Well-Wishers Gather Sunday to Say 'Thank-You' to Nora Partlow

Friends, family, local officials and well-wishers gathered Sunday to give a hearty “thank you” to Nora Partlow, who opened St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub 19 years ago in what is now the heart of Del Ray. She is selling the business to pursue new adventures. The gathering was held Sunday at The Caboose Cafe, 2419 Mount Vernon Ave.

The new coffee pub Partlow opened nearly two decades ago has become a gathering place over the years for the community and led the way for a new beginning for Del Ray. Well-wishers gathered Sunday afternoon to let her know how much she means to the community.

St. Elmo’s, located in the heart of Del Ray at 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave., features local art and live music and was started in 1996 by Partlow and her former business partner, Scott Mitchell.

Partlow received a Commendation from the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of her community leadership and contributions to the revitalization as the longtime owner and operator of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub. The Commendation was offered by Sen. Adam Ebbin, who represents the 30th District and was in attendance Sunday.

Also on hand Sunday were Mayor Bill Euille, Councilwoman “Del” Pepper, Councilman John Chapman and Councilman Tim Lovain and scores of other well-wishers.

The gathering was a salute to Partlow’s efforts over the years. She came to the United States from Cuba at a very young age, she notes on the St. Elmo’s Web site. Here’s more about her early work ethic and goals, from the site:

Her father instilled in her a strong work ethic. He also taught her that it was important to follow your dreams. Her dream was to be her own boss and to have her own business. Through many incarnations from selling candles, being an office worker, bartender, restaurant manager, Nora held on to this dream. She knew she had a desire within her to affect social and environmental change through her work. A self-described “old hippie from the sixties,” Nora has always been conscious of how an individual can affect change and make a difference. When she partnered with Scott Mitchell to create St. Elmo’s it was the perfect pairing of two people with unique vision and fortitude.

Since day one she has almost single handedly turned St. Elmo’s into the “community gathering place” that it is today. Through the careful selection of environmentally natural and healthy products and her involvement with many local boards including First Night Alexandria, The Potomac West Business Association, The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

From the invitation for the Sunday gathering:

Nineteen years ago, Nora took a big chance on a little neighborhood that was generally overlooked. She opened St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub at a time when Del Ray was not such a cool place to hang out. Thanks to her vision and example, the neighborhood soon began to transform. Soon the Evening Star, Ann Me Me’s and Taqueria Poblano followed.

Nora’s efforts truly transformed Del Ray into what it is today. But the time has come for her to pass the torch, and after almost two decades, she is retiring from the coffee business to pursue new adventures.

Partlow is planning to sell her business to Culinary Concepts LLC, which is owned by Larry and Christine Ponzi. The Ponzis are longtime Alexandria residents who own the Cafe Pizzaiolo restaurants in Shirlington Village and on Fern Street.

“You won’t see any drastic changes — it’s important for us that people know that St. Elmo’s is not going away,” Larry Ponzi said recently of the proposed ownership, which should be completed this summer.

See: Change of Ownership Coming to St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray

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