Council OKs Emma's Coffee and Wine Spot
Hume Ave cafe will also offer soups, salads, sandwiches and cold plates.
A proposal to open a new coffee and wine bar on Hume Avenue received approval from Alexandria City Council on Saturday.
The plan for Emma’s, located at 106 Hume Ave., calls for renovating an existing apartment building on the property, including the construction of a 954-square-foot addition. Two residential apartments will remain after the renovation, something owner Connie Desrosiers said would mitigate any noise concerns.
“I need to keep my tenants happy,” said Desroisers, who put her business plan together with her daughter Jackie.
At a Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 3, the cafe’s neighbor, Epiphany Productions, expressed worries the restaurant would generate noise impeding the consulting and fundraising firm’s ability to work as well as diminishing property values.
Desosiers said there will be no amplified music at the restaurant, which she hopes will be more of a community gathering spot than bar.
No one opposed the proposal at Saturday's hearing at City Hall.
The restaurant was approved for 40 indoor seats and 18 outdoor seats. It will open at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant will stay open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It will close at 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
Emma’s will offer coffee beverages, soups, salads, sandwiches and cold plates. On-premises beer and wine will also be offered.
“It’s nice to see commercial uses going in vacant spaces, not only on The Avenue but anywhere in the city,” Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille said Saturday. “These spaces have been vacant for quite a long while. Hopefully it’s a positive sign not only that we’re seeing an uptick in the economy but that business people are wanting to take risk here in the city of Alexandria.”
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mg
10:05 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
I know Connie & Jackie through music, the Irish Breakfast band & have to confess that she & her daughters are some of the loveliest, kindest people in Del Ray and their establishment will be a great addition to Del Ray! Congratulations Connie!
amy lu
10:31 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
Always refreshing to hear from a business community member who is equally concerned by the same proposed activities as adjacent residential neighbors often are.
Thank you Epiphany Productions for speaking up - how your concerns were handled is enlightening.
Scooby's Doo
7:04 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I actually have mixed feelings about this, but I won't lose any sleep. First off, zoning is the force of law, and if they are legally permitted to open the establishment in that location, then more power to them. I wish them the best of luck that their business succeeds, hopefully enough to give incentive for them to open in a better location in the future!
In an ideal world, I would prefer to see MVA "fill out" first. There are a variety of suboptimal uses and locations on MVA, and it be good if there was away to encourage retail locations there in order to create a consistent critical mass of businesses. The proposed location is odd, and its not really near other complimentary businesses. Its not the kind of place someone is going to stroll into because it's literally off the beaten path and you would have to go there on purpose, assuming that you already knew it was there. Its not going to catch much impulse shopping because its not really visible, and its not on a route that gets reliable foot traffic. Also, I'm not keen on the idea that the commercial use extends into the blocks intersecting with MVA. I would prefer to see this site redeveloped with a new SFH or modest MF dwelling to maintain the residential use and character of the street, but its not my property, so if someone wants to put a restaurant there, then more power to them.
Bruce
3:26 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Many parents walk their children to Mount Vernon Community School and pass the location daily. Also, there is a pedestrian connection from Clifford Ave. on the east side of the property that 30 or more people use daily. Once Emma's is open many more people will be beating a path to her front door!
Jen Taylor
8:39 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I am so excited for Emma's to come.
Bob Rouse
10:01 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Yay - just what Del Ray needs - a third coffee shop.