Explore Alexandria living in this bi-weekly column sponsored and written by Sandy McMaster of McEnearney Associates. Got a question or comment? Contact Sandy at [email protected].
We live in the shadow of Amazon’s HQ2, and while that comes with some serious perks, Amazon doesn’t do cute and community like our neighborhood bookstores!
Today we’re featuring three local bookstores where you can enjoy a personalized shopping experience. These local bookstore owners are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Visit and discover new books and authors that you may not have found otherwise!
Hooray for Books is a children’s bookstore that has been a fixture in Alexandria since 2008. They have an extensive selection of books for kids of all ages and a knowledgeable staff that can help you find the perfect book for your child. They also have regular events like story time and author signings to create a sense of community around reading for our younger readers! Visit them at hooray4books.com.
Old Town Books is another independent bookstore that has been operating in Alexandria since 2018. They also host a variety of events, including Puppy Storytime with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. As part of their training to become guide dogs, puppies practice socializing with humans of all ages during storytime (so cute!). Twenty percent of all proceeds from the time slots go to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. To register or learn more, visit them at www.oldtownbooks.com.
Harambee Books & Artworks is a bookstore that has been serving Alexandria since 1987. They specialize in books by and about people of African descent and have a vast selection of titles that are difficult to find elsewhere. They also sell art and crafts from Africa and the African diaspora. Visit them at harambeebooks.org.
These local bookstores continue to thrive and offer an alternative option for locals who value community, a personal touch, and the discovery aspect of book buying. Whether you’re an avid reader or looking for a unique gift, they’ve got you covered (pun intended).
To get to know more about me and how I help people build lives they want in homes they love, follow me @SandyMcMaster on IG or visit www.
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Finding a gift for moms can be difficult. Google “Mother’s Day gifts,” and you’ll scroll through endless lists of beauty products, candles and fuzzy robes. Sure, those are sweet, but sometimes it’s fun to surprise loved ones with something a little more, well, practical!
Here’s one idea: Give her a gift certificate for a home cleaning from Well-Paid Maids. It’s the perfect “thank you,” “I love you” or “you’ve got this” for any mom. She can schedule the home cleaning at her convenience and breathe easy knowing she has one less thing to do.
Our cleaners will take care of everything, including vacuuming and mopping as well as cleaning and dusting countertops, tables, mirrors, appliances and more. Sinks, toilets, showers and appliance exteriors also get a good scrub.
Plus, when you buy a gift certificate from Well-Paid Maids, you’re supporting a living-wage cleaning company. That means cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour and get access to benefits, like 24 days of PTO and health insurance.
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
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