Alx&Co.
121 S. Royal St.
Alexandria, Va.
Historic brick buildings are a dime a dozen in picturesque Old Town Alexandria, Va. But when you’re out for a nosh and peaceful stroll, keep an eye out for what one owner calls the “old and quirky” whitewashed edifice housing this fine jewelry store.
Inside Alx&Co. (short for Alexandria & Co.) in Alexandria, Va., husband-and-wife team Meaghan Foran and Tim Shaheen have cultivated an atmosphere that is unexpectedly rich and regal, balancing the 1870 building’s architecture with remarkable modernity. Perhaps most notable in the three main Alx&Co. showrooms are the deep-blue walls—a signature color for the brand—paired with velvet drapery and gold accents, the perfect backdrop to the treasures on display here.
“Our clients love the dark-blue elements,” Foran says. “They say the whole effect is very calming, which I love, because I find so many jewelry stores to be overwhelmingly bright and austere.” She is the brand’s creative director and director of operations—and the one largely responsible for the store’s rebranding and renovation five years ago. Shaheen, who has a gift for metalsmithing and design, has owned the business for nearly 15 years, starting as a manager when the store was under a different name. A mutual friend brought the two together, igniting a true partnership: They married in 2014, and Foran officially came on board in 2016, after the birth of their son.
Designer, Custom, and More
The store stocks a stellar lineup of independent jewelry designers—Tura Sugden, Artemer, Shaya Durbin, Jennifer Dawes, and Christina Malle among them. “I take a lot into consideration when deciding to bring in a new designer collection,” Foran says. “Because we are a workshop at our core, we only want to sell pieces that we feel confident about maintaining for life.” Many of her clients, she explains, are successful self-purchasing women who return because “we don’t encourage the ridiculous narrative that you need a man to buy you jewelry.”
Alx&Co. offers its own line of signature goods‚ in addition to an exquisite array of vintage. But the bulk of the store’s business comes from its custom work—bridal in particular. “They want a ring that is different in some way. Even if it’s a rather classic style, that might mean simply personalizing a prong style or altering a diamond accent layout,” Foran says. “To me, this is the benefit of working with a bespoke jeweler—you get to really understand the tiny details that will make your ring truly yours, and you know it will work with your lifestyle.”
Opening Up Again
Like many retailers, Alx&Co. has spent the past year navigating the ins and outs of conducting business with limited hours, appointment-only visits, and virtual consultations, due to the pandemic restrictions. “We have a gorgeous gallery that we built out for the purpose of hosting intimate shopping events,” says Foran, “and right when we really had the room in order, everything shut down.” But now, as the nation begins to reopen, she is eager to offer her customers more in-store experiences. “I am looking forward to finally being able to host in-person trunk shows with our amazing designers! We just held our first evening event in May, and it was so lovely. We love hosting unique events like this. As we move into a freer summer, we’re really looking forward to doing more.”
(Photos: Erin Tetterton Photography)
