Around Town

Del Ray Hardware wins 2026 Heart of Del Ray award

By James Cullum
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Del Ray Hardware was declared the winner of the annual Heart of Del Ray Award on Friday morning.

Hundreds of people voted in the Del Ray Business Association’s annual popularity contest for businesses. Store owner Jay Portlance received an oversized heart to display for a year, symbolizing the store’s place in the community.

Portlance saved the business at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue, previously known as Executive Lock and Key, from closing when he bought it at the end of 2023. He also owns Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden across the street at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue.

“I just want to thank everybody for the support,” Portlance said. “I work really hard to deal with different things in the community, and it feels good when people really recognize it.”

DRBA President Lauren Fisher said that the store allows businesses and residents to function.

“We could never imagine that they would come in, take it over and make it so much better,” Fisher said. “Homeowners and businesses are running in for everything from plumbing to fuses to paint supplies. But even more so, it’s a real relational business. Jay knows I’ve got him on speed dial. I’m like, ‘What do you think about this insulation or this or that?’ And he’s just always there.”

The award was announced outside Gustave Boulangerie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue), which won the award last year. It is always presented just before Valentine’s Day, which this year is on Saturday, Feb. 14.

The other nominees this year were Piece Out (2419 Mount Vernon Avenue), The Dairy Godmother/Just Fine Donuts (2310 Mount Vernon Avenue), La’Baik (2309 Mount Vernon Avenue) and Matt & Tony’s All-Day Kitchen + Bar (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue).

Previous Heart of Del Ray award winners:

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.