A taste of the French Quarter has arrived in Fairfax County with the opening this week of PJ’s Coffee‘s first Virginia location at the South Alex development on North Kings Highway.
The New Orleans-born coffee brand will open its doors Tuesday (July 8) at 6220 N. Kings Hwy., Alexandria, bringing signature beignets, small-batch roasted coffee, and Southern hospitality to the transit-oriented community that bills itself as “Route 1 reimagined.”
Local entrepreneurs Ronald and Sofiya Ali Parker, longtime residents of the Burgundy Village area, are the franchise owners behind the new location. Ronald works as an IT Program Manager, while Sofiya is a Delta Airlines flight attendant. The couple’s connection to coffee runs deep – Sofiya’s family roots trace back to Ethiopia, widely considered the birthplace of coffee.
“The original idea to start this coffee shop came from my sister,” Ronald explained. “I’ve spent countless hours in coffee shops over the years, and one day she suggested I open a store and let her run it. When we discovered PJ’s, we were drawn to the warm décor, the exceptional coffee and the unique food options — especially the beignets.”
The standalone café occupies ground-floor space in the 400-unit South Alex apartment complex, a development that opened in 2022.
To celebrate the opening, PJ’s Coffee offered free beignet bites and Buy-One-Get-One 50% off hot and iced coffees for South Alex and Shelby Apartments residents. The shop also provides year-round discounts for teachers, students, healthcare workers, first responders, veterans, military personnel, and law enforcement.
Beyond serving coffee, the Ali Parkers plan to engage with the local community through partnerships with nearby schools, community centers, and service organizations to support youth programs and education initiatives.
The menu features PJ’s signature cold brew, fresh-baked pastries, and recently launched energy drinks, including the Hurricane, Swamp Attack, and Voodoo varieties. Through August 5, customers can also order from the Southern Wedding Cake beverage lineup, inspired by traditional Southern celebration cakes.
This Alexandria location marks PJ’s Coffee’s expansion into its 15th state and seventh location in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia region. Founded in 1978 by coffee industry pioneer Phyllis Jordan, the brand now operates more than 185 stores across the U.S. and internationally.
To learn more about the New Orleans-born brand and its offerings, visit pjscoffee.com.
