Our commitment to sustainability…

Here at Del Ray Café, you’ll find a blending of both the old and new: What’s “old”? The reclaimed pinewood floors, the restored vintage lanterns, the large antique mirror and the old Jack Daniels whiskey barrels converted to rain barrels outside. We’ve also carefully chosen sustainable or recycled fabrics and materials–from the tables and chairs to the carpet and window treatments, right down to the gingham napkins and uniform shirts!

And the “new”? A state-of-the-art kitchen using the most energy-efficient processes available, a custom water filtration system, on-demand hot water heaters, low-flow faucets and toilets as well as a multi-faceted recycling and composting program within our entire operation. Each piece of electrical equipment that we could find–including our computers, ceiling fans, and TVs–has the Energy Star designation.

Beyond the “green” things we’ve used to construct, decorate, and operate Del Ray Café, we have embraced the “Buy Local” philosophy in all of our business practices, beginning with our bank and lender, Virginia Commerce Bank (now United Bank), without which we couldn’t have even dreamed of this project. We found our fabulous architects, Larson Koenig Architects, two blocks away “on the Avenue” and our amazing contractor, Harry Braswell, Inc., about ½ mile away on Calvert. Our planters are designed by our friend Catherine Bolton, our grounds are maintained by West Landscapes and we continue to search for local options first in each new service we need.