Emma's Coffee Shop and Wine Bar Plans Fall Opening

The mother-daughter team of Connie and Jackie Desrosiers is aiming for a fall opening of Emma’s, a new coffee and wine bar located at 106 Hume Ave. in Del Ray.

Alexandria City Council approved plans for the establishment in January.

Emma’s will open first as a coffee shop, then open the wine bar at a later date. 

• See: Council OKs Emma's Coffee and Wine Spot.

Local architect Bob Larson was hired to develop a working concept plan for Emma’s and remains on the project. 

“We’re currently looking at contractors who will help us bring the property up from the dust,” Connie Desrosiers said.

The Desrosiers said they’re hoping Emma’s (the name is a nod to the 1925 Emma P. Hume subdivision where the property resides) will attract a diverse crowd. The pair has been going over menu plans in recent weeks, including coffee, beer and wine selections.

Connie Desrosiers said M.E. Swing Coffee Roasters, which recently opened its new facility on E. Monroe Avenue, is her first choice for coffee at the restaurant. 

• See: M.E. Swing Coffee Roasters Opens New Facility in Del Ray.

The Desrosiers are planning a smaller menu with a focus on quality. They will strive for homemade products and locally sourced ingredients “as much as we possibly can,” Connie Desrosiers said. 

“We’ve invented a couple sandwiches,” she said. “Our intent is to do some of our own baking for things like cookies.”

The restaurant was approved for 40 indoor seats and 18 outdoor seats. It was approved to 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.

Plans call for renovating the existing apartment building on the property, including the construction of a 954-square-foot addition. Two residential apartments will remain in the building after the renovation.

Along with the building work, Connie Desrosiers said she hopes to team with some neighbors to clean up a pedestrian connection on the eastern border of the property that links Hume Avenue and E. Clifford Avenue.

Follow Emma's on Facebook for updates on the progress. 

For more Patch stories on Emma's, check out: 

• Council OKs Emma's Coffee and Wine Spot
• Planning Commission OKs Proposal for Emma's
• Coffee and Wine Bar in the Works for Hume Avenue

For the quickest updates on Del Ray business news, "like" Del Ray Patch on Facebook and follow @delraypatch on Twitter. Interested in getting Del Ray Patch directly into your inbox each morning? Learn more about our daily newsletter.