Del Ray Variety Store to Close, Owner Says

Del Ray Variety, located at 203 E. Custis Ave., is planning to close later this year, according to Debra Arnett, who owns the store with Erik Dorn.

One of the reasons the friends opened the store in 2013 was because of their fond memories of Hollin Hall Variety off of Fort Hunt Road.

Halloween merchandise is 50 percent off, all other holiday items are 90 percent off and many other items are 50 percent off. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The store, which hearkens back to earlier times, when you could often find a “five and dime” store in almost any small town, opened in 2013 with a ribbon-cutting and has been an active member of the community ever since.

Before Del Ray Variety occupied the building on Custis Avenue, it was home to Old Town-based auction and appraisal house Potomack Company, which used the property for a rug auction space. The building previously housed Christian’s Community Center Church of Alexandria.

The store has carried kids toys, arts and crafts, pet products, helium balloons, greeting cards, hardware and party supplies, office and school supplies, beauty products, bath and kitchen products and general home merchandise.

Stay tuned -- Patch hopes to update this story with more information coming from the owners about their reasons for closing.