Coffee and wine may seem at first blush to be strange bedfellows, however the beverages have more in common than initially meets the eye. Both have incredibly passionate fan bases, provide a moment of oasis in a tumultuous day, and-arguably most importantly-can be powerful sources of community. New York transplant and data analyst by day Ksenia Varakina is preparing to harness the powers of java and vino to bring Alexandria residents an escape from the chaos of day-to-day life. She will be opening Cherry on Top in the neighborhood later this year.
The coffee shop and wine bar fusion will be setting up shop at 1021 Queen Street in a 1,062 square foot storefront. A special use permit application filed with the City of Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning shows that Cherry on Top will be able to serve customers both indoors and outdoors, with accommodations for up to 24 guests indoors and 16 outside.
Owner Varakina kindly took some time to speak to What Now DC about her vision for Cherry on Top and how she hopes it will serve the local community. “The idea behind Cherry On Top is to be a hidden gem for local people (though of course everyone is welcome!).” she states. “Since we’re not located on King Street, our vision is to create a calm place to spend time away from the busy street. We’re a little spot with a big garden that we’re planning to use for the patio and decorate through the holidays.”
In addition to providing a calm and welcoming environment, Cherry on Top will ensure that no visitors leave hungry or thirsty. Varakina offers a glimpse at the menu, saying: “We’ll be serving coffee and wine (including non-alcoholic options), galettes and crepes, pastries, and small shareable bites like cheese and charcuterie boards.”
Varakina is moving steadily through the permitting process and is aiming to be open and ready to greet customers by late autumn.
Varakina hopes to turn Cherry on Top into a small but powerful cultural force for the neighborhood-coffee and wine are only the beginning. She states: “In the future, we’d also love to host private events, do wine tastings and coffee classes, collaborate with local businesses, and dedicate one of our walls as a space for local artists to showcase their work.”
