First things first. Alexis Storch is not a morning person. Give her coffee. Walk away. She’ll let you know when it’s safe.
But at least Ms. Morning Grumpy Pants is back here at home. Alexis, a member of the Class of 2018 at The Linsly School, moved to Philadelphia for her first big gig with the Free People clothing brand, and in three years, she learned the diversity of foods, the fun bars, and the Phillies and Eagles are all fantastic, but the eyes in the back of her head got tired from constantly seeking safety.
In Wheeling, the 25-year-old Kent State grad (2022) is home and close enough to big cities to the east and west, not far from her her position as an assistant clothing buyer for Dick’s Sporting Goods, and mostly importantly, Alexis is back with her people.
Her father, Tom, is as hardworking as they come, and he makes maple syrup on the side, and her mother, Erikka, is the external affairs manager for Appalachian Power and was a member of the state Legislature’s House of Delegates for 13 years. She serves as a Republican political analyst for River Talk Radio on 100.1/100.9 FM on Friday afternoons and as a columnist for LEDE News.
As the middle child in the Storch house, Alexis always counts on her older brother, Seth, to check in often from his home in Chicago, and little sister Payton is now the one who’s in college and asking big sister all the important questions.
She’s a “family” girl, for sure … but only after coffee, of course.
How fashionable is Wheeling?
Wheeling is a place that is in the eye of the beholder. I don’t think that a certain place can be determined as fashionable, but it could have fashionable people. Wheeling is one of those places that I do think it depends on what you think is fashionable or how you express yourself. I think of it as a judgment-free zone.
It is built with so many different people with different interests that come from all over, everyone expresses their individuality, whether that’s through fashion or not, in their everyday lives.
Have you tried to help your mother be more fashionable by offering your recommendations?
My mother and I are different people who have different roles in our lives. Since she has worked in very corporate roles in her life, we tend to lean in opposite fashion directions. She always comes to me for advice on what to wear or how to style her outfits, and she does pick up trends from Payton and me so she can really have fun when she’s choosing what to wear.
As her daughter, I always make sure that she has the hottest brands in her closet by gifting them to her for birthdays or Christmas. I have to make sure she is staying up to date on trends!
What was awesome – and what was horrible – about living in the city of Philadelphia?
I lived in Philly for almost 3 years. During these 3 years, the Phillies made it and almost made it to the World Series TWICE, and the Eagles played in the Super Bowl my first year there. That was probably the most awesome part about Philadelphia.
Seeing the city come together, no matter which part you lived in or what you did for work, as fans for these teams. Closing down the streets and greasing the light poles to celebrate all the great accomplishments that have come out of Philadelphia was always a great time.
Another great part about the city was how much there was to do there. There are one million great restaurants for every type of food imaginable, great bars to meet your friends or even new people, and an opportunity to join groups that you wouldn’t run into unless you were a part of what really made Philly special. The community at Free People gave me friends for a lifetime and a job I was proud of being a part of.
But with every great city, there are some cons. Philly was one of those places that I just did not feel the safest on a day-to-day basis. Walking around the city, you never knew what you were going to see or smell. During the summer, I never liked spending too much time in Center City Philadelphia because of the smell – not to mention I have seen a woman fully bathe herself in the streets.
It is a city where you learn to keep your eyes and ears open, to never talk to strangers, and to always Uber or walk in groups. It is also a city where you learn to never leave anything in your car, or someone will bust your window and rummage through the entire thing. (I learned this the hard way and saw more glass on the streets than I have ever seen before.)
Do you appreciate your hometown more now that you’ve moved back?
The Pennsylvania Turnpike and I became great friends. One of us made $85 (not including gas) every single time I was on it, and it was not me.
The greatest part about Wheeling is how close it is to everything. You can get to big cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Columbus so quickly and easily, so that’s why Wheeling feels like it is set up in the best spot to experience whatever you would like.
I think I appreciate my hometown the most because Wheeling is where my people are. I value my family so very much and love getting to come home and be around everyone I love in the home and the city that I grew up in. I know this place like the back of my hand and get excited when there are new places to experience and the growth that has been so noticeable over the years.
What are the best parts and worst parts about being the middle child?
There are a lot of negatives you see on the internet about being a middle child, and I honestly don’t think I’ve experienced any of them. I have an older brother who all I wanted as a child was to be my best friend and want to make me included in anything he was doing (which is probably why I had too many welts from being shot with an airsoft gun). He now just calls me just to chat and to check in, and helps me with anything I ever need.
And I have a little sister whom I had the pleasure of watching grow up from a shy, side-pony-tail-wearing girl to an outgoing and honest young adult who looks up to me and comes to me with everything while knowing that having a sister is a judgment-free advice zone.
So, I don’t think there’s a better spot to be in than the middle child.
I also like to think of myself as the glue, some may say, and the mediator. I defuse most of the fights between my siblings and give my family a very fun person to be around … just not in the morning before I’ve had my coffee.
