New Parklet, Della J’s Openings To Be Celebrated At Mount Vernon Plaza

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Two openings seeking to revitalize the Mount Vernon Plaza shopping center in Hybla Valley will be celebrated with ribbon cuttings Wednesday. Shopping center owner Federal Realty announced the openings of the parklet at 7694 Richmond Highway and Della J's at 7692 Richmond Highway.

The 3,200-square-foot parklet was converted from an outdoor dining area adjacent to Moe’s Southwest Grill at the shopping center. The parklet provides new cafe seating, lighting, landscaping, a trellis, green space, porch swing benches and soma stones.

The parklet concept is the result of discussions between Federal Realty and the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, which supports projects that promote economic growth in the Richmond Highway corridor. Construction had started in May.

"We were excited to work with Federal Realty for the first parklet project on the Richmond Highway Corridor," said Evan Kaufman, executive director at the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation. "The team at Federal Realty immediately realized the value of this project, not only to their businesses at the Mount Vernon Plaza but to the general community in the area. We look forward to working with more visionary property owners to help develop parklets and community spaces up and down the Corridor."

The ribbon cutting will happen at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Community members are invited to attend and hear from speakers, including Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Federal Realty's senior vice president of asset management Deirdre Johnson and Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation executive director Evan Kaufman.

"I'd like to thank Federal Reality for providing this family-friendly central space for residents to enjoy all that Mount Vernon Plaza has to offer," said Lusk in a statement. "The parklet will be a valuable amenity that will stimulate local growth, and attract visitors from across our region."

Following the parklet opening, a ribbon cutting will be held for Della J's Delectables at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Della J's is a Black-owned business serving Southern comfort food led by owners Jerry and Lydia Young. The business had been relocated from Springfield to a larger space at Mount Vernon Plaza. The new space provides more space for diners and live entertainment, including a jazz trio on weekends.

"The creation of the parklet, along with the arrival of Della J’s newest location, reinvigorates the liveliness of Mount Vernon and showcases the property as the unique, dynamic shopping center it is," said Johnson. "We are thrilled to offer our community and visitors a beautiful and inviting place for social connection with family, friends and business associates while continuing to provide the quality, variety and value combination of merchants for which Mount Vernon Plaza is known."