Beloved Alexandria toy store closing after 53 years

Luke gasped in horror when his mother told him the Why Not? shop is closing. "We've gotten jackets with matching rain boots and books and puzzles. That's a lot of what we buy at the Why Not? shop," says Bethany Harrington. "And for friends, they have the best little baby presents." — Luke gasped in horror when his mother told him the Why Not? shop is closing. “We’ve gotten jackets with matching rain boots and books and puzzles. That’s a lot of what we buy at the Why Not? shop,” says Bethany Harrington. “And for friends, they have the best little baby presents.” (WTOP/Kristi King)

Store owner Kate Slawbaw’s earrings were a gift from her goddaughter because they reflect the fun, joy and whimsy of the Why Not? shop. (WTOP/Kristi King)

"I just didn't expect all this," says Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw of loyal customer feedback and media attention including a visit from NBC4 and photographer Chester Panzer. — “I just didn’t expect all this,” says Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw of loyal customer feedback and media attention including a visit from NBC4 and photographer Chester Panzer. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Charlie is 18 months old. His Parents Cyd and Mike Henry say they've been visiting the Why Not? shop for about 15 years. "It's just sad. Sad that times are changing," Mike says. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Charlie is 18 months old. His parents Cyd and Mike Henry say they’ve been visiting the Why Not? shop for about 15 years. “It’s just sad. Sad that times are changing,” Mike Henry says. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Bonnie Rideout says her son lives in South Africa and owns a Land Rover like the toy she's examining. She may buy it for the grandchild she hopes to expect in the future. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Bonnie Rideout says her son lives in South Africa and owns a Land Rover like the toy she’s examining. She may buy it for the grandchild she hopes to expect in the future. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Shelves are beginning to clear and favored items becoming more scarce. But there's plenty of stock left to peruse before the Why Not? shop's expected closing Dec. 31, 2016. — Shelves are beginning to clear and favored items are becoming more scarce. But there’s plenty of stock left to peruse before the Why Not? shop’s expected closing Jan. 31, 2016. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Sisters Evie Cartwright and Emily Schell Jones are concerned a soulless chain store will replace the Why Not? shop. The boutique's owner hopes to avoid that. "I own a half interest in the building, so I have some say over what can go into it," Slawbaw says reassuringly. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Sisters Evie Cartwright and Emily Schell Jones are concerned a soulless chain store will replace the Why Not? shop. The boutique’s owner hopes to avoid that. “I own a half interest in the building, so I have some say over what can go into it,” Slawbaw says reassuringly. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Linda and Vivian Martinez. "It's a beloved store," Martinez says of the Why Not? shop she visits regularly to get items for her three children. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Linda and Vivian Martinez visit the Why Not? store. “It’s a beloved store,” Martinez says of the Why Not? shop she visits regularly to get items for her three children. (WTOP/Kristi King)

"I like to touch and feel what I'm buying," Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw says of her preference not to shop on-line. "I like the instant gratification of walking away from the store with it and not having to wait for it to be mailed to me." Slawbaw says she's closing because of overwhelming competition from on-line. (WTOP/Kristi King) — “I like to touch and feel what I’m buying,” Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw says of her preference not to shop online. “I like the instant gratification of walking away from the store with it and not having to wait for it to be mailed to me.” Slawbaw says she’s closing because of overwhelming competition from online retailers. (WTOP/Kristi King)

When Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw relocates to Richmond, Va. the only store item she'll take is this sign painted for her by a friend. The sign's goal to re-inforce a message also posted on the shop's front door hasn't worked. People still ignore it. — When Why Not? owner Kate Slawbaw relocates to Richmond, Virginia, the only store item she’ll take is this sign painted for her by a friend. The sign’s goal to reinforce a message also posted on the shop’s front door hasn’t worked. People still ignore it. (WTOP/Kristi King)

The Why Not? shop has been at King and South Lee streets for 53 years. Owner Kate Slawbaw starting working in the shop as a teenager. The store is expected to close Dec. 31, 2016. — The Why Not? shop has been at King and South Lee streets for 53 years. Owner Kate Slawbaw starting working in the shop as a teenager. The store is expected to close Jan. 31, 2016. (WTOP/Kristi King)

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WASHINGTON — The Why Not? boutique shop in Alexandria, Virginia, is closing at the end of the month after 53 years of business.

Generations of visitors describe the Old Town toy store at King and South Lee streets as a place of joy, whimsy and wonder.

“If you needed something for a child of any age — from newborn to say, 12 — you could find it there,” says Bethany Harrington of the Why Not? shop. “Especially in case of quick birthday pinches and for baby showers, we were there a lot.”

Offering everything from puppets to puzzles, the boutique shop’s owner says she no longer can afford to fend off competition from online retailers.

Some Old Town regulars fear what might be coming next.

“We’ve lived here. We’ve raised our kids here,” say sisters Evie Cartwright and Emily Schell Jones. “We know that a chain will probably go in there, which is a big bummer because we like the ‘Ma and Pop’ shops.”

The store’s owner, Kate Slawbaw has high hopes for her replacement though.

“I own a half interest in the building, so I have some say over what can go into it,” Slawbaw says.