Destination: Located in the middle of South Union Street, Ladyburg is near the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. Owners Crystal and Fred Wellman fell in love with Old Town’s historic charms and decided to open the second Ladyburg shop there, an hour north of its original location in Fredericksburg.
Atmosphere: Walking toward the store, you’ll begin to smell a fresh and delicious scent. Upon entering you’re met with an atmosphere similar to a beauty-filled candy store surrounded by an endless variety of neatly stacked handcrafted soaps, neon-colored bath bombs and sugar scrubs in huge glass jars. “I wanted to create a place where people can come in, shop and buy really great handcrafted products,“ says Crystal.
Bread and Butter: Ladyburg’s most popular products are its handcrafted soaps, sugar scrub and bath bombs. “We’ve developed our own formula [for bath bombs]. We hand mold every one of them,” explains Fred. The store has an ever-changing selection of seasonal scents to choose from.
Sweet Surprises: There’s a blending bar where shoppers can select from unscented lotions and creams then add a custom fragrance to the products on the spot. The store even stocks products especially for the guys as well as kids.
Fiercest Fan: Crystal and Fred are very in tune with their customer base and have a track record of taking their feedback into consideration. It’s hard not to be a fan considering they even take suggestions to add new products or make changes to the existing ones.
Blows to Budget: Expect to pay $7 per handcrafted soap and under $20 for creams. If you are up for a splurge-worthy product, invest in the locally made, artisan-crafted men’s shave set for $140.
[October 2015]