Alexandria’s Old Town Boutique District is launching a new photo series spotlighting local businesses during the pandemic called Community Is.
Local photographer Sarah Marcella, in partnership with the Old Town Boutique District, travelled to 30 local businesses to take portraits of them at home or in their businesses. Marcella, a press release noted, was safely in her car.
The photoshoot features images of the business owners holding signs saying what community means to them, with answers ranging from “resilient” to “healthy.”
“Some images were shot at their homes with their families, or portraying what life looks like for a small business owner during a pandemic, some in front of their storefronts, or how operations look like in our new normal,” the Old Town Boutique District said in the release. “Each business owner along with their families also describes their interpretation of what ‘community is’ and what it means to them during a time of crisis and beyond.”
Megan Podolsly, President of the Old Town Boutique District and owner of Mint Condition and 529 Kids Consign, said local businesses were the driving force behind the project.
“Here in Alexandria, small businesses are doing all that we can to support each other during these crazy times,” said Podolsly. “We are hurting, but we are hopeful we will get through this because of the power of community.”
Photo courtesy Sarah Marcella/Old Town Boutique District
Recent Stories

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING brings people a fast, affordable, and high-quality solution for all of their interior or exterior residential and commercial painting projects. We respect your time as much as you do and provide the quality paint job you expect, in a timeline that is unexpected.
Schedule a consult today:

Are you interested in improving your running or race time?
Are you looking to build a social circle with healthy activities like running.
If this is you check out our new running club in West Springfield. At our running club our goal is to improve fitness and have fun.
Made in Alexandria Fall Makers’ Market
The Made in ALX Fall Makers’ Market at Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria is set for Sunday, Sept. 24!
This is the fall’s most fun sip-and-shop, featuring craft beer from the award-winning Port City Brewing Co. along with food,
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.