<b>Owner: </b>
Joseph M. Egerton
<b>Short bio: </b>
Born in Ohio. Reared and educated in Maryland. Fine Arts Major. Resident of Alexandria since 1961.
Experience: Production Manager for Scripta Technica, Inc., Washington, D.C. 1962-74; Co-founder of Hemisphere Publishing Corp. Washington, D.C. 1974. Sold to Harper and Row Publishers, N.Y. 1985. Founded Alexandria Type Co., Inc. 1987; Founded Egerton Gardens Garden Shop 1994; Founded Diversities Craft Gallery 1998; Acquired Arts Afire Glass Gallery 2000. Expanded Arts Afire 2000 then again 2004. Recently combined the Glass and Craft Galleries into one location at 1117 King Street.
<b>Why did you choose this particular business? </b>
First, because love of high-end crafts and glass. Second, because in the economic down turn in 1994, I observed that hand-made crafts and jewelry remained strong sellers even in a bad economy. Consequently closed the garden shop in 2004 and concentrated on American Crafts.
<b>Why did you choose to work for yourself rather than as an employee for someone else? </b>
I have been an entrepreneur in my own businesses since 1974. During that time-frame, I have given start-up to six businesses: Hemisphere Publishing Corp. (Washington, D.C.); Alexandria Type Co., Inc. (Alexandria); Egerton Gardens (Alexandria); Diversities Craft Gallery (Alexandria); Arts Afire Glass Gallery expansion (Alexandria); Arts Afire Craft Gallery (Alexandria); Combined Glass and Craft Galleries Aug. 2006 (Alexandria). I have self-financed all these businesses, except for start-up loans with Alexandria Type Co., Inc. to establish credit in Alexandria, my risk has been personal.
<b>What have you learned from being in business? </b>
That businesses are like humans, they need to go through growing pains by themselves. No matter how much experience one has, the growing process has a life of its own. The only thing is that experience teaches you not to panic as the growth factor kicks in. And you are able to make better decisions to guide the business along.
<b>Share an anecdote of a challenging or humorous experience or biggest surprise learned from working your business: </b>
One rainy morning in April during Garden Week, two out of town ladies practically pushed me into Egerton Gardens to get out of the rain. Once inside, they were thrilled to find a Garden Shop. Many items were brought to the counter, but the lady only had one check (which she needed to retrieve her auto that was broken down and at a garage on Route 1), and only had an American Express Card (which I did not take at the time). She said she would have to pass on the sale, as she could not pay for the items with Amex. I said "Why, by all means if you like the items, take them and send a check when you get back to Atlanta". She was reluctant to do that, at which point I said "think of the wonderful cocktail chatter you can have with this." You went to the big city, and a shop owner trusted you to send a check from out of town. She of course, sent a check when she returned home, and many, many friends who reiterated the story. I have always trusted my customers, taken out of town checks and often allowed joggers to take things home, and pay later. Only once was I stiffed!
<b>What have been the advantages and/or disadvantages of operating a business in Alexandria? </b>
Advantages: Many out-of-town customers from all the Associations and PTO offices. We ship a lot of merchandise. Visitors love this town. It is historic, charming and easy to get around, and the offerings are truly international.
Disadvantages: Alexandria reaps low on the retail chain; only $350 per sq. foot on average, while our neighboring Arlington, Ballston, Pentagon City reap more than twice that figure at $750 per sq. foot. The evening traffic is also shy of neighboring cities (including Washington) because we do not
have Valet Parking, thus our restaurants are not as popular as neighboring areas. Thus, retail suffers as a result.
<b>Manager(s): </b>
Susan Klauck, Director
Short bio:
Born in Ohio. Degreed in Education; experience in retail and Nordstrom in Arlington; joined Arts Afire Glass Gallery in 1995 and has remained since that time.
<b>Key staff: </b>
Joseph Egerton; Susan Klauck; Linda Schneider plus about six part-timers as needed.
<b>Description of services and/or products: </b>
Featured in American Style Magazine and similar publications. Offers contemporary American and Alternative Crafts. Craft art includes glass beads, jewelry, glass, pottery, fiber, turned wood, kaleidoscopes and furniture decorative and functional objects. We feature the works of more than 400, mostly award-winning artisans. Some artists are local, but more are national and international in origin. Many show their work exclusively.
Others provide work rarely found elsewhere. Prices are affordable and gift wrapping is complimentary.
Our knowledgeable staff provides referral to other Alexandria businesses when items we do not carry are needed, as well as tourist information of what to see and where to dine. Awarded Top 100 Craft Retailers by Niche Magazine 2005.
<b>Professional affiliations/associations: </b>
KSMET, ACVA, Renwick Alliance, American Craft Council; The Rosen Group.