That Invites You to Wander

As I made my way through, two other employees greeted me cheerfully, and there was none of the intimidation that can sometimes come with walking into a fine jewelry store.

At one point, I asked one of the saleswomen which piece in the store was her favorite.

She directed me to a beautifully cut diamond and sapphire ring, an unusual piece that immediately stood out. She told me she hopes someone buys it because she loves it so much she doesn’t want to end up taking it home herself.

My favorite piece was an elaborate and intricate estate piece of Mexican silver, turquoise and amethyst, the kind fit for a queen. The saleswoman took it out and encouraged me to try it on.

That little interaction probably tells you more about Today’s Cargo than any advertisement could.

The shop itself has an equally charming story.

From a Flea Market Card Table to an Old Town Institution

Today’s Cargo began in 1973 on a card table at an Alexandria flea market, where founder Gladys Irvin initially sold Thai jewelry. According to the store’s history, Irvin chose the name “Today’s Cargo” because whatever she was selling that day was what had arrived in the day’s shipment up the Potomac River.

More than 50 years later, the business has grown into a fixture of Old Town while somehow retaining the personality of a place where the inventory still feels discovered rather than mass-produced.

The shop searches internationally for its jewelry and gifts. Owner Donna and part-owner and store manager Carla Clarke regularly attend jewelry trade shows, bringing back pearls from China and Japan, Italian gold and sterling silver, German and Italian cameos, handmade jewelry from Mexico and Thailand, Lithuanian amber and other finds.

The estate jewelry collection adds another layer entirely. These are pieces that already have histories of their own, mixed among contemporary fine jewelry, costume jewelry and seasonal gifts. The result is a store where you genuinely don’t know what you are going to find when you walk in.

That philosophy extends to the way the store treats its customers.

A Jewelry Store Without the Intimidation

One detail from Today’s Cargo’s own description of the shop particularly resonated with me after visiting: the price tags are deliberately kept face-up. Well, most of them anyway.

“You will never be intimidated here,” owner Donna says on the store’s website. “We treat our customers like we want to be treated.”

That was very much my experience.

The store welcomes children and pets, and the staff seemed genuinely happy to have people walking around asking questions, which, as anyone who knows me can attest, I tend to do a lot of.

Piercings, Custom Rings and Something Completely Your Own

I was also intrigued by the ear-piercing station. I learned that piercing does require an appointment, although the staff told me they can usually accommodate customers within the same week.

And then there is the custom ring area, which adds a more interactive element to the traditional jewelry-store experience. Instead of simply looking into cases, customers can play with possibilities and begin imagining something made specifically for them. I tried on my next engagement ring. Just kidding.

When asked about what trends they are seeing in wedding rings, Carla Clarke had this to say,

“At Today‘s Cargo, we are seeing couples place a greater emphasis on personalization and meaning rather than simply following traditional styles. Many shoppers are looking for wedding rings that reflect their individual personalities and lifestyles, including mixed-metal designs, unique textures, custom engraving, and alternative gemstones.  Yelllow gold is back!

We are also seeing increased interest in heirloom-inspired pieces, vintage aesthetics, and rings that can be customized to tell a couple’s unique story. While classic gold and platinum bands remain popular, many couples are choosing designs that feel distinctive and deeply personal. Comfort, durability, and everyday wearability are also important considerations, especially for active lifestyles.

Overall, today‘s couples are looking for rings that symbolize their relationship in an authentic way rather than choosing a one-size-fits-all design.”

Being the Same Is Oh So Passé

There are plenty of places to buy jewelry.

What is becoming harder to find are stores with personalities.

After more than half a century, Today’s Cargo is still a little unusual, a little eclectic and very Old Town Alexandria. It is simultaneously an estate jewelry shop, fine jeweler, gift store and place to stumble across something you weren’t necessarily looking for.

Which, really, is half the fun, because being the same is oh so passé.