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Christmas spirit in Old Town Alexandria store

Through the scorch of the summer and the scourge of recession, it’s always Christmas in the Attic.

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Cheri Hennessy, owner of the Christmas Attic on South Union Street. Glitter is ubiquitous at the store, which her family opened in 1971 as a design and picture framing business. It evolved into a year-round Christmas shop — where time is measured in Christmases, not years. “As in, I have been here 39 Christmases,” says Hennessy, who started working there as a pre-teen.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Hennessy, 52, works as new inventory sits on a counter. Cheri’s mother, Nita Whitesel, who died five years ago, came up with the idea to open a Christmas shop. In a way, she embodied the yearning of the store’s customers, who enter in search of merrier times. “I think her childhood was not as happy as it might have been,” says Henry Hobbs, Whitesel’s husband. “Almost every child has portions of their childhood that are not very happy. For her, it got better with Christmas. She loved the pageantry.”

Hennessy, 52, works as new inventory sits on a counter. Cheri’s mother, Nita Whitesel, who died five years ago, came up with the idea to open a Christmas shop. In a way, she embodied the yearning of the store’s customers, who enter in search of merrier times. “I think her childhood was not as happy as it might have been,” says Henry Hobbs, Whitesel’s husband. “Almost every child has portions of their childhood that are not very happy. For her, it got better with Christmas. She loved the pageantry.”

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Two questions Hennessy is asked frequently: “How can you stay in business year-round?” and “Don’t you get sick of Christmas?” To answer the first: “The smart aleck in me asks, ‘Do you think a boat company would go out of business just because it is off season?’ ” she says. For second question, she has an honest answer: sometimes.

Two questions Hennessy is asked frequently: “How can you stay in business year-round?” and “Don’t you get sick of Christmas?” To answer the first: “The smart aleck in me asks, ‘Do you think a boat company would go out of business just because it is off season?’ ” she says. For second question, she has an honest answer: sometimes.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A snow globe at the Christmas Attic. Hennessy says Christmas stores offer patrons a way to escape life.

A snow globe at the Christmas Attic. Hennessy says Christmas stores offer patrons a way to escape life.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Among the stores inventory: a Santa night light (Santa faces are “very personal” for customers, says one store employee)....

Among the stores inventory: a Santa night light (Santa faces are “very personal” for customers, says one store employee)....

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... a snowman night light ...

... a snowman night light ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... a John Lennon ornament ...

... a John Lennon ornament ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... a feathered peacock ...

... a feathered peacock ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... and pickle ornaments. Hennessy says the ornaments are a tradition in Germany — “the child who finds the pickle wins a prize.” (The German Embassy says it’s not a German tradition. But Christmas is not about harsh realities, is it?)

... and pickle ornaments. Hennessy says the ornaments are a tradition in Germany — “the child who finds the pickle wins a prize.” (The German Embassy says it’s not a German tradition. But Christmas is not about harsh realities, is it?)

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Hailey Norstrud works at the Christmas Attic.

Hailey Norstrud works at the Christmas Attic.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Norstrud puts ornaments out for display in the multi-level shop.

Norstrud puts ornaments out for display in the multi-level shop.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Other ornaments at the store include tiny ballerinas ...

Other ornaments at the store include tiny ballerinas ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... red globes ....

... red globes ....

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... Santa ornaments ...

... Santa ornaments ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... and snowflakes.

... and snowflakes.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Reilly Kopp, 6, of Minneapolis tests one of the Christmas Attic’s thousands of ornaments.

Reilly Kopp, 6, of Minneapolis tests one of the Christmas Attic’s thousands of ornaments.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

At the store: whimsical ornaments, such as rockets ...

At the store: whimsical ornaments, such as rockets ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... dogs ...

... dogs ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... rabbits ...

... rabbits ...

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

... and more.

... and more.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A music box with tiny figures at the store.

A music box with tiny figures at the store.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

More decorations at the store. Hennessy also has catalogues for special orders.

More decorations at the store. Hennessy also has catalogues for special orders.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

At the Christmas Attic, it’s always Christmas, a time that many people hold dear despite recession. “The stock market can be crashing. They may be having a hard time paying bills. They may say, ‘My husband lost his job a year ago. Our neighbors are moving because they can’t afford their house,’ ’’ Hennessy says. ” ‘We can’t control any of that. But we can control the time we spend with our family. Maybe the presents won’t be $200 presents. Maybe they will be $15 presents. But we are together. If we can make Christmas really perfect, we will have memories all year long.’ ”

At the Christmas Attic, it’s always Christmas, a time that many people hold dear despite recession. “The stock market can be crashing. They may be having a hard time paying bills. They may say, ‘My husband lost his job a year ago. Our neighbors are moving because they can’t afford their house,’ ’’ Hennessy says. ” ‘We can’t control any of that. But we can control the time we spend with our family. Maybe the presents won’t be $200 presents. Maybe they will be $15 presents. But we are together. If we can make Christmas really perfect, we will have memories all year long.’ ”

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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