Preeti Patel and her 7-Eleven at 2108 Mount Vernon Ave. have won the heart of Del Ray — literally.
Last week, members of the Del Ray Business Association presented Patel with the 2020 Heart of Del Ray award. The annual award was presented after Patel’s business received the most votes from the community, and the 7-Eleven overtook Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, Rock of Ages Music, Stomping Ground and Studio Body Logic.
“I really didn’t expect to win the award because of all the other nominees,” Patel told ALXnow. “Even though I’m not from here, the neighborhood is very supportive.”
The award represents the business that not only received the most votes, but exemplifies the community’s spirit. The DRBA also presented Affordable Signs & Banners with the Forever Heart of Del Ray award for creating years worth of banners and signs for the community.
“Del Ray is known for its mom-and-pops, so this is why this year’s award is unusual, because it’s going to a 7-Eleven. But it means more than that for the Del Ray community,” Reuter said. “There’s never been a time when we have an event that she hasn’t asked, ‘How can we help?'”
Patel, a native of Gujarat, India, moved to the U.S. 20 years ago. She grew up working in her father’s pharmacy, and worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service before pulling up stakes in New Jersey and moving to Alexandria with her two young sons. She bought the 7-Eleven tens years ago, and it keeps her busy enough that she has no interest in owning another.
“After 10 years, it’s incredible to see customers and I’ll ask, ‘How is your son?’ and they say, ‘Oh, he’s in college now,’ and I remember when they were in here buying him a lollipop,” she said. “I’m very happy to be here in such a nice neighborhood.”
Photos via Visit Del Ray/Facebook
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
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2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
