Influenced by modest 1940s Americana, Junction Bakery & Bistro brings freshly baked goods and all-day casual dining to Del Ray.

Located in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA (1508 Mount Vernon Avenue), Junction Bakery & Bistro is an all-day bakery and café from restauranteur Noe Landini and chef/baker Nathan Hatfield. CORE created an inviting space that uncovers the building’s 1940s character as a grocery store, while connecting to Del Ray’s railroad history. Junction blends the warmth of dining at home and the energy of a working bakery.

Customers have an expansive view to the 4-deck oven through the large steel and glass wall behind the retail counter. The 50-seat café area combines banquette seating, and loose casual groupings of marble-topped tables. Junction’s palette reflects the colors popular in 1940s residential architecture and fashion. The railroad aesthetic is echoed in the wood planking on the walls, riveted metal panels wrapping the restrooms, oak flooring (in the café) and custom lanterns. CORE selected enameled metals for countertops, red square tiles (on the counter front), encaustic patterned floor tile (in the retail area), hand painted chairs, and china hutches. All of these features were inspired by the spirit of frugality in wartime America in the 1940s.

Junction’s exterior includes a striking mural, branded signage, and the building’s refurbished glass storefront windows. Inside, some of the original plaster walls and tin ceiling have also been restored.