Our Story and Bits about Us…

Alexander House opened in 2005 as a side business for a local resident. She named the place after her grandmother, Mary Alexander Hunter, who ran a boarding house in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the 1930’s and 40’s. We bought Alexander House in October 2009 and have maintained our vision for a collectively-owned, independent and service-oriented business.

Our driving passion is to contribute positively to our local and global community. As part of this commitment we practice environmental sustainability and promote local businesses. Specifically:

• composting
• biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners
• solar water heater
• herbs and vegetable produce available to you from our garden
• line dry when weather permits
• push mower
• rain barrel
• fair-trade, organic coffee, local bread, jam, and fruit when available
• feature local artists’ work
• inexpensive bike rentals to encourage less fossil fuel consumption
• our toilet paper is made from 100% recycled paper

In a collective, members share the ownership, the responsibilities, and the decision-making. Currently we are a group of seven, operating together with a mutual understanding of respect, compassion, and communication to make decisions and keep the operation going. And here we are…

 

 

 

Kassia: I am a music maker, ground breaker and connection maker.   I’ve traveled the world, lived on a commune, toured the US with a klezmer band, and practiced Jewish Farming. Having spent the last two years in Charlottesville building community and helping create radical alternatives to the mainstream, I am currently conspiring with the universe to have as much fun as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

Sky:  I am a community builder, activist, and social entrepreneur.  I’ve lived and worked in cooperative and communal groups for most of my adult life.  If I could identify my “career” I’d say it’s in cooperative organizational development.   Said another way, my life is about bringing people together, to build relationships, to build community, and to try to make a positive difference in the world.  I’m 31 yrs old, have a 9 yr old son.  I also love dancing, playing music, gardening, and connecting with all the amazing people in my life.

 

 

 

 

Emma: Do you care about knowing me? I will check you into Alexander House — caring and kind — take your money, and you will never ask who I am. Even if you did, there is a very small chance that I would have a satisfactory answer for you. I’m fifteen for goodness sake! I have no idea who I am! But I know I like rain, music, long road trips, dogwood trees, working, art, Easter egg hunts, swimming, theater, friends, biking, dogs, and history — and I dislike overly peppy people, platform heels, and dark bedrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel:  An aspiring maestra of pottery and plants, I am a teacher, a gardener, and an artist.  I celebrate the magical destinations the world delivers me to each day, preferably on foot.  I love to meet new people, hear their stories, and share delicious food.

 

 

 

 

 

Flame:  I am an artist, a massage therapist, a coach, a teacher and an advocate for transformational growth, healing and peace building from the inside out.  I love community building and inspiring and empowering group endeavors.  Family is central to all aspects of my life.  I love to be playful, silly and quick with a witty come back when I can manage it.  I also enjoy supporting local businesses and am proud to be part of five of them!

 

 

 

Raven:  Look at me, I’m an entrepreneur!  How did that happen?  I’ve wanted to run an inn since my early twenties.  Since then, I’ve run group homes, started a union, lived on a commune, worked in cubicles.  After 5 years of working in social services, I reached my breaking point, started making candles and lucked into Alexander House.  As a soon-to-be empty nester, I’m in a transition point in my life, and starting to figure out what’s next.  Cooperative businesses are a passion of mine, and AH is being a wonderful start.

 

 

 

 

Misty: I am the nomadic nester. I welcome travelers to Alexander House with conflicting urges to be the stranger in others’ lives and to hang family photos on walls. I love being a mother, learning anything new, baking, sailing, connecting, and creating loveliness.