I love coffee shops. There is something about starting my day in them, firing up my laptop, after a brisk early morning urban walk. The light-filled open space, the pipes running the length of the soaring ceilings, the oversized windows looking out at people walking by, the aroma of roasted coffee beans, that sizzle of steaming hot coffee poured into a mug.
Alexandria has a vibrant coffee shop scene. And now there’s a new one in town just south of the Alexandria border in Fairfax County. PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has arrived. This one has the distinction of not only being the first in Alexandria but the first in Virginia.
Step outside Del Ray and Old Town for a morning and drive just south of Old Town Alexandria to check out this brand-new java spot. It is in a patch of neo-urbanism amidst your standard-issue suburban strip malls and gas stations. PJ’s Coffee is on the ground floor of South Alex, a newish 400-unit upscale apartment complex at 6220 N. Kings Highway. Attractive shops are laid out in a picturesque outdoor square adorned with seats, flowers and trees, offering respite on these unforgiving July days. An Aldi Grocery Store bookends one long end of the plaza.
Husband and wife owners Ron and Sofiya Ali Parker flung open the doors to their café on Tuesday July 8 at 6:00 in the morning. PJ’s Coffee originated in New Orleans and Ron Parker wants to bring that N’awlins flair to Alexandria. The shop is infused with classic Big Easy flavors and good ol’ fashioned Southern charm, says Ron Parker.
“PJ’s is a brand that focuses on southern hospitality. They want people to feel like they’re at home, so as owners and staff, we’re trained to provide that environment, that atmosphere in our shops. Our music list is predefined to be big band, you know, New Orleans jazz. So you feel that [New Orleans vibe] as soon as you walk in the door.”
It is a quintessential mom and pop shop. Not only is it a husband wife team but Ron brought in his sons and daughter from previous marriages to work in the store too. Ron’s sister, the inspiration behind the project, is one of the store managers. It is a Black locally owned business.
The Zebra visited the coffee shop on grand opening day. Ron Parker said he and the corporation thought long and hard about where to put this shop…