An out of town friend visiting Nora recently decided to tag along as she ran her usual errands. She had no idea what she was in for. Towards the end of the day the friend remarked, “How do you do it?!” Nora’s reply: “That’s just who I am.”


Born in Cuba, Nora Partlow came to the United States at a very young age. Her father instilled in her a strong work ethic. He also taught her that it was important to follow your dreams. Her dream was to be her own boss and to have her own business. Through many incarnations from selling candles, being an office worker, bartender, restaurant manager, Nora held on to this dream. She knew she had a desire within her to affect social and environmental change through her work. A self-described “old hippie from the sixties”, Nora has always been conscious of how an individual can affect change and make a difference. When she partnered with Scott Mitchell to create St. Elmo’s it was the perfect pairing of two people with unique vision and fortitude

Since day one she has almost single handedly turned St. Elmo’s into the “community gathering place” that it is today. Through the careful selection of environmentally natural and healthy products and her involvement with many local boards including First Night Alexandria, The Potomac West Business Association, The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

Contact Nora at NoraStElmos@hotmail.com