Located in the heart of Del Ray at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mulberry Lane Play Café is redefining family spaces by blending imaginative play for kids with opportunities for parents to relax, connect, or work—all under one roof. Described as “Balanced Family Fun, Your New BFF,” this innovative café is quickly becoming a favorite for local families.

A Vision Rooted in Experience and Community

Mulberry Lane was founded with a clear mission: to create a space where both children and parents can thrive. Inspired by her European upbringing and her experiences as a mother of two young children, cofounder Stella Borou partnered with the Neighborhood Restaurant Group to bring this vision to life. “We’re redefining what it means to balance family life,” says Stella. “Parents and kids can enjoy moments of joy, connection, and relief in their busy lives.”

A Space for Kids to Explore and Parents to Recharge

At the heart of Mulberry Lane is the Play Lane, a supervised area designed for open-ended fun and creativity. From imaginative playhouses to arts and crafts stations, children can immerse themselves in enriching activities like sensory explorations and storytime sessions. “Our Play Lane is all about letting kids learn, play, and socialize in a safe environment,” Stella explains.

Meanwhile, parents can enjoy a well-deserved break. The café, featuring Shorty’s Deluxe (known for their homemade bread), offers delicious options for coffee and lunch. For those seeking a quiet meal, the Dine & Care service lets parents enjoy dinner at partner restaurants like Evening Star Café, Hi-Fi Tex Mex BBQ and The Front Porch while their kids stay happily entertained.

Mulberry Lane also fosters community connections with parent-focused events such as wine tastings, happy hours, and networking opportunities. Soon, an adults-only coworking space will open on the second floor, offering private offices, dedicated desks, and a live-stream camera system so parents can stay connected to their children while working.

Flexible Membership Options

Mulberry Lane offers several membership plans to meet families’ diverse needs:

• Lane Stars Membership: Three hours of supervised play daily, access to workshops, member-only playdates, and exclusive discounts.

• Sky Lane Co-Work Membership: Unlimited coworking access paired with enrollment in parent-focused events (launching soon).

• Hourly Passes: Flexible supervised play without a long-term commitment.

In its first week, Mulberry Lane has already received glowing feedback from families. Stella recalls a particularly moving story: “A parent came in with her two kids, overwhelmed after a long weekend. She returned an hour later, bought passes, and told us how this experience made her feel human again.”

Other families have traveled from as far as D.C. to experience the space, like one couple who stayed for three hours, happily working while their kids played.

Looking ahead, Stella and her team plan to expand into D.C. and introduce new events like superhero camps, sensory activities, and pizza parties to keep families engaged.

Mulberry Lane Play Café is poised to become a beloved part of Del Ray, offering a much-needed sanctuary for families in Alexandria and beyond.

For more information or to join the Mulberry Lane community, visit their website or stop by at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue.

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